geoz 84 February 2014

NEWSBREAKERS

Gravity anomaly maps image the mantle

Data from the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite is being used to probe Earth's deep mass structure. Global anomaly maps of the Earth's gravitational gradients are being used to show that the gravitational gradients image the geometry of mantle mass down to mid-mantle depths. This has revealed north-south-elongated gravity gradient anomalies over Asia and America that follow a belt of ancient subduction boundaries, as well as gravity gradient anomalies over the central Pacific Ocean and south of Africa that coincide with the locations of deep mantle plumes.
News report: http://bbc.in/1aXtcAt
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1gHzk20

Sumatra rocked by major eruption

Sumatra's Sinabung volcano has been erupting violently since late January. Pyroclastic flows travelled 1.5 km down the volcano's south flank, displacing thousands of people, killing at least 15 and destroying homes, crops and forests.
Global Volcanism Program: http://bit.ly/1k5f1fs
News report: http://bit.ly/LsQ8Lu

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 2014: Third Tuesday of each month (Except January)
Jaeger Lecture Theatre, Jaeger Building (Building 61), Australian National University. 5.00pm for 5.30pm start.
For more information: emma.mathews@ga.gov.au

Tuesday 11th February 2014
Patrick De Deckker, RSES
Evidence of increased biomass burning AFTER the extinction of the Australian megafauna
Jaeger Seminar Room, RSES (building 61), ANU, 5.00pm for 5:30pm

New South Wales

2014 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: meetings@nsw.gsa.org.au

Queensland

2014 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 (starting 6th February)
The Griffins Head, Hindmarsh Square, Grenfell Street, Adelaide (Front Bar), 5.00pm to 7.30pm
For more information: anna_petts@yahoo.com.au

Thursday 20th February 2014
Dr Andrew Telfer
Title of talk TBA
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

Tasmania

2014 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: taryn.noble@utas.edu.au

Victoria

2014 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: secretary@vic.gsa.org.au

Western Australia

Regular meetings: First Wednesday of each month (except December and January)
Irish Club of WA, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, 5.30pm
For more information: info@wa.gsa.org.au

Wednesday 5th February 2014
Laurie Hutton, Geological Survey of Queensland
Rare earth elements and critical elements exploration
Irish Club of WA (Inc), 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco, 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm

Wednesday 5th March 2014
Dr Phil Playford
Recent mega-tsunamis along the Shark Bay, Pilbara, and Kimberley coasts
Irish Club of WA (Inc), 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco, 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm

GSA EVENTS

The Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - REGISTRATION OPEN
PLENARY & KEYNOTE SPEAKERS LISTED
WORKSHOP & FIELD TRIP REGISTRATION OPEN
PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES ANNOUNCED

Final details and registration for Convention Fieldtrips and Workshops is now available. Please note the deadline for booking fieldtrips and workshops is Friday 30 May 2014 with the exception of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area/Jenolan Geotourism which has a booking deadline of Friday 2 May 2014.

Abstract submissions close soon. See: http://www.aesc2014.gsa.org.au/call-for-abstracts/

Key dates:
Abstracts submission closes: 14 March 2014
Acceptance notification: end of May 2014

Registrations are open. Registrations include options for members, one- and two-day registrations, bulk packages and tickets for the Public Forum.
Bulk organisational packages have been extended to 28 February.

Registration Fees:
(All prices are in Australian Dollars and inclusive of GST)

Full registration details are available online:
http://www.aesc2014.gsa.org.au/registration/

The convention themes are:
Energy
Resources
Environment
Infrastructure, Service and Community
Dynamic Planet
Living Planet.

Dedicated symposia include:
  •  39th 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.

Nominations for the Joe Harms Medal extended until February 28 2014

The Joe Harms medal is awarded to a person distinguished for excellence in mineral exploration and contribution to the discovery of ore deposits.
http://bit.ly/1brX31J

Nominations for the E.S. Hills Medal close March 6 2014

The E.S. Hills Medal is awarded biannually to an Australian citizens no older than 45 who has made a significant contribution to geoscience, normally through the publication of original research.
http://bit.ly/1eubvHZ

Nominations for the Tom Vallance Medal close March 7 2014

The Tom Vallance medal recognises those who have made significant contributions to documenting people, places or events of importance to the history of the geological sciences in Australia or Australasia.
http://bit.ly/1fJ3aje

GSA membership

Have you renewed your GSA membership for 2014? 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.

IN THE NEWS

Women in Mining is inspirational

A new publication profiling 100 inspirational women in mining provides a fantastic insight into the impressive array of roles women hold in the industry. All those profiled have been nominated for inclusion by their colleagues and industry peers because they inspire those around them every day.
Follow this link to the PDF.
Web site: http://bit.ly/LJJjpV

Announcing the International Union of Geological Sciences' Task Group on Global Geoscience Professionalism

The Task Group on Global Geoscience Professionalism (TGGGP) aims to provide an international forum under the auspices of International Union of Geological Sciences for discussion of matters of common concern and interest among geoscientists and geoscientific organisations involved in professionalism at the local, national and international level.
http://bit.ly/1bXZkP2

ON THE WEB

Antarctic canyon discovered

A massive subglacial valley up to 3 kilometres deep, more than 300 kilometres long and up to 25 kilometres across has been identified in West Antarctica while mapping the Ellsworth Subglacial Highlands. In places the valley floor is more than 2000 metres below sea level.
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1cOGZYT

Coastal Quaternary maps updated

The new NSW coastal Quaternary geological maps are a significant improvement on previous geological mapping in the coastal lowland areas as a result of a greater degree of differentiation of depositional units and a unique methodology that has enabled the simultaneous mapping of surface and shallow sub-surface sedimentary deposits.
http://bit.ly/1fCxywd

IN THE MEDIA

Public consultation open for Excellence in Research in Australia 2015

Time is running out for those seeking to make submissions to the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) review. Submissions close February 14. It aims to identify and promote excellence across the full spectrum of research activity, including discovery, experimental and applied research within Australian higher education institutions. ERA 2015 will evaluate the quality of the research undertaken in eligible higher education providers.
http://bit.ly/1j9bFb7

Uncover Summit: time for a step change in knowledge and methodologies!

Searching the Deep Earth: A vision for exploration geoscience in Australia is a call for Australian earth scientists to cooperate in an innovative, structured and nationally coordinated strategic venture that will bring competitive advantage to Australian mineral exploration. The vision requires research groups, surveys and explorers to participate in a cross-institutional joint research venture on a scale never before attempted. The summit will take place March 31 - April 2 in Adelaide.
http://bit.ly/1kIJ7mO

Mars: The field trip continued

This view is looking west into a Martian valley from the eastern side of a dune at the eastern end of the valley. This valley as a likely route forward for Curiosity. The foreground dune, at a location called Dingo Gap, is about 1 metre high in the middle and tapered at the south and north ends onto low scarps on either side of the gap.

http://1.usa.gov/1fVw3r6

Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS.

Is Harrison basaltic?
http://1.usa.gov/1ihtelY

2 million pulses later...
http://1.usa.gov/1emfoA5

Approaching Dingo Gap
http://1.usa.gov/1amyDsa

Getting ready for October comet watch
http://1.usa.gov/1ePeuXD

Meanwhile elsewhere in near-Earth space...
Jade Rabbit is not happy
http://bbc.in/1aBTqIO

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 No.8: Coming soon

D. B. Stevenson , L. Bagas, A. R. A. Aitken & T. C. McCuaig
A geophysically constrained multi-scale litho-structural analysis of the Trans-Tanami Fault, Granites-Tanami Orogen, Western Australia.

L. J. Morrissey, M. Hand, B. P. Wade & M. Szpunar
Early Mesoproterozoic metamorphism in the Barossa Complex, South Australia: links with the eastern margin of Proterozoic Australia.

S. J. Holt, S. P. Holford & J. Foden
New insights into the magmatic plumbing system of the South Australian Quaternary Basalt province from 3D seismic and geochemical data.

T. J. Rawling, M. Sandiford, G. R. Beardsmore, S. Quenette, S. H. Goyen & B. Harrison
Thermal insulation and geothermal targeting, with specific reference to coal-bearing basins.

Discussion on "Opalisation of the Great Artesian Basin (central Australia): an Australian story with a Martian twist" by P. F. Rey (AJES, 60:3, 291-314). B. L. Dickson

Reply P. F. Rey

Other papers published on-line recently

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

C. Nyakecho & S. G. Hagemann
An overview of gold systems in Uganda.

R.R. Loucks
Distinctive composition of copper-ore-forming arc magmas.

Coming up in TAG

TAG for March 2014

The March TAG is in production, copies will be delivered mid-March to GSA members and subscribers.

The March copy deadline has passed, the June copy deadline is 28 April. Have you got something to say in 2014? 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 in as soon as possible. Need information about word lengths and submitting? Contact: tag@gsa.org.au

JOB VACANCIES

Advertising space now available

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 ON

DEADLINES:

Call for submissions - deadline February 14 2014

Excellence in Research for Australia 2015
The ARC is seeking feedback on the proposed ERA round

http://bit.ly/1j9bFb7

Nominations for the Joe Harms Medal extended until February 28 2014

The Joe Harms medal is awarded to a person distinguished for excellence in mineral exploration and contribution to the discovery of ore deposits.
http://bit.ly/1brX31J

Nominations for the E.S. Hills Medal close March 6 2014

The E.S. Hills Medal is awarded biannually to an Australian citizens no older than 45 who has made a significant contribution to geoscience, normally through the publication of original research.
http://bit.ly/1eubvHZ

Nominations for the Tom Vallance Medal close March 7 2014

The medal recognises those who have made significant contributions to documenting people, places or events of importance to the history of the geological sciences in Australia or Australasia
http://bit.ly/1fJ3aje

Call for Papers - Abstract deadline March 14 2014

The Australian Earth Science Convention:
Newcastle 7-10 July, 2014

Sustainable Australia
http://bit.ly/17ZRWUi

EVENTS:

AGES 2014, Alice Springs, 18 – 19 March 2014

http://bit.ly/1ePla8h.

An ACG Workshop hosted in conjunction with The AusIMM's 12th Underground Operators' Conference, Adelaide, 23 March 2014

Click here for more information.

Introduction to Environmental Geochemistry of Mine Site Pollution Short Course, Perth, 26 - 27 March

Earlybird registration expires 24 February 2014.
Click here for more information.

Uncover Summit, Adelaide, 31 March – 2 April 2014

http://bit.ly/1kIJ7mO.

APPEA, Perth, 6 – 9 April 2014

Earlybird registration expires 21 February 2014.
http://bit.ly/LKctFl.

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

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

CONTACTS

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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