Details: The Waite Conservation Reserve is situated between the Morialta and Sturt gorges and displays stratigraphy mid-way in age between those sites, which is considered to herald the Sturtian Glaciation. Unconformably overlying the siltstones of the Saddleworth Formation the Mitcham Quartzite records the shift of the source of supply into the Adelaide Superbasin. The Belair Subgroup displays evidence of rapid high energy deposition of sediment below fair weather wave base, infrequent outcrops show such evidence as syndepositional erosion and mass flow. West verging folds, low angle faults, east dipping cleavage, and near vertical joints display one deformational event of the Delamerian Orogeny. The intent of this excursion is to view some of the exposed rock outcrops of the Waite Conservation Reserve and so obtain an understanding of the geology, that is an appreciation of what lies below the soil and vegetation cover. The excursion will commence with a consideration of the scenery, and how it has evolved in the near geological past. Then the plan is to start with the older sedimentary rocks and move westwards in the Reserve, that is upwards in time.
Fieldtrip leaders: Colin Conor (University of South Australia) and Alan Collins (The University of Adelaide)
Field guide: email Colin Conor at
Location: Waite Conservation Reserve, Waite Road, Urrbrae. Participants are asked to make their own way to the Waite Conservation Reserve (carpooling is encouraged). See registration page for more details
Time: 2.00pm‒5:30 pm ACDT
Cost: GSA members free, non-members $10.00
