L5 - Korkuperrimul Creek - Glacial and Volcanic Rocks

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 (external link) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	Bullengarook - 695336 to Lerderderg - 706295. Shire of Bacchus Marsh. Valley of Korkuperrimul Creek from Tillite Creek extending 4 km downstream.	Korkuperrimul Creek - Glacial & Volcanic Rocks
Access:	Londons Lane and Swans Lane.
Ownership:	Private land.
Site Description:	Sections exposed along the Korkuperrimul Creek and in old quarries on the valley slopes, display Permian glacial deposits of the Bacchus Marsh Formation and Older Volcanics lava flows. The glacial deposits form a composite section over 100 m thick and, as well as tillites, include outwash conglomerate, sandstone and siltstone deposited in lakes and streams marginal to the glaciers. The best sections are at Miers Cliff, Andersons Quarry and Tillite Creek. Two faulted contacts between Permian rocks and Older Volcanics basalt are well exposed in Korkuperrimul Creek, and jointed basalt and tuff is exposed in the creek bed and on valley-side bluffs at several localities. At Miers Creek confluence, Korkuperrimul Creek crosses a wide, resistant outcrop of Older Volcanics basalt and a short steep gorge has developed. Elsewhere along the creek are narrow stream terraces and higher level terraces containing large Older Volcanics boulders.
	At Miers Cliff and near Long Gully, a lenticular conglomerate bed interbedded in the Bacchus Marsh Formation has been differentiated as the Morton Conglomerate Member. This is the only stratigraphic subdivision made of the Permian deposits.
	Several major publications refer to the detailed stratigraphy and geological history of the Permian deposits.
	Several major publications refer to the detailed stratigraphy and geological history of the Permian deposits at Korkuperrimul Creek.
Significance:	International. The glacial beds exposed in Korkuperrimul Creek are part of a glacial episode that affected all of the Gondwanaland continents. This site displays a wide variety of Permian glacial deposits and the faulted nature of the contact with the Older Volcanic rocks. It also includes a major exposure of the Morton Conglomerate Member.
Management:	Class 1. The sites should be retained as natural outcrops. No construction activities that would modify or obscure the outcrops should be permitted. Retention of the sites under rural land use is appropriate to maintaining their significance. The main threat would be smaller sub-division involving stream control structures, bridges and causeways, and buildings.
References:	Bowen RL and Thomas GA (in Douglas JG and Ferguson JE) (1976) Crowell JC and Frakes LA (1971) Roberts P (1984, 1985) Jacobson R and Scott TR (1937)

Image: Sites of Significance Werribee L5a

Korkuperrimul Creek

Site L5

Image: Sites of Significance Werribee L5b

Korkuperrimul Creek - Glacial and Volcanic Rocks

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