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geoz 64 February 2013
NEWSBREAKERS
A near miss in space, a close call in Russia and a major discovery in Australia
January and February have been busy months for everyone interested in space rocks.
In January all eyes were on Apophis as the 300 metre wide rock made a near-Earth fly by that allowed detailed calculations to conclude it would also miss Earth when it passes close by again in 2036.
Also in January a 45 metre wide rock, asteroid 2012 DA14, was identified and followed as it made a very close pass this month. Incredibly an unrelated 17 metre wide rock entered the atmosphere over Russia at about the same time and dramatically exploded causing wide spread injury and damage to buildings. It is the largest event of its kind since the meteor explosion over Tunguska, Siberia, in 1908.
Finally, Australian researchers have identified what may be the one of the largest impact zones ever discovered. To create this feature it is estimated an asteroid up to 20 kilometres wide collided with Earth between 298 and 360 million years ago. It not only generated a massive crater and shock zone but may have also been responsible for the late Devonian global mass extinction event.
Asteroid fly by news report: http://bbc.in/X9xRo3
and Australian video: http://1.usa.gov/136Wtia
Russian meteor news report and video: http://bit.ly/Zcuv42
and NASA report: http://1.usa.gov/12MjpTH
Australian impact crater news report: http://bit.ly/12I6G4r
and research abstract: http://bit.ly/XhCbmz
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
Regular meetings: Third Tuesday of each month (Except January)
Jaeger Lecture Theatre, Jaeger Building (Building 61), Australian National University.
For more information: eva_papp@grapevine.com.au
New South Wales
2013 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: meetings@nsw.gsa.org.au
Queensland
Friday 22nd February 2013
Brisbane Exploration Discussions Group (BEDG) Friday seminar series:
Geochemistry in Exploration - geochemistry is the new black
The Theodore Club, Level 1, 333 Adelaide St, Brisbane.
For more information: d.young@findex.net.au
South Australia
GeoNight at the Pub
First Thursday of every month
Nibbles provided, drink specials on the night
The Griffith's Head, Grenfell Street, Adelaide (Front Bar). 5.30 pm to 7.30pm
Email apetts@flindersmines.com for more information
Thursday 21st February 2013
Ian Lewis, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Volcanoes and Limestone - UNESCO Kanawinka Global Geopark in the South East & Western Victoria
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm
Thursday 21st March 2013
Annual joint AusIMM and GSA Student BBQ.
For more information contact: info@sa.gsa.org.au
Tasmania
Thursday 21st February 2013
Dr Jim Jago, Associate Professor, University of South Australia
The Emu Bay Shale lagerstätte, Kangaroo Island: Australia's Burgess Shale deposit
School of Earth Sciences, Lecture Theatre, University of Tasmania, 6pm
Victoria
Thursday 28th February 2013
Greg McNamara, GSA Education and Outreach
The state of the National Curriculum in Victoria
Fritz Loewe Theatre, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne. 5.30pm for 6.00pm
Western Australia
Wednesday 6th March 2013
Milo Barham, Department of Applied Geology Curtin University
Conodonts, fishy bits and Ireland: paleoclimatic time capsules resolve the Carboniferous glaciation (and help inform our climate future?)
Irish Club of WA (Inc), 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco, 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm
GSA EVENTS
GSA membership
The 2013 Member renewals have been mailed; if you haven't received your renewal notice contact the office. Members can update their details or renew their membership online. Need help? Don't know your membership number, not sure if you have renewed? If in doubt, please contact the GSA office: info@gsa.org.au.
GSA membership is from the 1st January - the 31st December 2013. If you are interested in joining the GSA please contact: info@gsa.org.au.
Mega Memoir Sale
Memoirs 1 - 34 at heavily discounted rates for all of our Members. Limited time only, Sale ends 28 February 2013. Click here for the Order Form
The National Rock Garden - a rock solid idea
The National Rock Garden (NRG) now qualifies for Deductible Gift Recipient status (DGR). In other words, donations to the NRG are now tax deductible so now donating to the NRG can be a win-win!
The National Rock Garden will have up to 100 large specimens of the country's most iconic rocks.
Each specimen will weigh approximately 10–15 tonnes. To find out how you can contribute follow
this link to the NRG web site: http://www.nationalrockgarden.org.au/
Check out the NRG rock of the month - Chinaman Creek Limestone.
Australia Day Honours for NRG steering committee member
NRG Steering Committee member, Dr Mike Smith, from the National Museum of Australia, was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the recently announced Australia Day honours list. Mike was honoured for significant service to archaeological scholarship, particularly of the Australian desert regions. Congratulations, Mike!
Find out more about Mike click here.
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 Heather Catchpole
Biennial Conference of the Specialist Group in Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology: Rocks, Reef and Rainforest (R3)
Following the format of the successful Kangaroo Island (2009) and Murramarang (2011) SGGMP conferences, this Gordon-style conference held in tropical North Queensland
will combine oral and poster presentations, field trips, and a packed social program.
Mission Beach, QLD, July 14th to 19th 2013.
Places are limited!
http://sggmp2013.webs.com/
IN THE NEWS
The Australian Museum walks away from palaeontology and the geosciences?
The assistant director of research and collections at Australia's largest Natural History Museum, Dr Brian Lassig, has been quoted as saying the Australian Museum has reviewed its priorities and moved away from palaeontology and geosciences to focus on more topical issues. The comments, in the context of questions around why the Australian Museum has not renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with the Canowindra Age of Fishes Museum, have caused alarm amongst the geoscience community. Questions are now being asked about the fate of world class mineral, rock and fossil specimens in the Australian Museum and affiliated organisations.
http://bit.ly/1204ERr
Plant mass extinction fossilised
Fossils from the aptly names Stony Creek Basin in Victoria have revealed the southeastern Australia sclerophyll flora was as diverse as the southwest corner of the continent 1.5 million years ago. This corresponds to a time when the region was much wetter and warmer than it is today and points to an Ice-Age driven floral mass extinction in some regions and not others.
News report: http://bit.ly/U7npPl
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/12PpYcw
ON THE WEB
Snap, Crackle, Tinkle!
The Chilean volcano, Puyehue Cordón Caulle, erupted an obsidian lava flow between June 2011 and April 2012. The flow is about 30 metres thick and covers about 16 square kilometres. In this recent natural-colour satellite image the dark grey lava stands out against the light grey ash and lava bombs that cover surrounding areas. A team of geologists visiting this January found the flow was still moving and making unusual fracturing sounds as it slowly progressed down hill.
Image courtesy of NASA's Earth Observatory
NASA report: http://1.usa.gov/Xmtgw0
More images: http://bit.ly/YvvdbC
New map for Mercury
A new false-colour map of Mercury, based on data from NASA's Messenger probe, reveals a complex planetary surface and unexpected surface processes including explosive volcanism. Volcanic plains, craters and crater rays are the obvious features but there are also polar ice caps and suggestions of several sulphide-rich landforms.
http://bbc.in/VlF19x
IN THE MEDIA
Chemistry on the rebound
Geochemical studies suggest the Marion Rise is an isostatic response due to low-density mantle beneath the Southwest Indian Ridge. The break-up of Gondwana probably saw magnesium rich mantle emplaced into the asthenosphere during flood basalt events. Previously it had been thought such rises were supported by hot mantle plumes.
News report: http://bit.ly/12BXVZr
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/152NtgS
Talking up Geotourism
This January GSA Geotourism Sub Committee Chair, Angus M Robinson and Stephen Meehan of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Group discussed geotourism and geoheritage in NSW with Sydney Radio Breakfast Presenter, Scott Levi. Click here for the podcast.
A week later Dr David Branagan of the GSA discussed geological highlights around Sydney with the same presenter. Click here for the podcast.
Mars: the 2013 field trip (continued)
Laser gets to work on rock powder.
http://1.usa.gov/12J49LY
More on the drill site
http://1.usa.gov/Xj9ky8
Drilling in action
http://1.usa.gov/VN5ZEa
Awesome self portrait at 'John Klein' site
http://bit.ly/UHlWRp
Image: Two drill holes on Mars at the 'John Klein' site. On the right a test hole and on the left a deeper hole used to conducted the first sample drilling on Mars. The sample-collection hole is 1.6 centimetres in diameter and 6.4 centimetres deep.
Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
http://1.usa.gov/XnmjM7.
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.
AJES is available to financial members of the GSA. Don't miss the next issue; Volume 60 No.1.
Volume 59 Issue No.8
B. L. N. Kennett and M. Salmon
AuSREM: Australian Seismological Reference Model
D. F. Lascelles
Banded iron formation to high-grade iron ore: a critical review of supergene enrichment models
J. H. Cann and C. V. Murray-Wallace
Interstadial age (MIS5c) beach-dune barrier deposits in the Coorong Lagoon, South Australia
M. Honda, D. Phillips, M. A. Kendrick, M. K. Gagan and W. R. Taylor
Noble gas and carbon isotope ratios in Argyle diamonds, Western Australia: Evidence for a deeply-subducted volatile component
Discussion and Reply:
D. F. Lascelles Discussion on Microplaty hematite - its varied nature and genesis by R. C. Morris and Genesis modeling for the Hamersley BIF-hosted iron ores of Western Australia: a critical review by R.C. Morris and M. Kneeshaw.
Reply: R. C. Morris and M. Kneeshaw
Volume 60 Issue No.1
Thematic issue: Geological storage of C02
Alexandra Golab and Sue Golding editors.
P. J. Cook
Introduction for thematic issue on C02 sequestration.
M. A. Bunch
Gauging geological characterisation for C02 storage: the Australasian experience so far.
S. Varma, J. Underschultz, S. B. Giger, B. Field, L. Roncaglia, J. Hodgkinson, & D. Hilditch
C02 geosequestration potential in the Northern Perth Basin, Western Australia.
L. Stalker, S. Varma, D. Van Gent, J. Haworth & S. Sharma.
South West Hub - a carbon capture and storage project.
G. W. O'Brien, P. R. Tingate, L. M. Divko Goldie, J. A. Miranda, M. J. Campi & K. Liu
Basin-scale fluid flow in the Gippsland Basin: implications for geological carbon storage.
J. Hodgkinson & M. Grigorescu
Background research for selection of potential geostorage targets - case studies from the Surat Basin, Queensland.
S. M. Farquhar, G. K. W. Dawson, J. S. Esterle & S. D. Golding
Mineralogical characterisations of C02 sequestration in the Surat Basin.
A. Golab, R. Romeyn, H. Averdunk, M. Knackstedt & T. J. Senden
3D characterisation of potential C02 reservoir and seal rocks.
S. D. Golding, I. T. Uysal, R. Bolhar, C. J. Boreham, G. K. W. Dawson, K. A. Baublys & J. S. Esterle
Carbon dioxide-rich coals of the Oaky Creek areas, central Bowen Basin: a natural analogue for carbon sequestration in coal systems
K. L. Pinetown
Assessment of the C02 sequestration potential of coal seams in the Hunter Coalfield, Sydney Basin.
Coming up in TAG
TAG for March 2013
The March TAG will soon be on its way and includes a colour feature on the AuSREM and a feature on the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme. Also included are Special Reports on Australia's dinosaur trail, Earth Science Western Australia and much more. The March issue is 4 pages longer than usual and is only sent to members who have paid their 2013 membership fees.
TAG for June 2013
The deadline for general copy for the June edition is 29 April. Don't be disappointed, get your Letter to the Editor or a news item in now to: tag@gsa.org.au. Alternatively, if you are submitting a Feature or Special Report send your article by mid-April. Need information about word lengths and submitting? Contact: tag@gsa.org.au
JOB VACANCIES
Senior Writer - Journalist
The Senior Writer - Journalist will provide expert-level science, media and strategic corporate writing services to the Australian Institute of Marine Science and contribute to the development and implementation of communication strategies and plans.
Follow this link for more information.
Science Communicator - Stakeholder Engagement
The Science Communicator will provide a range of content development and delivery services necessary to support the Australian Institute of Marine Science's direct and online profile raising activities.
Follow this link for more information.
Research Associate (UWA Oceans Institute)
The University of Western Australia (UWA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and CSIRO are engaged in a research collaboration which will promote high-calibre research of mutual interest through the appointment of Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) postdoctoral positions.
Follow this link for more information.
Advertising space now available
Advertising positions are now available in Geoz.
Follow this link for more information.
WHAT'S ON
DEADLINES:
Call for Papers - Abstract deadline 25 February 2013
Slope Stability 2013:
Brisbane 25-27 September, 2013
Call for entries - closing date 3 May 2013
2013 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes
For a complete list of the prizes, conditions of entry, judging criteria and entry forms go to:
http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/
EVENTS:
Snowden Professional Development Courses, 2013 programme
10% Discount for GSA members
Download PDF flyer here
Off Earth Mining Forum, Sydney, 20 – 21 February 2013
Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research
http://bit.ly/UIv9EZ
8th Annual Water Symposium, Sydney, 22 February 2013
Addressing future water supply challenges.
Download PDF flyer here
Brisbane Exploration Discussions Group (BEDG) Friday seminar series, Brisbane, 22 February 2013
Geochemistry in Exploration - geochemistry is the new black.
Download PDF newsletter here, details on page 2
Best Practice IP Management for Resources Companies, Perth, 26 February 2013
YOUANMI seismic and MT workshop, Perth, 27 February 2013
New seismic reflection and magnetotelluric data collected for the 2010 Youanmi and 2011 Southern Carnarvon seismic surveys.
http://bit.ly/px8B96
3rd Australian Water Schools, Sydney, 4 – 6 March 2013
Fundamentals of Water Science, Technology and Governance.
Download PDF flyer here
Energy Project EPC Contracts, Perth, 12 – 14 March 2013
Best Practice IP Management for Resources Companies, Brisbane 14 March 2013
Environmental Geochemistry of Mine Site Pollution - An Introduction, Perth, 18 – 19 March 2013
Gas Contracts - Negotiation & Management, Perth, 18 – 21 March 2013
Geology of Gold course, Melbourne, 18 – 22 March 2013
10% Discount for GSA members
Download PDF flyer here
Total Tailings Management Seminar, Perth, 20 – 21 March 2013
Advanced Tailings Management Seminar, Perth, 22 March 2013
Best Practice IP Management for Resources Companies, Adelaide, 27 March 2013
Well diagnosis and workover, Perth, 15 – 16 April 2013
Interpretation of Geochemical Data for Environmental Applications Workshop, Perth, 29 April 2013
Associate Prof Ron Watkins, Director, Environmental Inorganic Geochemistry Group, Curtin University
Download PDF flyer here
A Framework for Managing Risk After Mining Workshop, Perth, 30 April 2013
Bill Biggs, Biggs and Associates; Professor Ken Mercer, Australian Centre for Geomechanics
Download PDF flyer here
ACG Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Seminar and workshops, Perth, 1 – 3 May 2013
Australian Centre for Geomechanics
Download PDF flyer here
Advanced Application of Seismology in Mines Short Course, Perth, 7 – 10 May 2013
No workshop proceedings will be available for purchase.
http://www.groundsupport2013.com/events
Shotcrete Design and Performance Workshop, Perth, 12 May 2013
No workshop proceedings will be available for purchase.
http://www.groundsupport2013.com/events
Ground Support 2013, Perth, 13 – 15 May 2013
No workshop proceedings will be available for purchase.
http://www.groundsupport2013.com/home
4th Australian Water Schools, Gold Coast, 15 – 17 May 2013
Fundamentals of Water Science, Technology and Governance.
Download PDF flyer here
Ground Support Technology: Integrated Field Laboratory and Theoretical Research, Perth, 16 – 17 May 2013
No workshop proceedings will be available for purchase.
http://www.groundsupport2013.com/events
CONTACTS
Head Office
Suite 61, 104 Bathurst Street
Sydney NSW 2000
ph 02-9290 2194
fax 02-9290 2198
www.gsa.org.au
Executive
Divisions
Specialist
Groups
The Australian Journal
of Earth Sciences (AJES)
The Australian
Geologist (TAG)
Education and Outreach
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