The Rocky Beach Metamorphic Melange is located at Rocky Beach, Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of New South Wales, approximately 400 km north of Sydney.

The rock group forms part of the Port Macquarie block (Och et al. 2003), located in the eastern New England Fold Belt and is notable for the presence of well-exposed high-pressure metamorphic rocks and a wide variety of igneous rocks, including pillow basalts of MORB (Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt) affinity, and minor mafic and intermediate calc- alkaline intrusions, embedded in lenses of serpentinite melange. It covers an area of just under 1 hectare.

Near the north end of Rocky Beach a 'melange-in-melange' structure preserving serpentinite masses that have invaded the Watonga Formation, which has also enveloped two bodies of chlorite- actinolite schist, surrounded by highly schistose Port Macquarie Serpentinite, contain inclusions of lawsonite eclogite, omphacitite, blueschist, and tremolite marble. Although these exotic high-pressure metamorphic rocks are known from serpentinite bodies elsewhere across eastern Australia their occurrence is unique because some of these tectonic blocks, namely eclogite, contain a mineral called lawsonite, which have only been identified in 10 localities worldwide. The Rocky Beach Metamorphic Melange type area occurs at the north end of Rocky Beach. The unit comprises blocks of multiply deformed polymetamorphosed high-pressure metamorphic rocks (Och et al. 2003) of mafic igneous parentage low-grade blocks of sedimentary and basaltic rocks derived from the Watonga Formation, and a narrow slice of antigorite serpentinite, set in a multiply deformed chlorite- actinolite schist matrix.

The location is an internationally important geoheritage site.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

13 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite

Formula: ◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Almandine

Formula: Fe²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Antigorite

Formula: Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G. (2007) Geological units of the Port Macquarie–Tacking Point tract, north-eastern Port Macquarie Block, Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. Quarterly Notes, Geological Survey of New South Wales, No. 126.

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Glaucophane

Formula: ◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Lawsonite

Formula: CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite

Formula: KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Omphacite

Formula: (Na_aCa_bFe²⁺_cMg_d)(Al_eFe³⁺_fFe²⁺_gMg_h)Si₂O₆

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Pyrope

Formula: Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Talc

Formula: Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

ⓘ Titanite

Formula: CaTi(SiO₄)O

References:

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624.

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Pyrope	9.AD.25	Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
ⓘ	Almandine	9.AD.25	Fe²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
ⓘ	Titanite	9.AG.15	CaTi(SiO₄)O
ⓘ	Lawsonite	9.BE.05	CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O
ⓘ	Omphacite	9.DA.20	(Na_aCa_bFe²⁺_cMg_d)(Al_eFe³⁺_fFe²⁺_gMg_h)Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Actinolite	9.DE.10	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
ⓘ	Glaucophane	9.DE.25	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
ⓘ	Talc	9.EC.05	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	var. Phengite	9.EC.15	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Antigorite	9.ED.15	Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Antigorite	Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Glaucophane	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Lawsonite	CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Talc	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Antigorite	Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Almandine	Fe₃²⁺Al₂(SiO₄)₃
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Glaucophane	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Lawsonite	CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Pyrope	Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Talc	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Glaucophane	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Na	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Antigorite	Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Mg	ⓘ Glaucophane	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Pyrope	Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Mg	ⓘ Talc	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Almandine	Fe₃²⁺Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Al	ⓘ Glaucophane	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Lawsonite	CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Pyrope	Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Antigorite	Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Almandine	Fe₃²⁺Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Si	ⓘ Glaucophane	◻[Na₂][Mg₃Al₂]Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Lawsonite	CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Pyrope	Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Talc	Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Lawsonite	CaAl₂(Si₂O₇)(OH)₂ · H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Fe	ⓘ Almandine	Fe₃²⁺Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Fe	ⓘ Omphacite	(Na_aCa_bFe_c²⁺Mg_d)(Al_eFe_f³⁺Fe_g²⁺Mg_h)Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Australia

New England OrogenOrogen
- Port Macquarie ProvinceGeologic Province

Australian PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Caprarelli, G., Watanabe, T. (2003) Blueschist and eclogite in tectonic melange, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 67:4, 609-624. [https://doi.org/10.1180/0026461036740121]

Och, D.J., Leitch, E.C., Graham, I.T., Caprarelli, G. (Eds.) (2005) The geology of the Port Macquarie-Tacking Point coastal tract. SGGMP-Port Macquarie 2005, First biennial conference, 76. Specialist Group in Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology, Geological Society of Australia, Port Macquarie, pp 95-99.

Och, D.J. (2007) Eclogite, serpentinite, melange and mafic intrusive rocks: manifestation of long-lived Palaeozoic convergent margin activity, Port Macquarie, eastern Australia. PhD Thesis, University of Technology, Sydney.

www.geomaps.com.au (n.d.) http://www.geomaps.com.au/scripts/portmacquarie.php

Quick NavTop Mineral List Rock Types Other Regions References

Go to top of page

Rocky Beach, Port Macquarie, Macquarie Co., New South Wales, AustraliaiRegional Level TypesRocky BeachBeach Port Macquarie- not defined - Macquarie Co.County New South WalesState AustraliaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

Select Mineral List Type

Mineral List

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Rocky Beach, Port Macquarie, Macquarie Co., New South Wales, Australia i
Regional Level Types
Rocky Beach Beach
Port Macquarie - not defined -
Macquarie Co. County
New South Wales State
Australia Country