8523 (8522)-28 Martin Camerons Quarry

Sites 8523 (8522) 16 to 30 - The Buchan/Murrindal Limestone Basin

This information has been developed from the publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in Central Gippsland (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams and S.M Kraemers.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Gippsland Lakes Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in East Gippsland, Victoria (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	002430. Martin Camerons Quarry, South Buchan.	Massive corraline limestone of the Taravale Formation in Camerons quarry - Buchan.
Abstract:	South Buchan biohermal limestone deposits.
Access:	Western extension of North Boundary Road, South Buchan.
Ownership:	Private land.
Geology:	The quarry is excavated on two levels in a limestone lens, probably of the Taravale Formation. This lens is composed of crystalline limestone, 50% of which consists of coral Thamnopora colonies. Along the southern side of the quarry Favosites and Thamnopora are mixed in equal numbers while crinoid stems and some stromatoporoids occur also. This mixed fossil limestone grades into unfossiliferous limestone at the southern end of the quarry exposure. Underlying the Thamnopora limestone facies of a thick dark limestone from which the “Black Buchan Marble” was excavated. The rocks near to and within the quarry are intersected by two sets of open joints which are commonly filled with clay, pebbles and limestone fragments. Solution weathering features are etched in the boulders and cliffs of the quarry, while calcite crystalization is common at lower levels within the quarry.
Significance:	Regional. Best exposure of biohermal limestone in the South Buchan basin. The site is of additional importance as the stratigraphic position of the outcrop is unclear.
Management:	Much of the quarry exposure is becoming obscured by scree and vegetation. The quality of this site would be enhanced by removal of this material.
References:	Fletcher, K. 1963. 'The Snowy River Volcanics west of Buchan'. Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 76 :169-179. Tiechert, C. and Talent, J.A. 1958. 'Geology of the Buchan area, East Gippsland', Mem. geol. Surv. Vict., 21: 1-56.

8523 (8522)-20 to 8523-21, 23-24, 26-31

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