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geoz 128 May 2016

NEWSBREAKERS

Golden Mile yields Kalgoorlieite

Research at Curtin University has unearthed a mineral new to science in extracts taken from an historical sample of gold ore found in what eventually became the super pit at Kalgoorlie. The new mineral, named Kalgoorlieite, is a telluride with the general formula: As2Te3.
http://tinyurl.com/jsj7p7k

Budget boost for Geoscience Australia and undercover exploration

In the 2016 May Budget the Federal Government has committed $100 million to a new Exploring for the Future initiative to help Geoscience Australia undertake geological mapping of mineral deposits at depth which will facilitate exploration by private companies in areas that have historically been difficult to explore. http://tinyurl.com/got2zu6

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 2016: 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: patrick.carr@anu.edu.au

New South Wales

Thursday 12th May 2016
Cameron Perks, CPIM Consulting
Minerals you didn't know you cared about - a NSW perspective
Rugby Club, Rugby Place (off 31 Pitt Street), Circular Quay. 5.30 pm

Wednesday 18th May 2016
A joint Geological Survey of NSW, AIG NSW Branch and GSA NSW Division core logging workshop
One Day Workshop - Core Logging Fundamentals
WB Clarke Geoscience Centre, 947-953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry. 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Registration fees for GSA and AIG members:
  •   Young geoscientist (< 10 years experience): $110
  •   Unemployed/Underemployed geoscientist: $55
  •   MSc or PhD student: $55
  •   Full employment Member geoscientist (> 10 years experience): $220
Register for this workshop here: http://tinyurl.com/zyp99wf

Thursday 19th May 2016
A joint Geological Survey of NSW, AIG NSW Branch and GSA NSW Division Hylogging course
One Day Course - Core Logging with Hylogging
WB Clarke Geoscience Centre, 947-953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry. 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Registration fees for GSA and AIG members:
  •   Young geoscientist (< 10 years experience): $88
  •   Unemployed/Underemployed geoscientist: $55
  •   MSc or PhD student: $55
  •   Full employment Member geoscientist (> 10 years experience): $110
Register for this workshop here: http://tinyurl.com/jxgjrws

Student Scholarships to Attend the Australian Earth Sciences Convention
Ten scholarships, each of $500, will be provided to students to help attend the AESC this June.

Requirements for Successful Application:
  •   The applicant must be currently enrolled as a student at any university
      (or other educational institution) in NSW.
  •   Preference will be given to applicants presenting either a poster or oral presentation (or both)
      at the convention. However, students who are not presenting may also apply but must be
      currently enrolled in an earth science degree.
  •   If the applicant is already receiving financial assistance from a university or employer
      they won't be able to apply for the scholarship.
  •   The applicant should be a member of the GSA. Student membership of the GSA is very cheap
      and an application can be made along with the scholarship application.

How to apply:
Please email the following details to Carmen Braz at cbra4985@uni.sydney.edu.au:
  •   Name
  •   Institution
  •   Supervisors (or relevant contact)
  •   Title and abstract of talk (if not presenting, please provide a description of less than 200 words
      of why you'd like to attend and why you should receive the scholarship)
  •   Contact details

The successful recipients will be asked to write a short article on their experience at the AESC 2016 for publication in TAG and the NSW division newsletter.

Queensland

Tuesday 24th May 2016
GSA Queensland Division, Annual Student Awards Night
Speaker and venue to be confirmed

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

South Australia

Thursday 12th May 2016
Joint meeting with AusIMM
The Historian. 12 noon.

Saturday 14th May 2016
GeoFamily picnic on at Apex Park
West Beach, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.

Tasmania

2016 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: taryn.noble@utas.edu.au

Victoria

Thursday 26th May 2016
Titus Murray
Hydrocarbon traps in complex settings
Fritz Lowe Theatre, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

Thursday 23rd June 2016: Howitt Lecture
Erin Matchan
Ar-Ar dating of volcanoes and Indigenous oral history
Royal Society lecture theatre, upstairs at 8 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm

Thursday 28th July 2016
Dr Matthias Raab
CO2CRC Otway Project
Fritz Lowe Theatre, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

Geological Society of Australia, Victoria Division, Student Research Scholarships
The scholarship is valued at up to $500 for travel within Australia and $700 for travel outside of Australia. The number of and value of the scholarships awarded each year is made at the discretion of the GSA (Vic) committee. Funding will not be granted retrospectively and applicants are asked to submit forms no later than 6 weeks prior to their trip to give the committee time to consider the application.
Follow this link for more information and the application form.

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

The Geological Society of Australia Endowment Fund

GSA Endowment Fund logo

The objectives of the fund are to support Australian students undertaking graduate studies in the Earth Sciences at an approved State or Federal educational institution. Awards are not restricted to GSA members. Grants of $1,000 are available for an Australian citizen in each state/territory undertaking either an Honours or Masters course in 2016. There will also be a single national grant of $5,000 to one Australian citizen undertaking a PhD. The financial assistance can be used for:
   •  Field work, both in Australia and Abroad
   •  Laboratory associated costs, including machine time
   •  Sponsorship to attend conferences
   •  Overseas study tours

Applications are now open and close Friday, 20 May, 2016
Download the application form here.
Download the flyer here.

Membership with the GSA

The Geological Society of Australia is the premier geoscience organisation in Australia. We organise talks, symposia, forums, conferences, workshops and field trips on all facets of the geosciences.

We publish two peer-reviewed scientific journals of interest to members: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences (AJES) and Alcheringa. The GSA is committed to increasing geoscience knowledge and capacity for members; and our journals and scientific events (including workshops) provide an ideal forum for knowledge sharing and deepening connections in the geoscience community.

Want to know more about GSA membership? Contact us! membership@gsa.org.au

New Members campaign

The GSA is offering all members the opportunity to reduce their membership fee by $50 if they sign up a new full member for 2016. If you are a full member and sign up another full member for 2016 you both will receive $50.00 off your 2016 membership. Already paid 2016 fees? Sign up a full member before 30 March 2016 and we will reimburse you $50. This is your chance to grow the Society and reduce your fees.

Renewing members

2016 Member renewals were mailed late 2015. If you didn't receive your renewal please contact the GSA office.

Membership is based on a calendar year: 1st January - 31st December 2016.

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 2016 and will be waived for unemployed members not receiving AJES.

If you contact us, we can assist you with your GSA membership, by email membership@gsa.org.au or phone (02) 9290 2194. GSA Membership is from the 1st January to the 31st December.

GSA Governing Council wants you

Do you want to shape the future of the GSA? If so, this is your opportunity to get involved at a national level as a GSA Governing Councillor. The March TAG published information about how to become a Governing Councillor. We want enthusiasm, progressive ideas and capacity to be part of the national agenda. Want to know more information?

Contact sue@gsa.org.au or one of the Governing Councillors, details on this page:
http://gsa.junctionworld.com/management/index.html.
Find out more here.
Deadline: 10 May for General Councillors

AESC 2016: Register now!

AESC 2016: Uncover Earth's Past to Discover Our Future with six themes and four symposia, AESC 2016 is the place to extend your scientific education this year, network with colleagues and build on your professional development.

Themes

  •    Earth's Environment - Past to Present
  •    Tectonics of the Planet
  •    Deep Earth Geodynamics
  •    Mineral Endowment
  •    Geoscience and Society
  •    Earth Science for Energy

Symposia

  •    The 40th Anniversary of Olympic Dam Symposium
  •    Early-Mid Career Geoscientist Symposium
  •    Sprigg Symposium: Earth's Evolving Climate
  •    UNCOVER Symposium: The future of under cover exploration

Registration
The AESC 2016 registration is now open. Click here for more information.
We look forward to seeing you in Adelaide in 2016.

Key Dates
Standard registration opened: 23 April 2016
Remember: Late registration fees apply 2 weeks out from the convention

Public Forum

Nuclear Energy has gained increasing public interest in recent years as part of the debate on future global energy sources. Additionally, the continued use of energy from fossil fuels has contributed to concerns about climate change and ignited a conversation about the needs of the modern world for energy and the effects on the environment. The call for non-carbon energy sources is becoming more prevalent. Thus, nuclear energy is increasingly being considered, and has generated enough political interest for the instigation of a Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission in South Australia, which will deliver a final report on 6th May 2016.

Join us at the AESC 2016 Public Forum
  •    Monday, Monday 27th June 2016
  •    Time: 7.00pm
  •    Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre
  •    More details: http://aesc2016.gsa.org.au/public-forum/
  •    Chair: Michelle Cooper (GSA Governing Council and Executive Committee)
  •    Moderator: Dr Paul Willis (Director, RiAus)
  •    Panel:
         Dr Vanessa Guthrie (MD/CEO Toro Energy),
         Dr Tony Irwin (Technical Director, SMR Nuclear Technology),
         Professor Ian Lowe (Griffith University)
         Professor Barry Brook (University of Tasmania) and
         Greg Ward (Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission).

UNCOVER logo

UNCOVER Symposium: The future of under cover exploration

Australia's economy is supported through exploitation of natural resource wealth. Discovery of new deposits has not kept pace with depletion of these resources, the end result of depletion of easily discovered near-surface deposits.

UNCOVER is an industry-academia-government cooperation intended to drive a step change in mineral exploration discovery rates at greater depth and under cover. This vision requires the coming together of groups on a scale never before attempted. This symposium will showcase some of the early work focused on undercover exploration. Download the draft program here.

Field trips

The Field trips present a unique opportunity, consider exploring the Clare Valley geology and vineyards on the Clare Valley Rocks - the earth beneath our vines field trip. You will be in great company. Find out more about all the field trips here.

aesc2016.gsa.org.au
26-30 June 2016, Adelaide Convention Centre

Combined logo and image map GA logo SA-DSD logo AESC logo GSA logo

FB logo   Like us on Facebook and stay informed about the AESC.

Palaeo Down Under 2

Australasian Palaeontologists (AAP) cordially invite all palaeontologists from Australia, New Zealand and around the world to participate in Palaeo Down Under 2 (PDU2) in Adelaide on 11 - 15 July, 2016.

Provisional list of Symposia:

  •    Ediacaran (ISES) and Cambrian (ISCS) Meeting
  •    Palaeontology from New Zealand
  •    Dinosaurs in Australia
  •    Cave Palaeontology
  •    Latest technologies applied to Palaeontology
  •    Palaeontological Illustration
  •    Palaeontological Heritage: Protection & Promotion
  •    Palaeontological Collection Managing & Curation

Visit http://www.pdu2.org/ to find out more about the conference and the pre- and post-conference field trips and to register your expression of interest in attending.

IN THE NEWStop

Mining innovations get Queensland backing

The Queensland government has awarded three University of Queensland research projects Advance Queensland Research Fellowships. Each Fellowship is valued at $180,000 over three years.

   •  Dr Hong Peng, is aiming to increase Queensland's bauxite ore reserves through
      process technology innovation.
   •  Dr Pradeep Shukla aims to upscale new technology to produce cyanide on-site for
      gold and base metal mines.
   •  Dr Sergio-Andres Galindo-Torres aims to introduce new modelling and visualisation technologies
      which will introduce state of the art simulation capabilities to Queensland.

Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/gwub3p8

Giant fossil penguins hung around for longer in Australia

Australian research has revealed that the 38 million year record of fossil penguin populations of Australia is complex with many unrelated species using Australian shores over time. It also shows that giant penguins persisted in Australia for around 5 million years longer than in other parts of the world.
News report: http://tinyurl.com/hca9vex
Research abstract: http://tinyurl.com/hwzljyh

ON THE WEBtop

Pleistocene humans more than food for thought

A human femur, found with the bones of other Pleistocene animals in a Moroccan cave, has teeth marks in it consistent with feeding by a large carnivore - most likely a cave hyena.
News report: http://tinyurl.com/hmkmspn
Research abstract: http://tinyurl.com/zttklw8

Another sentinel up and working

Sentinel-1b, Europe's newest Earth observation satellite, has returned its first radar imagery showing a 250km swathe of the Arctic that includes the Norwegian archipelago. The satellite is currently in its testing phase. It is orbiting in the same plane as Sentinel-1a but 180 degrees apart and together they will map the surface of Earth every 6 days. The 5 terabits of data they generate each day will be totally free and open for anyone to use.
http://tinyurl.com/z8xqbyt

... and speaking of Sentinel data:
Australia will have assured access to Sentinel satellites via dedicated high-speed connections under the terms of a technical cooperation arrangement signed between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Geoscience Australia on 30 March 2016. http://tinyurl.com/h9psj7k

IN THE MEDIA top

The 25th International Geological Congress Fund: 2016 round for Australian and New Zealand ECR presenters

Dedicated funding is available to assist early-career Australian and New Zealand geoscience researchers (ECRs) to present their work at the 35th International Geological Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, 27 August - 4 September 2016. The scheme is open to practising geoscientists resident in Australia or New Zealand who hold a degree (including PhD, Masters and honours students) in geoscience (or equivalent) and who have been chosen to present at the 35th International Geological Congress.

Eight grants of $3000 will be awarded to cover travel and related expenses. Applications close 9am AEST Monday 30 May 2016. http://tinyurl.com/j472ffv.

Volcanic activity implicated in the decline of the Maya

The decline of the Maya civilisation in the 6th Century may be associated with eruptions of El Chichon volcano in southern Mexico. Ash fall deposits from El Chichon have recently provided dates of AD 540 that line up with Mayan hiatus. A polar ice core sulfur spike also indicates there was a major eruption somewhere on Earth in AD 540 that coincides with the beginning of the hiatus.
http://tinyurl.com/j5budey
... more on volcanoes:
Watch this beautifully filmed activity of recent eruptive behaviour at Nyriagongo Volcano in 2016. The voice over is also quite informative.
http://tinyurl.com/zxfd7sc

Mars: The field trip continued ...                            

360 Panorama

Rough terrain but Curiosity up to the challenge
Curiosity has emerged from the sand dunes onto rough rocky terrain. The panorama has been assembled from multiple images taken from Naukluft Plateau on lower Mount Sharp. The roughness of the terrain has raised concerns about Curiosity's wheels which have developed holes and tears. However, careful driving coupled with a good understanding of the wheels durability under these conditions should ensure the wheels and rims are able to complete the entire mission.
http://tinyurl.com/zcngzw6
360-degree panorama on YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/jttbhtn
Image courtesy of: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS.

Carbonates spotted on Mars
http://tinyurl.com/zox4nny

Martian Late Heavy Bombardment good for life?
http://tinyurl.com/zh8uyro

ExoMars project put back to 2020
http://tinyurl.com/h4j3wa8

SpaceX aims for Mars in 2018
http://tinyurl.com/hfw2ohz

Eleven drill holes on Mars, one image!
http://tinyurl.com/jjwdm8c


More news from the solar system ...

Hitomi (ASTRO-H satellite) lost forever
http://tinyurl.com/h7e39lm

Is it raining diamonds on gas giants?
http://tinyurl.com/mwyjzjn

James Webb telescope news
http://tinyurl.com/8rxlzm

Makemake has a moon
http://tinyurl.com/jev4fse


... and elsewhere ...

Cool stars might host goldilocks planets
http://tinyurl.com/z5l7442

Three galaxy collision produces a giant black hole
http://tinyurl.com/hg55bat

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!

Note: The publication of AJES 62/8 was delayed but is now available on-line. The print copies should arrive in the next week or so.

Volume 63 No.2

Review: T. P. Mernagh, E. N. Bastrakov, S. Jaireth, P. de Caritat, P. M. English, and J. D. A. Clarke
Australian salt lakes and associated mineral systems.

N. Kharazizadeh, W.P. Schellart, J.C. Duarte and M. Hall
The variation of crustal stretching and different modes of rifting along the Australian southern continental margin.

E. L. Matchan, E. B. Joyce, and D. Phillips
A new 40Ar/39Ar eruption age for the Mount Widderin volcano, Newer Volcanic Province, Australia, with implications for eruption frequency in the region.

J. D. Clemens and M. A. Elburg
Possible spatial variability in the Selwyn Block of central Victoria: evidence from Late Devonian felsic igneous rocks.

J. L. Awange, B. Palancz, R. Lewis, T. Lovas, B. Heck and Y. Fukuda
An algebraic solution of maximum likelihood function in case of Gaussian mixture distribution.

L. Zhou, X. Pang, L. Wu, L. Kuang, F. Jiang, H. Pang, J. Peng and R. Yu
Critical conditions for tight oil charging and delineation of effective oil source rocks in Lucaogou Formation, Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, northwest China.

F-L. Li and W-S. Li
Controlling factors for dawsonite diagenesis: A case study of the Binnan Region in Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China.


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

Coming up in TAGtop

Have you got editorial for the September issue of TAG?

The June issue is in layout and that means you missed inclusion of your article. You can always send your news item early and we will include in the September issue of TAG. The September deadline is 22 July. 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

NEW Geoscience Management positions at the Geological Survey of NSW


Manager Regional Mapping
The Manager Regional Mapping leads project teams in the delivery of high quality geological mapping products.
http://tinyurl.com/gmapcrd.
Manager Geophysics and Modelling
The Manager Geophysics and Modelling leads a team in the acquisition, analysis and modelling of geophysical data and the development of 3D geological models to advance the understanding of the geology of NSW and support the discovery and development of the state's mineral resources.
http://tinyurl.com/hmyxwsp.
Manager Publications & Outreach
The Manager Publications & Outreach leads a team in the production and editing of Geological Survey publications, web content and related products for industry, government and the general public.
http://tinyurl.com/jh26srq.
Manager Mining & Exploration Assessment
The Manager Mining & Exploration Assessment leads a team in the technical assessment and evaluation of mineral, coal and petroleum titles to ensure legislative compliance under the Mining Act 1992 and the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991.
http://tinyurl.com/zj3w2pq.
Manager Petroleum & Renewable Resources
The Manager Petroleum &Renewable Resources leads a team in the assessment and evaluation of petroleum and renewable energy resources across NSW, promoting sustainable exploration and development.
http://tinyurl.com/zbgdtgm.
Manager Mineral Resource Assessment
The Manager Mineral Resource Assessment leads a team in the assessment of mineral resources in NSW with the aim of promoting exploration and supporting the development of a sustainable industry.
http://tinyurl.com/zs4ghqg.

WHAT'S ONtop


DEADLINES:

Nominations close May 10 2016

The GSA is now calling for nominations for five positions of General Councillor

Details here

Applications close May 20 2016

The Geological Society of Australia Endowment Fund is open for applications

http://tinyurl.com/jrdmx66

Call for Papers - Abstract deadline May 30 2016

Geotourism workshop: Ecotourism Australia's Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference
Hobart 21-23 November 2016

Fostering Innovation - Sustaining Excellence
http://tinyurl.com/zhjgw5z

IGC travel grants for early-career researchers - Applications close May 30 2016

2016 round for Australian and New Zealand ECR presenters at the 2016 IGC

The 25th International Geological Congress Fund
http://tinyurl.com/j472ffv




EVENTS:

Groundwater Modelling for Beginners, Sydney, 9 – 12 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/nmjc2jo.

Introduction to Pumping Test Analysis, Perth, 10 – 11 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/lypl2og.

Introduction to ArcGIS, Sydney, 10 – 12 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/o7qxyco.

The Australian Flood Risk Information Portal: a case study in being more agile, Canberra, 11 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/zgt5kdo.

A panel forum on the important topic of I am a Geographer plus the
Launch of the new VCE textbooks Hazards and Disasters and Changing the Land, Melbourne, 11 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jor4xyz.

ACG Physical and Numerical Modelling of Caving Mechanics Workshop, Sydney, 12 May 2016

Download flyer here.

Introduction to Groundwater: Principles and Practices, Perth, 17 – 19 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jkcumo6.

One-Day workshop: Core Logging Fundamentals, Londonderry NSW, 18 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/zyp99wf.

One-Day workshop: Core Logging with Hylogging, Londonderry NSW, 19 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jxgjrws.

Contaminated Land Conference (Regional), Dubbo, 31 May 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jx6mchh.

Workshop on Australia's Ni-Cu-PGE mineral potential - new data, new targets, Perth, 10 June 2016

http://tinyurl.com/hubpa2u.

AESC 2016, Adelaide, 26 – 30 June 2016
Uncover Earth's Past to Discover Our Future

http://www.aesc2016.gsa.org.au.

GSA Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, Adelaide, 11 – 15 July 2016
Palaeo Down Under 2

http://www.pdu2.org/.

Introduction to Groundwater: Principles and Practices, Brisbane, 27 – 29 July 2016

http://tinyurl.com/hfkbemq.

35th International Geological Congress, Cape Town South Africa, 24 August – 4 September 2016

http://tinyurl.com/qgztfk5.

5th International Conference on Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterisation, Gold Coast, 5 – 9 September 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jv6f7kr.

13th International Nickel-Copper-PGE Symposium, Perth, 5 – 9 September 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jhurkrh.

CONTACTStop

Head Office

info@gsa.org.au

Suite 8, Level 2,
141 Peats Ferry Road
Hornsby NSW 2077
ph 02-9290 2194
fax 02-9290 2198

www.gsa.org.au
Governing Council and Executive Committee
Divisions
Specialist Groups
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