L17 - Rowsley - Parwan Gorge

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:	Lerderderg - 695212. Shire of Bacchus Marsh. Valley of Parwan Creek, 6 km south of Bacchus Marsh and 1 km north of the junction of Glenmore road and Balliang Road.
Access:	Balliang Road.
Ownership:	Private land.
Site Description:	The Parwan Creek has incised a gorge into the Newer Volcanics lava flows at the point where it crosses the scarp of the Rowsley Fault. The basalt is here over 60 m thick and has been warped into a monocline by movement of the Rowsley Fault. Structures in the basalt also indicate that the flows fill a pre-basaltic valley in the underlying Werribee Formation sediments. The narrow valley constricts the Parwan Creek and provides a base level for erosion in the Parwan Valley upstream.
Significance:	Regional. The site is an example of the thickness of basalt across the Rowsley Fault and is of interest for the indications of sub-basaltic topography.
Management:	Class 3. The site is best retained for open space use as at present.

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