Site 7 Rushall Station, Fitzroy - Basalt Structures

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

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 for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	YARRA 5000/04.07 E23250 N16200
	Cliff forming the right bank of the Merri Creek immediately below Rushall Station and the adjacent section of the creek channel.
Access:	There is no direct practical access to the site as it is a vertical cliff rising from a deep pool in the Merri Creek channel. The site may be adequately viewed from a cleared, low terrace on the opposite (left) bank between Cunningham Street and Walker Street.
Ownership & Municipality:	Public Land, City of Fitzroy.
Site Description:	Vertical and in parts overhanging cliffs 8 to 10 metres high line the southern (right) bank of the Merri Creek below Rushall Station extending for 200 m west of the high level footbridge. The exposures are of the same sequence seen at Site 5 and Site 6 although the lowermost ropy unit is not exposed. Corestone development is more advanced in the columnar unit than at Site 6 and other distinctive weathering forms are clearly displayed. The Merri Creek channel just downstream of the cliffs is rocky with gravels derived from the jointed blocks of the cliff.
Significance Rating:	Regional.
	The exposure is an excellent section to show the internal structure of a lava flow and the changes due to jointing and weathering. It supplements the exposures at Site 6 by giving a broader overview of the joint types.
Site Sensitivity:	Class 3.
	The site is naturally protected by the deep pool of the Merri Creek as the base which discourages direct access. The site is adequately viewed from the opposite bank. The site has great potential as a geological education site and could be linked with Site 5 and Site 6 in an interpretive study of basalt structures in the Merri Creek gorge. Management should give priority to maintaining the geological features. Overhanging or obscuring vegetation should be removed or pruned on both sides of the Merri Creek to maintain the visibility of the outcrops.
References:	None Known

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