Berry Srings lies south of Darwin in the Berry Springs Nature Park and is approximately 50km's southwest of Darwin.
The name "Berry Springs" derived from "Berry Creek", named by Goyder in 1870, after his Chief Draftsman, Edwin S Berry. Most early development of the area was concentrated around the thriving town of Southport at the confluence of the Blackmore and Darwin Rivers. In 1889, a station opened on the North Australia Railway named Southport on the road between that town and Berry Springs. The location soon declined in importance however. During World War II, over 100,000 service personnel were deployed to the Litchfield area. A low weir was built across Berry Creek to provide a swimming area as part of a Rest and Recreation camp for troops and this is still a popular swimming venue
The park is centred on the springs and catchment which are the source of water for Berry Creek. The clear waters of the pools created by the springs are ideal for observing the aquatic life within, and access is provided for swimming to escape the tropical heat. Information displays are provided detailing the native plants, wildlife and history of the area. The park is open all year round, but during the months of October - April may be closed for swimming depending on local conditions
South and south-west of Berry Springs the ground rises and reaches its highest point, approximately 50 ft higher than the springs, at about one mile north of the Darwin River. An extensive cover of alluvium and soil made geological mapping difficult and only a limited knowledge has been gained. On geological grounds the area can be divided into two parts by a line from the vicinity of Berry Springs to about the Lower Pondage site on the Darwin River. North of this line are outcrops of Lower Proterozoic shale, slate, siltstone and limestone. The slates dip steeply; immediately north of Berry Springs the slates show evidence of folding. To the south of Lower Proterozoic; rocks are overlain unconformably by Upper Proterozoic sandstone. Ferricrete crops out in places on the banks of the creeks. Quartz Breccia outcrops are common throughout the area.
Quartz Breccia
Breccia is a term most often used for clastic sedimentary rocks that are composed of large angular fragments (over two millimeters in diameter). The spaces between the large angular fragments can be filled with a matrix of smaller particles or a mineral cement that binds the rock together.
Breccia forms where broken, angular fragments of rock or mineral debris accumulate. One possible location for breccia formation is at the base of an outcrop where mechanical weathering debris accumulates. Another would be in stream deposits near the outcrop such as an alluvial fan. Some breccias form as debris flow deposits. The angular particle shape reveals that they have not been transported very far (transport wears the sharp points and edges of angular particles into rounded shapes). After deposition the fragments are bound together by a mineral cement or by a matrix of smaller particles that fills the spaces between the fragments.
Q1 Visit Both Pools. Can you see any differences in the surrounding rock by the pools. Please describe what you find.
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