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geoz 74 July 2013
NEWSBREAKERS
New Zealand rocks again
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit central New Zealand, centred in the Cook Strait, at a depth of 17 kilometres. It is the latest in a sequence of major earthquakes and has been followed by more than 120 aftershocks.
News report: http://bit.ly/13W6uWa
Geoscience Australia records: http://bit.ly/17wUmrv
Murchison kick starts the SKA
The world's most sensitive radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), came a step closer this month with its first precursor telescope officially starting observations. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) will explore the early Universe looking for signals from the first stars and galaxies, which formed after the Big Bang. The SKA will be built in Southern Africa and in Australia and will address fundamental questions about the Universe. Construction of phase one of the SKA is scheduled to start in 2016.
Image courtesy of SKA.
http://bit.ly/14AiR9n
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: emma.mathews@ga.gov.au
Geo-Societies Quiz Night, 31 July 2013
Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Ave, Narrabundah
For more information: Click here for PDF flyer
National Science Week- Experimentathon, 31 July 2013
CSIRO Discovery Centre
For more information: http://bit.ly/12IawLx
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 EVENTS
The Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014:
Invitation to submit session proposals.
The 2014 AESC Organising Committee is seeking suggestions for dedicated sessions during the scientific program.
Sessions may be in any of the six general themes:
• Energy
• Resources
• Environment
• Service & Community
• Dynamic Planet
• Living Earth
Download the invitation here and find out more about AESC 2014 here: www.aesc2014.gsa.org.au.
Please submit proposals by email to both of the directors of the Scientific Program,
Bob Musgrave robert.musgrave@industry.nsw.gov.au and
Anthony Dosseto tonyd@uow.edu.au
The deadline for session proposals is 30 August 2013.
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 - it's sign posted!
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://bit.ly/1aF97ue
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
Newsletter No. 6, July 2013 is available now.
Click here to download the pdf. Read about the planning that is behind the design and see if you can figure out what the 8 Federation Rocks will be!
IN THE NEWS
Gold formation startling
Heavy elements such as gold are often referred to as the children of supernovae and new observations from the Hubble Space Telescope of two neutron stars colliding, both the remnants of supernovae, provide evidence for the first time for the rapid "R-process" of atom-building that must generate the heavy elements.
News report: http://bbc.in/12Lx4OM
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/16CyqeM
Got a nose for fossils?
Dinosaurs get some funny names but this one is on the nose!
http://bbc.in/16HXM8y
Speaking of fossil snouts, sniff this one out:
http://bit.ly/13EOQ94
ON THE WEB
Lead weighs in
A region of northern Pakistan called the Kohistan arc is providing new insights into the formation of planet Earth. Rocks representing the mantle-to-crust transition are exposed here and analysis reveals some are much denser than conventional mantle material. This in turn lends weight to the idea that the Earth has a gross composition similar to some meteorites. Until now, what was known of the mantle's composition did not support this proposition. However, the possible discovery of a high density reservoir, perhaps composed of lead-laden rocks that crystallise beneath island arcs and sink deep into the mantle suggests the meteorite composition idea has merit after all.
http://bit.ly/18mOoht
Fictional city soon to be history
The fictional home of Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) is the city Mos Espa on the planet Tatooine, as seen in the movie Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. In reality the set was built in the Tunisian desert adjacent to a mobile barchan dune. Scientists have used the set structures as reference points to measure the migration of the dune and report that the famous set is currently being buried by the dune as it migrates set-wards at 15 metres a year.
News report: http://bbc.in/124eDGC
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1aPzzEb
On the Outcrop
Read all about the latest exploration, mapping and data acquisition around New South Wales in OTO, the e-news bulletin from the Geological Survey of New South Wales.
http://bit.ly/13ZJoOm
... more e-news from Geoscience Australia
Read all about geothermal exploration in Australia, improving satellite accuracy and much more in AUSGEOnews, the e-news bulletin from Geoscience Australia.
http://bit.ly/18zm0Jg
... and more from CSIRO
The July issue of resourceful, an e-news bulletin from CSIRO, explores how interoperability is changing the minerals industry.
http://bit.ly/MU0zqy
IN THE MEDIA
Call for Research Impact Assessment submissions and feedback
The government's National Research Investment Plan includes a number of actions designed to maximise the public benefits that arise from publicly funded research, and ultimately to increase national wellbeing. In support of Action 12.2 government is now designing and developing a university-focused research impact assessment mechanism and has released a discussion paper on assessing the wider benefits arising from university-based research.
Submissions and feedback in response to the paper are sought from both research organisations and research users. The submission period extends from Wednesday 19 June until 5.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Friday 16 August 2013. A template and details on how to make a submission can be found here:
http://bit.ly/12UMTVG
Time to rise to the challenge
Got a great idea? Here is your chance to win $10,000 or more and take it to the next step! You can enter the Australian Innovation Challenge whether you're a professional scientist, engineer, educator, an innovator in community services or a creative genius inventing in your shed. Entries opened on Monday, July 8, 2013 and close at 23:59 AEST Monday, August 26, 2013.
Competition home page: http://bit.ly/noGvfS
How to enter details: http://bit.ly/1b9GysH
Chief Scientist makes some calls
Australia's Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb is developing an overarching strategy for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Australia. Preliminary documents are available but more is expected by the end of July.
Also from his office: on the 9th of July 2012 the government requested the Chief Scientist provide advice on the process for setting national research priorities. That advice is now available.
STEM documents: http://bit.ly/1cpaufH
Setting national research priorities: Download the PDF here.
Mars: the 2013 field trip - On the road again
This image shows a vista photographed July 16, 2013 at a point where the rover has travelled a total of 1.029 kilometres on Mars. It is looking towards the southwest in the direction of the next drive. Curiosity's destination, the lower layers of Mount Sharp, are still about 8 kilometres away.
Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
http://1.usa.gov/13yFNDM.
More on the long drive
http://1.usa.gov/15kxud7
Looking back on the first drive
http://1.usa.gov/12nbJWY
Delta from space?
http://bit.ly/12FMJzd
More from Martian space
http://bit.ly/130qDnB
... and introducing C2
http://bit.ly/18zwpVd
What's in AJES
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 TAG
TAG for September 2013
The September TAG is in production. If you have a contribution for the December issue, the deadline for general copy is 25 October. Content received after the 25 October will be held over till the March issue. Don't be disappointed, get your Letter to the Editor or a news item published in TAG by sending to: tag@gsa.org.au. If you are submitting a Feature or Special Report please send your article by mid-October. Need information about word lengths and submitting? Contact: tag@gsa.org.au
JOB VACANCIES
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 ON
DEADLINES:
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.
Australian of the Year nominations open - close 2 August 2013
Enter the Australian Innovation Challenge: - closes 26 August 2013
Call for AESC session proposals - close 30 August 2013
http://www.aesc2014.gsa.org.au/
Call for papers - closing date 16 September 2013
Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014
Mining Geology through the value chain
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.
EVENTS:
Fundamentals of the Oil & Gas industry, Sydney, 22 – 26 July 2013
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
Understanding groundwater law, Sydney, 6 – 7 August 2013
International Petroleum Contracts, Sydney, 7 – 9 August 2013
National Science Week, Nation wide, 10 – 18 August 2013
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
Mines & Wines 2013, Orange NSW, 11 – 14 September 2013
Instrumentation and Slope Monitoring Workshop, Brisbane, 23 September 2013
Slope Analysis and Design in Anisotropic Materials Workshop, Brisbane, 24 September 2013
International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Brisbane, 25 – 27 September 2013
The Business Case for Risk-based Slope Stability Design Workshop, Brisbane, 28 September 2013
Earth Science Week 2013: Mapping Our World, Australia-wide, 13 – 19 October 2013
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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