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4. Quarries Park - Ropy Lava

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Westernport Bay Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Environmental Significance in the Flood Plain of the Upper Yarra Valley Region (1983) by Neville Rosengren, Douglas Frood and Kim Lowe (as part of a study of Sites of Environmental Significance by the University of Melbourne for the then Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority).
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:YARRA 5000/05.07 E24375 N15475
Right bank of Merri Creek adjacent to the Merri Park at the eastern edge of Quarries Park, 100 m south of Walker Street, Collingwood. A derelict metal chute remaining from the quarrying days lies adjacent to the site.

Access:
Walker Street or Merri Path.

Ownership & Municipality:
Public Land, City of Collingwood.

Site Description:
The site is a small exposure of lava at the edge of the former quarry now filled by the Collingwood Municipal tip. The outcrop (probably exposed by quarrying) shows contrasting basalt structures. Part of the outcrop shows vesicular and ropy lava at the edge or top of a former lava flow. Another part of the exposure is of a more massive basalt with vertical and horizontal joints forming rough columns. Part of this section is highly weathered and displays incomplete spheroidal structures beneath a thin, flaking weathering skin.

Significance Rating:
Local

This is very clear example of some primary structures of a lava flow (ropy lava, vesicles, joints) and types of weathering (spheroidal weathering and flaking). These processes are apparent on better exposures elsewhere but this site is very accessible and complements the larger scale structures seen at other nearby lava sites.

Site Sensitivity:
Class 2.

The joints and weathering have combined to give a loose and partly unstable surface. I have noticed that the site has deteriorated over the last few years – almost certain by deliberate removal (souveniring) of some of the ropy lava blocks. The site could be easily integrated into an interpretive trail showing the history of lava flows. Means of warning and educating the public not to vandalise outcrops like this need to be devised

References:
None Known
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