Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3
Features of geoheritage signi
cance in Walpole-Nornalup Inlet estuary, and the rationale for the assessment (Semeniuk et al.
2011
)
Geological feature
Type of site, and its scale (category of site from
Fig.
1
)
Signi
cance
Rationale for assigning the level of signi
cance
Precambrian rock sequences and
landforms
Geohistorical, and modern landscapes and setting
(active processes); large scale feature
Regional
Variety of metamorphic and igneous rock types distinct to this part of the Albany-
Fraser Orogen of southern Western Australia Wilde and Walker (
1984
),
Semeniuk et al. (
2011
)
Gneissic control of estuarine form
(morphology of the estuary)
Modern landscapes and setting (active processes);
large scale feature
State-wide
The geological strike of the mega lithologic units control the shape of the estuary,
the only such example in coastal Western Australia
Coalmine Beach stratigraphy
Geohistorical site; medium scale feature
Regional
The Coalmine Beach Peninsula exposes excellent exposes of Tertiary stratigraphic
sequences, which are unusual in southern Western Australia see Wilde and
Walker (
1984
), Geological Survey of WA (
1990
), Semeniuk et al. (
2011
) the
exposure is well preserved because the rocks are protected from Southern
Ocean swell by the estuarine setting
Tertiary sediment sequences
Geohistorical site; small scale feature
Regional to
State-wide
The stratigraphy along the Coalmine Beach Peninsula is well exposed, and
provides good examples of the Tertiary sequences, unlike in other coastal
locations that are more exposed to Southern Ocean swell
Frankland River to barrier
landform relationships
Modern landscapes and setting (active processes);
large scale feature
State-wide
The Bellanger Barrier has in a major way deected the major river of the
Frankland, producing river to barrier landform relationships that is unique in
Western Australia
Quaternary stratigraphic
sequences
Geohistorical site; medium scale to small scale
feature
Regional to
State-wide
The barrier, estuary and hinterland has produced a complex array of stratigraphic
sequences that are well developed and unique to estuary/barrier situations in
Western Australia
Quaternary landforms
Modern landscapes and setting (active processes);
medium scale feature
Regional
The barrier, estuary and hinterland in this Southern Ocean setting have produced a
complex array of Quaternary landforms that are well developed and unique to
estuary/barrier situations in Western Australia
Open coastal dune zone landforms Modern landscapes and setting (active processes);
large scale feature
State-wide
The barrier, barring the estuary, and facing the Southern Ocean setting has
produced open coastal dune landforms that are well developed and unique to
estuary/barrier situations in Western Australia
Estuary shore landforms
Modern landscapes and setting (active processes);
large scale feature
State-wide
The estuary, because of its shape and its relationship to the barrier has produced
estuary shore landforms that are well developed and unique to estuaries in
Western Australia
Complex and unique stratigraphy
of the estuary shores
Geohistorical sites; reference sites; medium scale
to small scale feature
State-wide
Because of its geological setting and Quaternary history, the area contains a
distinctive stratigraphy along the estuarine shores unique to estuaries in
Western Australia
Complex stratigraphy of the
barrier dunes
Geohistorical sites; reference sites; large scale
feature
Regional
Because of its coastal and oceanographic setting, the barrier is complex in its
history, and contains a number of distinctive stratigraphic type sections unique
to estuaries in Western Australia
Stratigraphy and hydrology of the
estuary shores
Geohistorical sites and modern landscapes and
setting (active processes); reference sites; large
to small scale feature
State-wide
The stratigraphy and hydrology of the estuarine shore are closely inter-related, and
the varied and complex stratigraphy of the estuarine shores has resulted in a
varied and complex coastal hydrology unique to estuarine Western Australia
(continued)
