Skillogalee Dolomite: magnesite

Skillogalee Dolomite includes blue-grey dolomites, magnesites, bands of black cherts and stromatolites. Magnesites (magnesium carbonate) of this formation were formed in marginal lagoons of the Adelaide Geosyncline around 750 million years ago and occur as beds, commonly conglomerate in texture, as pictured below.

Magnesite conglomerate, approx. 120mm
Iron stained magnesite, approx. 120mm
Chert replacement of magnesite, approx. 150mm
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Pink Dolomite: the Nuccaleena Formation

The Nuccaleena Formation is a narrow pink dolomite layer that is frequently found in outcrops across the Flinders Ranges, and is described as being a good ‘geological marker horizon’.

This Nuccaleena Formation outcrop, just 5m wide, is seen in Parachilna Gorge, between the Brachina Formation siltstones and the older calcereous Elatina and Trezona Formations.

Read more about the formation of the Flinders Ranges in The Legacy of Time.

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