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geoz 104 February 2015

NEWSBREAKERS

Does Plate Tectonics facilitate a deep-Earth water cycle?

A new study into hydrous mantle minerals suggests mantle convection and Plate Tectonics may regulate the amount of water in the oceans through a deep-Earth water cycle that involves Ringwoodite and other silicate intermediaries such as garnet. The work, as yet unpublished but submitted for peer review, will vastly expand the timeline for Earth's water cycle and provide an alternative or at least parallel explanation for the origin of Earth's water if proven correct. We expect to see a lot more of this debate in the coming year.
http://tinyurl.com/oqnhyxb

New drill core library for South Australia

A new $32.2 million Drill Core Reference Library is under construction in Tonsley, South Australia. The new facility, scheduled to open early 2016, will be home to one of the world's best ore deposits reference collections, a Data Metallogenica room and a palaeontology area to house the State's fossil collection.
http://tinyurl.com/lcwt4c8

FROM THE DIVISIONStop

Divisional information is regularly updated at http://gsa.junctionworld.com/events/divisionmeetings.html
Check this site for more recent information on the following events:

Australian Capital Territory

Regular meetings 2015: Third Tuesday of each month (Except January)
Jaeger Lecture Theatre, Jaeger Building (Building 61), Australian National University. 5.00pm for 5.30pm start.
For more information: emma.mathews@ga.gov.au

New South Wales

2015 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: meetings@nsw.gsa.org.au

Queensland

Queensland Division launches a new App: a self-guided walking tour through the heart of Brisbane featuring the use of building stones from the early days of European settlement to the modern expansion of Australia's third largest City. Download it here.

2015 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: info@qld.gsa.org.au

Every Wednesday evening: GeoPub
Weekly Informal get-together for Explorers, Miners & other Geoscientists
O'Malleys Irish Pub - Basement Level of the Wintergarden in the Queen Street Mall, Brisbane. 5.30 pm

South Australia

Sunday 22nd February 2015
Special event:
Building Stones of North Terrace
2 pm at Parliament House. Free, no RSVP required

Tasmania

2015 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: taryn.noble@utas.edu.au

Victoria

2015 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: secretary@vic.gsa.org.au

Western Australia

Regular meetings: First Wednesday of each month (except December and January)
Irish Club of WA, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, 5.30pm
For more information: info@wa.gsa.org.au

GSA EVENTStop

GSA membership renewals for 2015

2015 Member renewals have been posted to all members. If you didn't receive your membership renewal and book sale information please contact the GSA office.

Want to join the GSA but don't know how to do this?
Haven't renewed your membership and not sure how to proceed?
Want to know more about GSA membership?

Working reduced hours or retrenched during the downturn? If you are a GSA member of five years of more and have been retrenched in the downturn please contact the GSA as you will be eligible for membership assistance Membership fees for unemployed members receiving AJES (online or hardcopy) are reduced to $25.00 for 2015 and will be waived for these unemployed members not receiving AJES.

You can contact us and we can assist you with your GSA membership, by email info@gsa.org.au or phone (02) 9290 2194.

GSA Membership is from the 1st January to the 31st December

.

National Rock Garden: Federation display complete

Bendigo joins Ballarat

Despite extensive publicity the rock stolen from the Victorian display last year has not been recovered. Happily however, a larger (gold-free) specimen sourced from Ballarat has joined the Bendigo specimens to restore the Victorian display. With the final addition of an explanatory plaque for the Western Australian specimens the Federation Rocks display is now complete. You can read more about the National Rock Garden (NRG) in the latest NRG newsletter available here.
Image courtesy of Brad Pillans
NRG: http://tinyurl.com/l9ougxz
News report: http://tinyurl.com/l65c74v

Geotourism Standing Committee and Geotourism defined

The GSA is pleased to advise that the Geotourism sub-committee became the Geotourism Standing Committee in late 2014. If you want to contact members of the Geotourism Standing Committee, please use this link: http://gsa.junctionworld.com/heritage/Geotourism.html

Recently the GSA Governing Council also approved the definition of the Geotourism, as follows:
Geotourism is tourism which focuses on geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning, and enjoyment.

Specialist Group in Tectonics and Structural Geology.

Riding the Wave: A conference to showcase current research and ideas in Structural Geology and Tectonics 22-27 November 2015

Pre-conference field trip: 14-21 November 2015
New Caledonia: ophiolite obduction, accretion and high-pressure metamorphism
Field trip convener: Geoffrey Clark

Post-conference field trip: 28-29 November 2015
Gympie Block/D'Aguilar Ranges: Oscillating deformation and the birth and death of the final orogeny on onshore Australia - core complex, ophiolitic blueschist, rift systems and terrane accretion.
Field trip convener: Rod Holcombe

Key dates:
Early Bird registration and submission of approximate titles for oral presentation selection: 30 June 2015
Abstract deadline: 15 September 2015

Download the second circular here.

For queries and expressions of interest contact:
Gideon Rosenbaum,
Email: g.rosenbaum@uq.edu.au
Phone: 07 3346 9798

New AAP Memoir available now!

Memoir 46: Ordovician (Darriwilian-early Katian) trilobite faunas of northwestern Tarim, Xinjiang, China
Edited by Zhou Zhiyi, Yin Gongzheng & Zhou Zhiqiang
Download the order form here.

IN THE NEWStop

New island emerges in Tonga

Ongoing volcanism at a shallow water vent in Tonga has seen the emergence of a new, as yet, unnamed island. Naming rights for the island, assuming it persists, fall to Tonga's king but the island is expected to disappear soon after the eruption ceases.
http://tinyurl.com/l4wwfkq

Speaking of volcanoes ...

Italy's Mount Etna continues to put on a show.
http://tinyurl.com/qdy578q

Ongoing eruptions in Iceland.
http://tinyurl.com/nnavtzw

Ongoing eruptions from Kilauea still threaten Pahoa.
http://tinyurl.com/mkqdslk

Indian landslide raises flood fears

Landslide blocks the Tsarap River

A recent landslide in northern India has blocked the Tsarap River. There are fears the resultant 60m high earthen dam will fail catastrophically and cause widespread damage downstream.
Image courtesy of NASA's Earth Observatory
http://tinyurl.com/ltbzrtf

ON THE WEBtop

Crowd funding for Aussie meteorite hunt sought

A group of Australian researchers are seeking modest support to continue their ongoing quest for meteorites from the Nullarbor plain. Follow the link if you would like to know more and possibly help crowd fund this project.
http://tinyurl.com/oambbkk

Google Street View goes inside a rock shop!

You can now browse the beautiful display cabinets in Dave's Down to Earth rock shop, Evanston (Chicago) USA, just by wandering down the street using Google Street View. We assume Dave is OK with this!
http://tinyurl.com/puea9hd

Jurassic Park missed the snakes!

New research has uncovered snake fossils that extend the record backwards from the Upper Cretaceous to the Middle Jurassic.
News report: http://tinyurl.com/m2m565o
Research abstract: http://tinyurl.com/q2djkas

IN THE MEDIA top

Meteorite records early magnetic behaviour in solar system bodies

In the early Solar System small planetary bodies were hot enough to segregate into a liquid metal core surrounded by rocky mantle. As the objects cooled the motions of liquid iron-nickel core generated a magnetic field that has been preserved in pallasite meteorites.
Research abstract: http://tinyurl.com/kdd9ys2
News report: http://tinyurl.com/nv8ebvw

National Rock Garden a focus for Olympiad students

Students examining the Federation Rocks








Students attending the inaugural Earth and Environmental Olympiad Science Summer School in Canberra found themselves at the National Rock Garden in January.
In the running to represent Australia at the International Earth Science Olympiads this year, students were required to find out as much about the Federation rocks as possible before reporting their findings on a rock in an oral presentation. Working through an intensive course, the equivalent to first year university in only 12 days, the students responded with enthusiasm in their oral presentations, written reports and formal examinations.
Image courtesy of Greg McNamara
http://tinyurl.com/o85z36m

Mars: The field trip continued ...

Drill sample on its way!
Drill site Mojave was abandoned after the rock broke under load. Mojave2 is much better behaved. Pilot drilling and drilling is complete. Material has been collected and sent to on-board instruments for analysis.

Drill holes at Mojave2

http://tinyurl.com/o39vrf9
Image courtesy  of NASA/JPL-Caltech

Software update worked well - Sol 867
http://tinyurl.com/o39vrf9

Work virtually on Mars
http://tinyurl.com/mcmxffw

Beagle 2 found on Mars, probably intact
http://tinyurl.com/og2kbef

More news from the solar system ...

New Horizons preparing for Pluto rendezvous in July
http://tinyurl.com/q7hnphj

NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite rockets into orbit.
http://tinyurl.com/lr8yvuw

Will Philae wake up?
http://tinyurl.com/nfcw8gc

Comet 67P has goosebumps
http://tinyurl.com/lfzs63b

Rendezvous with Ceres on 6 March with great images already in
http://tinyurl.com/pacrwrh

Asteroid 2004 BL86 has its own moon (and came very close to Earth)
http://tinyurl.com/lxnlgcp

... and elsewhere ...

You think Saturn has big rings?
http://tinyurl.com/m44cggs

Oldest solar system known
http://tinyurl.com/ojvhc78

Inflation wrong?
http://tinyurl.com/kmkjdk4

What's in AJES top

The Australian Journal of Earth Sciences online is available through the Taylor & Francis website. It is very easy to navigate and use.

AJES is available to financial members of the GSA. Don't miss the next issue because your membership has lapsed!

Volume 62 No.1

Published on-line and soon to be mailed to subscribers

D. H. Moore, P. G. Betts and M. Hall
Fragmented Tasmania: the transition from Rodinia to Gondwana.

N. Stokes, C. L. Fergusson and R. Offler
Backarc basin and ocean island basalts in the Narooma Accretionary Complex, Australia: setting, geochemistry and tectonics.

K. Lane, E. Jagodzinski, A. Reid, M. Hand and R. Dutch
Age constraints on the timing of iron ore mineralisation in the southeastern Gawler Craton.

E. Swierczek, G. Backe, S. P. Holford, E. Thentorey and A. Mitchell
3D seismic analysis of complex faulting patterns above the Snapper Field, Gippsland Basin: implications for CO2 storage.

G. R. Holdgate and R. H. Grapes
Wairau Basin and fault connections across Cook Strait, New Zealand: Seismic and geological evidence.

D. I. Cendón, C. E. Hughes, J. J. Harrison, S. I. Hankin, M. P. Johansen, T. E. Payne, H. Wong, B. Rowling, M. Vine, K. Wilsher, A. Guinea and S. Thiruvoth
Identification of sources and processes in a low-level radioactive waste site adjacent to landfills: groundwater hydrogeochemistry and isotopes.

Other papers published on-line recently

I. Jones and C. Verdel
Basalt distribution and volume estimates of Cenozoic volcanism in the Bowen Basin region of eastern Australia: Implications for a waning mantle plume

Follow this link to see the most recent papers published on-line.

Coming up in TAGtop

TAG for March 2015

The March TAG is in production and the copy deadline has passed. We want to share your local news and report on what matters to the geoscience community. The copy deadline for the June 2015 issue is 20 April 2015 If you are submitting a Feature or Special Report please send your article in as soon as possible and if you need information about word lengths and submitting contact: tag@gsa.org.au

JOB VACANCIEStop

Advertising space now available

GSA logo

Advertising positions are now available in Geoz. Be the first to advertise here.
Word length: 40-50 words (the shorter the more effective) plus link to a web site.
Text and a small logo linking to your online advert or business.
Logo a maximum of 180 pixels wide x 90 pixels high.
Adverts will run in Geoz for two issues.
Fee: $150.00
For more information: info@gsa.org.au

WHAT'S ONtop


DEADLINES:

GNSS futures - have your say Questionnaire: open now

The Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI) and the University of Melbourne are conducting research on Initiating the Development of a Test Facility for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Positioning Validation.

http://tinyurl.com/p8a9y3u

Call for Papers - Abstract deadline 2 March 2015

Design Methods in Underground Mining:
Perth 17-19 November, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ofksg69




EVENTS:

Geoscience Australia Public Talk, Canberra, 11am, 11 February 2015
LaunchBox: Use of lean business principles in the creation of a space venture

http://tinyurl.com/pzpphjl

Australian Groundwater Modelling School, Adelaide, 23 – 26 February 2015

http://tinyurl.com/mtvjwf6

An introduction to porphyry Cu-Au exploration, Orange NSW, 27 February – 5 March 2015 Download flyer here

http://tinyurl.com/ox368aj

IOCG Deposits: The Cloncurry Experience, Cloncurry Nth QLD, 4 – 6 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ng79uo9

2D/3D slope stability analysis for open pit mines short course, Perth, 6 March 2015

Follow this link for the flyer

Emerging Technologies in Waste Management Seminar Series, Perth, 9 – 13 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/keaygzb

Petroleum Economics Risk & Fiscal Analysis, Perth, 9 – 11 March 2015

Follow this link for the flyer

Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference, Perth, 11 – 13 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/l2qncoa

Locate 15, Brisbane, 10 – 12 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/odd9ahw

2015 Australian Groundwater School and Field Trip, Adelaide, 16 – 20 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/qyex4qj

AGES, Alice Springs, 17 – 18 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lfsx45d

Big Data, Inspiring Information and Strategic Knowledge, Perth, 23 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nl4j9dy

Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Deposits, Perth, 26 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/k6v3z7y

The Yilgarn, Perth, 30 – 31 March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/kbojwhv

Introduction to Groundwater: Principles and Practices, Melbourne, 15 – 17 April 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nbrncqs

Open Pit Slope Stability and Ground Support Seminar and associated courses, Brisbane, 14 – 17 April 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ol4ajpv

Advanced Techniques in Mining & Exploration Geology, Townsville, 20 – 28 April 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ng79uo9

CRC Association annual conference, Canberra, 25 – 27 May 2015

http://tinyurl.com/oxpdrk9

CONTACTStop

Head Office

info@gsa.org.au

Suite 61, 104 Bathurst Street
Sydney NSW 2000
ph 02-9290 2194
fax 02-9290 2198

www.gsa.org.au
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