138. Tenby Point - Cliffed Coast

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Westernport Bay Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Environmental Significance in the Flood Plain of the Upper Yarra Valley Region (1983) by Neville Rosengren, Douglas Frood and Kim Lowe (as part of a study of Sites of Environmental Significance by the University of Melbourne for the then Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority).

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 (external link) for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	Corinella – 675476. 5 km east of Corinella.	Weathered Older Volcanics (A) overlain by Baxter Formation near Tenby Point. Arrows show line of contact between the formations, Site 138
Access:	Bayview Avenue.
Ownership:	Private land.
Geology:	The coast east and west of Tenby Point is a series of alternative headlands and embayments backed by active cliffs and bluffs of Baxter Formation. As there is a strong drift of beach materials to the east, the headlands intercept this drift and sand accumulates as temporary cuspate forelands, often with a recurving spit extending eastwards. There is an intermittent mangrove fringe. Several cliff sectors provide clear sections of the contact between the Baxter Formation and the Older Volcanics. The disintegration of these rocks provides a coarse and heavily ferruginised gravel that forms a veneer on the shore platform.
Significance:	Regional. The site illustrates an unusual and temporary sand accumulation feature. No detailed studies have been undertaken of the rate of sand drift, but this coastline is an important source of sand for beach areas to the east near Grantville. The cliff profiles are complex and provide sites for the study of the nature of the contact between Baxter Formation and Older Volcanics and the response of these formations to weathering and coastal erosion.
Management:	Class 1. No artificial structures that intercepted or removed sand from the easterly drift system should be permitted. Such structures may lead to serious coastal erosion near Grantville by depleting that area of its sediment source. Dumping of refuse and construction works in a zone 50 m inland from the cliff edge should be prohibited.

Site 138, Tenby Point

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