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Sedimentary rocks (Clarence-Moreton Basin)

Sedimentary rocks (Clarence-Moreton Basin)

Hydrology Profile Profile Basement of Clarence-Moreton Basin Basement of Clarence-Moreton Basin Basement of Clarence-Moreton Basin Fracture Woogaroo Sub-group Woogaroo sub-group Woogaroo sub-group Woogaroo sub-group Gatton sandstone Gatton sandstone Koukandowie formation Gatton sandstone Gatton sandstone Koukandowie formation Koukandowie formation Koukandowie formation Koukandowie formation Walloon coal measures Walloon coal measures Walloon coal measures Walloon coal measures Lamington volcanics Lamington volcanics Lamington volcanics Sedimentary rocks (Great Artesian Basin)

Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Fault Direction of groundwater movement Infiltration and percolation Infiltration and percolation Basement Surface expression GDEs Infiltration and percolation Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Terrestrial GDEs Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Direction of groundwater movement Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Negligible groundwater movement Negligible groundwater movement Negligible groundwater movement Negligible groundwater movement Spring Hydrology Hydrology Alluvia Negligible groundwater movement Moderate to high permeability (saturated) Groundwater table Groundwater level Groundwater level Low permeability rock Moderate to high permeability (saturated)

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The Clarence–Moreton Basin contains layered formations of Triassic and Jurassic sedimentary rocks of variable grain size and permeability. Sedimentary rocks may store and transmit groundwater through inter-granular pore space, fractures and weathered zones. Sedimentary rocks with coarser grain size, for example the Woogaroo Subgroup, are generally more permeable than those with finer grain size such as the Walloon Coal Measures. Groundwater tends to discharge locally from the sedimentary rock aquifers typically along foot slopes and drainage lines. Younger rocks such as the Lamington Volcanics and unconsolidated deposits like Quaternary alluvium may overlie the sedimentary rocks of the Clarence–Moreton Basin and these are depicted in other conceptual models. The direction of groundwater flow is uncertain in the deeper strata of the Clarence-Moreton Basin.

Sedimentary rock aquifers may provide a range of ecosystems with water required to support their fauna and flora communities, ecological processes and delivery of ecosystem services.

  • Palustrine (e.g. swamps), lacustrine (e.g. lakes) and riverine (e.g. streams and rivers) wetlands located on sedimentary rocks may depend on the surface expression of groundwater from the underlying sedimentary rock aquifers.
  • Terrestrial vegetation located on sedimentary rock aquifers may depend on the subsurface presence of groundwater, typically using deep roots to access groundwater in the capillary zone above the water table.
  • Sedimentary rock aquifers may also support ecosystems within the aquifer itself, which can be indicated by the presence of stygofauna.

Pictorial conceptual model PDF

Last updated: 18 December 2015

This page should be cited as:

Queensland Government, Queensland (2015) Sedimentary rocks (Clarence-Moreton Basin), WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/aquatic-ecosystems-natural/groundwater-dependent/sedimentary-rocks-clarence-moreton-basin/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation