Geological
And Other Hazards in Victoria
by Rob
Kanen
Current
Hazards
Future
Hazards
Geological Hazards
Mt. Dandenong Ranges, Macedon Ranges
Rock and Mud Slides - Steep slopes
in these hills are prone to rock and mud slides, especially
during heavy rains
Solution - Leave as many trees and vegetation on hill slopes as
possible, remove unstable soil
Melbourne Region
Soil and Clay Movement - Melbourne
region is prone to soil movement due to shrinkage and expansion
of water sensitive clays
Solution - Construct adequate footings and/or slabs to resist
soil movement
Coastal Erosion - Bayside coastal
areas are currently undergoing erosion due to wave action
Solution - Vegetate coastal areas and replenish shoreline with
rock/sand as necessary
Gippsland
Generally same as Melbourne Region
Earthquakes - Earthquakes are common in the Foster/Wilsons Prom and Rosedale Areas as movement occurs along the Foster and Rosedale Fault Systems
Kiewa Valley and Eastern Victoria Mountain Region
Earthquakes - Earthquakes occuring
along fault systems i.e. Kiewa Valley Fault System
Rock and Mud Slides
All Victorian Coastal Areas
Coastal Erosion -Coastal areas are
currently undergoing erosion due to wave action
Solution - Vegetate coastal areas and replenish shoreline with
rock/sand as necessary
Non Geological Hazards
Western Victoria
Drought
Bushfires - in Summer
Electrical Storms - in Summer
Gales - Winter
Dust Storms - Summer
Heat Waves - Summer
Eastern Victoria
Floods - in Winter
Gales - in Winter
Electrical Storms - in Summer
Bushfires - in Summer
Drought - in Summer
Geological Hazards
All Coastal Regions
We are currently undergoing a phase of sea level rise with all
coastal areas undergoing erosion. This is likely to get worse in
the future.
Gippsland
Further faulting and earthquakes along the Foster and
Rosedale Faults
Eastern Victorian
Highlands
Further faulting and earthquakes along major faults ie
Kiewa Valley Fault System
Western Victoria
Possible renewed volcanism near Quaternary Scoria Cones
and Flood Basalt Plains
Non Geological Hazards
Climate Warming - Due to increased
CO2 Levels in atmosphere producing warming effect
Solution - Reduce CO2 emissions to 0% from fossil fuel burning
UV Radiation - Due to ozone
depletion from release of chlorofluorocarbons and other
pollutants in atmosphere
Solution - Discontinue use of chlorofluorocarbons and other
polluting chemicals
