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Bf7 Moorabool Viaduct - Type Locality

Geelong - Maude Area, Tertiary Stratigraphic Sites

This information has been developed from the publications:
  • 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 Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Shire of Otway (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
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 (external link) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.



Location


Access

Ownership
Batesford - 615823. Former Shire of Bannockburn. Valley of Moorabool River at the crossing of the Geelong to Ballarat Railway, 2 km north of Batesford.

Hill Road.

Private land.

Site Description

On the valley slopes of the Moorabool, adjacent to the viaduct, are exposures of white and red stained sands and calcareous sandstone overlain by lava flows. The lava occurs at two levels representing flows of differing age, that occurring in the valley being younger than that capping the edge of the valley. The outcrop has long been established as the type locality of the Moorabool Viaduct Sand even though the exposures are not the best available. There is substantial literature relating to the lithology and palaeontology of the Moorabool Viaduct Sand at this locality.

Significance

State. This is the type locality of a formation which is widespread in the Geelong district and along the lower Moorabool River.

Management

Class 3. Continuation of rural land use will maintain the significance of the site.

References

Hall, T.S. and Pritchard, G.B. (1897).

Mulder, J.F. (1902).
Singleton, F.A. (1941).
Bowler, J.M. (1963). Tertiary Stratigraphy and Sedimentation in the Geelong/Maude Area, Victoria. Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 76:69-137.



Bf7 - Moorabool Viaduct and floodplain of Moorabool River upstream from Batesford.

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