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geoz 80 October 2013

NEWSBREAKERS

Lower mantle percolation looks good

New research into the formation of the Earth's iron-rich core has identified a transition in the behaviour of the dispersed iron-rich melt components of the lower mantle as the pressure rises. The initially isolated pockets of iron alloy form a network within the silicate matrix that could allow the alloy to percolate into and concentrate in the core.
News report: http://bbc.in/1caZbtI
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/17q82mX

Earth Science Week!

GA ESW poster

This year Earth Science Week aims to engage young people and others in learning how geoscientists, geographers, and other mapping professionals use maps to represent land formations, natural resource deposits, bodies of water, fault lines, volcanic activity, weather patterns, travel routes, parks, businesses, population distribution, our shared geologic heritage and more. Maps help show how the Earth systems, such as geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, interact.

Earth Science Week is an international celebration initiated and hosted by the American Geosciences Institute, promoting the importance of the geosciences to the community. This years theme is Mapping our World, a concept nicely reflected in the Earth Science Week poster featured here.

Geoscience Australia has again played host to Australia's Earth Science Week celebrations and has aligned its activities with the international theme as well as encouraging others around the nation to do the same.

The winners of the Geoscience Australia's Top GeoShot photographic competition for 2013 will be announced at a special awards ceremony at Geoscience Australia in Canberra on Thursday 17 October. Over 350 outstanding entries were received for this year's competition, which nearly doubles the previous record of 191 entries received in 2012. The photographs were judged on their creativity and how well they fitted with the competition theme of Exposed to the Elements. Twelve finalists were selected including an Overall Winner and a Student Winner as well as a People's Choice winner nominated by the staff at Geoscience Australia.

The winning entries will be available for viewing on Geoscience Australia's website following the awards ceremony, with all 350 Top GeoShot entries now on display in Geoscience Australia's foyer as part of Earth Science Week celebrations from 13-19 October 2013.

Geoscience Australia Earth Science Week: http://bit.ly/NN3qPn

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

Tuesday 15th October 2013
Karol Czarnota
Dynamic topography of Australia: Surface expression of mantle convective circulation
Jaeger Lecture Theatre, Jaeger Building (Building 61), ANU. 5.00 pm for 5.30 pm

Sunday 20th October 2013
National Rock Garden Inauguration Ceremony
NRG site at the western end of Lake Burley Griffin, off Lady Denman Drive, Canberra. 10.30am.
(Cnr of Barrenjoey and Lady Denman Drives)
Volunteers are required to prepare the site and help on the day.
For more information: doug.finlayson@netspeed.com.au

New South Wales

Tuesday 15th October 2013
Professor Martin Van Kranendonk, UNSW
Mapping our world - from boots to black boxes
Newcastle museum, Newcastle, 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm
For more information contact phil.gilmore@industry.nsw.gov.au

Thursday 24th October 2014 SMEDG meeting
Dave Robson
Data from the Riverina Gravity Survey and results of the tin prospectivity analysis of the Wagga Tin Belt and
Rob Hewson
Interpretation of ASTER data, with a focus on the Wagga Wagga region
The Rugby Club, Rugby Place, Circular Quay, Sydney. 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm

Tuesday 26th November 2013
Presenter TBA
New research in earth sciences in NSW
Customs House, Newcastle, 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm

Queensland

November 2013
Dr Wes Nichols
Topic TBA
The Theodore Club, Level 1, 333 Adelaide St, Brisbane. 5.15 pm for 6.00 pm

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

Thursday 17th October 2013
Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido, University of Adelaide
Title of talk TBA
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

Sunday 20th October 2013
GSA SA Division Field Trip
Visit the Rex Minerals Hillside exploration site, with geology talk and drill core. Visit the old Hillside Copper Mine and see exposures along the beach at Pine Point.
Space is limited to 22 so make sure you confirm your place, by emailing info@sa.gsa.org.au

GeoNight at the Pub: First Thursday of each month but 7th November last for 2013
The Griffins Head, Hindmarsh Square, Grenfell Street, Adelaide (Front Bar), 5.00pm to 7.30pm
For more information: anna_petts@yahoo.com.au

Thursday 21st November 2013
Dr Mark Bishop
Title of talk TBA
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

Thursday 28th November 2013
10th SA Exploration and Mining Conference
A joint AIG, ASEG, AusIMM, GSA & SACOME effort
Adelaide Convention Centre: http://bit.ly/1fym0v2

Tasmania

2013 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: taryn.noble@utas.edu.au

Victoria

Wednesday 23rd October 2013
Royal Society of Victoria Public Forum
Victoria's Energy Future: Prospects and Challenges
Museum Victoria, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October
Royal Society of Victoria Symposium
Victoria's Energy Future: Prospects and Challenges
Friday 25: 9.00am - 5.00pm & Saturday 26 October: 9.30am-1.00pm

Thursday 28th November 2013
Liz Rogers
Diving Exploration and Cave Geology on the Nullarbor
For more information: secretary@vic.gsa.org.au

Western Australia

Wednesday 6th November 2013
Tony Kemp, Centre for Exploration Targeting & ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems
Title of talk TBA
Irish Club of WA (Inc), 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco, 5.30 pm

GSA EVENTStop

SGTSG Thredbo Conference and post-conference field trip, February 2014.

The biennial meeting of the Specialist Group in Tectonics and Structural Geology will be held 2-8 February 2014.
   • Welcome BBQ and cricket match: 2 February
   • Conference Dinner: Friday 7 February
      Medals and prizes will be awarded at the conference dinner.
   • Field trip: A 3-day post-conference field trip (Saturday, 8 February - Monday, 10 February)
      is planned along the NSW south coast between Merimbula and Batemans Bay,
      including spectacular crosscutting and magma mingling igneous relationships at Bingi-Bingi Point,
      before returning to Canberra.
      Led by Dr Chris Ferguson, University of Wollongong and Prof Steve Cox (ANU).

Abstract submissions: Please send expressions of interest to the science committee: marnie.forster@anu.edu.au, simon.mcclusky@anu.edu.au or geoff.fraser@ga.gov.au.

Click here for more information and registration details or contact Gordon Lister gordon.lister@anu.edu.au.

The Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014

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

The convention themes are:
  •  Energy
  •  Resources
  •  Environment
  •  Infrastructure, 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 invites GSA members and friends to the inauguration of the Federation Rock Display

Moving another big rock

At 10.30 am on Sunday 20 October, 2013, the ACT Chief Minister will be the principal guest at the inauguration of the Federation Rock Display at the National Rock Garden off Lady Denman Drive at the western end of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra (Cnr of Barrenjoey and Lady Denman Drives).

The inauguration will include the unveiling of the Federation Rocks from the eight States and Territories of the Commonwealth, some of them quite spectacular. Four of the rocks (New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria) have already arrived in Canberra. It is also expected that the proposed landscape design for the National Rock Garden will be made public.


Delivery of a block of Mount Goyder Syenite.

Image courtesy of Doug Finlayson

Some volunteers are required to prepare the site and help on the day. Those willing and able to assist on the 20th October (or beforehand) please send an email to: Doug Finlayson doug.finlayson@netspeed.com.au

National Rock Garden Facebook is live. Stay up to date with the latest NRG news by liking the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Rock-Garden/509206615828657?ref=hl

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/

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! Bookmark this page: http://bit.ly/1gl0K8d

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 NEWStop

Pleistocene Nullarbor no bore

The Thylacoleo Caves north west of Eucla in Western Australia have revealed a vast array of excellent marsupial fossils including the best examples of Thylacoleo carnifex yet found. New research on the avifauna from these caves has also revealed many types of ground dwelling birds, ducks, pigeons, birds of prey and a variety of species more likely to be at home in rainforest environments.
http://ab.co/1cbhrpn

Victorian Pleistocene also in the news

The very well preserved and relatively complete fossilised skeleton of a diprotodontid has been found in Pleistocene sand dunes of the Mornington Peninsula National Park. Museum Victoria staff are excited about the find as may prove to be one of the best preserved examples of its kind ever found.
http://bit.ly/GOvbsp

ON THE WEBtop

Critical commodities report updated

Geoscience Australia has released an updated version of their Critical commodities for a high-tech world: Australia's potential to supply global demand report. It identifies a suite of commodities critical to the modern era and Australia's current or potential ability to supply demand.
http://bit.ly/19KJlE4

Geoscience Australia also advise Australia's Mineral Resource Assessment 2013, their joint report with the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, will be available for free download in late October.
Contact Allison Britt (allison.britt@ga.gov.au) for further information.

Our very own lava lake

MODIS satellite hot spot data for Heard Island volcano, Australia's only active volcano, suggests a small lava lake has been forming in the summit crater.
http://bit.ly/TuvZls

IN THE MEDIA top

Arctic ocean ice sheet history revealed

Research on the Pleistocene sea floor of the Arlis Plateau, a seamount north east of the Russian coast, has discovered ice sheet groove marks that suggest that within the past 800,000 years ice sheets more than a kilometre thick formed in the Arctic Ocean.
News report: http://bit.ly/1cmIECU
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/18ihQSB

Oldest soils tell a new tale

Research on ancient South African soils suggests oxygen began appearing in the atmosphere 700 million years earlier than previously thought. This in turn raises questions about when life evolved and when photosynthesis first began.
News report: http://bit.ly/1h1xgwz
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/16C9ykD

Mars: Curiosity is on hold due to the US government shutdown

ESA's ExoMars Rover

While Curiosity is in limbo the European Space Agency's 2018 ExoMars programme is well underway. It will deliver a European rover and a Russian surface platform via Proton launch rocket. The ExoMars rover will search for signs of life, drill for samples and analyse them with next-generation instruments.

http://bit.ly/19IKjCC

Image courtesy of ESA.

More on the ExoMars Rover
http://bit.ly/1gEyz49

More on the ExoMars instruments
http://bit.ly/1emJvV2

More on the ExoMars drill
http://bit.ly/16IQDt9


Do you know a good landing site?
http://bbc.in/1eeNgMc

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.5: some already online

K. Mills, P. Gell, P. Hesse, R. Jones, P. Kershaw, R. Drysdale and J. McDonald
Paleoclimate studies and natural-resource management in the Murray-Darling Basin I: past, present and future climates.

K. Mills, P. Gell, J. Gergis, P. Baker, M. Finlayson, P. l. Hesse, R. Jones, P. Kershaw, S. Pearson, P. Treble, C. Barr, M. Brookhouse, R. Drysdale, J. McDonald, S. Haberle, M. Reid, M. Thoms and J. Tibby
Paleoclimate studies and natural resource management in the Murray-Darling Basin II: Unravelling human impacts and climate variability.

C. S. Lower, J. H. Cann and D. Haynes
Microfossil evidence for salinity events in the Holocene Coorong Lagoon, South Australia.

D. Gregory, S. Meffre and R. Large
Mineralogy of metal contaminated estuarine sediments, Derwent estuary, Hobart, Australia: Implications for metal mobility.

R. J. Holm and S. W. Richards
A re-evaluation of arc-continent collision and along-arc variation in the Bismarck Sea region, Papua New Guinea.
Supplementary papers

S. J. Craven, N. R. Daczko and J. A. Halpin
High-T-low-P thermal anomalies superposed on biotite-grade rocks, Wongwibinda Metamorphic Complex, southern New England Orogen, Australia: heat advection by aqueous fluid?

D. W. Hamacher and C. O'Neill
The Discovery and History of the Dalgaranga Meteorite Crater, Western Australia.
Supplementary papers

F. Sun, L. Tekoum, J. C. Doumnang, R. Tchameni and A. A. Ganwa
Petrographic and structural analysis of the Precambrian rocks in the Zalbi Sector, northwest Léré, Chad.

Other papers published on-line recently

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

B. J. Franklin, J. F. Young & R. Powell
Testing of Sydney dimension sandstone for use in the conservation of heritage buildings.

A. Saghafi
Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from open-cut coal mining: application to the Sydney Basin.

Coming up in TAGtop

TAG for December 2013

Christmas is just around the corner and so is the December issue of TAG. 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 it 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 VACANCIEStop

Advertising space now available

GSA logo

Advertising positions are now available in Geoz. Be the first to advertise here.
Word length: 40-50 words (the shorter the more effective) plus link to a web site.
Text and a small logo linking to your online advert or business.
Logo a maximum of 180 pixels wide x 90 pixels high.
Adverts will run in Geoz for two issues.
Fee: $150.00
For more information: info@gsa.org.au

WHAT'S ONtop




EVENTS:

GA ESW poster


Earth Science Week 2013: Mapping Our World, Australia-wide, 13 – 19 October 2013

http://bit.ly/NN3qPn


Top GeoShot 2013 photographic competition winners announced during Earth Science Week, Canberra, 13 – 19 October 2013

http://bit.ly/10taE4I

Royal Society of Victoria Energy Future Public Forum, Melbourne, 23 October 2013

http://bit.ly/16DSIZz

Royal Society of Victoria Energy Future Symposium Melbourne, 25 – 26 October 2013

http://bit.ly/GzyhkC

Mining 2013, Brisbane, 23 – 25 October 2013

http://bit.ly/Gzybtg

Sustainable Development 2013, Brisbane, 28 – 30 October 2013

http://bit.ly/14dbjtO

ACG Blasting for Stable Slopes, Perth, 4 – 6 November 2013

Download PDF flyer here

Demonstration of GSWA online systems, Perth, 7 November 2013

NB: TENGRAPH online is not covered.
http://bit.ly/170fI1c

22nd Coastal Conference, Port Macquarie, 12 – 15 November 2013

Valuing our Coastal Zone, Planning our Future, What's the big picture?
http://bit.ly/106nHKm

Demonstration of GSWA online systems, Kalgoorlie, 14 November 2013

NB: TENGRAPH online is not covered.
http://bit.ly/170fI1c

Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, Noosa, 18 – 20 November 2013

Geotourism Half Day Forum: Wednesday 20 November.
Download PDF flyer here

26th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Rotorua New Zealand, 18 – 21 November 2013

Incorporating the 35th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop.
http://bit.ly/13zjGxB

10th SA Exploration and Mining Conference, Adelaide, 28 November 2013

Registrations for the SA Exploration and Mining Conference are now open.
http://bit.ly/16aMASF

Mine Site Reconciliation 2013, Gold Coast, 4 – 6 December 2013

Contact http://bit.ly/19diVOE

3rd Tasmania Geoscience Forum, Cradle Mountain Tasmania, 5 – 6 December 2013

Contact Taryn.Noble@utas.edu.au for more details.

Biennial meeting of the Specialist Group in Tectonics and Structural Geology, Thredbo NSW, 2 – 2 February 2014

Welcome BBQ and cricket match will be held on the Sunday 2 February.
For more information contact Gordon Lister gordon.lister@anu.edu.au.

Australian Earth Sciences Convention - AESC 2014, Newcastle, NSW, 7 – 10 July 2014

1st Circular available NOW.
http://bit.ly/17ZRWUi

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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