geoz 90 May 2014

NEWSBREAKERS

Tragic landslide caused by loess?

Landslides such as the recent one in Afghanistan are not uncommon in the region. As noted in a prominent landslide blog, the fine-grained texture of the landslide and its high mobility suggests that failure in loess after heavy rain is the cause.
Blog report: http://bit.ly/1fFBvU3

PNG to allow sea-bed mining

Papua New Guinea has approved a sea-bed mining project aimed at extracting copper, gold and other valuable metals from the sea-floor at a depth of 1,500m. The country holds a 15% stake in the development at a cost of $120m.
http://bbc.in/1fdTd0c

New Director of Geological Survey of New South Wales

Dr John Greenfield, long-time GSA member, has been appointed the 15th Director of the Geological Survey of New South Wales. Congratulations John!
http://bit.ly/1iSrovy

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 20th May 2014
Laurie Hutton, President Geological Society of Australia
Linking mineral systems with geodynamics and tectonics at Mount Isa - a whole of geology model to the establishment of a geological history
Jaeger Lecture Theatre, Jaeger Building (Building 61), ANU. 5.00 pm for 5.30 pm

New South Wales

Thursday 22nd May 2014
Laurie Hutton, President Geological Society of Australia
Title TBA
Venue details TBA

Ten scholarships of $500 are available for NSW students who wish to attend the AESC
   •  The applicant must be currently enrolled as a student at any university
      (or other educational institution) in NSW.
   •  Preference will be given to applicants presenting either a poster or oral presentation (or both)
      at the convention. However, students who are not presenting may also apply
      but must be currently enrolled in an earth science related degree.
   •  If the applicant is already receiving financial assistance to attend the convention
      they won't be able to apply for the scholarship.
   •  The applicant should be a member of the GSA.
   •  Applications close May 14.
To find out more click here

Queensland

2014 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: info@qld.gsa.org.au

Tuesday 20th May 2014 - GSAQ AGM and May seminar
Dr Aldo van Heeswijck
MOHГOЛ TΘCΘЛ - BLUE SKY EXPLORATION
The Theodore Club, Level 1, 333 Adelaide St, Brisbane. 5.15 pm for 6.00 pm

South Australia

Thursday 22nd May 2014
Dr. Simon Holford, Australian School of Petroleum
The origin of the Ceduna sub-basin, Great Australian Bight
Mawson Theatre, University of Adelaide. 5.30 pm for 6.15 pm

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

Tasmania

Thursday 8th May 2014
Laurie Hutton, President Geological Society of Australia
Title TBA
Main Lecture Theatre School of Earth Sciences University of Tasmania. 6.00 pm

Victoria

Thursday 29th May 2014
Dr Twycross
The pioneering work in seismography of John Milne
Mueller Hall, Royal Botanical Gardens, 7 pm followed at 8pm by a Night Sky Tour
Please note that numbers are limited to 30. For details of how to register please read the Division newsletter.

Western Australia

Wednesday 7th May 2014
Dr Mark Jessell, Winthrop Professor, Centre for Exploration Targeting, UWA
The West African Exploration Initiative (WAXI)
Irish Club of WA (Inc), 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco, 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm

GSA EVENTS

GSA Council Elections

In July 2014, the Governing Council will be implemented. The process of electing the new Governing Council of GSA is now in progress.

Call for General Councillors

The Executive is now calling for nominations for the five positions of General Councillor to complete the inaugural nine person Council. As advised in numerous communications, the Governing Council will combine the authority of the current Executive and the biennial Council meeting. The five General Councillors will be determined by a ballot of all members and the new Council will be endorsed on 8th July 2014, at the 2014 AGM of the Society, to be held in association with the AESC in Newcastle.

The Nomination process: Nominations are open to almost all membership categories (click here for full details), subject to endorsement by two Full or Retired Members. They close on 21st May, 2014, and ballot papers will be mailed to all Members by 31st May with voting to close by 30th June. The General Councillor Nomination form is available here.

Your Nomination should include:
A summary of qualifications to serve as a Councillor (maximum of 400 words) which includes:
   a.  Academic, professional and community qualifications and recognition;
   b.  Relevant work and board/committee experience;
   c.  Portrait image of yourself (optional)
   d.  Contributions to GSA and
   e.  Key issues that you believe that GSA needs to address.

It should be forwarded to: info@gsa.org.au by no later than 21st May, 2014.

Additional Information:
The new governance model has been developed to strengthen the strategic decision making and development of the GSA, and to revitalise an organisation that has hardly grown its membership during the recent period of increased interest and enrolments in geoscience. It will meet quarterly by teleconference with one face to face meeting each year. Substantial authority will be delegated to the CEO and a smaller Executive, drawn from within Council, to ensure prompt response to opportunities and issues. The President will be appointed from the elected Council.

Membership of the new Council will be a significant, national, professional responsibility, and an exciting opportunity for any Member committed to our profession, its standing and its growth. An ideal Council will include a mix of attributes such as: vision and a national perspective; energy and enthusiasm; wisdom; business acumen and management experience; experience in GSA committees; and recognition within the profession. We are starting an exciting new chapter in the evolution of GSA and here is your opportunity to shape the future of the Society.

If you have any queries about the nomination process, or what may be involved in becoming a Councillor, please contact sue@gsa.org.au or one of the Governance committee members: Jim Ross, Chris Yeats, Laurie Hutton laurie.hutton@dnrm.qld.gov.au or Ian Graham i.graham@unsw.edu.au

The Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014
Field trips and workshops registration deadline is very close!

The deadline is fast approaching to register for AESC field trips and workshops. The deadline for field trips and workshops is Friday, 30 May. See http://www.aesc2014.gsa.org.au/workshops-and-field-trips/ for details.

Newcastle accommodation filling up! There is another event on in Newcastle during the AESC which means accommodation will be extremely hard to come by. The Secretariat has block bookings in place at a number of hotels. However, all unsold rooms must be released back to the hotels 30 days prior to the convention. We highly recommend you book your accommodation sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

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

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 Convention secretariat: aesc@willorganise.com.au.

The National Rock Garden in good shape

National Rock Garden panorama.
Image courtesy of Brad Pillans.

The Federation Rocks on display at the National Rock Garden on the western foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin consist of a set of large rocks selected for their significance to their home state or territory and despite the recent theft and vandalism of Victorian rocks the display is looking good.

In addition to the Federation Rocks the National Rock Garden (NRG) 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 NRG qualifies for Deductible Gift Recipient status. 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. Download the latest newsletter here.

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

IN THE NEWS

Tar volcano found in search for shipwrecks

Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Gulf of Mexico 2014 Expedition.

An eruption of tar has been found on the sea-floor off-shore of Galveston, USA, while searching for shipwrecks. The tar extrusion is colonised by a variety of tube worms and other marine organisms.

http://bit.ly/1mxi8ze

North Sea tsunami

A sub-sea landslide off the coast of Norway 8,000 years ago is thought to have triggered a tsunami that over-ran Doggerland, a low-lying marshy landmass between Norway and Britain. Researchers suggest the tsunami may have destroyed the Mesolithic tribes living there at the time.
News report: http://bbc.in/1nemhFc
Conference abstract: Click here

ON THE WEB

East Coast tsunamis under-rated

According to historical records research Australia has experienced 145 tsunamis with 124 since 1805. Most historical tsunamis impacted Australia's east coast despite the west coast being the thought of as the real hot spot.
News report: http://ab.co/1ilqMsj
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1j5WsXJ

Krypton-dating technique for Antarctic ice

A new technique to confirm the age of Antarctic ice uses Krypton produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere and trapped in air bubbles within the ice. The ⁸¹Kr-⁸³Kr ratio enables an age for the ice to be calculated.
News report: http://1.usa.gov/Rj45iF
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1iXlD9T

IN THE MEDIA

First flyers found

A 163 million year old fossil found in China is the oldest known pterosaur. The species, Kryptodrakon progenitor, with a wingspan of about 1.3 metres, was found in the Gobi desert.
News report: http://ab.co/1seG89o
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1j61m7h

Diamonds shine light on laser improvements

Australian researchers have demonstrated that using diamond in laser construction can significantly increase the brightness of the output beam. This is a major step towards improving the power, quality and miniaturisation of lasers.
News report: http://ab.co/1kDIjPh
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/Q7L7KH

Mars: The field trip continued

A late April inspection of this rock known as Windjana at the Kimberley waypoint is being used to decide if further drilling will be conducted.

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

Shallow drilling as part of evaluating Windjana for possible full-depth drilling to collect powdered sample material from the rock's interior. This image shows the hole and tailings resulting from the mini drill test. The hole is 1.6 centimetres in diameter and about 2 centimetres deep.

http://1.usa.gov/1mwDhp4
Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

More news from the solar system ...

Print your own Mars and more
http://bit.ly/1iF2wY1

Martian meteorites hint at early climate
http://bit.ly/1r56uII

Ganymede a multi-layered sandwich of ice and water?
http://ab.co/1jvGC8y

New fashions for Mars and beyond
http://bbc.in/1rITTeo

Triton a refugee from the Kuiper Belt?
http://bit.ly/1fNCx0p

Europa in NASA's sights
http://1.usa.gov/1iB4ck8

... and elsewhere ...

Eight hour day for juvenile gas giant
http://ab.co/1lT2gnX

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 61 No.1 - published on-line and in hard copy

Using Research to Benefit Mineral Exploration: Examples of Recent Research Conducted at the Centre of Exploration Targeting (CET)
Hagemann, Witt & Fiorentini eds.

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

W. K. Witt, S. G. Hagemann & C. Villanes
Geochemistry and geology of spatially and temporally associated calc-alkaline (I-type) and K-rich (A-type) magmatism in a Carboniferous continental arc setting, Pataz gold mining district, northern Peru.

W. K. Witt, S. G. Hagemann, J. Ojala, C. Laukamp, T. Vennemann, Villanes, C. & V. Nykanen
Multiple methods for regional- to mine-scale targeting, Pataz gold field, northern Peru.

C. Nyakecho & S. G. Hagemann
An Overview of Gold Systems in Uganda.

L. Bagas, R. Boucher, B. Li, J. Miller, P. Hill, G. Depauw, J. Pascoe & B. Eggers
Paleoproterozoic stratigraphy and gold mineralisation in the Granites-Tanami Orogen, North Australian Craton.

S. J. Nichols & S. G. Hagemann
Structural and hydrothermal alteration evidence for early and late stages of gold mineralisation at the New Celebration Gold deposit in Western Australia.

S. S. Romano, N. J. M. Thébaud, D. R. Mole, M. T. D. Wingate, C. L. Kirkland & M. P. Doublier
Age constraints on komatiites in the Southern Cross Domain, Yilgarn Craton.

J. Martindale, S. Hagemann, D. Huston & L. Danyushevsky
Integrated stratigraphic-structural-hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation model for the Kangaroo Caves zinc-copper deposit, Western Australia.

A. S. D. Maskell, P. Duuring & S. G. Hagemann
Hydrothermal alteration events controlling magnetite-rich iron ore at the Matthew Ridge prospect, Jack Hills greenstone belt, Yilgarn Craton.

Volume 61 No.2 - all papers published on-line

M. Rexer & C. Hirt
Comparison of free high resolution digital elevation data sets (ASTER GDEM2, SRTM v2.1/v4.1) and validation against accurate heights from the Australian National Gravity Database

R. H. Vernon
Microstructures of microgranitoid enclaves and the origin of S-type granitoids

F. L. Sutherland, I. T. Graham, J. D. Hollis, S. Meffre, H. Zwingmann, F. Jourdan & R. E. Pogson
Multiple felsic events within post-10 Ma volcanism, Southeast Australia: inputs in appraising proposed magmatic models

Stephen J. Barnes, L. A. Fisher, R. Anand & T. Uemoto
Mapping bedrock lithologies through in situ regolith using retained element ratios: a case study from the Agnew-Lawlers area, Western Australia

M. J. Cracknell, A. M. Reading & A. W. McNeill
Mapping geology and volcanic-hosted massive sulfide alteration in the Hellyer-Mt Charter region, Tasmania, using Random Forests™ and Self-Organising Maps.

A. S. A. A. Abu Sharib
Switching bulk horizontal shortening and regional-scale partitioning of deformation during the Isan Orogeny in the Eastern Fold Belt, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia.

M. A. Short, S. Lamontagne, P. G. Cook & R. Cranswick
Characterising the distribution of near-shore submarine groundwater discharge along a coastline using ²²²Rn and electrical conductivity

Other papers published on-line recently

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

B. F. J. Kelly, W. Timms, T. J. Ralph, B. M. S. Giambastiani, A. Comunian, A. M. McCallum, M. S. Andersen, R. S. Blakers, R. I. Acworth & A. Baker
A reassessment of the Lower Namoi Catchment aquifer architecture and hydraulic connectivity with reference to climate drivers

D. I. Cendón, S. I. Hankin, J. P. Williams, M. Van der ley, M. Peterson, C. E. Hughes, K. Meredith, I. T. Graham, S. E. Hollins, V. Levchenko & R. Chisari
Groundwater residence time in a dissected and weathered sandstone plateau: Kulnura-Mangrove Mountain aquifer, NSW, Australia

P. G. Lennox, M. A. Forster & I. S. Williams
Emplacement and deformation ages of the Wyangala Granite, Cowra, NSW

Coming up in TAG

TAG for June 2014

The June issue is in production. The September issue deadline is 25 July. 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:

Exploration in the House & NSW Minerals Council Exploration Forum - Register by 12 May 2014

http://bit.ly/1p5ninf.

Call for Papers - Abstract deadline June 30 2014

Bowen Basin Symposium 7-10 October, 2015

Bowen Basin and Beyond
Click here for flyer

Geoscience Australia's 2014 Top GeoShot photographic competition - entries close 12 September 2014

Winners receive a professionally framed enlargement of their image and their image will be displayed in Geoscience Australia's foyer in Canberra for the year.

http://bit.ly/1gVh0ws

EVENTS:

RIU Sydney Resources Roundup, Sydney, 13 - 15 May 2014

http://bit.ly/1dcb1IF.

Best Practices in Mine Backfill Technologies Workshop, Perth, 19 May 2014

http://bit.ly/1p9H7o3.

Exploration in the House 2014, Sydney, 20 May 2014

http://bit.ly/1p5ninf.

NSW Minerals Council Exploration Forum 2014, Sydney, 21 May 2014

http://bit.ly/1p5ninf.

11th International Symposium on Mining with Backfill, Perth, 20 - 22 May 2014

http://bit.ly/1p9H7o3.