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geoz 93 June 2014
NEWSBREAKERS
The Anthropocene lithifies
The research from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, has identified plastiglomerates as a new lithotype that one day may be used to characterise the Anthropocene. This new rock type forms in one of two ways. The clastic process is seen on beaches where plastic debris is intermingled with conventional sediment grains to form a plastic-rich matrix and polymict array of clasts. The in-situ process occurs when molten plastic on beaches agglutinates with sediment, lava fragments and organic debris to form dense mats of material resistant to wind and water erosion. Camp fires on the beach are the primary source of heat.
News report: http://bit.ly/1tK2luW
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1pt6QcA
Is a magnetic flip swarming our way?
The Swarm three-satellite mission has begun making maps of Earth's magnetic field. Mapping the variations in the magnetic field over time (January to June) reveals the field strength has dropped over the western hemisphere but risen in other areas.
http://bbc.in/1nww4UL
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
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
Every Wednesday evening: GeoPub
Weekly Informal get-together for Explorers, Miners & other Geoscientists
O'Malleys Irish Pub - Basement Level of the Wintergarden in the Queen Street Mall, Brisbane. 5.30 pm
South Australia
GSA SA Division Annual Dinner: Thursday 21st August 2014
Mark Pharaoh, South Australian Museum
More details will be provided in the July edition of the newsletter
Historian Hotel
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
2014 meeting dates to be advised
For more information: taryn.noble@utas.edu.au
21 - 23 November 2014
Field trip to Maria Island
More information coming soon.
Victoria
Thursday 26th June 2014
Professor David Cantrill
Biology, molecules and geology biogeography in the southwest Pacific (Zealandia)
Fritz Loewe Theatre, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, 6:15 pm
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
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 almost finished.
General Councillors Elections
The Ballot for the five positions of General Councillor has been mailed to all members. All ballots must be received at the GSA office by 30 June. 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.
If you have any queries about the new model 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
AESC registration rate increase after 30 June
Book now before the AESC registration rate goes up after 30 June!
Following this link for details on how to register and save a bundle.
TEN REASONS TO ATTEND THE AESC
1. Learn new stuff
6 concurrent themes and integrated poster sessions - You couldn't be bored!
→ go to sessions on topics outside your area of expertise
→ definitely go to the plenary talks scheduled at the start of each day
Monday, Iain Stewart will talk on communicating contested science
Tuesday, Chris Pigram will reveal his latest insights into the role of geoscience
Wednesday, we hear from Craig Simmons on all the big issues in groundwater
Thursday features Mike Archer, Australia's expert on ancient creatures.
Dedicated symposia
→ 39th Symposium on the Advances in the Study of the Sydney Basin
→ Comparisons & Contrasts in Circum-Pacific Orogens
2. Have fun
We visit Fort Scratchley for an explosive night.
• Light the fuse if you can
• Dine on stage, under the lights of the fabulous historic Civic Theatre
→ enjoy award-winning wines from Newcastle vineyards
→ ONLY $120 a seat - includes transport to and from the Fort
→ and most of all, NO speeches, just lots of FUN!!!
3. Do new things
→ Explore the outreach activities at Newcastle Museum
→ Take a field trip early in the morning
→ Visit the cellar doors of famous local wineries
→ If you dare, go for an early morning dip.
4. Recognise your peers at the Awards night
• Hear the Mawson Lecture on:
Early vertebrate evolution
- some contributions from the rocks of East Gondwana (Australia-Antarctica)
• Join us in acknowledging our peers
• Win the T&F AJES quiz ... a new tablet could be closer than you think.
5. Enjoy the exhibition booths
• Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included in your registration fee
• Win a prize for visiting the booths
• Find out what some of our sister societies are doing
• See the latest technological achievements in the Earth Sciences
and see some of the amazing work that the surveys are doing!
6. Support the Public Forum: Energy 2050
Don't miss it! Civic Theatre, 7.30pm - 9.30pm Monday July 7th.
• Energy 2050 explores our future energy needs
• Forum is open to the public
→ Discover the latest energy buzz in a lively session
→ Q&A style event - submit your own question!
7. Geogoss
Conventions are all about networking
• AESC opportunities abound to catch-up with old friends and meet new ones
→ Poster sessions, lunch, session breaks, the dinner and many more
• Find out who is who, who is doing what, where and why. You know you want to.
8. Be involved
Want to have your say in the running of some or all of the GSA?
→ Attend the AGM and learn how things work in the society
→ Join a workshop or a Specialist Group meeting
Don't be afraid, you won't be press-ganged into:
• serving on the National Executive Committee
• joining a Specialist Group
• running an event
... not unless you want to, of course!
9. Something for everyone
Nothing for you? How wrong could you be!
• There are special sessions on a variety of topics
• For those who are stuck with work obligations in the Sydney CBD,
you could come up for a day, drive or take the scenic train trip.
10. No regrets
and you won't be disappointed ...
The convention themes are:
• Energy
• Resources
• Environment
• Infrastructure, Service and Community
• Dynamic Planet
• Living Earth
AESC Public Forum: Energy 2050
As part of the Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2014, a public forum on Energy 2050: The Future of Energy in Australia will be held on Monday July 7th at 7:30 pm at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle. The forum panel will consist of world class speakers including Professor Iain Stewart, Geoscience Communication at Plymouth University (UK); Dr Gary Ellem, University of Newcastle; Professor Ben Hankamer, University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience; Dr Tony Irwin, Technical Director SMR Nuclear Technology, Dr Alex Wonhas, CSIRO and Rachel Connell, Director, Office of Coal Seam Gas, NSW Trade & Investment.
You can purchase forum tickets through the convention website: http://bit.ly/1jO5W5B
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.
End of financial donations
The end of financial year is a great time to consider donating to a charity. It is not only a wonderful thing to do but it could reduce your tax burden. Both the GSA Endowment Fund and the National Rock Garden are tax deductible charities. That means if a tax receipt will assist you then a donation to either of these will reduce your payable tax. If you want to make a donation to the Endowment Fund contact the GSA or if you wish to make a donation to the National Rock Garden you can pay online or contact the GSA office.
info@gsa.org.au
http://www.nationalrockgarden.org.au
IN THE NEWS
Fossils saved from crushing end
Cretaceous fossils from Idaho, USA, have been found in quarry rock destined for crushing into road gravel. The newly discovered site contains more dinosaur and terrestrial Cretaceous fossils than any other fossil site known in Idaho.
http://bit.ly/1wl0znk
West Antarctic geothermal flux modelled
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet sits over the West Antarctic Rift System. The geothermal flux in this area is causing rapid glacial melting that will impact global sea level rise.
News report: http://ab.co/1p8oeaA
Research abstract: http://bit.ly/1mcN8T8
ON THE WEB
New skulls muddy the waters
Human skulls found in Spain suggest the oldest-known humans had Neanderthal-like features. The skulls, about 430,000 years old, show characteristics associated with an earlier, primitive human suggesting a more complex evolution of humans than previously thought.
http://ab.co/1qDJ6Gh
Onshore Seismic Surveys now on-line
40 years and 22,700 km worth of onshore deep-seismic reflection data from around Australia is now available through the Geoscience Australia' Web Map Service. These data provide unique insights into the crustal structure of the continent.
http://bit.ly/1qsgpK5
Sangeang Api in full flight
The recent eruption at Sangeang Api, an island volcano adjacent to Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, made for this great picture from space.
Image courtesy of NASA's Earth Observatory.
http://1.usa.gov/1p8EEjq
IN THE MEDIA
CAVE2 - an immersive 84 million-pixel display!
Just imagine what you could visualise with an 84 million-pixel display. The recently opened CAVE2 at Monash University translates data into immersive visuals, giving researchers a near seamless, 320 degree, panoramic virtual environment at ultra-high resolution, contrast and clarity. CAVE2, only the second of its type, is larger than its forerunner which was built by the Electronic Visualisation Laboratory, University of Illinois, Chicago.
http://bit.ly/1sxLb8C
University of Tasmania secures industry orientated research hub
A $17.4 million research hub aimed at improving outcomes in the mining sector has been awarded to the University of Tasmania. $4 million from the Australian Research Council's Industrial Transformation Research Hub scheme along with other government block funds has been bundled with $9.6m in industry support to create the research hub which aims to resolve the biggest challenges facing the industry today.
http://bit.ly/1l2vTyV
Mars: The field trip continued
This map shows the route driven by Curiosity through Martian day (sol) 662, of the rover's mission on Mars (June 17, 2014).Numbers along the line indicate the sol number of each drive. North is up. The scale bar is 1 kilometre. From Sol 661 to Sol 662, Curiosity had driven a straight line distance of 123.88 metres.
http://1.usa.gov/1qso37b
Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona
Transit of Mercury as seen from Mars
http://1.usa.gov/1jIDmUi
More news from the solar system ...
Waves on Titan?
http://ab.co/1ptl9On
Close encounter with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
http://bbc.in/1ynJ9sb
... and elsewhere ...
How to slow a Black hole down
http://ab.co/1q0b5jx
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.3 - Sydney Basin
Colin Ward, Adrian Hutton, Harry Bowman, Kaydy Pinetown (eds)
C. R. Ward, A. C. Hutton, H. N. Bowman & K. L. Pinetown
Geological advances in the Sydney Basin: introduction to the thematic issue.
D. Och, I. Graham, H. Zwingmann, R. Offler & L. Sutherland
Constraining timing of brittle deformation and fault gouge formation in the Sydney Basin.
B. J. Franklin, J. F. Young & R. Powell
Testing of Sydney dimension sandstone for use in the conservation of heritage buildings.
G. H. McNally & D. F. Branagan
Geotechnical consequences of the Newcastle Coal Measures rocks.
L. Zhao, C. R. Ward, D. French & I. T. Graham
Mineralogy and major element geochemistry of the lower Permian Greta Seam, Sydney Basin, Australia.
S. Thomson, D. Thomson & P. Flood
Observations on the distribution of coal seam gas in the Sydney Basin and the development of a predictive model.
K. L. Pinetown
Regional coal seam gas distribution and burial history of the Hunter Coalfield, Sydney Basin.
A. Burra, J. Esterle & S. Golding
Coal seam gas distribution and hydrodynamics of the Sydney Basin, NSW, Australia.
A. Saghafi
Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from open-cut coal mining: application to the Sydney Basin.
J. Ross
Groundwater resource potential of the Triassic sandstones of the southern Sydney Basin: an improved understanding.
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.
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.
Other papers published on-line recently
Follow this link to see the most recent papers published on-line.
J. M. Simmons, R. A. F. Cas & I. A. Nicholls
The volcanological and petrogenetic origins of the basaltic Flinders Volcanic Province (49-39 Ma), Older Volcanics Provinces, southeast Australia
J Al-Hinaai & J Redfern
The late Carboniferous basal Grant Group unconformity, Canning Basin, Australia: a complex surface recording glacial tectonic and halotectonic processes
J. A. Boyce, R. R. Keays, I. A. Nicholls & P. Hayman
Eruption centres of the Hamilton area of the Newer Volcanics Province, Victoria, Australia: pinpointing volcanoes from a multifaceted approach to landform mapping
C. W. Kwon, S. W. Kim, S.-I. Park, J. Park, J.-H. Oh, B. C. Kim, H. J. Koh & D.-L. Cho
Sedimentological characteristics and new detrital zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages of the Babulu Formation in the Fohorem area, Timor-Leste
Coming up in TAG
TAG for September 2014
The June issue has been mailed to GSA members and subscribers. 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:
The AIG Australian Geoscientist Employment survey is open for submissions: - Submissions close June 28 2014
Call for Papers - Abstract deadline June 30 2014
Bowen Basin Symposium 7-10 October, 2015
Bowen Basin and Beyond
Click here for flyer
Early bird registration - closes June 30 2014
IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, 12 – 19 November 2014
Parks, people, planet: inspiring solutions
http://bit.ly/1l277D2
Call for Papers - Abstract deadline July 16 2014
14th Australian Space Research Conference, Adelaide, 29 September – 1 October 2014
Call for Papers - Abstract deadline July 22 2014
PASTE International seminar on paste and thickened tailings, Cairns, 5-7 May, 2015
Nominations for Australians of the Year - Nominations close August 1 2014
Categories are: Australian, Senior Australian and Young Australian of the Year as well as Australia's local hero
Call for field trip proposals - Proposal deadline August 15 2014
The AAPG International Convention and Exhibition, Cairns, 13-16 September, 2015
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.
Call for Papers - Abstract deadline October 13 2014
11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, Sydney 24 – 26 August 2015
Call for Papers - Abstract deadline December 1 2014
9th International Symposium on Field Measurements in Geomechanics: 8 – 10 September 2015
Instrumentation: the key to managing project performance
http://bit.ly/1wYNmSc
EVENTS:
Geoscience Australia Wednesday Seminar, Canberra, 11am-12pm, 25 June 2014
Use of geochemical tracers to understand fluid flow in the Habanero Engineered Geothermal System
For more information: talks@ga.gov.au
Geoscience Australia Wednesday Seminar, Canberra, 11am-12pm, 2 July 2014
Life in icy waters: A geoscience perspective on life at the seafloor
For more information: talks@ga.gov.au
The SMEDG - AIG 2014 Mid-Year Harbour Cruise, Sydney,4 July 2014
Feast on gourmet food and sip on wine on board the MV Proclaim.
http://bit.ly/1li2jdA
Dinosaur & Marine reptile Dig! Richmond, QLD, 6 – 12 July 2014
For more information contact: paul@stumkatstudios.com
Australian Earth Sciences Convention - AESC 2014, Newcastle, NSW, 7 – 10 July 2014
1st Circular available NOW.
http://bit.ly/17ZRWUi
The Earth Beneath Our Feet, Newcastle, NSW, 7 – 14 July 2014
A free exhibition for everyone. You can see
unbelievable minerals and fossils, explore beautiful Australia, and learn
how the Earth is constantly reshaping itself - creating and destroying
through volcanoes, earthquakes, and erosion! Discover stories of our great
geologists and find out what is happening in the incredible world of
modern geoscience.
http://bit.ly/1rFbkBV
Practical Rock Mechanics (Introduction) Short Course, Perth, 28 – 29 July 2014
Click here for more information
Groundwater Modelling using GMS and MODFLOW-USG, Adelaide, 28 – 31 July 2014
Ground Support in Mining (Introduction) Short Course , Perth, 30 July – 1 August 2014
9th International Mining Geology Conference 2014, Adelaide, 18 – 20 August 2014
Click here for more information
Open Pit Geotechnical Analysis and Design Training Course, Perth, 26 – 28 August 2014
Mine Dewatering and Mine Water Management Short Course, Perth, 29 August 2014
31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Organic Petrology, Sydney, 27 September – 3 October 2014
14th Australian Space Research Conference, Adelaide, 29 September – 1 October 2014
Blasting for Stable Slopes Short Course, Perth, 3 – 5 November 2014
IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, 12 – 19 November 2014
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)
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Geologist (TAG)
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