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geoz 73 July 2013

NEWSBREAKERS

Billion pixel, priceless view of Mars

No words can match the wonder of these views from Mars. This is a must see set of images from Rocknest!
http://1.usa.gov/19iSeVF

Martian opal story mined by the media

Geoz 71 reported on the AJES paper detailing the origins of Australian opal and its implications for Martian landscapes. The connection between Australia's iconic gemstone and Mars proved irresistible to media both here and across the world! Here are just a few of the reports.
Original news citation in Geoz: http://bit.ly/11s0ZG5
Australia: http://bit.ly/1cOd13k
Australia: http://bit.ly/12kgNfK
Asia: http://bit.ly/11ezQx3x
USA: http://bit.ly/11AWvgp
Asia: http://bit.ly/13QCR3m
The Taylor and Francis press release: Download here. The AJES paper on-line version is available here for FREE: http://bit.ly/1b62YIL.

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: Third Tuesday of each month (Except January)
Jaeger Lecture Theatre, Jaeger Building (Building 61), Australian National University.
For more information: emma.mathews@ga.gov.au

New South Wales

Tuesday 13th August 2013
Presenter TBA
A century of NSW Earth Science
Customs House, Newcastle, 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm

Tuesday 15th October 2013
Presenter TBA
Mapping our world
Customs House, Newcastle, 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm

Queensland

2013 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: info@qld.gsa.org.au

South Australia

Regular meetings: Third Thursday of each month (except January)
The Mawson Theatre, Mawson Laboratories, Adelaide University, 5.15 pm for 6.15 pm
For more information: jim.jago@unisa.edu.au

GeoNight at the Pub: First Thursday of each month (except January and June 2013)
The Griffins Head, Hindmarsh Square, Grenfell Street, Adelaide (Front Bar), 5.00pm to 7.30pm
For more information: anna_petts@yahoo.com.au

Tasmania

2013 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: mduffett@mrt.tas.gov.au

Victoria

2013 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: secretary@vic.gsa.org.au

Western Australia

2013 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: info@wa.gsa.org.au

GSA EVENTStop

The Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014: Web site now live.

The Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014 web site is now live at http://aesc2014.gsa.org.au/, Check it out! The First Circular is available here.

The convention themes are:
  •  Energy
  •  Resources
  •  Environment
  •  Service & Community
  •  Dynamic Planet
  •  Living Earth

Dedicated symposia include:
  •  9th Symposium on the Advances in the Study of the Sydney Basin
  •  Comparisons & Contrasts in Circum-Pacific Orogens

Please distribute information about the AESC 2014 to your colleagues within the geoscience community.
Australian Earth Sciences Convention
AESC 2014: Sustainable Australia
7-10 July 2014
Newcastle NSW

The organising committee looks forward to welcoming you in Newcastle and if you want any information about the AESC do not hesitate to contact the GSA office: info@gsa.org.au. and if you would like to receive notifications when registration or call for papers is open for the AESC, please click here.

The National Rock Garden - a rock solid idea

Wave rock

The National Rock Garden (NRG) qualifies for Deductible Gift Recipient status (DGR). In other words, donations to the NRG are 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/

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 Jennifer Bradbury

IN THE NEWStop

Long reach of big shakes

A recent study has shown that the magnitude 9.0 earthquake off north-eastern Japan in 2011 caused measurable subsidence of volcanoes on the island of Honshu some 200 kilometres from the epicentre. A similar study of an 8.8 magnitude 2010 earthquake in Chile caused a similar degree of sinking in five volcanic regions around 220 kilometres away.
News report: http://bit.ly/1cG5eUY
Research abstract (Japanese study): http://bit.ly/11Wcue7
Research abstract (Chilean study): http://bit.ly/11axcZj

Not quite time for a carbon mine

A lightweight carbon wire has been fabricated for the first time but its conductivity does not rival that of copper. Researchers developed the new material with the long term goal of beating copper as the conductive material of choice in wire but admit they have a long way to go before copper miners need to worry.
http://bit.ly/1b5You7

ON THE WEBtop

Give a Geo a gong

Here is your opportunity to nominate someone in your profession for national recognition. Nominations for the 2014 Australian of the Year awards are now open and close August 2nd.
http://bit.ly/11okQr3

Shock waves circle but also focus

Shock waves produced by Chelyabinsk meteor in February this year caused immediate local damage and injuries but studies now show the shock wave circled the globe twice. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization detected the event using the network established to monitor nuclear explosions. As a result it is estimated the meteor delivered an equivalent energy of nearly 30 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs. Given it was only about 17 metres wide this has focused international interest on detecting more small near-Earth objects.
News report: http://bit.ly/12AFbZx
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/163fDGI

Wait, there's more!
The 10,000th near-Earth object, asteroid 2013 MZ5, was detected June 18, 2013.
http://bit.ly/14oSX5I

USA reports on Australia

The United States Energy and Information Administration has updated its report on Australian energy reserves, export and import performance. It concludes Australia was the world's second largest coal exporter in 2011 and the third largest liquefied natural gas exporter in 2012 but is a net importer of crude oil and refined petroleum product.
On-line summary: http://1.usa.gov/11QSwy4
Full report: Download the PDF here

IN THE MEDIA top

It's a moon Jim but not as you want it

pluto moons


Pluto's fourth and fifth moons have been named Kerberos, after a three-headed hellhound and Styx, a river in the underworld. In February, a public vote on the names came down in favour of Vulcan after the Roman god of volcanoes and the fictional home planet of Star Trek's Mr Spock. The name, supported by William Shatner - Star Trek's James Kirk, was vetoed by the International Astronomical Union because it did not relate strongly enough to Hades and the underworld, in line with Pluto's other moons Charon, Nix and Hydra.
Image courtesy of NASA
http://bbc.in/12jutHT


Mantle more stable than thought

New research suggests large-scale upwelling within Earth's mantle mostly beneath Africa and the Central Pacific and that the positions of these upwelling sites have persisted over geologic time despite tectonic plate motions.
News report: http://bit.ly/15ekw2I
Published abstract: http://bit.ly/1b5UpgZ

Mars: the 2013 field trip - Continued

Point Lake weathering


This image shows a close up of an outcrop at 'Point Lake'. NASA says: the material in the holes could be pebbles that blew into pre-existing holes, but it seems unlikely that the same type of pebble would blow into every hole. They might be pebbles that were part of the rock all along, as would be expected if Point Lake is sandstone with a few coarser pebbles (and therefore supporting the sedimentary interpretation). If Point Lake is igneous, the material in the holes might be individual, larger crystals within an otherwise finer-crystalline rock. Finally, the material in the holes could be secondary - having been deposited at a later time in pre-existing holes of the rock from percolating fluids or gases. This last scenario could fit either the sedimentary or igneous interpretation, without favouring one over the other.

Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
http://1.usa.gov/19re6Sk.

More on Point Lake
http://1.usa.gov/17qKGSw

Even more of Point Lake
http://1.usa.gov/12HMa7t

Mapping it
http://1.usa.gov/aWyEMN

Publications so far
Download PDF list here

Curiosity, Moon watcher (video).
http://1.usa.gov/19WSTzL


What's in AJEStop

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 60 Issue No.3

P. F. Rey
Opalisation of the Great Artesian Basin (central Australia): An Australian Story with a Martian twist.*

R. A. Glen
Refining accretionary orogen models for the Tasmanides of eastern Australia.

R. A. Glen, R. J. Korsch, R. Hegarty, A. Saeed, Y. Poudjom Djomani, R. D. Costelloe and E. Belousova
Geodynamic significance of the boundary between the Thomson Orogen and the Lachlan Orogen, northwestern New South Wales and implications for Tasmanide tectonics.

F. R. Fontaine, H. Tkalcic and B. L. N. Kennett
Crustal complexity in the Lachlan Orogen revealed from teleseismic receiver functions.

*This paper is on open access (no login required) for the next month. Note: This paper was the 3rd most accessed article on Taylor & Francis on-line, with 2 abstract views and 54 full-text downloads since its public release 2 weeks ago.

Coming up in TAGtop

TAG for September 2013

The June TAG should have been delivered, if you haven't received your copy, please contact: info@gsa.org.au If you have a contribution for the next edition, the deadline for general copy for the September edition is 29 July. Content received after the 29 July will be held over till the December issue. Don't be disappointed, get your Letter to the Editor or a news item in now to: tag@gsa.org.au. If you are submitting a Feature or Special Report please send your article by mid-July. Need information about word lengths and submitting? Contact: tag@gsa.org.au

JOB VACANCIEStop

The Geological Survey of NSW is pleased to announce the advertising of new positions in the Regional Mapping and Exploration Geoscience unit. The Geological Survey of NSW is part of the Mineral Resources Branch, NSW Trade & Investment. All applications close Wednesday 24 July 2013

Senior Geologist - Statewide

The position leads a small team of geoscientists to generate statewide-seamless geological mapping data for stakeholders. This role includes staff supervision and quality control, geological research, geophysical interpretation, field mapping, and extensive GIS editing.
Follow this link for more information.

Senior Geologist - Petrologist

This position undertakes support for Minerals Branch projects through petrological research, including identifying rock-types and textures under the microscope, undertaking related synthesis and mapping projects, and providing supervision and quality-control for technical staff.
Follow this link for more information.

Senior Geologist - Palaeontologist

This position provides informed palaeontological identifications and age interpretations that support precise biostratigraphical correlations underpinning regional geological mapping programs throughout NSW. The position provides leadership of technical services involved in the preparation of samples for analysis and their curation in the State's palaeontological reference collection, as well as custodianship of the statewide palaeontological database.
Follow this link for more information.

Senior Geologist - 3D Specialist

The position is responsible for the creation, compilation and custodianship of statewide 3D geological data, managed at a variety of scales within a validated database. This role will also conduct analysis and interpretation of 3D models, and present the results in research reports, oral presentations and general advice to stakeholders, and provide support of regional mapping teams by assisting in validating 2D geological maps, cross-sections and geophysical data to help create robust 3D regional geological models.
Follow this link for more information.

Palaeontological-Petrological Technician

The position provides technical support for regional geological mapping projects and department geoscientists through field and laboratory functions, specifically in palaeontology, petrology and geochemistry involving sample preparation, processing and curation; as well as operating and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Follow this link for more information.

WHAT'S ONtop


DEADLINES:

SMEDG winter cruise - bookings now open for 5 July 2013 cruise

Feast on gourmet food and sip on wine aboard the Radar

Get in quick, space is limited.

http://bit.ly/10OMRb1

2014 Haddon Forrester King Medal nominations - closing date 29 July 2013

The 2014 Haddon Forrester King Medal for research in mineral exploration is now open for nominations

The Medal is a prestigious career award for life-long achievement and outstanding contribution to science.

http://bit.ly/kxMZnD

Australian of the Year nominations open - close 2 August 2013

http://bit.ly/11okQr3l

Call for papers - closing date 16 September 2013

Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014

Mining Geology through the value chain

http://bit.ly/19LFsSl

Top GeoShot 2013 photographic competition is now open - closing date 23 September 2013

The theme for this year's competition is Exposed to the Elements.

To participate, take and submit a photograph that captures the essence of Earth Science.

http://bit.ly/10taE4I




EVENTS:

SMEDG winter cruise, Sydney, 5 July 2013

Feast on gourmet food and sip on wine aboard the Radar
http://bit.ly/10OMRb1

CONASTA, Melbourne, 7 – 10 July 2013

Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association.
http://bit.ly/13j3gcR

Introduction to the Oil & Gas Industry, Perth, 9 – 10 July 2013

For non-technical personnel who work in the petroleum industry or in related activities.
Download PDF flyer here

Rocks, Reef and Rainforest, Mission Beach, 14 – 19 July 2013

Biennial Conference of the Specialist Group in Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology.
http://bit.ly/16Jcq4t

Practical Aspects of Reservoir Engineering, Perth, 15 – 19 July 2013

Download PDF flyer here

NSW Mineral Exploration & Investment Conference, Sydney, 17 – 18 July 2013

http://bit.ly/12o8U9L

Geology of Australia: how a continent shaped a nation, Sydney, 18 July 2013

Australian Museum Night Talk. 6.30pm for 7.00pm
http://bit.ly/194FDrw

Fundamentals of the Oil & Gas industry, Sydney, 22 – 26 July 2013

Download PDF flyer here

GIS in Mining and Exploration 2013, Perth, 31 July – 1 August 2013

Managing Big Data, Creation of 3D Spatial Models, and Enabling Mobile Interactions with Field Workers.
10% Discount for GSA Members
http://bit.ly/16tKaUo

International Petroleum Contracts, Sydney, 7– 9 August 2013

Download PDF flyer here

National Science Week, Nation wide, 10 – 18 August 2013

http://bit.ly/M6P1vF

23rd International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, 11 – 14 August 2013

The Eureka Moment
http://bit.ly/16o6U7S

Geoscience Australia Open Day, Canberra, 18 August 2013

http://bit.ly/roFtSI

Mines & Wines 2013, Orange NSW, 11 – 14 September 2013

Download PDF flyer here

Instrumentation and Slope Monitoring Workshop, Brisbane, 23 September 2013

http://bit.ly/128bv5N

Slope Analysis and Design in Anisotropic Materials Workshop, Brisbane, 24 September 2013

http://bit.ly/128bv5N

International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Brisbane, 25 – 27 September 2013

http://bit.ly/11uKJFU

The Business Case for Risk-based Slope Stability Design Workshop, Brisbane, 28 September 2013

http://bit.ly/128bv5N

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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