| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
|
| Address |
Lot 142 Parawilia Gorge Road HAWKER |
| Locality |
|
| Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
| Council Area |
Flinders Ranges Council |
| Polygon Type |
P - parcel (from DCDB) |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Mount Desire Dyke [Designated as a place of geological significance] |
| Registered Name |
Mount Desire Dyke Geological Site |
| Significance |
Mount Desire Dyke, in association with the larger Arkaba Breccia Intrusion, is a rare, excellent and accessible display of the breccia intrusive process that differs from our current (2026) understanding of diapir formation and is highly likely to contribute to ongoing understanding of the formation and development of diapirs within South Australia.
The ~850-880 Ma brecciated material associated with the Mount Desire Dyke includes a variety of xenoclasts, some Cambrian limestones and some of probable `Willouran' origin. Breccia of the Mount Desire Dyke contacts sharply with host rocks and demonstrate unusual mobility at the time of formation through pulling apart of the host sequences. Several hypotheses currently exist for the formation of the breccia intrusion in such a manner and further research is likely to determine both its method of formation and that of other diapir structures in the State.
STATEMENT OF DESIGNATION
Designated Place of Geological Significance
Mount Desire Dyke Geological Site provides rare evidence in support of an alternative model about the formation of intrusive breccia exposures and diapirs in South Australia. The Mount Desire Dyke acts as an extension to the southern lobe of the Arkaba Breccia Intrusion and provides an accessible and excellent example of the relationship of folding and faulting in the cover sequences and geometry, timing, and evolution of the intrusive breccia into surrounding rock formations of the Mernmerna Formation, Woodendinna Dolomite and Wirrapowie Limestone. This unusual and rare morphology has a high potential of yielding information to better understand the formation of the diapirs of the Flinders Ranges. The sensitive Mount Desire Dyke exposure is a superb geological record of global significance.
BHI Summary of State Heritage Place APPROVED DATE: 18-JUN-2026 |
| Subject Index |
Landscape area - Geological Site |
| Class |
State |
|
|
| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
30-MAR-1998 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Flinders Ranges |
| State Heritage ID |
14805 |
| Heritage Number |
16363 |
|
|
|
| SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
| Section 16 |
b - it has rare, uncommon or endangered qualities that are of cultural significance
c - it may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the State's history, including its natural history
|
| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CT 6200/607 H350200 S151,CT 6200/607 H350200 S152,CT 6200/607 H350200 S166,CT 6200/607 H350200 S167 |