geoz 49 June 2012

NEWSBREAKERS

Senior Earth and Environmental Science one step closer

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has released the draft senior secondary Australian Curriculum including the brand new Earth and Environmental Science curriculum. ACARA is calling for feedback prior to July 20.

http://bit.ly/luz9ot

Italy rattled by weeks of earthquakes

Italy has been shaken by numerous earthquakes above magnitude 4 including an extremely damaging one greater than magnitude 6.

Earthquake data: http://bit.ly/LA5hFi
News story: http://bbc.in/KwK1iW

FROM THE DIVISIONS

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

Tuesday 19th June 2012 - NOTE: SPECIAL VENUE
Phil O'Brien, Geoscience Australia and Macquarie University
Pathways in marine geoscience research on the Australian Antarctic Territory margin
Law Lecture Theatre, ANU College of Law, Fellows Road, Building 5, ANU. 6.00 pm. RSVP required

New South Wales

Wednesday 13th June 2012
Dr Anthony Dosseto, School of BEES, UNSW
Tick Tock - timing Earth surface processes with uranium-series isotopes
Biomedical Theatre D on the upper campus of the UNSW, 6.00 pm

Friday 13th July 2012
Associate Professor José Brilha, University of Minho (Portugal)
Challenges in Geoconservation - towards Science, Education and Geotourism
Education Seminar Room 325, Faculty of Education & Social Work, University of Sydney, Contact ian.percival@industry.nsw.gov.au for details.

Queensland

2012 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: info@qld.gsa.org.au

South Australia

Friday 15th June 2012 - The joint AusIMM Adelaide Branch and GSA June Technical Meeting
Dr. Neil Phillips
Gold discoveries are made easier...if you know how they are formed?
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 11.00 am with a BBQ to follow

Thursday 19th July 2012
Associate Professor José Brilha, University of Minho (Portugal)
Challenges in Geoconservation - towards Science, Education and Geotourism
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

Tasmania

2012 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: mduffett@mrt.tas.gov.au

Victoria

Thursday 28th June 2012 - NO MEETING
For more information: secretary@vic.gsa.org.au

Thursday 12th July 2012 in conjunction with the Royal Society of Victoria
Guy Holdgate gives the Annual A.W. Howitt Lecture
The Port Phillip Bay Story
For more information: secretary@vic.gsa.org.au

Western Australia

Wednesday 4th July 2012
Peter Lane
The choice at Margaret River was simple - water or coal?
Irish Club of WA (Inc), 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco, 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm

GSA EVENTS

The 34^thIGC has a Facebook page and Twitter account!

What else can we say? Twitter Account – @34thIGC and Twitter Hashtag – #34igc of course!
Facebook link: http://on.fb.me/IxhFGK

GSA membership

Have you renewed for 2012? Membership started on the 1/1/12, make sure you do not miss any GSA news or issues of AJES by paying late. Pay your membership here using your member number and password (on your renewal notice). If in doubt, please contact the GSA office: info@gsa.org.au.

National Rock Garden newsletter now available

The National Rock Garden, launched at the 2010 Australian Earth Sciences Convention in Canberra, will have up to 100 large specimens of the country's most iconic rocks, each weighing approximately 10–15 tonnes. To find out how you can contribute follow this link:
NationalRockGarden.pdf

To download the latest National Rock Garden newsletter just click this link.

If you would like to join the Friends of the National Rock Garden and receive newsletters and information directly by email please send a request to rockgarden@gsa.org.au

Image courtesy of Doug Finlayson

IN THE NEWS

Second rock to third rock: I'm over here!

If you missed the transit of Venus in early June you'll have to wait another 105 years to see it again! Planetary dynamics ensure the inhabitants of Earth see a transit of Venus across the Sun twice each century and our second opportunity has just passed.

Why it is a rare event: http://bit.ly/Kmn5Vl
A brief history of James Cook and the transit: http://1.usa.gov/JZqjlj
What this transit might tell astronomers: http://1.usa.gov/LfGZT5

Image courtesy of NASA

Ichthyostega strutted its stuff

A 3D computer model of Ichthyostega's skeleton, generated from scans of fossil limbs, has allowed researchers to work out how its limbs might have moved.
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/LqWd3V
Media release: http://bit.ly/KVLbaY

Geoscience Victoria restructured

Many functions once undertaken by Geoscience Victoria have been transferred to another branch in the Victorian Department of Primary Industries following a restructure that has reportedly led to a wave of resignations.
http://bit.ly/LdSsSH

More (big) tsunami flotsam reaches North America

A 165-tonne concrete dock that was ripped from coastal Japan in the 2011 tsunami has been washed up on a beach south-west of Portland, Oregon.
http://bbc.in/Lteqlc

ON THE WEB

USGS calls for help

The USGS has identified seven mission areas and is now developing 10-year science strategy outlines for each. They are calling for employees, external partners, stakeholders, and the public to comment on these strategies and help inform their detailed development.
http://on.doi.gov/dPaGHX

Kepler spots planet Icarus?

The Kepler space telescope has identified a star, about 1500 light years from Earth, with an unusual light pattern emanating from it. Scientists hypothesise that the light signature is from the dusty trail of a planet slowly evaporating into space as it orbits far too close to its star for comfort.
http://1.usa.gov/JsjQz7

IN THE MEDIA

Field Guide launched in WA

The much acclaimed new book from Earth Science Western Australia (ESWA), A Field Guide to Perth and Surrounds, was launched at Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club on May the 15th by Dr Rick Rogerson. The book, reviewed in March TAG, is available from ESWA.
http://bit.ly/v0i5kv

Cover thickness uncovered for central Australia.

The newly-released depth to magnetic basement of the Arunta-Georgina-Amadeus-Musgrave region map provides estimates on the thickness of cover in this region. The map was constructed from mapped geology and a compilation of point-located depth values below ground level, sourced from drill hole, seismic data and depth to magnetic source estimates. The map is available for free download.
http://bit.ly/MhxqDU

What's in AJES

The Australian Journal of Earth Sciences online is available through the Taylor & Francis' website: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/taje20. It is very easy to navigate and use.

Volume 59 Issue No.4

K. M. Fleming, P. Tregoning, M. Kuhn, A. Purcell and H. McQueen
The effect of melting land-based ice masses on sea level around the Australian coastline

T. D. Frank, J. M. Pritchard, C. R. Fielding and A. J. Mory
Cold-water carbonate deposition in a high-latitude, glacially influenced Permian seaway (Southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia)

G. Fraser, A. Reid and R. Stern
Timing of deformation and exhumation across the Karari Shear Zone, north-western Gawler Craton, South Australia

T. A. Fromhold and M. W. Wallace
Regional recognition of the Neoproterozoic Sturtian-Marinoan boundary, Northern and Central Adelaide Geosyncline, South Australia

D. Phillips, B. Fu, C. J. L. Wilson, M. Kendrick, A. Fairmaid and J. McL. Miller
Timing of gold mineralisation in the western Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia: A critical overview

A. S. A. A. Abu Sharib
Foliation intersection axes (FIAs) preserved within porphyroblasts: resolving plan view orthogonal refolding, Eastern Fold Belt, Mt Isa Inlier

Volume 59 Issue No.5 Archean ore systems

Editors: Kevin Cassidy, Jon Hronsky and Stephen Wyche

S. Barnes, M. Van Kranendonk and I. Sonntag
Geochemical affinity and tectonic setting of basalts from the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane, Yilgarn Craton.

P. Duuring, W. Bleeker, S. W. Beresford, M. L. Fiorentini and N. M. Rosengren
Structural evolution of the Agnew-Wiluna greenstone belt, Eastern Goldfields, Yilgarn Craton and implications for komatiite-hosted Ni sulfide exploration.

D. Mole, M. Fiorentini, N. Thebaud, C. McCuaig, K. Cassidy, C. Kirkland, M. Wingate, S. Romano, M. Doublier and E. Belousova
Spatio-temporal constraints on lithospheric development in the southwest-central Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

M. J. Pawley, M. T. D. Wingate, C. L. Kirkland, S. Wyche, C. E. Hall, S. S. Romano and M. P. Doublier
Adding pieces to the puzzle: episodic crustal growth and a new terrane in the northeast Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia.

N. Said, R. Kerrich, K. Cassidy and D. Champion
Characteristics and geodynamic setting of the 2.7 Ga Yilgarn heterogeneous plume and its interaction with continental lithosphere: Evidence from komatiitic-basalt and basalt geochemistry of the Eastern Yilgarn Craton.

N. Thebaud and S. Barnes
Geochemistry of komatiites in the Southern Cross Belt, Youanmi Terrane, Western Australia.

S. Wyche, C. L. Kirkland, A. Riganti, M. J. Pawley, E. Belousova and M. T. D. Wingate
Isotopic constraints on stratigraphy in the central and eastern Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia.

D. Wyman
Geochemical and Isotopic Characteristics of Youanmi Terrane Volcanism: The Role of Mantle Plumes and Subduction Tectonics in the western Yilgarn Craton.

I. Zibra
Syndeformational granite crystallisation along the Mount Magnet Greenstone Belt, Yilgarn Craton: evidence of large-scale magma-driven strain localization during Neoarchean times.

Coming up in TAG

June TAG in your mailbox soon

The next TAG is ready to roll and will hit members' mailboxes soon. The June issue includes Mark Tingay reporting on the inaugural Australian Geoscience Teaching Workshop, Greg McNally providing insights into what it means to be working as an engineering geologist and there is – as always – news, views, interesting pictures of members and much more.

Don't miss out on your issue, pay your 2012 membership dues and update your mailing address if you need to.

Follow the TAG link to submit material for 2012 editions or to find out more:
http://gsa.junctionworld.com/publications/tag.html or email tag@gsa.org.au

WHAT'S ON

DEADLINES:

Development of the Australian Heritage Strategy – Submissions accepted up until 15 June 2012

Public consultation is a critical step in the development of the strategy. Have your say!
http://bit.ly/I9Tgpc

34th IGC standard registration open until 15 July

Standard registration fees now apply. Late fees apply after 15 July
http://bit.ly/mRHsZ0

MoonBots 2012 Challenge Open for Registration until 15 July

but you need to have Phase One ready by then too!
http://bit.ly/KNgGnJ

Top performing students could earn a spot at the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School
http://bit.ly/JMqDld

Deadline for feedback on Earth and Environmental Science curriculum is 20 July

The more feedback the better!
http://bit.ly/luz9ot

NT Minerals summit – Early bird registration open until 29 July

The Last Frontier
http://bit.ly/IlGCIo

The seventh conference on Mine Closure, Brisbane, 25 – 27 September 2012

Early Bird registration closes 13 August 2012
http://bit.ly/KzuK6r

Geologi Short Film Competition 2012
enter a short film, up to three minutes long, which relates to Geoscience or Earth Science and people.

Entries close 24 August 2012
http://bit.ly/iLm1md

Top GeoShot 2012
Geoscience Australia's photo competition

Entries close 22 September 2012
http://bit.ly/L1Savk

The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Education Endowment Fund
Bicentennial Gold 88 Endowment 2013

Applications close Friday 28 September 2012
http://bit.ly/nxYtm2

EVENTS:

Exploration in the house, Sydney, 20 June 2012

An afternoon of technical talks at NSW Parliament House
http://bit.ly/JNYoPx

ACG Open Pit Mining Seminar Series, Perth, 19 – 21 June 2012

Hydro-Geology and Water Management in Open Pit Mining Seminar
http://bit.ly/Ide0Pc

Ore Textures & Breccias in Mineralized Systems - Module 1, Townsville, 25 – 27 June 2012

Porphyry Copper Systems 2012
http://bit.ly/IxwNpz

Gossans and Leached Cappings, Townsville, 28 June 2012

One day workshop
http://bit.ly/IxwNpz

Ore Textures & Breccias in Mineralized Systems - Module 2, Townsville, 29 June 2012

Porphyry Copper Systems 2012
http://bit.ly/IxwNpz

Central Australian Basin Symposium, Alice Springs, 16 – 17 July 2012

Petroleum potential: Conventional and Unconventional
http://bit.ly/uhkSJt

6th Biennial Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) Workshop, Brisbane, 1-4 August 2012

Third Circular now available for download
http://bit.ly/oQQP1P

34th International Geological Congress, Brisbane, 5–10 August 2012

Unearthing our Past and Future
http://bit.ly/tdSlQY

Asian Current Research on Fluid Inclusions (ACROFI), Brisbane, 11–12 August 2012

Stay on after the IGC!
http://bit.ly/LDemgY

Open Day at Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 19 August 2012

Geoscience Australia celebrates National Science Week
http://bit.ly/roFtSI

ACG Open Pit Mining Seminar Series, Perth, 22 – 24 August 2012

Ground Support in Mining (Introduction) Short Course
http://bit.ly/Ide0Pc

AMEC summit, Perth, 4–6 September 2012

http://www.amecconvention.com.au/

NT Minerals summit, Darwin, 11 – 13 September 2012

The Last Frontier – Capitalising on Mining, Exploration and Career Opportunities in the Northern Territory
http://bit.ly/IlGCIo