Landslides in the Hunter Valley

The northern margin of the Narrabeen Group is prone to block sliding on a large scale, where deep valley incision forms high, subvertical cliffs of considerable height. The Newcastle Coal Measures, characterised by conglomerates and tuffs, has a history of block sliding in a smaller scale in urban areas. North of the Hunter Thrust, thick sandstone beds in the Southern New England Fold Belt sequences have produced some spectacular block slide failures resulting in unusual topographic features.

Tertiary basalts of the Merriwa Plateau, Liverpool Ranges and Barrington Plateau host diverse variety of slides in the topographically immature landscapes of the Great Dividing Range. This talk presents examples of these different types of slides, and explains how the different geological and geomorphic factors of the Hunter Valley combine to produce them.

Learning outcomes

In this presentation, you will learn:

• how geological formations influence landslide types and scales: Understand the relationship between rock types—such as sandstones, conglomerates, tuffs, and basalts—and the styles of landslides they produce, including large-scale block sliding and diverse slide varieties in immature landscapes
• why the Hunter Valley is a hotspot for varied landslide activity: Explore how the confluence of geological units like the Narrabeen Group, Newcastle Coal Measures, Southern New England Fold Belt, and Tertiary basalts contributes to the region’s unique landslide characteristics
• how geomorphic processes shape landslide-prone landscapes: Learn how valley incision, cliff formation, and topographic immaturity interact with geological conditions to trigger and shape landslide events across different parts of the Hunter Valley.

Program

• 5.30 pm AEDT: Registration opens and networking begins
• 6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation begins
• 7.30 pm AEDT: Event concludes

About the speaker

Stephen Fityus Geotechnical Engineer and Engineering Geologist, Douglas Partners