Granite outcrops: their utilisation and conservation

Abstract

Granite, which is exposed over about 15% of the continental areas and is especially prominent in many parts of Western and South Australia, has many attributes which are useful to Humankind. Granite outcrops are useful for quarrying, as catchments in water conservation schemes, as tourist attractions and as recreation areas. Many are of great scientific interest. Granite also has properties which render occurrences hazardous. Granite in contact with water rots easily, slopes tend to be unstable, and blocks of fresh rock are susceptible to displacement by earth tremors. Human interference with slopes introduces and augments problems. Management plans for granite rocks ought to take account of the attributes of particular sites, the merits of competing claims, and possible hazards.