Bringing the rocks to life at Werribee Gorge
Jo Condon and participants of Mappa’s Introduction to geology and outdoor climbing event in late August 2024 after climbing a cliff face composed of 500-million-year submarine sediments. Image: Mappa Outdoor
Have you ever been in nature, spotted something curious, and wished you had a scientist by your side to offer an explanation? Recently we joined outdoor startup Mappa Outdoor for a rock-climbing adventure on Wadawurrung Country to enliven the rocks of Werribee Gorge. This NCRIS-enabled engagement, replete with rocky road (in lieu of proximal glacial tillite), was a joy to deliver. Where should we go next?
An introduction to geology and outdoor climbing
In mid-2024, AuScope was approached by Ava from Mappa Outdoor to provide context to the deep history that exists within the rocks at Werribee Gorge that a group of climbing enthusiasts would climb.
Jo Condon and Philomena Manifold delved into the literature about Werribee Gorge, including a handy field guide by Weekend Geology (Geological Society of Australia) and a detailed geological map by GeoVic (Geological Survey of Victoria). The two geologists turned creatives conjured up a creative storytelling approach to unravel the history of Werribee Gorge in the context of Earth’s history involving props and crowd participation, which helped connect everyone and pique curiosity.
Jo Condon introduces the geological history of Werribee Gorge on Wadawurrung Country through theatrical performance to help convey a lively geological tale that continues today. Image: Image: Mappa Outdoor
A participant rolls out a brown coloured tie (representing basalt lava) atop a rocky road (tillite), a vase (granite intrusive), and a 5-metre tape measure (encompassing Earth’s history). Image: Image: Mappa Outdoor
Photos (L to R): Jo brings the geological history of Werribee Gorge to life using a sample of granite kindly lent by The University of Melbourne for the occasion. Images: Mappa Outdoor
By all reports, participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience:
“The experience was so fun. Everyone was nice and supportive. I was a bit nervous about climbing at first, but quickly warmed up and ended up having the best time.
The geologist was really engaging, she explained hundreds of millions of years of earth's history much better than my teachers at school did. I felt like the integration of science and community was really special”.
Photos (L to R): Participants walking into the gorge. Image: Mappa Outdoor; Participants abseiling from a climb. Image: AuScope
Photo (L to R): Participants readying themselves to climb. Image: AuScope’s Jo analysing some geological photos. Image: Mappa Outdoor
Photo (L to R): Rocky road for all! Image: Mappa Outdoor; Stunning textures in 500-million-year-old Image: AuScope
Mappa team reflects on working with AuScope:
“Trying to comprehend the magnitude of time that exists within the earth is no easy feat, but spending the day at Werribee Gorge with Jo gave a unique opportunity for reflection and engagement.
We started Mappa to bring context to place, spark curiosities, and explore the intersection of recreation and education. I can't imagine a more perfect embodiment of these things than searching for Graptolite fossils while climbing a 500 million-year-old rock wall.”
Heading to Werribee Gorge? We have your geology questions covered.
Hand out provided to participants. Access the high-resolution PDF of this handout. Image: AuScope
Heading elsewhere? Let us know!
Aside from our ongoing Australian Seismometers in Schools (AuSIS) program, AuScope can, on occasion, offer place-based and/or digital learning experiences for anyone in Australia who is curious about Earth science and research enabled by AuScope facilities, data, and services today. If you would like the AuScope team to come to you - in person or virtually - let us know!
Acknowledging the Wadawurrung people
As part of this engagement, and in support of caring for Country, AuScope and Mappa have been able to make a small donation to the Traditional Custodians and first Earth scientists of the lands, waters and skies of Werribee Gorge, the Wadawarrung people via the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation. We would like to pay our deepest respects to their Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing connection to this extraordinary evolving landscape over tens of thousands of years.
STORY IN A NUTSHELL
This NCRIS-enabled engagement saw Mappa and AuScope team up to deliver a workshop that moulded outdoor climbing with environmental stewardship.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jo Condon, AuScope
AUTHORS
Author: Jo Condon, AuScope
Editors: Philomena Manifold and Daniel Vlahek, AuScope
FURTHER INFORMATION