Last updated on March 24th, 2026 at 04:29 pm
Book
Drexel, J.F.; Preiss, W.V.(editors). 1995. Bull 054 Geology of South Australia. Volume 2: The Phanerozoic. Departmental Publication – Bulletin. Government of South Australia.
https://pid.sarig.sa.gov.au/document/2018d037832 (Digital version published in 2024 and revised in 2025)
Description
….Volume 2 – The Phanerozoic – describes the younger geology of the State [South Australia (SA)], created from 540 million years ago to the present day. The known Phanerozoic record of SA is preserved in widespread sedimentary basins, and by igneous and metamorphic rocks; only the Silurian Period is not represented. Rocks dating from this timespan in the Earth’s history contain most of the State’s oil and gas reserves, as well as a variety of industrial and extractive minerals, gemstones such as opal and diamonds, groundwater, and some metallic mineral resources. The volume also discusses geology in relation to the modern environment, covering topics such as groundwater contamination and land salinisation, geological hazards, and mining and the environment.’ (SARIG | Bull 054: The Geology of South Australia – the Phanerozoic)
Parts, chapters and sections
Preface p. iii
Abstract p. viii
Introduction p. 1
Chapter 7. Early and middle palaeozoic
- Correlation p. 3
- Stansbury basin p. 5
- Geological setting p. 5
- Sequence set p. 6
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 lowstand deposits p. 7
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 transgressive deposits p. 8
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 highstand deposits p. 9
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 lowstand deposits p. 10
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 transgressive deposits p. 10
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 highstand deposits p. 12
- Sequence ∈ 1.3 transgressive-highstand deposits p. 12
- White Point Conglomerate p. 12
- Truro Volcanics p. 13
- Eastern Stansbury Basin p. 15
- Sequence set ∈ 2 p. 15
- Western Stansbury Basin p. 17
- North coast of Kangaroo Island p. 17
- Sequence set ∈ 3 p. 18
- Upper Kanmantoo Group p. 18
- Yuruga Formation p. 18
- Sequence set ∈ 4/O1 p. 18
- Arrowie Basin p. 20
- Geological setting p. 20
- Sequence set ∈ 1 p. 20
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 lowstand deposits p. 20
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 transgressive deposits p. 22
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 highstand deposits p. 22
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 lowstand deposits p. 23
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 transgressive deposits p. 23
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 highstand deposits p. 23
- Sequence ∈ 1.3 lowstand deposits p. 24
- Sequence ∈ 1.3 transgressive deposits p. 24
- Sequence ∈ 1.3 highstand deposits p. 25
- Volcaniclastic and syntectonic deposits p. 26
- Sequence set ∈ 2 p. 27
- Sequence ∈ 2.1 deposits p. 27
- Sequence ∈ 2.2 lowstand deposits’ p. 28
- Sequence ∈ 2.2 transgressive and highstand deposits p. 28
- Sequence ∈ set 3 p. 28
- Lowstand deposits p. 28
- Transgressive deposits p. 30
- Pantapinna Sandstone p. 30
- Grindstone Range Sandstone p. 30
- Palaeogeography and age p. 30
- Eastern Warburton Basin p. 31
- Geological setting p. 31
- Sequence set ∈ 1 p. 31
- Sequence set ∈ 2 p. 32
- Sequence set ∈ 3 p. 32
- Lowstand deposits p. 32
- Transgressive deposits p. 32
- Highstand deposits p. 32
- Sequence set ∈ 4/O1 p. 33
- Transgressive deposits p. 33
- Highstand deposits p. 33
- Dullingari Group p. 34
- Eastern Officer Basin p. 35
- Geological setting p. 35
- Sequence set ∈ 1 p. 35
- Sequence ∈ 1.1 deposits p. 35
- Sequence ∈ 1.2 deposits p. 36
- Sequence ∈ 1.3 deposits p. 37
- Observatory Hill Formation p. 37
- Wallatinna Formation p. 37
- Sequence set ∈ 2 p. 37
- Sequence ∈ 2.1 deposits p. 37
- Cootanoorina Formation p. 37
- Arcoeillinna Sandstone p. 38
- Sequence ∈ 2.2 deposits p. 38
- Mount Johns Conglomerate p. 38
- Apamurra Formation p. 39
- Moorilyanna Formation p. 39
- Levenger Formation p. 39
- Sequence set ∈ 3 p. 39
- Trainor Hill Sandstone p. 39
- Wirrildar beds p. 39
- Kulyong Volcanics p. 39
- Stratigraphic and event correlation p. 40
- Munda sequence’ p. 40
- Byilkaoora Formation p. 40
- Mount Chandler Sandstone p. 40
- Indulkana Shale p. 41
- Blue Hills Sandstone p. 41
- Cartu beds and Mintabie beds p. 41
- Stratigraphic Correlation p. 41
- Western Warburton Basin p. 41
- Geological setting p. 41
- Sequence set ∈ 1 p. 42
- Sequence set ∈ 2 p. 42
- Sequence set ∈ 3 p. 42
- Ordovician sedimentary rocks p. 43
- Pacoota or Stairway Sandstone p. 43
- Dullingari Group p. 43
- Middle Palaeozoic (Devonian) p. 43
- Geological setting p. 43
- Eastern Officer Basin p. 43
- `Munyarai sequence’ p. 43
- Southeastern Amadeus Basin p. 44
- Mereenie Sandstone and Finke Group p. 44
- Boorthanna Trough region p. 44
- Darling Basin p. 44
- Recycled rocks and fossils p. 45
- Post-Delamerian compressive deformation p. 60
- Southeastern Amadeus Basin p. 60
- Eastern Warburton Basin p. 61
- Musgrave Block p. 61
- Eastern Officer Basin p. 61
chapter 8. late palaeozoic p. 63
- Stratigraphy p. 66
- Cape Jervis area p. 66
- Hallett Cove area p. 67
- Kangaroo Island p. 68
- Yorke Peninsula p. 70
- Age p. 70
- Structure and setting p. 70
- Stratigraphy p. 70
- Age p. 71
- Setting p. 72
- Stratigraphy p. 72
- Age p. 73
- Structure and setting p. 73
- Stratigraphy p. 73
- Boorthanna Formation p. 73
- Stuart Range Formation p. 74
- Mount Toondina Formation p. 75
- Age p. 75
- Economic geology p. 76
- Denman Basin p. 77
- Structure and setting p. 77
- Stratigraphy p. 77
- Age p. 77
- Structure and setting p. 78
- Stratigraphy p. 79
- Gidgealpa Group p. 82
- Merrimelia Formation p. 82
- Tirrawarra Sandstone p. 83
- Patchawarra Formation p. 84
- Murteree Shale p. 84
- Epsilon Formation p. 84
- Roseneath Shale p. 85
- Daralingie Formation p. 85
- Toolachee Formation p. 85
- Nappamerri Group p. 85
- Arrabury Formation p. 85
- Tinchoo Formation p. 86
- Economic geology p. 86
- Pedirka Basin p. 88
- Structure and setting p. 88
- Stratigraphy p. 89
- Crown Point Formation p. 89
- Purni Formation p. 90
- Economic geology p. 90
- Blinman area p. 90
- Springfield Basin p. 91
- Padthaway Ridge p. 91
Chapter 9. Mesozoic
- Cooper Basin p. 93
- Cuddapan Formation p. 93
- Simpson Basin p. 93
- Structural setting p. 94
- Stratigraphy p. 94
- Walkandi Formation p. 94
- Peera Peera Formation p. 94
- Basin relationships p. 96
- Telford and associated basins p. 98
- Springfield Basin p. 101
- Economic geology p. 101
- Boolcunda Basin p. 101
- Eromanga Basin p. 101
- Basin development p. 102
- Stratigraphy — lower non-marine succession p. 105
- Poolowanna Formation p. 105
- Algebuckina Sandstone p. 106
- Hutton Sandstone p. 109
- Birkhead Formation p. 110
- Adori Sandstone p. 110
- Westbourne Formation p. 110
- Namur Sandstone p. 110
- Murta Formation p. 111
- Stratigraphy — marine succession p. 112
- Cadna-owie Formation p. 112
- Bulldog Shale p. 117
- Marree Subgroup p. 117
- Coorikiana Sandstone p. 120
- Oodnadatta Formation and Toolebuc Formation ..122
- Mackunda Formation p. 122
- Stratigraphy — upper non-marine succession p. 123
- Winton Formation p. 123
- Mount Howie Sandstone and equivalents p. p. 124
- Economic geology p. 124
- Petroleum p. 124
- Groundwater p. 126
- Berri Basin p. 127
- Monash Formation p. 127
- Bight Basin p. 133
- Structure p. 133
- Stratigraphy p. 134
- Loongana Formation p. 134
- Madura Formation p. 134
- Toondi Formation p. 134
- Wigunda Formation p. 137
- Nurina Formation p. 137
- Potoroo Formation p. 137
- Duntroon Basin p. 138
- Structure p. 138
- Stratigraphy p. 139
- Early Cretaceous p. 139
- Echidna Formation p. 139
- Neptune Formation p. 140
- Borda Formation p. 140
- Ceduna Formation p. 140
- Late Cretaceous p. 141
- Platypus Formation p. 141
- Wigunda Formation p. 141
- Potoroo Formation p. 141
- Otway Basin p. 142
- Structural and tectonic setting p. 142
- Rift phase — Early Cretaceous Otway Supergroup p. 142
- Post-rift phase — Late Cretaceous Sherbrook Group p. 142
- Stratigraphy p. 142
- Casterton Formation p. 142
- Lower Otway Supergroup — Crayfish Group p. 142
- Pretty Hill Formation p. 144
- Laira Formation p. 144
- Katnook Sandstone p. 145
- Upper Otway Supergroup p. 145
- Eumeralla Formation p. 145
- Sherbrook Group p. 146
- Copa Formation p. 146
- Waarre Sandstone p. 146
- Flaxman Formation p. 146
- Belfast Mudstone p. 146
- Paaratte Formation p. 147
- Timboon Sandstone p. 147
- Economic geology p. 147
- Petroleum p. 147
- Polda Basin p. 130
- Kimberlitic lamprophyres p. 148
- Wisanger Basalt p. 149
Chapter 10. Tertiary
- Structure and setting p. 187
- Stratigraphy and age p. 187
- Cotabena Formation p. 187
- Neuroodla Formation p. 187
- Structure and setting p. 151
- Stratigraphy p. 154
- Late Paleocene-Middle Eocene sequence set p. p. 154
- Pebble Point Formation p. 154
- Pember Mudstone p. 154
- Dilwyn Formation p. 154
- Middle to Late Eocene sequence set p. 155
- Mepunga Formation p. 155
- Narrawaturk Marl p. 155
- Late Eocene-Middle Miocene sequence set p. 156
- Gambier Limestone p. 156
- Gellibrand Marl p. 156
- Late T ertiary units p. 157
- Economic geology p. 157
- Coal p. 157
- Dimension stone p. 157
- Groundwater p. 157
- Structure and setting p. 157
- Stratigraphy p. 158
- Late Paleocene-Early Oligocene sequence set p. 158
- Warina Sand p. 158
- Olney Formation p. 158
- Late Eocene-Middle Miocene sequence set p. 158
- Buccleuch Formation p. 158
- Ettrick Formation p. 158
- Mannum Limestone p. 158
- Finniss Clay p. 159
- Winnambool Formation and Geera Clay p. 159
- Latest Miocene-Late Pliocene sequence set p. 161
- Bookpurnong Formation p. 161
- Loxton Sand p. 161
- Parilla Sand p. 161
- Norwest Bend Formation p. 161
- Pliocene-Pleistocene units p. 161
- Economic geology p. 161
- Coal p. 161
- Groundwater p. 161
- Structure and setting p. 163
- Stratigraphy and age p. 163
- Middle Eocene sequence p. 164
- North Maslin Sand p. 164
- Middle Eocene-Middle Miocene sequence set p. 164
- Clinton Formation p. 164
- South Maslin Sand p. 167
- Tortachilla Limestone p. 167
- Blanche Point Formation p. 168
- Chinaman Gully Formation p. 168
- Port Willunga Formation p. 168
- Rogue Formation p. 170
- Miocene-Pliocene units p. 170
- Koolunga Gravel p. 170
- Hallett Cove Sandstone and Dry Creek Sand p. 170
- Burnham Limestone p. 170
- Economic geology p. 170
- Construction sand p. 170
- Coal p. 170
- Groundwater p. 170
- Structure and setting p. 173
- Stratigraphy p. 173
- Age and correlation p. 173
- Economic geology p. 175
- Construction sand p. 175
- Groundwater p. 175
- Structure and setting p. 175
- Stratigraphy p. 176
- Kanaka Beds p. 176
- Melton Limestone p. 176
- Gibbon Beds p. 178
- Structure and setting p. 178
- Stratigraphy p. 178
- Undifferentiated Paleocene-Early Eocene sediments p. 178
- Middle to Late Eocene sequence set p. 178
- Pidinga Formation and equivalents p. 178
- Hampton Sandstone p. 181
- Ooldea Sand p. 182
- Wilson Bluff and Toolinna Limestones p. 182
- Late Oligocene-Pliocene units p. 183
- Abrakurrie Limestone p. 183
- Nullarbor Limestone p. 184
- Yarle Sandstone p. 184
- Unnamed late T ertiary platform limestones p. 184
- Garford and Narlaby Formations p. 185
- Munjena Formation p. 185
- Pliocene units and landforms p. 186
- Unnamed Late Pliocene onshore marine unit p. 186
- Ilkina Formation p. 186
- Mangatitja Formation p. 186
- Karst of the Nullarbor Plain p. 186
- Economic geology p. 186
- Structure and setting p. 189
- Stratigraphy p. 190
- Late Paleocene-Late Eocene units p. 192
- Eyre Formation p. 192
- Mount Sarah Sandstone p. 193
- Miocene units p. 193
- Mirackina Conglomerate p. 193
- Etadunna Formation p. 193
- Namba Formation p. 193
- Doonbara Formation and Cadelga Limestone p. 194
- Pliocene-Quaternary units p. 194
- Wipajiri, Tirari and Kutjitara Formations p. 194
- Economic geology p. 194
- Structure and setting p. 195
- Stratigraphy p. 195
- Late Paleocene-Eocene units p. 195
- Silicified sandstone capping the Stuart Range …..195
- Willalinchina Sandstone p. 195
- Miocene units p. 195
- Watchie Sandstone p. 195
- Mirikata Formation p. 197
- Willochra Basin p. 198
- Walloway Basin p. 198
- Meadows Basin p. 199
- Myponga and Hindmarsh Tiers Basins p. 199
- Deep weathering p. 201
- Ferricrete p. 202
- Lithology, chemistry and mineralogy p. 202
- Geomorphic setting and distribution p. 203
- Stratigraphy and age p. 204
- Silcrete p. 205
- Lithology p. 205
- Geomorphic setting and distribution p. 205
- Stratigraphy and age p. 206
- Economic geology p. 207
- Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary: Early Paleocene (65-60 Ma) p. 208
- Late Paleocene-Early Eocene (60-53 Ma) p. 209
- Early to Middle Eocene (53-44 Ma) p. 211
- Middle to Late Eocene (44-36 Ma) p. 211
- Eocene-Oligocene boundary and Early Oligocene (36-30 Ma) p. 213
- Late Oligocene-Middle Miocene (30-14 Ma) p. 213
- Middle to Late Miocene (14-6 Ma) p. 215
- Pliocene (6-1.6 Ma) p. 215
Chapter 11. Quaternary
- Early Pleistocene deposits p. 220
- Coomandook Formation p. 220
- Burnham Limestone p. 222
- Point Ellen Formation p. 222
- Time-transgressive coastal aeolianites p. 222
- Bridgewater Formation p. 222
- The penultimate interglacial p. 226
- The last interglacial p. 226
- Interstadial marine sequences p. 228
- Associated non-marine sediments p. 230
- Holocene coastal and marine sedimentation p. 230
- Continental shelf p. 231
- South-East coast p. 233
- Lake Alexandrina p. 235
- West Coast and Kangaroo Island p. 236
- Spencer Gulf p. 237
- Gulf St Vincent p. 239
- Alluvial fans and piedmont slope deposits p. 241
- Mount Lofty and southern Flinders Ranges p. 241
- Hindmarsh Clay p. 241
- Keswick Clay p. 242
- Pooraka Formation p. 242
- Northern Flinders Ranges and adjacent basins p. 242
- Willawortina Formation and equivalents p. 242
- Pooraka Formation p. 242
- Stuart Range p. 243
- Russo Beds p. 243
- Giddinna Formation p. 243
- Oolgelima Gravel p. 243
- Benitos Clay p. 243
- The deserts — playas, dunefields and watercourses p. 244
- Northeast deserts region p. 244
- Pliocene-Early Pleistocene p. 244
- Tirari Formation p. 244
- Middle Pleistocene p. 245
- Kutjitara Formation p. 245
- Late Pleistocene p. 245
- Katipiri Formation p. 245
- Eurinilla Formation p. 247
- Millyera Formation p. 247
- Coomb Spring Formation p. 247
- Aeolian sediments p. 247
- Coonarbine Formation and Simpson Sand p. 247
- Holocene sediments of Lake Eyre p. 248
- Coongie Lakes and the Cooper-Strzelecki system p. 249
- Gibber and Sturt Stony Desert p. 250
- Western Lake Eyre drainage system p. 250
- Great Victoria Desert region p. 251
- Delisser Formation p. 251
- Wintrena Formation p. 251
- Wiabuna Formation p. 251
- Tektites p. 251
- Late Pliocene-Middle Pleistocene Lake Bungunnia p. 252
- Chowilla Sand p. 252
- Blanchetown Clay p. 252
- Bungunnia Limestone p. 252
- Middle Pleistocene-Holocene playa deposits p. 252
- Yamba Formation p. 252
- Middle Pleistocene-Holocene dunes p. 253
- Woorinen Formation p. 253
- Molineaux Sand p. 253
- Bunyip Sand p. 253
- Late Pleistocene-Holocene Murray River valley p. 253
- Soils, palaeosols and calcretes p. 254
- Principal Great Soil Groups of South Australia p. 254
- Palaeosols and calcretes p. 256
- Karst and mound spring deposits p. 257
- Karst in Precambrian to Cambrian carbonates p. 257
- Karst in Tertiary limestones p. 257
- Nullarbor Plain karst p. 257
- Karst in the Gambier Limestone p. 259
- Karst in Pleistocene aeolianites p. 259
- Artesian (mound) spring deposits p. 260
- Silica sand p. 262
- Lime sand p. 262
- Heavy-mineral sand and offshore aggregate p. 262
- Gypsum p. 262
- Salt p. 262
- Gold and diamonds p. 262
- Flint p. 262
- Dolomite p. 262
- Alunite and celestite p. 262
- Clay p. 262
- Water p. 263
- Tourism p. 263
- Introduction p. 263
- Quaternary volcanic activity and volcanic hazards p. 264
- Mount Gambier p. 264
- Mount Schank p. 266
- Volcanic gases p. 268
- Volcanic activity p. 268
- Seismicity, neotectonics and earthquake risk p. 268
- Historical seismicity p. 268
- Instrumental monitoring p. 268
- Seismicity and neotectonics p. 269
- Flinders and Mount Lofty Ranges p. 271
- Simpson Desert p. 271
- Musgrave Block p. 271
- Eyre Peninsula p. 271
- Continental shelf p. 271
- Earthquake risk p. 271
- Landslides p. 273
- Problem soils p. 274
- The coastal zone p. 274
- Land versus sea-level change p. 274
- Greenhouse effect p. 275
- Coastal erosion p. 275
- Groundwater contamination and dryland salinity p. 276
- Over-use of groundwater p. 276
- Urban stormwater p. 276
- Groundwater contamination p. 277
- Land salinisation p. 277
- Mining and the environment p. 278
- Mining heritage p. 278
- Glen Osmond Mines p. 278
- Kapunda Mine p. 279
- Burra Mine p. 279
- Talisker Mine p. 279
- Almanda Mine p. 279
- Barossa Goldfield p. 279
- Jupiter Creek Diggings p. 280
- Blinman Mine p. 280
- Moonta Mines p. 280
- Sleeps Hill Quarries p. 280
References p. 205
Index p. 226
Editors and authors
Wolfgang Preiss is a well known South Australian geologist associated with many academic publications, notably: Bull 053 The Adelaide Geosyncline: late Proterozoic stratigraphy, sedimentation, palaeontology, and tectonics.
An Internet search revealed only that J. F. Drexel was a geologist who was formerly affiliated with the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy and the Geological Survey of South Australia. Drexel is associated with a large number of academic publications.
The authors are listed in the acknowledgements (p. 281): Elinor Alexander, Neville Alley, Don Armstrong, Steve Barnett, Tony Belperio, Mark Benbow, Bob Bourman, Roger Callen, Wayne Cowley, Greg Drew, Mike Farrand, Richard Flint, Colin Gatehouse, David Gravestock,David Greenwood, Jacque Hibburt, Tony Hill, Graham Krieg, George Kwitko, Karen Lablack, Murray Lindsay, David Love, John Morton, Wolfgang Preiss, Leigh Rankin, Paul Rogers, Malcolm Sheard, Peter Smith, Michael Stone, Sam Walker and Marigold White.
Where to borrow
A WorldCat search indicates that there are print copies in Australian academic libraries. See: WorldCat | Bull 054 Geology of South Australia. Volume 2: The Phanerozoic. A search through Libraries SA reveals that there are no print copies in this library network.
Where to obtain
This publication is only available by downloading a digital version at: SARIG Catalogue | Bull 054 Geology of South Australia. Volume 2: The Phanerozoic.
References
- Government of South Australia 2025, Bull 054 Geology of South Australia. Volume 2: The Phanerozoic., viewed on 17 December, 2025, https://catalog.sarig.sa.gov.au/document/2018d037832. This page provides a link to download volume 2 of the Geology of South Australia