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PP68. Gunyong (Grices) Creek - Manyung Fault

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:309712. Approximately lower 100 m sector of the Gunyong Creek valley.
Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Site 68. Dipping Balcombe Clay beds in
Gunyong Creek. (Concretions are arrowed).

Access:
From Moondah Beach via Sturio Pde, Mt Eliza.
Ownership/Managing Authority:
Private land.

Site Description:
The floor and valley sides of Gunyong Creek have significant exposures of Balcombe Clay. These are best seen on the southern side of the valley immediately upstream from the beach where they dip north at 35o. The beds contain abundant fossils and have numerous concretions. About 120 m upstream, the outcrop is more restricted but dips at 60o due to drag on the Manyung Fault. The fault crosses the creek about 30 m north of this steep dipping sector and faults Older Basalt against the Balcombe Clay. The variable dip of the Balcombe Clay beds is a clear expression of the drag produced by the Manyung Fault.

Significance:
Regional. The site is a significant exposure of the Balcombe Clay, is a major fossil site in this material and includes abundant calcareous nodules. It is an important site to demonstrate the occurrence and alignment of the Manyung Fault.

Management Considerations:
Class 2. The site is heavily overgrown and access to the upper creek exposures is difficult. Arrangement is required with the landowner to allow a cut track to be maintained to the site to allow access for genuine users. It is preferred that the valley sides where the formation outcrops be left as active landslip areas to allow the exposure to be maintained. Diversion of the creek or artificial stabilization of the valley sides should be discouraged as should land use that would require the slopes to be stabilized. In the long term, the acquisition of the lower 150 m of the valley into public ownership would be preferred.

References:
Keble, R.A. (1950). The Mornington Peninsula. Mem. Geol. Surv. Vict. 17.
Gostin, V.A. (1966). Tertiary stratigraphy of the Mornington district, Victoria. Proc. R. Soc. Vict., 79, 459-512.


Sites PP68 - PP69
Sites 68 & 69. Gunyong (Grices) Creek

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