Heritage Places
Heritage Place Details
| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
|
| Address |
EMU BAY |
| Locality |
|
| Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
| Development Plan |
Kangaroo Island Council |
| Polygon Type |
B - Building footprint |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Cape D'Estaing to Emu Bay (west) and Emu Bay (east) to Boxing Bay Coastline [Designated as a place of palaeontological significance] |
| Registered Name |
Emu Bay Coastline, Cape D'Estaing to Boxing Bay |
| Significance |
The Cape D'Estaing to Port Marsden Coastline is of both geological and outstanding palaeontological significance. The sequence of rocks exposed in the coastal section suggests an Early Cambrian palaeoenvironment of alluvial fans spreading southwards from the rising Mount Lofty Ranges and impinging on tidal flats which were roughly coincident with the present northern shore of Kangaroo Island. Among the most impressive exposures are the boulder and cobble conglomerates of the White Point Conglomerate. These sediments were derived from uplifting fault blocks in the region of the present Investigator Strait. Interbedded with this are sandstones and siltstones deposited by tidal currents.
The upper part of the Emu Bay Shale is comprised of oxidised siltstones, sandstones and conglomerates which together with abundant casts of mud-cracks and tracks of trilobites suggests a shallow depositional environment. The coastal section just east of Big Gully is the type area for the Boxing Bay Formation which overlies the Emu Bay Shale. Odd lenses of conglomerate within this Formation are interpreted as alluvial outwash deposits that were shed from the rising mountains to the north, indicating another episode of uplift similar to that which gave rise to the White Point Conglomerate.
Both the White Point Conglomerate and the Emu Bay Shale contain extremely well-preserved rich fossil animal faunas which include at least three species of trilobites, crustaceans, annelid worms and hyolithids. Particularly outstanding is the large trilobite Redlichia which can be seen with little difficulty on the exposed bedding surfaces. Fossil species not previously discovered in Australia, but bearing resemblance to the unique Burgess Shale fauna of Canada, have been found here, making this an area of vital research to the history of life on earth.
Adapted from HB Assessment Report and validated 15 March 2006.
STATEMENT OF PALAEONTOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Emu Bay Coastline, Cape D'Estaing to Boxing Bay contains highly fossiliferous sections of the Emu Bay Shale, Boxing Bay Formation and White Point Conglomerate. Cambrian-aged fossils from approximately 514-509 million years ago are found readily throughout the Emu Bay Shale. Preservation of the fossils is exceptional with three dimensional and complete soft-bodied organisms abounding. Notable organisms include the apex predator Echidnacaris briggsi and abundant Redlichia and other trilobites as well as priapulid and polychaete worms, sponges and other small arthropods. The excellent preservation and fossil assemblage in the Emu Bay Shale makes it the only known Burgess Shale-type locality in Australia. Along with body fossils, the coastline preserves trace fossils, including trilobite tracks and organism burrows as well as examples of soft sediment deformation. The Emu Bay Coastline, Cape D'Estaing to Boxing Bay has outstanding scientific value as a result.
Elements of heritage significance include (but are not necessarily limited to):
* Emu Bay Shoreline fossil site,
* preserved in-situ body fossil specimens,
* preserved in-situ trace fossil specimens,
* preserved soft sediment deformation.
Elements not considered to contribute to significance of place include (but are not necessarily limited to):
* Human-made objects such as fences, trails, roads or infrastructure.
Designation date: 26-MAY-1994 |
| Subject Index |
Landscape area - Palaeontological Site; Landscape area - Natural Landscape; Landscape area - Geological Site |
| Class |
State |
|
|
| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
22-SEP-1994 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Kangaroo Island |
| State Heritage ID |
14548 |
| Heritage Number |
16023 |
|
|
|
| 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
d - it is an outstanding representative of a particular class of place of cultural significance
|
| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CR 5765/375 H110800 S415,CR 5765/376 H110800 S416,CR 5765/377 H110800 S423,CR 5765/394 H110800 S500,CR 5744/569 H110800 S429,CR 5744/570 H110800 S431,CR 5862/290 T110802 A98,CR 5967/728 D70632 A1000,CT 0000/0000 ROAD RESERVE |
Disclaimer
While due care has been taken to ensure that the SA Heritage Places Database accurately reflects the South Australian Heritage Register and listings of Local Heritage Places in Development Plans, the State of South Australia does not accept liability for the use of the SA Heritage Database for any purpose. Users should consult the Department for Environment and Water - Heritage South Australia to confirm the listing of State Heritage Places and the relevant Development Plan for Local Heritage Places/Contributory Items.
In the majority of cases, the maps of State Heritage Places on this web site show the footprints of the most significant structures on a registered Place. However, sometimes they simply indicate the complete area of land comprising the Place. Work is proceeding to further refine the mapping of such places. It is also important to note that development control is not limited to the registered structures but extends to their setting and structures nearby (what is termed ‘development affecting’ a State Heritage Place). Hence it is vital that exact details of the listed place and implications for any proposed development be discussed with Heritage South Australia staff, as they cannot be deduced solely from the information on this web site. The inclusion of a place in the SA Heritage Register gives no right of public access. Permission to visit properties must be sought from the owners. The accuracy of the mapping of State Heritage Places is not guaranteed. Please contact Heritage SA ( https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/sa-heritage-register) if you believe there is an error.
GIS files
To access downloadable GIS files, go to Data.SA.