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176. Koolyns - Silurian Outcrop

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:

Rhyll – 514398. 1 km south of Rhyll.
Image: Sites of Significance Westernport Bay
Silurian sediments at Koolyns, Site 176.
Access:From Rhyll to Newhaven Road.
Ownership:Crown land.
Geology:Along a 100 m section of coastline are outcrops of steeply dipping and strongly sheared Silurian mudstones and sandstones. The sandstones form low ridges where they outcrop across the shore platform.
Significance:State. This is the only Palaeozoic outcrop known on Phillip Island and is the easternmost exposure of Silurian sediments on the Victorian coast. The outcrop is very limited in extent and appears in sections only 1 m high in a low coastal cliff.
Management:Class 2. Any activity that would obscure the outcrop eg – building works, boat access facilities or coast protection works should be prohibited in the area of the site.
References:
Jenkin, J.J. (1962). The geology and hydrogeology of the Westernport area. Dept. of Mines Vict. Underground Water Investigation Report No. 5.

176. Koolyns - Silurian Outcrop
Site 176, Koolyns - Silurian outcrop
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