Thunder Point
Located within the Merri Marine Sanctuary, Thunder Point is a popular hangout for locals. Especially around lunch and dinner time as the area provides an easy place to park and offers a great view of the sea and the coastline. It is also popular with geologists for the interesting formations in the area and with marine biologists for the diversity of marine life just below the GZ.
To the east of the posted coordinates you can see Merri and Middle Islands. These are the remains of an ancient and sand dune which used to stretch from Pickering Point many thousands of years ago. Geologically known as Dennington Aeolianite, it is an extensive unit of dune ridges that is composed of fine to medium grained calcarenite interlaced with red soil horizons. These red soil horizons represent lower portions of a dry climate terra rosa which formed during the last ice age ice age where sea levels were about 100 meters lower than the current levels. This meant the coastline was many kilometers further out to sea than the current coastline.
More extensive explanations of the geology of this area can be obtained here - WARRNAMBOOL GEOLOGICAL REPORT
To log this Earthcache you must answer some questions about the geology of this part of the coastline. You do not need to leave the wooden walkway in order to answer the questions. There are some information boards nearby that may help in answering your questions however the questions can be answered without them.
1. Surrounding the walkway is a light coloured rock. Describe this rock in terms of its colour and its grain (fine, coarse etc).
2. Looking towards the East (Merri and Middle Islands). What features about the coastal rock could indicate that this was once an ancient sand dune?
3. The coast around Warrnambool contains examples of both Erosional and Depositional coastlines. How would you classify the immediate coastline around Thunder Point (within 100m either side fo the posted coordinates)?
To log this Earthcache you must forward your answers to me via the message centre. You may log this find as soon as you have completed this Earthcache, however if we have not recieved your answers withing two weeks we may delete your log.