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5-9 Tonkin Plug

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:

7221-489499. Six kilometres south-east of Portland.

Access:

Road to new quarry off Cape Nelson Road.

Geology/Geomorphology:

This site consists of a plug of basalt and tuff of Greenwald-Cobboboonee Basalt associated with the Nelson volcano. Most of the plug is covered by calcarenite dune ridges, which include a large depression possibly of karstic origin.

Significance:

Regional. This is the main exposure on private land of the Nelson volcano materials - the major expressions of this volcano are on adjacent Public Land.

Management:

Limited quarrying would be compatible with the maintenance of the site as it would provide more exposures of the basalt and tuff.
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