2-7 Bridgewater Caves and Fault Scarp

This information has been developed from the publications:

An assessment of the Geological/Geomorphological Significance of Private Land in the Shire of Portland (1981) by N. Rosengren, J Mallen, T Shepherd.

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.

Locality:	7121-355587. Three kilometres north-west of Bridgewater.
Access:	Bridgewater Lakes Road.
Geology:	Shallow caves with speleotherms have developed on Bridgewater Formation dune limestones. These caves were probably formed during a higher Pleistocene sea level. The dune limestone, outcropping on cliffs of the Bridgewater Fault scarp at the caves, constitutes the type section of the Bridgewater Formation.
Significance:	State. This site includes both the type section of the Bridgewater Formation and caves that provide evidence of sea level changes. The eroded fault scarp is a clear example of the extensive fault systems that separate the two main physiographic provinces of the Portland Shire.
Management:	Quarrying and rubbish dumping in the area delineated as Site 2-7 should be prohibited.
Reference:	Coulson, A. (1940). 'Caves of the Portland District', Vict. Nat. 57: 37-39. Boutakoff, N. (1963). The Geology and Geomorphology of the Portland Area. Geological Survey of Victoria, Memoir No. 22. Wopfner, M. and Douglas, J.G. (Eds.) (1971). The Otway Basin of South-eastern Australia, Special Bulletin, Geological Surveys of South Australia and Victoria. Douglas, J.G. and Ferguson, J.A. (eds). (1976). Geology of Victoria. Geological Society of Australia, Special Publication No. 5.

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