I4 - The Bluff - Eruption Point

This information has been developed from this publication:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) 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 section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	Ingliston - 592220. Shire of Ballan. Southern side of Parwan Valley, 3 km west of Glenmore.
Access:	Glenmore Road.
Ownership:	Private land.
Site Description:	The Bluff is a prominent ridge, capped by an accumulation of scoria at an eruption point, rising abruptly to 150 m above the Parwan Valley. The ridge is bounded by a basalt escarpment with extensive scree accumulations on the middle and lower slopes. The retreat of the basalt escarpment, and the loading of large basalt screes, has triggered numerous landslips/landslides on the western facing slopes.
Significance:	Regional. The Bluff has one of the highest lava cliffs in the study area. It is a prominent and distinctive landscape feature of the Parwan Valley. A traverse from the summit, down the northern slopes to the incised channel of Yaloak Creek, crosses a wide variety of slope types and materials and provides an effective summary of the geological and geomorphological processes of the Parwan Valley.
Management:	Class 2. Quarrying should not be permitted on the upper slopes of The Bluff. The degree of land instability should preclude use of the site, other than agricultural production.
References:	Rosengren NJ (1982)

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