Submitted by doug.cole on Tue, 10/29/2013 - 16:42
Inventory Reference
GEO055
Formal Gradings
Grading
Grade IIIa
Grading Date
GradingComment

Geosite covering the geological section along the Witbergs River between 4.5 and 6.5 km south of Laingsburg with this site marking the top of the section. The section exposes the complete succession of the glacial Dwyka Group disconformable on Witteberg Group and there are clear exposures of the Whitehill and Collingham Formations near the top of the section. The Dwyka Group is made up entirely of the Elandsvlei Formation and the Witbergs River section forms the holostratotype of this formation. This section should be classified as a local heritage site. Grading by: DOUG COLE

Statement of Significance

The geological section is 3.4 km long and the strata are steeply-dipping (~ 80 degrees north) and lie on the northern limb of a major anticline. The gradational contact between mudstone containing dropstones of the Dwyka Group and shale with dispersed dropstones in the lowermost metre is seen in the upper part of the section. Isolated exposures of the Prince Albert Formation are present and most of the Whitehill and Collingham Formations are present in a cliff exposure at the top of the section. Eurypterid trackways are present at one locality in the Collingham Formation.

Significance criteria
Significance Categories
Understanding Natural or Cultural Heritage
Sphere of Significance
Local
Level
Medium
Significance Categories
Research, Teaching or Benchmark Site
Sphere of Significance
National
Level
Medium
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