Soil/Landform Unit 97

Mount Elephant hs steep rocky slopes that are used for grazing. This volcanic cone is topographically prominent in this landscape and is surrounded by near level lava plains and stony rises

Area:

313 ha

0.02% of CMA region

The steep high cone of Mount Elephant at Derrinallum is a major topographical feature of the Western Plains and can be viewed from great distances (i.e. Ballarat). This majestic steep cone is derived from volcanic scoria and basalt and is surrounded by a large area of stony rises. The volcanic eruption point on the Western Plains has nearly 100 m of local relief and abuts the western boundary of the Corangamite catchment. The cone has been extensively cleared with little remnant vegetation (including Stony Rises Herb-rich Woodland and Scoria Cone Woodland) occurring as stands across the lower slopes. Other non-native plantations have occurred as shelter belts for stock on the lower slopes. Slopes have highly fertile loamy soils that have been used for grazing mainly due to the abundance of surface stone that limit cultivation. The basaltic rock and scoria and tuff support shallow red and black

friable

loamy soils on the crest and all slopes, with soils significantly deeper on lower slopes. Areas with shallow stony gradational soils are susceptible to

leaching

of nutrients, and

compaction

is a problem on the lower slopes.

Photo: Twelve Apostles near Port Campbell

Mount Elephant is surrounded by stony rises of Unit 97
	Mount Elephant from Camperdown-Lismore

Component	1	2	3
Proportion of soil-landform unit	40%	25%	35%
CLIMATE Rainfall (mm)	Annual: 650
Temperature (^oC)	Minimum 8, Maximum 19
Precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration	Precipitation: less than potential evapotranspiration October-March
GEOLOGY Age and lithology	Quaternary scoria and basalt
Geomorphology	6.1.1 Eruption points of the Volcanic Western Plains
LANDUSE	Uncleared: Nature conservation Cleared: Beef cattle and sheep grazing; cropping (cereal)
TOPOGRAPHY Landscape	Steep, high cone of Mount Elephant
Elevation range (m)	185-379
Local relief (m)	90-100
Drainage pattern	-
Drainage density (km/km²)	-
Landform	Cone
Landform element	Crest, upper slopes	Steep mid slopes	Lower slopes
Slope and range (%)	8 (1-16)	28 (10-60)	10 (6-25)
Slope shape	Convex	Irregular	Concave
NATIVE VEGETATION Ecological Vegetation Class	Stony Rises Herb-rich Woodland (0.3%), Scoria Cone Woodland (0.1%)
SOIL Parent material	Scoria, basalt	Scoria, basalt	Scoria, basalt
Description (Corangamite Soil Group)	Shallow red and black friable loamy sands (40)	Shallow red and black friable loamy soils (40)	Shallow red and black friable loamy soils (40)
Soil type sites	SW96, SW26, BD5	SW96, SW26, BD5	SW96, SW26, BD5
Surface texture	Clay loam	Clay loam	Clay loam
Permeability	High to very high	High	High
Depth (m)	<0.6	<0.7	<1.5
LAND CHARACTERISTICS, POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS	Loam (heavy) soils, shallow, friable. Low to moderate water holding capacity, moderate to high nutrient holding capacity. Often stony. Rapid site drainage. Slight susceptibility to sheet erosion.	Loam (heavy) soils, shallow, friable. Low to moderate water holding capacity, moderate to high nutrient holding capacity. Often stony. Rapid site drainage. Slight susceptibility to sheet erosion.	Loam (heavy) soils, shallow, friable. Low to moderate water holding capacity, moderate to high nutrient holding capacity. Often stony. Rapid site drainage. Slight susceptibility to sheet erosion.

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