TAG - Geological Society of Australia

The Geological Societyof Australia IncNewsletter Number 160September 2011tagLaying the foundationsee p24Young EarthScientists up closesee p28Honouring Ernie NickelNew Geochemical Atlas &Mineral ExplorationAustralian Geoscience TertiaryEducation Profile

The Australian GeologistNewsletter 160, September 2011Registered by Australia PostPublication No. PP243459/00091ISSN 0312 4711Managing Editor Sue FletcherTechnical Editor Bill BirchSend contributions to tag@gsa.org.auCentral Business OfficeExecutive Director Sue FletcherSuite 61, 104 Bathurst Street,Sydney NSW 2000Telephone (02) 9290 2194Fax (02) 9290 2198Email info@gsa.org.auGSA website www.gsa.org.auDesign Alan Taylor, The Visible Word Pty LtdTypesetting Joan Taylor, The Visible Word Pty LtdPrinted by Ligare Pty LtdDistributed by Trade Mailing & Fulfilment Pty LtdLaying the Foundation p24Early Australian Earth Scientists inthe Antarctic: Part 1.Essay Review p30Jon Hronsky reviews A guide formineral exploration through theregolith in the Yilgarn Craton, WA(AJES Vol 57; No.8).Feature: New NationalGeochemical Atlas p32Patrice De Caritat on fresh avenuesfor mineral exploration and naturalresource management.F R O N TC O V E RA seamless 3D mineral map of‘kaolin disorder’ generated from bothairborne (draped over a DEM surface)and drill core (vertical white strings)hyperspectral data together with ashell (grey volume) generated fromX-ray fluorescence Fe2O3 contentas well as the vector outlines (orangelines) of the ‘Robe pisolites’ (channeliron ore – CID) from in the published100K Rocklea geological map sheet.The CID and other transportedmaterials are characterised by poorlyordered kaolin (blue tones) whereasin situ weathered bedrock compriseswell-ordered kaolin (red tones) thatin places cuts across the publishedmapping and marks the boundary ofthe Rocklea CID deposit. Generatedby the WA Centre of Excellence for3D Mineral Mapping (C3DMM –http://c3dmm.csiro.au).22 From the President23 Society UpdateBusiness Report2 Membership FeesLetters to the EditorFrom the AJES Editor’s DeskEducation & OutreachStratigraphic ColumnHeritage Matters15 News from the Divisions18 News from the Specialist Groups20 News28 Young Earth Science News34 Special Report: Geoscience Education37 Special Issue of AJES40 Cam Bryan’s Geojottings42 Book Reviews44 Obituaries46 Calendar47 Office Bearers48 Publishing Details

From the PresidentAt the time of writing this column, I am in Bern,Switzerland, attending the XIIIth Congress of theInternational Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA).Bern is not a large city (about 130 000 people) and an influx ofmore than 2000 Quaternary scientists has severely tested localaccommodation. Nevertheless, it has been a most successfulconference and I have enjoyed meeting old friends, makingnew ones, and learning many new things.Not surprisingly, many of the papers at INQUA have apaleoclimate focus. Indeed, the famous 800 000-year carbondioxide record from the EPICA Antarctic ice core was featuredas a sculpture in the entrance hall of the congress centre.However, Quaternary research is much more than paleoclimate— plenary talks ranged from the recent Japanese and NewZealand earthquakes to nuclear-waste disposal, while generalpapers included topics across a broad range of disciplines,including archaeology, geochronology, volcanology,geomorphology, palynology and hydrology, to name a few.The diversity of research presented at the INQUA congressis one of its strengths, in my opinion, and much the same couldbe said of the upcoming International Geological Congress inBrisbane next year. I well remember my first IGC, in Florence in2004 — not only was Florence a magnificent city to visit for the7 000 attendees, but the huge range of topics and sessions atthe conference often made it difficult to choose which ones togo to. GSA sponsors the IGC as one of the hosting societies ofnext years Brisbane IGC, and it will also double as our biennialconference, so I encourage all GSA members to attend. Checkthe congress website for further details at www.34igc.orgWhen I attend major international conferences like INQUAand IGC, which are held every four years, I feel like part of largefamily. However, there are Earth Science communities on manyscales — whether, through membership of a local Division orSpecialist Group of GSA or serving on an internationalcommittee, there are many career and personal benefits toactive participation in such communities.As you will read in this issue, there will be a modestincrease in GSA membership fees for most members over thenext three years. This is partly because, while the totalmembership of the society has remained fairly static, themembership demographic has changed, resulting in loweroverall income to the society from membership fees. I hopethat all of you will choose to remain as members of the GSAcommunity, despite the fee increase, and continue to benefitfrom the activities and publications of our society.One particular activity that Iencourage all members toparticipate in is outreach — we allrecognise the importance of EarthSciences to the Australian economyand to understanding environmentalissues, but we need to ensure that members of thegeneral public, including school students and politicians, alsoappreciate this importance. The National Rock Garden projectis one such outreach activity, but there are many others.Recently, the GSA sent a letter to the Prime Minister, withcopies to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood &Youth and to the Chief Government Scientist, expressingdismay at the government’s intention to cease funding for twoscience education programs being developed by the AustralianAcademy of Science, Primary Connections and Science byDoing. Both these acclaimed programs fit well with the newAustralian Curriculum for science that includes, for the firsttime, a national Year 11-12 Earth and Environmental Sciencestream. Not only do such programs increase public awarenessof Earth Sciences, but they are vital to ensuring that there isflow of students through to university Earth Science programsthat ultimately will provide replacements for those of usapproaching retirement.BRAD PILLANSPresidentBrad Pillans standing behind the CO 2 curve for the last 800 000 years thatwas displayed at INQUA 2011.2 | TAG September 2011

SocietyUpdateBusiness ReportThe September issue of TAG brings you news aboutmany of the Division and Specialist Group activities, aswell the standing committees and local conferencesand symposia. We have more features and special reports thanusual and the Letters to the Editor are more than abundant.As always there is news about the National Rock Garden andwe showcase two Young Earth Scientists working in differentfields. Changes with accessing AJES online are included and JonHronsky discusses the importance of A guide for mineralexploration through the regolith in the Yilgarn Craton, WesternAustralia by Ravi Anand and Charles Butt, published in a recentissue of AJES (Vol 57; No. 8), and its relevance to explorationgeologists. Special thanks to Trevor Powell, former President ofthe Australian Geoscience Council, for his comprehensive reviewof the council’s report on Geoscience Education at AustralianUniversities, which offers hope for the future: “the situation ofgeoscience in Australian universities is stronger now than at anytime over the past 15 years”.HEDG (Hunter Earth Sciences Discussion Group) has beenactive, with trips to vineyards to look at the soil and rocks (ofcourse), as well as local talks at Newcastle University. TheQueensland Division held another highly successful booth atEkka, which is the annual agricultural show of Queensland. Thebooth is a collaborative effort with the GSA, AIG, theQueensland Museum and the Geological Survey of Queenslandworking together to promote Earth Sciences as a viableeducation path. The GSA provides hundreds of Fact-ites to giveaway to students. More news about this event will be includedin the December TAG.On the near horizon, upcoming GSA events include theSpecialist Group in Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrologybiennual conference to be held November 20-25 at theMurramarang Beachfront Nature Resort on the NSW southcoast — look for their advertisement in this issue of TAG. TheSpecialist Group in Tectonics and Structural Geologyconference is to be held 29 January – 3 February 2012 atWaratah Bay, Victoria. Also the annual South AustraliaExplorer’s Conference will take place on 2 December and do notforget the Sprigg Symposium on 1 December in Adelaide.This 1959 covercommemorated the opening ofthe Wilkes post office.The 2011-2012 Antarcticexpedition season marks 100 yearsof Australian involvement inAntarctic research. Those goingsouth this season join a traditionestablished a century earlier by the first Australasian AntarcticExpedition (AAE) of 1911–14, led by Douglas Mawson. In theheroic age of Antarctic exploration, Australians were involvedin several expeditions. However, Mawson’s 1911–14 expeditionwas the first wholly Australian undertaking. The AAE, togetherwith the 1929–1931 British, Australian and New ZealandAntarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) (also led byMawson), were important for establishing Australia's claim forAntarctic territory. Australia has issued postage stamps for theAustralian Antarctic Territory since 1957.The first stamp issued specifically for the territory was atwo-shilling blue stamp with a design of explorers and anAntarctic map.In this and coming issues of TAG we will celebrate thecontribution made to Australian Antarctic Expeditions. Pat Quiltywrites a two-part account of Early Australian Earth Scientists inthe Antarctic in this and the next issue of TAG and some of thenumerous centenary activities are mentioned in this issue.The International Geological Congress is fast approachingand the GSA has booked many Society meetings, including theCouncil Meeting to be held on Sunday 4 August; the AnnualGeneral Meeting to be held on Monday 5 August, andnumerous meetings on Tuesday–Thursday nights. The GSA hassecured 20 discounted tickets and the first members to contactthe GSA and make payment will be given these tickets — seeTAG pages 6 and 21 for more details.The GSA website has links to many conferences on thecalendar page: http://www.gsa.org.au/events/calendar.htmlSpecial thanks to Tony Cockbain and Bill Birch for editingthe September issue of The Australian Geologist.By the time you receive this issue of TAG we will beapproaching the member renewal period, so if you have movedor changed any of your contact details or wish to add aSpecialist Group, now is the time to do so, please emailinfo@gsa.org.au or phone the office on 02 9290 2194.SUE FLETCHERExecutive DirectorTAG September 2011|3

New membersThe GSA welcomes the following new members to the Society.May you all have a long and beneficial association with the GSA:Lost membersThe following members mail has been returned to the GSA, asall their contact details are invalid. If you know them and havetheir contact details, please email: info@gsa.org.au or phonethe office on (02) 9290 2194 and assist us with locating them.Paolo AbballeRayhen AliPaul BannermanLianora Taralrud-BayTimothy BoddingtonKaylene CamutiTae Woo ChangOscar ClarkWilliam CollinsMatthew de PaoliTanya EwingBrendan GriffinAnna HaiblenAdam HardingMichael HawtinMark HockingHenry HunterTariqul IslamGeorge KatchanGemma LeeDouglas MackenzieSosthenes MassoloaFiona Davies McConchieIan MorrisonCheryl MortonBenjamin MoseyCelestine OgbonnaMatthew James PankhurstCatherine PritchardCameron QuinnSarah RitterJamie RobinsonSusannah Mary SageNikhilesh SenapatiPhilip SnowdenBrea StephenAntonio Tan, JrAndrew WelshMark WinsleyISSUE COPY FINISHED INSERTSARTDECEMBER 2011 26 Oct 2 Nov 9 NovMARCH 2012 28 Jan 3 Feb 2 MarJUNE 2012 30 Apr 4 May 29 MaySEPTEMBER 2012 30 Jul 6 Aug 18 AugACTM EMBERMasahiko HondaKeith ThomasMISCCatherine TaitNSWS TUDENTBenjamin DunlopDavid BamburyElias MartynErin FoateKarina JuddKristen ParmeterLei ZhaoEmma Louise JohnsonMichael EdwardsMorgan WrightOmar MohammadSharon JonesJoseph EmmiNTM EMBERAndrew ShortJoanne WhelanQLDM EMBERStephanie McRaeAdrian BernardChristine SheerinThomas LucasS TUDENTVictoria GallagherJessica AndersonGregory ClapinJohannes HammerliAdam GregoryG R A D U AT ENicholas CoulsonDanielle GeenenRachel WadeLaura AllenKrista InglisYvette HobbsCourtney TaylorEmma BlancoSAM EMBERSteven GaleS TUDENTCharlotte MitchellCatherine DisneyNaomi TuckerTASM EMBERMillard CoffinS TUDENTAlistair HarveyPatrick MyerTom WrightJacqui RushLauren ThomasJesse CotterillMargaret EllisMatthew FergusonKevin HarrisLee HutchinsJack MulderNick SmithCraig WinterVICM EMBERRachel RobertsTrevor BlakeS TUDENTMatthew EdwardsZara DennisRoland SeubertG R A D U AT EKaren KapteinisWAM EMBERRichard HallS TUDENTRachael WoodA S S O C I AT ELarissa MacMillan4 | TAG September 2011

From the President and TreasurerIncreases to GSA Membership FeesDear GSA Member,Analysis of the Geological Society of Australia’s cashflow over thepast two years identifies operating cash losses for 2009 and2010. After the removal of income from investments and interestfrom the 2008 accounts, 2008 also has an operating cash loss.This is clearly not sustainable in the long-term.Over the same three-year period, membership has fluctuatedslightly from 2255 in 2008, to 2334 in 2009 and 2251 in 2010.However, due primarily to our aging demographic and anincreasing number of retired members, revenue from membershipfees has declined steadily over the same period, from $289 576in 2008, to $278 299 in 2009 and $266 562 in 2010.The GSA has not increased membership dues for at least fiveyears — current dues for all categories of membership are listedin Table 1, below.Category Australia International*Journal Journal No Journal Journal Nohard copy online Journal hard copy online Journalonly & online onlyMember $165 $150 0N/A $165 $150 0N/AMember $165 $150 0$90 $165 $150 0$90AssociateRetired 0$85 0$75 0$45 0$85 0$75 0$45MemberStudent 0$85 0$10 0$10 0$85 0$75 0$45Member (AJES)Student 0$20 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/AMember (Alcheringa)Graduate 0N/A 0$88 0N/A 0N/A 0$88 0N/AMemberJoint 0N/A 0N/A 0$90 0N/A 0N/A 0$90MemberThe 2010 Audit of the GSA recommended a review ofmembership subscription fees. The recommended increase wasfrom $165pa to $220pa, for a normal membership, in order tosustain the Society financially. In response to thisrecommendation, the Executive considered the following factors:1. While accepting that we must move the Society to asustainable financial footing, the Executive feels that ourmembership will not respond positively to an immediateincrease to $220pa for full membership. A staged approach tofee increases is therefore preferred.2. Our current agreement with Taylor and Francis specifies anannual charge to the GSA of $22 per member for hardcopy andelectronic subscriptions and $10 per member for electronic onlyaccess to AJES. This rate is subject to renegotiation if more than500 Society members elect to take electronic only access. Theagreement is valid until the end of 2013. Given the cost to theSociety for paper and online AJES, the differential between fulland electronic-only memberships is appropriate. However, it isapparent that non-journal memberships for Retired andAssociate Members are heavily subsidised, when compared toAJES subscribers.3. Given that many of our retired members are able to claim atax rebate against Membership, it is our opinion that the ratecharged for this membership category is too low. A moreappropriate level would be ~70–75% of a full membership.4. The rate charged to Graduate Members is also heavilysubsidised, and should be reconsidered in a similar light to thatfor Retired Members.5. It is appropriate that the online AJES membership rate forstudents be maintained at $10, as this covers the cost of AJESto the society and we compete directly with AIG, who providefree student membership (but no journal).Following extensive, and at times passionate discussion, theExecutive reached the following points of consensus on GSA’sfuture fee structure:1. That the category of Graduate Membership be retained,pegged to the equivalent rate for Retired Members.2. That non-journal annual fees be increased, to a level of$10 beneath equivalent electronic journal annual fees, to moreaccurately represent the cost to the Society.3. That a 10% per annum increase be applied to Journalhardcopy annual fees for Members for each of the next threeyears and that a 30% increase be applied to Journal hardcopyannual fees for Retired Members and Students for each of thenext three years.4. That electronic journal and non-journal annual fees be set at$15 and $25 respectively below the ‘full’ rate for Members andRetired Members, where appropriate.5. That student electronic and non-journal annual fees remainat $10 per annum.The adoption of these principles mean that GSA’s membership feestructure for the next three years will be:2012Category Australia International*Journal Journal No Journal Journal Nohard copy online Journal hard copy online Journalonly & online onlyMember $182 $167 0N/A $182 $167 0N/AMember $182 $167 $157 $182 $167 $157AssociateRetired $111 0$96 0$86 $111 0$96 0$86MemberStudent $111 0$10 0$10 $111 0$96 0$86Member (AJES)Student 0$20 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/AMember (Alcheringa)Graduate 0 N/A 0$96 0N/A 0N/A 0$96 0N/AMemberJoint 0 N/A 0N/A $157 0N/A 0N/A $157MemberTAG September 2011|5

2013Joint 0N/A 0N/A $175 0N/A 0N/A $175Category Australia International*Journal Journal No Journal Journal Nohard copy online Journal hard copy online Journalonly & online onlyMember $200 $185 0N/A $200 $185 0N/AMember $200 $185 $175 $200 $185 $175AssociateRetired $144 $129 $119 $144 $129 $119MemberStudent $144 0$10 0$10 $144 $129 $119Member (AJES)Student 0$20 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/AMember (Alcheringa)Graduate 0N/A $129 0N/A 0N/A $129 0N/AMember20IGC Discounted6 | TAG September 2011 Member2014RegistrationsCategory Australia International* The Geological Society of Australia hasJournal Journal No Journal Journal Nohard copy online Journal hard copy online Journal purchased 20 registrations to theonly & online onlyMember $220 $205 0N/A $220 $205 0N/A International Geological Congressat a discounted rate for members.Member $220 $205 $195 $200 $205 $195AssociateRetired $187 $172 $162 $187 $172 $162 The registrations are available at cost fromMemberthe GSA office on a first come/first payStudent $187 0$10 0$10 $187 $172 $162Member (AJES)basis for the sum of $850.00Student 0$20 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/A 0N/AMember (Alcheringa)Graduate 0N/A $172 0N/A 0N/A $172 0N/A Be quick these registrationsMemberJoint 0N/A 0N/A $195 0N/A 0N/A $195 will go quickly.MemberInternational* Posts costs are in addition and priced separately. Please contact Sue FletcherAustralian Prices include Goods and Services Tax.sue@gsa.org.au to find out more.The figures for 2014 memberships are subject to the terms ofthe renegotiated contract for AJES.Although the Executive is aware that any increase in fees willnot be welcomed by our membership, we believe that the GSAcontinues to provide good value for its members. As noted above,it is vital for the future of the Society that we move to asustainable financial position and, within this constraint, wehave attempted to minimise the impact on our members byadopting this staged approach.Sincerely,BRAD PILLANS and CHRIS YEATSPresident & Treasurer, Geological Society of Australia

Letters to the EditorI was surprised to read Phil Playford’s letterto the editor (TAG 159, p 13) bemoaning thefact that members of the GSA were not askedwhether they “support the hypothesis ofanthropogenic global warming (AGW)”. Sincewhen has climate science become a matter ofagreement between members of the GSA?I would have thought that just as particlephysics should be decided by physicists andcosmology decided by cosmologists, thatclimate science should be decided by climatologists.From memory, the GSA did not askmembers whether they agreed with the‘hypothesis’ (I am being generous here) ofintelligent design before they came up withtheir policy on ‘science education andcreationism’. It is not difficult to discern thatintelligent design is non-science as well asbeing nonsense and that those who espousesuch beliefs are simply denying reality.Similarly, it is not difficult to discern thatclimate change ‘sceptics’ (I am being verygenerous here) are also denying reality. Nodoubt they will bridle at such a suggestion,but as I stated in a previous letter to theeditor, the logical conclusion of their railingagainst the reality of AGW is either that,although they are geologists, they have veryquickly become far superior climatologiststo all those party to the IPCC reports or,conversely, they believe that all thoseclimatologists are part of a massiveconspiracy. Which form of denier are you?JOHN LAURIEI agree with Phillip Playford who, in hisletter in the June issue of TAG, proposes that“a poll...be commissioned...that includes thequestion of whether or not members agreethat significant global warming has resultedfrom increasing levels of human-inducedCO 2 .” A poll such as this would be anopportunity to delve more deeply intomembers’ views and could help GSA todevelop a more authoritative statement onglobal warming. It might pose questionsalong the following lines.Do you believe that:● the Earth is warming, largely because ofincreasing amounts of greenhouse gases inthe atmosphere?● greenhouse gas emissions from humanactivity make a significant contribution tothis increase?● ignoring the political difficulties, we havethe technical ability to reduce these emissionsglobally, to a level which will ameliorate theadverse effects of the warming?● the economic, social, and environmentalcosts to the global community of doing nothingabout the emissions will be greater in thelong term than the costs of reducing them?Options to respond could be “Highlyunlikely”, “Unlikely”, “Neither likely norunlikely”, “Likely”, and “Highly likely”If a member answers “Unlikely” or “Highlyunlikely” to a question, he or she needanswer no further questions.I think that geologists’ views are particularlyrelevant, given their understanding of thechanges over geological time in thecomposition of the atmosphere and itsimpact on the earth.DON NICHOLSONLarge quantities of CO 2 are tied upin sediments and buried every yearIn Special Report: “The geological dimensionof climate change” (TAG June 2011 p 28-30),Andrew Glickson provided a review ofgeological aspects of climate change, withfocus on CO 2 . He provided estimates for CO 2contents in some geological periods. Forexample in Mid-Miocene the CO 2 content inatmosphere was higher than at present, whilein glacial periods the levels were less thanhalf the present level.What were the processes that resulted in amajor reduction of CO 2 from Mid-Miocene tothe glacial periods?Increased activity of organisms whichremove CO 2 and Ca from sea water to formshells or skeletons, resulting in sedimentationof limestone (for example Mid-MioceneNullarbor Limestone or Darai Limestone inPNG) must have been a contributing factor.In some geological periods thick units ofpure limestone were deposited while in otherperiods the carbonate component in sedimentarypackage is modest, depending onlevels of CO 2 in sea water and other factors.Limestone (= carbonate) sedimentation is justone of the natural processes resulting inremoval of CO 2 from sea water. All sedimentscontain CO 2 in organic matter, which aftermaturation becomes hydrocarbon or coalymatter.Research is needed to provide estimates ofquantities of CO 2 that are being tied up insediments and buried every year.The key questions are whether, due toincrease in CO 2 observed in last 100 years:● more organic matter is accumulatingon lake and sea floor and buried in newsediments?● numbers of organisms removing CO 2 fromsea water are increasing?A lot more research is needed before themain questions of climate science can be‘settled’.JACOB REBEKThe Forgotten Explorers: PioneerGeologists of Western Australia1826-1926. By John Glover andJenny BevanI thank Dr Playfordfor his kindintroductoryremarks (TAGMarch 2011 p 7)about the book TheForgotten Explorers:Pioneer Geologistsof Western Australia1826-1926 byGlover and Bevan(2010). He goes on to say that we were notcorrect in our account of the founding of theGeological Survey of Western Australia, when“stating that it was founded by Andrew GibbMaitland in 1896, whereas it should haveacknowledged Harry Page Woodward to be thefounder, in 1888.” We did not make thestatement attributed to us.We make it clear that Woodward, in 1888,was the first permanent GovernmentGeologist (Glover and Bevan, 2010, p 27,p 40, p 83, p 174), and that he gained twoassistants (p 27, p 83), and that GibbMaitland succeeded him (p 85, p 87). Weemphasise that the Survey achieved its basic,long-lived organisational structure in 1896under Gibb Maitland (Glover and Bevan,2010, p 27, p 87): which is different fromsaying that Gibb Maitland founded theSurvey in 1896. What does Gibb Maitlandhimself say? In a tribute to his predecessorhe observed that “with a very limited staff,and still more limited appropriation, and inspite of the difficulties presented by the vastareas of the State, the Survey under MrWoodward issued 21 reports and six geologicalmaps” (Maitland, AG, 1919). In doing so,he thus indicated the profound differencebetween the operating conditions under hispredecessor and under himself. The influenceand infrastructure of the Survey were rapidlyenhanced and transformed under GibbMaitland and we emphasise that fact.Dr Playford, more than most prominentgeologists, has displayed commendableinterest in the history of geology in thisTAG September 2011|7

State, and has enlightened us with severalpapers on the subject. The outline of thehistory of the Survey in his letter will edifymany readers, but does not support his claimthat we stated that the Survey was foundedby Gibb Maitland in 1896.JOHN GLOVERREFERENCESMaitland, AG 1919. A summary of the geology ofWestern Australia. Geological Survey of WesternAustralia Memoir 1, Chap 1, p 4.Glover, JJE with Bevan, JC 2010. The ForgottenExplorers: Pioneer Geologists of Western Australia.Hesperian Press, Victoria Park.Playford, PE 2011. Founding of the Geological Surveyof Western Australia. TAG, 158, p 7.Response by John Veevers(Macquarie University) to BradPillans’ topic for discussionBrad Pillans (TAG June 2011) asks why weare not prepared to take responsibility for theresultant waste of the uranium exported fromAustralia.I discussed this issue in TAG 112, September1999 (www.eps.mq.edu.au/media/veevers1.htm) when Pangea Resources Australia (aliasBritish Nuclear Fuels) sought permission todump high-level RADwaste in the Australianoutback. My counter-arguments focussed onthe risks of exposing the biosphere to nuclearcontamination over the next 10 000 years.1. Risk to the oceans from transport ofnuclear waste. Misadventure at sea, thoughwith a very small but real risk, could lead toglobal catastrophe.2. Earthquakes. The risk from earthquakescannot be ruled out, a topic detailed by MikeSandiford (www.choosenuclearfree.net/australia-as-the-worlds-nuclear-waste-dump): “Some places in Australia are surprisinglygeologically active. We occasionally getbig earthquakes in Australia (up to aboutmagnitude 7) and the big ones have tendedto occur in somewhat unexpected places likeTennant Creek...The occurrences of suchearthquakes imply that we still have much tolearn about our earthquake activity. From thepoint of view of long-term waste disposalthis is very important, since prior to the 1988(M 6.8) quake, Tennant Creek might havebeen viewed as one of the most appropriateparts of the continent for a storage facility.”Perversely, this is in the very region, atMuckaty, 120 km N of Tennant Creek, thatthe Commonwealth government has fingeredfor a national low- to middle-level RADwastestore against the wishes of the NorthernTerritory government and many of thetraditional owners.3. Movement of groundwater. This isunknowable over the next 10 000 years ofthe Anthropocene.4. Do not concentrate. Since 1982, the UScongress has voted US$13.5 billion onresearching the Yucca Mountain (Nevada)site; the project money was discontinued thisyear. In describing what went wrong, Ewingand von Hippel (2009, Science, 325, 151-152)identified (1) a geologically complex sitechosen because it is arid and remote(cf Tennant Creek). (2) changing performancestandard: in 2008 the new standard extendedthe proposed regulatory period from 10 000years to 1 000 000 years. (3) an unreliablefunding source: annual congressionalappropriations. (4) management failures bythe Department of Energy. (5) attempt tooverride local public and political opposition(cf Tennant Creek). “For projects that willtake decades to complete, sustained localopposition has every chance of prevailing.The successful siting efforts in Scandinaviahave involved local communities in thedecision-making process and given them aveto at each stage. Also, the communitiesthat have finally volunteered to hostrepositories already have nuclear powerplants, are comfortable with nucleartechnology, and have an interest in helpingto find a path forward from surface storageto underground disposal...The states thathave spent nuclear fuel should be providedwith the means and motivation fordeveloping acceptable interim storage sites orgeological repositories.” The British NuclearDecommissioning Authority has the samepolicy: “Development of a GeologicalDisposal Facility requires both a willinglocal community and a suitable geology.”(www.nda.gov.uk).Australia’s nuclear destiny is not to be adump but to lead the world in exploitingnatural nuclear-powered geothermalresources (eg www.agea.org.au;www.geodynamics.com.au; newworldenergy.com.au; petratherm.com.au).JOHN VEEVERSAndrew Glikson's Special Report [TAG 159]is an interesting document. Its thesis may becorrect, that because of our misdeeds we areall fated to simmer in a carbonic stew.Be that as it may, there is a touch of "theend justifies the means" about the article.His use of language is interesting. He uses‘climate change’ when he means ‘globalwarming’."Climate change can be geologically regardedas a global oxygenation event…"No it can't because climate change meansjust that, a change in climate whether thatchange is towards a warmer, cooler, wetter,drier or windier climate.In fact he means an increase in carbondioxide levels which could well be regardedas an oxidation event and which may, ormay not, be related to a change in globalclimate in some direction.He might also buy himself some argumentswith his suggestion that carbon dioxide hasa atmospheric residence time of “centuriesto millenia”.There are more than several researchers whosuggest five to 15 years is more likely, forinstance Essenhigh (2009). We can thereforeconclude that the question of residence timeis not yet settled [see also http://www.co2science.org/articles/V12/N31/EDIT.php].However it is his Figure 2 that I would liketo examine more closely.Mr. Glikson quotes its source ashttp://www.extremeweatherheroes.org/science-of-extreme-weather/globalevidence.aspxand indeed it can be foundthere. It is an unrefereed climate doomistsite backed by Green Cross Australia.Its backers may have their hearts in theright place but it's probably not a reputablesource of climate data. Monckton gets pilloriedfor obtaining data from similar sources.Extremeweatherheroes claims that thefigure was obtained from a WHO-relatedorganisation, CRED [the Centre for Researchon the Epidemiology of Disasters;http://www.cred.be/].I had a poke around in CRED's website andfound articles with similar figures but noneexactly the same as Figure 2. It could be inthere though.Anyway, back to Figure 2.It purports to show that between 1980and 2000 there was a slight increase inearthquakes but a massive increase incyclones and floods.I'll deal with earthquakes first. Accordingto the USGS there are several millionearthquakes a year of which approximately20 000/year are located.The number of earthquakes located eachyear is rising due to the increasing numberof seismograph stations around the world[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/increase_in_earthquakes.php].So the slight rise in earthquakes from 1980to 2000 can be attributed to our increasingability to locate them.8 | TAG September 2011

Okay then, let's look at cyclones. The graphshows a dramatic increase in cyclonefrequency from 1980 to 2000.What evidence backs this up?None from the Australian Bureau ofMeteorology. BOM data show a decrease incyclone frequency in the Australian regionbetween 1970 and 2002[http://www.bom.gov.au/info/climate/change/gallery/49.shtml andhttp://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/iwtc/documentation/TC_Clim_excerpts.pdf].There has been a similar decrease inAtlantic hurricanes according to Landseaand others [1996; http://www.columbia.edu/itc/journalism/cases/katrina/Academic%20Journals/Geophysical%20Research%20Letters/Landsea%20GRL%2096.pdf]In fact there is concern that the decreasingnumber of hurricanes affecting the USA willlead to an increase in air pollution [http://www.environment.harvard.edu/docs/faculty_pubs/jacob_sensitivity.pdf].Globally the frequency of tropical cyclonesseems to be at a 40-year low [http://www.coaps.fsu.edu/~maue/tropical/2011GL047711-pip.pdf and http://theclimatetruth.org/science/observations-extreme-weather/tropical-cyclones/], quite the opposite ofwhat Figure 2 suggests.Then there are floods. Are floods increasingin frequency?Figure 2 suggests yes. Queenslanders mightsay yes but evidence available from BOMsuggests no, and that recent SE Queenslandfloods were nothing out of the ordinary[http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/fld_history/brisbane_history.shtml].Global data for the period 1985–2003 fromthe Dartmouth Flood Observatory showsnothing extraordinary, just business as usual[http://www.dartmouth.edu/~floods/archiveatlas/severitygraph.htm].Should there be an increase in floods ifwarming is occurring? Huang and others[2007] say no, at least not for a good partof China. In fact they state that...“Our datashow that the last three episodes of overbankflooding, including the catastrophicfloods recorded in literature, coincide withthe cold-dry stages during the late Holocene.During these three episodes there were notonly catastrophic floods, but also extremedroughts over the middle and lower reachesof the Yellow River drainage basin".So what are we to make of Mr Glikson'sarticle? Heartfelt? Probably.Free and easy with the facts? Readers canmake their minds up.GREG KEELEYREFERENCESEssenhigh, RE 2009, Potential dependence of globalwarming on the residence time (RT) in the atmosphereof anthropogenically sourced carbon dioxide. Energy &Fuels, Vol 23, p 2773-2784.Huang, CC, Pang, J, Zha, X, Su, H, Jia, Y & Zhu, Y 2007.Impact of monsoonal climatic change on Holoceneoverbank flooding along Sushui River, middle reach ofthe Yellow River, China. Quaternary Science Reviews,Vol 26, p 2247–2264.Landsea, CW, Nicholls, N, Gray, WM & Avila, LA 1996.Downward trends in the frequency of intense Atlantichurricanes during the past five decades. GeophysicalResearch Letters, Vol 23, p 1697- 1700.Response by Andrew GliksonGreg Keeley questions [A] the reality of anincrease in extreme weather events; [B] thelongevity of CO 2 in the atmospheric and [C]the terms ‘climate change’ vs ‘global warming’.[A]: Webster et al (2005) reported an increasein the frequency of intense category 4 and 5hurricanes, stating “The largest increaseoccurred in the North Pacific, Indian, andSouthwest Pacific Oceans, and the smallestpercentage increase occurred in the NorthAtlantic Ocean. These increases have takenplace while the number of cyclones andcyclone days has decreased in all basinsexcept the North Atlantic during the pastdecade” [1] A similar trend displaying anincrease in intensity and decrease infrequency of Australian region cyclones wasrecently reported by CSIRO in the submissionClimate change: the latest science [2]“Stronger tropical cyclones, with uncertaintyabout changes in frequency. Larger oceanicstorm surges, superimposed on sea-level rise”,consistent with rising ocean temperaturesand the intensification of the hydrologicalcycle. Penny Whetton indicates a “likelihoodof tropical cyclones decreasing in frequencybut increasing in intensity since 2007” [3].The information reported in the Bureau ofMeteorology site [4] referred to in my articleis consistent with reports, for example(1) datasets reported by The MunichRe-Insurance report, indicating the numberof extreme weather events around the world(cyclones/hurricanes, destructive storms,floods, heat waves, droughts and fires) hasincreased from 340 per year to near-800 peryear during 1980–2008 [5]; (2) Frich et al2010 [6] stating “We can conclude thata significant proportion of the globalland area was increasingly affected by asignificant change in climatic extremesduring the second half of the 20th century”and many other reports.[B]: Where carbon is continuously recycledbetween the land, atmosphere and ocean,the residence time of each given CO 2molecule is on the order of a few years, ie4–10 years [7], but cumulative additions ofCO 2 have atmospheric residence time ordersof magnitude longer, as is clear from(1) long-term CO 2 variations, studied forexample by Royer et al (2004), Berner(2004) [8]; (2) the cumulative rise ofatmospheric CO 2 since the 18th centuryfrom ~280 to 393 ppm [9], and (3)calculations of the long-term effects ofCO 2 by Solomon (2009), Eby et al [10] andothers. The effects of atmospheric CO 2according to Planck’s, Boltzmann andKirchhoff laws of black body radiationand Arrhenius, Chandler and Keeling’sobservations are reported in the peer-reviewliterature, as summarised in [11].[C]: The term “oxygenation” relates to therise in combustion of fossil fuels whichdrives global warming [7, 11]. Globalwarming trends can include transientregional reversals related to the collapseof the North Atlantic Thermohalinecurrent, cf during the Younger dryas(12 900 – 11 400 years ago) and theHolocene Optimum 8 200 years-ago whenGreenland and Laurentian ice meltingresulted in transient cooling of the NorthAtlantic.For a comprehensive update on the state ofthe climate refer to Steffen, 2011 [12].ANDREW GLIKSONAustralian National UniversityREFERENCES[1] Science, 309 5742, 1844–1846. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/309/5742/1844.full[2] http://www.csiro.au/files/files/pp3c.pdf[3] http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nationalaffairs/fewer-more-intense-cyclones-on-the-waycsiro/story-fn59niix-1226033652833[4] http://www.extremeweatherheroes.org/scienceof-extremeweather/global-evidence.aspx[5] https://www.munichre.com/touch/login/en/service/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/touch/publications/en/list/default.aspx?id=1060&cookiequery=firstcall (as this sitecan only be accessed by subscription, refer to Figure 7in my article at http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2738910.html[6] Frich et al. Observed coherent changes in climaticextremes during the second half of the twentiethCentury http://academic.research.microsoft.com/Paper/3476993.aspx[7] Craig, 2010. The Natural Distribution ofRadiocarbon and the Exchange Time of Carbon DioxideBetween Atmosphere and Sea. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2153-3490.1957.tb01848.x/abstract[8] cf Royer et al, 2004. CO 2 as a primary driver ofPhanerozoic climate". GSA Today 14 (3): 4-10; Berner,2004. http://www.holisticpage.com.au/PhanerozoicCarbonCycle:Co2&O2_Berner%7C9780195173338[9] Climate change and trace gases. Hansen et al,2007, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. 365, 1925–1954TAG September 2011|9

[10] Solomon, 2009. PNAS. 106, 6, 1704-1709; Eby etal, 2009; Eby et al, 2009 (J Clim, 22, 2501-2511(eby.2009.long_tail (1).pdf).[11] http://www.aip.org/history/climate/co2.htm.[12] http://climatecommission.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/4108-CC-Science-WEB_3-June.pdfPeople drive climate: yes or no?Phillip Playford (TAG 159) wants GSA toask “whether or not members agree thatsignificant global warming has resultedfrom increasing levels of human-inducedCO 2 ”. The wording of the question will becrucial — because there is now so muchscientific baggage attached.On 21 June 2010, a paper “Expert credibilityin climate change” was posted on-line, priorto publication in the high-impact US journalProceedings of the National Academyof Sciences. Its authors were WilliamRL Anderegg, James W Prall, Jacob Haroldand Stephen H Schneider. An indicativequote from this PNAS paper’s abstract is:“Here, we use an extensive dataset of 1372climate researchers and their publication andcitation data to show that 97-98% of theclimate researchers most actively publishingin the field support the tenet of ACC[anthropogenic climate change] outlined bythe Inter-governmental Panel on ClimateChange…”The text, similarly asserting a people-drivenclimate, begins: “Preliminary reviews ofscientific literature and surveys of climatescientists indicate striking agreement withthe primary conclusions of the [IPCC];anthropogenic greenhouse gases have beenresponsible for “most” of the “unequivocal”warming of the Earth’s average globaltemperature over the second half of the20th century”.Obviously, IPCC is driving scientificconsensus; but what is it saying?IPCC’s Third Assessment Report waslaunched in Shanghai on 21 January 2001.Sir John Houghton stood at the podium witha giant blow-up behind him. This graphshowed 1000 years of Northern Hemispheresurface temperatures — comprising 900 yearsof gentle and featureless cooling, followed bya 100 years of abrupt warming. IPCC hadabolished the Mediaeval Warm Period —when Norse grain-growers colonisedGreenland. Also gone was the subsequentseries of Little Ice Age cold periods —including the Maunder Minimum(1645–1715), when it is said a third thepopulation of Europe perished from bubonicplague, hunger, and wars about food. IPCChad rewritten history.On 5 February 2007, IPCC released theSummary for Policymakers for “ClimateChange 2007: The Physical Science Basis”,with a table (Figure SPM-2) of “RadiativeForcing Components” showing that since 1750anthropogenic CO 2 had provided x13.8 morewarming as had the transition from the ‘quietSun’ of the Maunder Minimum to the ‘hyperactiveSun’ of the Modern Grand Maximum.Climate-wise, the Sun was irrelevant.But there is more to come. The MGM isnow over; and if the Sun keeps playing bythe rules, the next Little Ice Age cold period(Landscheidt Minimum) will be fullydeveloped by 2030. There will be morepeople to feed in 2030, than back in thekilling Maunder. But remember, CO 2 isTHE crucial plant food.In the same issue of TAG as the Playfordletter, Andrew Glikson wrote: “What isneeded are urgent measures including deepcuts in carbon emissions and drawdown ofatmospheric CO 2 ...The alternative does notbear contemplation”.Just add: “Do you agree with this statement— yes or no?”BOB FOSTERfosbob@bigpond.comEditor Note: Given internet reference are becomemore common, we are asking authors to usenumbered endnote references. They are to belisted separately to journal references in thenormal AJES format.IntroducingTaylor & Francis Onlinethe new journals andreference work platform forTaylor & Francis, designedin collaboration withlibrarians, researchers,and scholars.Access over 1600 journals and reference workswith our new platform, featuring:■ An intuitive, easy-to-navigate layout withenhanced search options to help you quickly findthe research of most interest to you■ A selection of alerting tools to make sure you’rethe first to hear about the latest content■ Access knowledge on the move with Blackberry,iPhone and Android apps, coming soon■ A wealth of features to help librariansmanage their accountStart your access now.View the new website at:www.tandfonline.comAustralian Journal of Earth SciencesiFirstiFirst is Taylor & Francis’ proprietary early onlinepublicationsystem, which makes new knowledge availableto researchers in the shortest possible time.iFirst reduces the time from article submission to publication, makingpapers available for authors and readers earlier and for longer.These papers can be published online through iFirst as soon as theproduction process is complete, ensuring submission-to-publicationtimes are shortened. iFirst articles published with page spans can becited as usual, because all final publication information (publicationyear, volume number, page spans) is already available. iFirst articlespublished as “Forthcoming Articles” can be cited using their DOIs,in addition to the article and journal titles.To view accepted articles on the AJES website clickon the iFirst icon on the right hand side of the website:www.ajes.com.auJournal AlertsYou can subscribe to journal alerts to keep up-to-date with AJES andmany similar journal titles available from Taylor & Francis.To register for this free service visit:www.informaworld.com/alerting10 | TAG September 2011

SocietyUpdateFrom the AJES Hon Editor’s DeskJournal rankingsThe 2010 Impact factor for AJES of 1.278 was released on 29June 2011. The Impact Factor represents the average number ofcitations in 2010 per AJES paper published in volumes 55(2008) and 56 (2009), up from 1.109 in 2009. AJES has alsoincreased its ranking in the Geoscience, Multidisciplinarysubject group to 84/165 up from 89/152 in 2009.The ERA Journal Rankings and the 2012 review of them, asreported in the last TAG, have been abandoned by ARC. Whilethe announcement by the Minister, Kim Carr, did not go intoreasons for abandoning the public process, it did state that theproposal review panels would be given advice on how to rankpublications. ARC will continue to make judgments on journalquality, but these will be subject to speculation and rumorrather than A*, A, B and C. Whether this is a more or lesssatisfactory outcome, is a matter of perspective.Upgrading of AJES websiteAs announced in the last issue of TAG the new online platform,Taylor & Francis Online (www.tandfonline.com) that includesAJES, is now up and running. Supplementary papers for Volume58 onwards can now be accessed on the platform as well as theGSA website. You can also see the citations to papers.One of the features of the new website is a list of the topdownloaded papers (Most read) and the top AJES papers bycitation (Most cited). Click More to see a more extensive list.The Most cited are based on all citations to the papers in thepast three years while the Most Read list is based on thenumber of downloads since the new website was launched.Some new features (mobile sites for use with smartphones oriPad and enhanced multimedia capabilities) will beprogressively implemented over the next few months.Upcoming in AJESThe final two issues for Volume 58 are thematic issues. Issuenumber 7, edited by Charles Butt and Bill Birch (see article inthis issue of TAG), is a series of papers written in tribute to thelate Ernie Nickel by some of his many colleagues. Ernie was aninternationally recognised mineralogist who started a long andproductive career in Canada before moving to CSIRO in Perthin 1971. Throughout his career and his long and productiveretirement, Ernie demonstrated the importance of fundamentalscience to applied research. The breadth of papers in thisvolume ranges from pure to applied mineralogy, from Earthmaterials to mineral processing, and demonstrates the impactof Ernie’s scientific papers and his role as a mentor andcollaborator.Issue number 8, edited by BarryMurphy, is a series of papers bymembers of the Predictive MineralDiscovery CRC (pmd*CRC; www.pmdcrc.com.au ).The pmd* CRC was conceived by industry in partnership withthe geological community to focus research on issues that areof critical importance to ore discovery, with the aim ofgenerating a fundamental shift in exploration practice throughimproved understanding of mineralising processes and a 4Dunderstanding of the evolution of the geology of mineralisedterrains. The Mount Isa terrain was one of the targeted terrainsand the papers in this issue of AJES showcase the pmd*CRCapproach and outcomes. Several of these papers are availableon-line in preprint form on the AJES website.AJES Vol 58/8 Thematic Volume:Predictive Mineral Discoveryin The Mount Isa Inlier(Scheduled Publication Date 28 November 2011)FC Murphy: PrefaceFC Murphy, Kendrick, L Aillères, B Jupp, J McLellan,MJ Rubenach, C Laukamp, NHS Oliver, IG Roy, K Gessner,FP Bierlein, JL Walshe, JS Cleverley & LJ Hutton: Mineralsystem analysis of the Mt Isa–McArthur River region,Northern Australia.*K Gessner: Hot lithosphere at Mount Isa: Implications forProterozoic tectonics and mineralisation.*FP Bierlein, R Maas & J Woodhead: Pre-1.8 GaTectono-Magmatic Evolution of the Kalkadoon-LeichhardtBelt - Implications for the Crustal Architecture andMetallogeny of the Mt Isa Inlier, northwest Queensland,Australia.*C Laukamp, T Cudahy, M Thomas, M Jones, JS Cleverley &NHS Oliver: Hydrothermal mineral alteration patterns in theMount Isa Inlier revealed by airborne hyperspectral data.*AR Wilde: The Mount Isa Copper Orebodies – ImprovingPredictive Discovery.*published on-lineANITA ANDREWHon Editor AJESAJES.Editor@gsa.org.auTAG September 2011|11

SocietyUpdateEducation&Outreach2011 is rushing by and the second half of the schoolyear has commenced. While it is business as usual inschools around the country many educators arealready starting to think about next year and the yearafter as the prospect of a national curriculum starts tobecome a reality.At the Conference of the Australian Science TeachersAssociation in Darwin, held in the mid-semester break, there wasmuch talk by teachers visiting the GSA booth about thescience curriculum and how the national curriculum wouldoblige teachers to brush up on Earth Sciences. This wassomething of a surprise to me as the final version of the P-10curriculum had less Earth Science than the draft we commentedon and much less than we had hoped for based on that draft.Indeed, the final version was not that much different to manyexisting state-based curriculum documents, so what hadchanged in teachers minds?In recent years the focus of professional development inschools has been on just about anything other than subjectcontent. Pedagogy, literacy and numeracy and of course studentmanagement and assessment have all been at the forefront oftraining and retraining for teachers but new developments inscience or refresher training in science — or other subjects forthat matter — have been in short supply. With a new curriculumlooming, teachers’ minds have refocused on content and withthat focus a recognition amongst many of them that they haveeither not kept up with developments in the fields of sciencethey teach or that some fields, such as Earth Science, are areaswithin the curriculum that they have never really had a goodgrasp on.Perhaps the advent of a national curriculum for science,even though it is less than ideal with respect to Earth Sciencecontent, has been a good thing anyway. From the conversationsthat I was part of in Darwin it seems that many teachers arerealising they are in need of training orretraining so that they can teach the EarthScience components effectively. Also, in thepast many teachers have either ignored or onlypaid lip-service to the Earth Science sections,sometimes relegating them to post-assessmentclasses at the end of the year or simply not teaching them at allif their class time is used up before they get to them. Theprospect of a national curriculum also seems to be makingteachers at least feel more accountable about how they willdeliver this ‘new’ content.In the meantime the Year 11–12 Earth and EnvironmentalScience curriculum document has been revised by theAustralian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority(ACARA) and another round of consultation with selectedteachers is underway. It will be interesting to see just how muchhas changed since the first draft.ACARA also continues to work on other areas of theational curriculum. Calls for consultation are currently open withrespect to Cross-Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities inEducation. See http://consultation.australiancurriculum.edu.au/for more. Also of relevance is the ACARA release of the Shape ofthe Australian Curriculum: Geography statement.See http://www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/geography.htmlI urge everyone with an interest in education to at leastreview this material. The changes ACARA make in response tofeedback are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape thefuture of education in this country.GREG McNAMARAGeoscience Education and Outreach ServicesSend all comments to Greg McNamara atoutreach@gsa.org.auDo youknow yourGeologist?Hint:The year is 1985,the place WesternAustralia.(Answer page 39).12 | TAG September 2011

SocietyUpdateStratigraphic ColumnUnit definitions – why do we need them?For a lot for us, geological maps or GIS data layers are thebasis for knowing which geological units occur where, andif the units are each of quite distinctive lithology, andknown age, this may seem to be sufficient. However, manyAustralian units cannot be distinguished this simply or definitely.Geological mapping will always involve some inference andextrapolation, based on integration of the best currentknowledge, but for the ‘next generation’ map to be better thanthe last, it can be crucial to have a clear understanding of whatis known, and what is not. This is where unit definitions can beused to sort out apparent conflicts.If the age of a unit has been inferred, from the assumptionthat cross-cutting dykes are the same age as a dyke dated ahundred kilometres away in another unit, then there is certainlyscope for new data to lead to a significantly different ageinterpretation. If the age of the unit is based on direct dating ofthe unit, or multiple tightly constrained unit relationships at thetype section, then new data are more likely to lead to betterprecision than significant change. A unit definition can explainhow the age was arrived at, in a way that cannot easily beshown on a map.Australia has many units of mixed lithology like the Tarongbeds for example (sandstone, shale, coal, conglomerate), whichoccur quite near other units of similar mixed lithology like theMarburg Subgroup (sandstone, conglomerate, siltstone,claystone, coal, basalt) (in Queensland). Unit definitions make itclear that these Triassic and Jurassic units can be distinguishedby palynology, but it is often not that easy to determine whatdistinguishes one unit from another by reading a map key.Geomorphic expression can be another good way ofdistinguishing units in some areas, but is rarely mentioned inmap legends.Especially in areas of poor outcrop or structural complexity(or both), a unit definition can explain the basis for grouping ordistinguishing certain outcrops. It becomes important to have atype section, to know where unit boundaries can be seen (ornot), to have as full an accounting as possible of whatdistinguishes one unit from another. Geochemical andgeophysical character are becoming increasingly important injustifying inference and extrapolation about unit distribution.Some of this can be shown on a map, but the distinctionbetween fact and inference is often blurred, especially wheremap legends use data from outside the area covered by the mapin question (not uncommon in ‘basement geology’ maps forexample).New unit definitions do not have to be perfect or ‘complete’.Their purpose is to explain why a unit was established (orretained), what is known (and what is not known) about it, howit is distinguished from nearby units, why it might be correlatedwith others, and where a typical example may be observed (thetype section or type area). This information can then be used asthe basis for further work to better define the unit, to furthersubdivide it, or in a few cases, to later abandon it throughcorrelation with another pre-existing unit.A Unit Definition form is available through the StratigraphyCommission web pages listed below and Commission membersare available for advice on content, peer review and approval.Ideally unit definitions should be the first publication of a newname, to clearly establish its meaning. Whether this is possibleor not, approved definitions can also be sent to ASUD databasestaff, for inclusion in the database. Definitions are then availablethrough the ASUD search pages. The latest published definitionor redefinition will take precedence over anything different inthe ASUD database, but in the absence of a published definition,any Stratigraphy Commission approved definition, available inthe ASUD database, may be useful.Make your mark. Define a stratigraphic unit!CATHY BROWNNational Convener, Australian Stratigraphy Commissioncathy.brown@ga.gov.au or cathyeb@netspeed.com.auOther Stratigraphy Commission contacts are available at:http://www.gsa.org.au/management/standing_committee.html or throughhttp://www.ga.gov.au/products-services/data-applications/reference-databases/stratigraphic-units.htmlCongratulationsJo!Dr Joe McCall, formerly of University of WesternAustralia and the Western Australian Museum,who at 91 after 20 years is still an editor of theGeoscientist and active in other challenging writing,was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of theGeological Society of London for 2011 at theirPresident's Day on 8 June 2011.TAG September 2011|13

SocietyUpdateHeritage MattersCurrently, in Australia it can be said that there is no leadorganisation actively promoting geoconservation forscience and education or integration of the geological andbiological sciences as a holistic approach to land management.Land management administrators, often biologists, are focused onbiological aspects of the environment and tend to overlook theconservation of geological sites and monuments. To those whohave not been trained in the Geological or Earth Sciences, it isoften thought that biological sites are more vulnerable to changeor threat than geoscience sites but while biotic nature is at leastcapable of some adjustment to change, for the abiotic this is oftennot the case — eg many sites of geoheritage significance are offinite extent, and cannot adjust to development or retain theirintrinsic value, and they are not renewable.The 34th IGC 2012 provides a unique opportunity tomeet/converse with the World’s leading geoheritage practitioners,in association with past and present Standing CommitteeConvenors, and Society Members with an interest in geoheritageto discuss future directions which can potentially lead to a moreactive and representative role in promoting geological science andeducation and, for Australia, new educational partnerships, andemployment growth areas for geologists in the Earth Sciences.To this end, the GSA Executive has agreed to underwrite thetravel expenses of a number of internationally recognisedprofessionals who are arguably the worlds “movers and shakers” ingeoconservation and the promotion of the science of geoheritage.Sponsorship was sought because current economic conditions inEurope pose difficulties for these leading workers in this field tocome to Australia. This will provide certainty in planning thegeoheritage component of the 34th IGC, and provide anopportunity to plan further presentations and workshops/discussions of future directions in inventory-based identificationand conservation of sites of geoheritage significance.Three geoscientist/geoheritage practitioners (who could not ormay not have otherwise attended) were put forward. They are:José Brilha (Portugal)Co-convenor Methodology and Inventory-based Assessments inGeoheritage: contrasting large and small countries: SouthAmerica, Australia, Antarctica, (China, India, South Africa),compared with New Zealand, Ireland, UK, France, Italy.José is an Associate Professor at the University of Minho(Portugal) and has been working on geoconservation in Portugaland abroad for the past 13 years. He is Editor-in-Chief ofGeoheritage, the first international peer-reviewed journaldedicated to geoconservation, published since 2009 by Springer.He is also a member of the Geoheritage IUGS Task Group andmember of the Executive Committee of ProGEO (The EuropeanAssociation for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage).Lars Erikstad (Norway)Co-convenor Sustainable use of Geoheritage: geodiversity,education. Comparing opportunities for geoconservation ininternationally protected World Heritage Properties and Geoparks,and by local planning authorities.Lars is a geographer from the Norwegian Institute for NatureResearch (NINA) and holds a secondary position as a researcher inthe Natural History Museum, University of Oslo. He is theExecutive Secretary of ProGEO. From 1979 to 1986 Lars worked atthe Norwegian Ministry of Environment in nature conservationwith special emphasis on conservation of geological heritage. In1986 he worked at NINA as a Research Scientist onmultidisciplinary landscape analysis including geoheritage, GISand environmental impact assessments. (Lars has since beenoffered sponsorship by the Norwegian Natural History Museum.)William Wimbledon (Wales)Co-convenor and Keynote Speaker for the session “Assessment,conservation and management of Geosites of National andInternational significance”Bill is the President of ProGEO and is a Senior Geologist withthe Countryside Council for Wales (http://www.ccw.gov.uk/about-ccw.aspx), and a Research Fellow at Bristol University.Bill has always worked in geoheritage and has contributedlandmark initiatives in promoting successful inventory-basedgeoconservation, both within the United Kingdom (through theGCR in the United Kingdom since 1977) and globally, since the1990s, with inventory-based programmes such as Geosites(A Global Indicative List of Geological Sites [GILGES]) throughUNESCO, the IUCN, the IUGS and ProGEO. In my view, Bill deservesto be described as the “father of geoconservation”. I have includeda link to his CV (http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/personnel/wimbledon/wapw.html), and Wimbledon et al, (2001), forinformation summarised in this column.For information on the 2012 IGC being held in Brisbane 5-10August, see http://www.34igc.org/congress-registration.phpFor a limited time Super Early Bird group registration is $850 perdelegate, available to groups of three to 20 delegates from thesame organisation.MARGARET BROCXgeoheritage@iinet.net.auREFERENCESWimbledon, WAP, Ishchenko, AA, Gerasimenko, NP, Karis, LO, Suominen, V,Johansson, CE & Freden C 2001, IUGS’s GEOSITES initiative: science supported byconservation. In: Barettino, D, Wimbledon WAP & Gallego, E (Eds.) GeologicalHeritage: its conservation and management. p. 69-94. Proceedings of the MadridIIIrd International Symposium on the Conservation of Geological Heritage.14 | TAG September 2011

News from the Divisions TAG September 2011|15HEDG (Hunter EarthSciencesDiscussion Group)HEDG Pokolbin trip:The view from Tallavera Grove Estate.On Sunday 3 July 2011 the Hunter EarthSciences Discussion Group (HEDG; run by theGSA Hunter Branch) hosted a field trip toPokolbin, taking in the best of the Huntervineyards. Luckily for us, the complex qualityof the wines in the area was matched by theremarkable local geology. The plan was tothoroughly examine the strong link betweenPermian geology and local viticulture, and tofinish by examining the enigmaticCarboniferous rocks of the Mount View –Mount Bright Inlier. A good turnout of 30adventurous souls on the tour were initiallydisappointed by a thick fog, which finallyyielded before lunch to reveal a beautifulwinter’s day shining on the rolling green hillsand vineyards.We started with a tour of Tallavera GroveEstate led by owner Dr John Davis, a SydneyUni Geology alumni and Petroleum industryrefugee who now owns and runs threerenowned Hunter wineries. He gave us anoverview of the local geology and soil profiledevelopment. The vineyards on the TallaveraHEDG Pokolbin tripABOVE: Wine tasting and geology at Tallavera Grove Estate, led by owner Dr John Davis.BELOW: The view from Tallavera Grove Estate. Images courtesy John Greenfield.Grove Estate are underlain by mudstone,siltstone and fossiliferous limestone of thePermian Rutherford Formation (DalwoodGroup). These rocks represent an earlyshallow-marine depositional phase of thethen-nascent Sydney Basin. John pointed outthat the sought-after reddish soils (perfectfor Shiraz grapes) are actually developed onlimestone units of the Rutherford Formation,not, as commonly reported, on basaltic rocks.The resulting terra-rossa soil profile (thinkCoonawarra, SA) has a double layer of claythat can retain some moisture yet still drainsvery well. John then treated us to a specialwine-tasting that was the perfect appetiserfor a cooked lunch at Briar Ridge Estate.After lunch we headed up to Mount BrightLookout, part of the Mount View – MountBright Inlier which represents a tectonicpop-up window into the New EnglandOrogen. Several sites in the Mount ViewRange were visited to examine ignimbriticrhyolite (Mount Bright Lookout), theBimbadeen basalt, and conglomeraterepresenting the early rifting-stage of theSydney Basin, and gently dipping sandstonesof the Dalwood Group. To track the geologywe had two useful local sources — theoriginal inlier mapping by Albert Brakel(Brakel 1972) and more recent mapping byEdwin Willey (Willey 2010) from theUniversity of Southern Queensland.A big thank you to John Davis for hisinvitation to Tallavera Grove Estate, and thefollowing staff at the Geological Survey ofNew South Wales: Dr Phil Blevin forupdating us with the latest research onthe Mount View Range Granodiorite, PaulFlitcroft for digitising the geology map ofWilley (2010), Simone Meakin for editingthe guide, Trisha Moriarty for preparinginformation cards for the field, andespecially Phil Gilmore for organising alllogistics, writing the guide, and leadingmost of the stops.JOHN GREENFIELDHunter Valley GSA BranchREFERENCESBrakel, AT 1972. Geology of the Mount View District,Pokolbin, NSW. Journal of the Royal Society of NewSouth Wales, Vol 105, p 61-70.Willey, EC 2010. Pokolbin Inliers – a restraining bendpositive flower: implications for timing of the Hunter-Bowen Orogeny. New England Orogen Conference2010, University of New England, Armidale.

Hunter ValleyTime-scales of magma evolution beneathisland arc volcanoesA good turnout of 47 people attended thethird HEDG presentation of 2011, held onWednesday 1 June at Customs House. Thespeaker was Professor Simon Turner, aFederation Fellow in Isotopic Geochemistry atMacquarie University. Simon’s talk focused onhis research speciality, short-lived U-seriesisotope studies, which have come a long wayin the last ten years, especially in the developmentof new mass spectrometry techniques tomeasure the more obscure decay products ofuranium, such as radium and polonium. Thishas enabled Simon to date magmaticprocesses at the scale of days to thousandsof years.Simon Turner.Image courtesyMacquarieUniversity.It is a significant breakthrough for the field ofgeology, but has applications to many otherdisciplines. For those of us who study ancientrocks, it was a scary reminder of how quicklyisotopic systems can get out of equilibrium,and how fast partial melts and gases canescape their source regions. He was alsoable to cast light on one of life's greatmysteries, ie, why is it that daughters are indisequilibrium with their parents.Upcoming HEDG activitiesTuesday 11 OctoberEarth Science Week presentation2011 theme ‘Our ever-changing Earth’Dr Silvia Frisia (University of Newcastle)“From Icehouse to greenhouse to icehouse:what is ‘normal’ in Earth’s climate?”Tuesday 29 NovemberHonours students research projectsVictoriaGSAV Student ScholarshipRecipientThanks to the support of a GSAV StudentScholarship I was able to attend one of themajor conferences in the Earth Sciences: theInternational Union of Geodesy andAndrea Giuliani,Ph D Student,University ofMelbourne.Image courtesyChiara Mattioli.Reproduced withpermission fromthe VictorianGeologist.Geophysics General Assembly. On the third dayof the conference I gave an oral presentationabout mantle petrology and geochemistry, andhad reasonably good success. The room waspretty large so it was hard to envisage thenumber of delegates that attended my talk(40-50?), but I received many questions, evenafter the session ended. It was very pleasantto have top-class mantle petrologists (theones you just know for the articles and booksthey have published) come to me saying thatI was studying one of the most difficultmantle rocks ever investigated!The same day of the oral presentation I was topresent a poster related to my Master’s thesis.Unfortunately, there was an error on theprogram (one of several) and the sessionabout my poster had been held the day before.However, I could hang my poster on anotherday at my discretion. Considering that it wasabout thermometamorphic granites, I decidedto join the ‘magmatic chambers’ session. My‘unexpected’ poster was not a great success,and only a couple of delegates came to askquestions and share ideas. However, it wasgood to discover that the convenors of the‘magmatic chambers’ session were preparing avolume about the topic, providing a chance toprepare a manuscript with the unpublisheddata of my Master’s thesis.After that, I spent the remaining days of theconference attending interesting symposia onvolcanology and igneous petrology. Also,I had constructive chats with some mantlepetrologists who helped me realise theimportance of some of my findings. So for methe 2011 IUGG conference has not only been aplace to feel part of the scientific community,but above all it has given me many ideas onhow to improve my own research whilerealising the good results I have obtainedso far. Attending conferences helps youngstudents entering the world of science andI am grateful to the GASV for supporting myattendance at the 2011 IUGG conference.ANDREA GIULIANIUniversity of Melbourne6th Sprigg Symposium‘Unravelling the Northern Flinders and Beyond’Thursday 1 December 2011Mawson Lecture Theatre, University of Adelaide SAThe Sprigg Symposium is run by the Geological Society of Australia SA Branch and is held in recognitionof the contributions Dr Reginald Sprigg has made towards many aspects of geology in South Australia.Call for presenters for 20 minute oral presentations and postersFor further information go to http://www.sa.gsa.org.au/or contact Caroline Forbes(caroline.forbes@adelaide.edu.au)16 |TAG September 2011

AW Howitt lectureOn 3 June, the 8th Annual AW Howitt lecture took placeat the Royal Society of Victoria Building in Melbourne.The joint meeting of the Royal Society of Victoria (RSV)and the Geological Society of Australia Vic Div (GSAV)featured Dr Gary Gibson, a senior research seismologistat the University of Melbourne, discussing what could belearned from recent earthquake activity.A major focus of the lecture was how earthquakescause damage. An important observation has been therelationships between the magnitude of earthquakes andthe type of damage they cause. Using the 2010 M8.8Chile earthquake and the 2011 M6.3 Christchurchearthquakes as examples, Dr Gibson discussed thediffering types of damage caused by earthquakes.In short, large earthquakes, such as the M8.8 Chileanearthquake, produce low-frequency waves which causemore damage to larger structures. Damage in theaffected regions of Chile was focussed mainly on largerstructures which were well engineered to withstand theground shaking. In contrast, smaller earthquakes, like theM6.3 Christchurch earthquake, produce higher frequencywaves which are more damaging to smaller (

Newsfrom the Specialist GroupsSGTSG conferenceSpecialist Group inTectonics and StructuralGeology SGTSGThe 2012 SGSTG biennial conference will beheld in beautiful Waratah Bay, Victoria, from29 January to 3 February. The conferencetitled, “Cause and effects of deformation inthe lithosphere” promises to provide anopportunity for researchers across the globeto discuss and present their research relatingto the applications of Tectonics andStructural Geology. International keynotepresenters will cover a wide range ofcontroversial topics related to structuralgeology and tectonics.Waratah Bay is located on the southeasternVictorian coastline, a leisurely 1.5 hour drivesouth from Melbourne. It is a quiet coastaltown with magnificent sandy beaches andspectacular views of the southernmost extentof mainland Australia, Wilson Promontory.Proceedings will begin with a pre-conferenceworkshop (Friday 27 and Saturday 28 January2012) at the School of Geosciences, MonashUniversity. The workshop is intended tointroduce to the SGTSG community a rangeof numerical modelling packages applicableto tectonics and structural geology. Themid-conference excursion to Cape Liptrap(Wednesday 1 February) will also provideopportunity for debate and discussion of thespectacular coastal exposure of a folded andfaulted turbidite sequence. Underlying thiscomplex exposure is the basement to theLachlan Orogen. At the conclusion of theproceedings is an optional seven daypost-conference field trip (3-10 February)which will focus on deformation zones inthe eastern Lachlan Orogen.In addition there will be many socialfunctions including a beach cocktail partyice-breaker, drinks at a local winery after theLEFT: Liptrap bedding and cleavages.BELOW: Anticline pair in Liptrap Formation, lookingdown plunge. Image from Roberto Weinberg(Monash University).mid-conference field trip and a conferencedinner, which will provide a relaxedatmosphere to discuss, debate and network.The opening of Registration and Call forAbstracts is Monday 8 August 2011.Abstract submission deadline: Friday28 October 2011.For more information regarding abstractsubmission and registration please go tohttp://www.sgtsg.org.auSGGMP BiennialConferenceNovember 20-25, 2011The 2011 Biennial Conference of theSpecialist Group in Geochemistry, Mineralogyand Petrology will be held at theMurramarang Beachfront Nature Resort onthe NSW south coast.The conference will address three broadthemes:● Fluids in the Earth● Rates and durations of magmatic andmetamorphic processes● Subduction and crustal formationTalks from keynote and other speakers will befor 20 minutes (including discussion). Therewill also be evening poster sessions. Threefield trips will be integrated into the program(Bingi, Cooma and Wasp Head) and anoptional post-conference field trip to Begawill also be offered.For further details see the conference program athttp://rses.anu.edu.au/Murramarang2011/Conference/Home.htmlKey DatesRegistration and abstract submission deadline:30 September, 2011.Conference: 20-25 November, 2011.Post-conference field trip (optional):26-27 November, 2011.18 |TAG September 2011

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NEWSIn the news this issue:■ National Rock Garden update■ International Geological Congress■ Dr Neil William elected President of the AGC■ IUGG Melbourne making media waves■ 3D Mineral map of AustraliaNational Rock GardenWe are now in the second half of the year2011 and the development of the NationalRock Garden is moving ahead. Not as fast asI would like but then I was rather naiveabout the business associated with suchprojects. I feel more like a lawyer andaccountant these days than an EarthScientist. However, it is all very necessarywhen you are doing anything connected withconstruction on Commonwealth lands in themiddle of Canberra.InfrastructureThe National Rock Garden is being developedin parallel with the neighbouring LindsayPryor National Arboretum managed by theNational Capital Authority (NCA). NCA managesall lands on the shores of Lake BurleyGriffin on behalf of the CommonwealthGovernment.The ACT Government is contributingsignificantly towards the redevelopment ofthe whole area by constructing an accessroad from Lady Denman Drive to the car/busparking area for both the Lindsay PryorNational Arboretum and the National RockGarden. Construction work is well advanced.The network of cycle paths and roads israpidly taking shape.National Rock Garden TrustThe establishment of the National RockGarden Trust is nearly completed with onlysome administrative details to be finalisedwith the Australian Taxation Office and theDepartment of the Environment andHeritage. The Geological Society of Australiawill then be designated as Deductable GiftRecipient.Pin Oak trees now planted along the public road and cycle path entrance drive. Image courtesyDoug Finlayson.Friends of the NationalRock GardenIf you would like to join the Friends ofthe National Rock Garden and receivenewsletters and information directlyby email please send a request torockgarden@gsa.org.auAnyone is welcome to join the support group,whether or not they are an Earth Scientist.Clubs, universities, schools and institutionsmay also wish to join us. GSA encouragesinput and support from the public at large,academia, commerce, and the educational,tourist and resource industries.National Rock Garden websitedevelopmentDon’t look just yet forhttp://www.nationalrock garden.org.auHowever, the domain name is registered andin the coming months the web site will belaunched. For the immediate future, newsand information on the National RockGarden etc is located on the GeologicalSociety of Australia web site www.gsa.org.auRock specimensCommittees comprising representatives fromgeological surveys, universities, industry, andgeoscience associations are being establishedin each State and Territory so that a broader,more representative cross section of thegeoscience community and industry is ableto have meaningful input into the selectionof the most appropriate rocks to representtheir State, region, industry, or scientificdiscipline.With the support of the heads of allState/Territory geological surveys, thefollowing have agreed to assist us inselecting and accessing the best rocks torepresent their State/Territory:Queensland:Ian Withnall (GSQ Brisbane),Geoff Derrick (GSA Brisbane),Warwick Willmott (GSA Brisbane),Ces Murray (GSA Brisbane),Simon Beams (TerraSearch Townsville)20 | TAG September 2011

NSW:Ian Percival (GS Londonderry)Victoria:Vince Morand (DPI Melbourne),Fons VandenBerg,Bill Birch (VicMus Melbourne)Tasmania:Ralph Bottrill (MRT Hobart)(Ch),Garry Davidson (UTas Hobart),Kim Denwer (Bass Metals Burnie),Mike Vicary (MRT Hobart),Nick Turner (GSA),Ken Morrison (GSA),Andrew MacNeil (UTas Hobart)South Australia:Wolfgang Preiss (PIRSA Adelaide),Barry Cooper (UniSA Adelaide),Tony Belperio (Minotaur Expl Adelaide)Western Australia:Mike Fetherston (GSWA Perth)Northern Territory:Christine Edgoose (NTGS Alice Springs)ACT:Michelle Cooper (GATimeWalk),Jan Knutson (Cenozoic volcanism),Des Strusz (Fossils), (GSA)If you would like to join one of these groupsor can offer any assistance to them, pleasecontact John Bain at rockgarden@gsa.org.auor any of those listed above.If you would like to suggest a rock for thegarden please give us the maximum amountof information including the geological age,official formation name, location, and reasonfor the selection, reference information andphotos.Landscape architecture –University of CanberraDuring the 1st Semester 2011 at theUniversity of Canberra (UC), 27 final-yearlandscape architecture students, as part oftheir course work, completed a design projectwith a focus on the National Rock Gardensite. GSA offered prizes for the top designs.On two days in early May, Doug Finlaysonand John Bain, with UC Staff, viewed 27student poster presentations. The standard ofpresentations was most impressive; studentshad injected a considerable effort into theirprojects. After some difficult choices, thestudent award winners were decided:1st, Renae Palmer; joint 2nd, Jared Phillipsand Mandy Sullivan; highly commendedDavid Duham and Marina Signer.Congratulations!ASEG supportThe Geological Society of Australia welcomesthe letter of encouragement and supportrecently received from the Australia Societyof Exploration Geophysicists for the NationalRock Garden project. “Thank you ASEG.”Feedback and furtherinformationThe Geological Society welcomes feedbackand suggestions on the development of theNational Rock Garden. Correspondence maybe sent to the GSA Office in Sydney atrockgarden@gsa.org.auDOUG FINLAYSONInternational GeologicalCongressEarly Bird registrationsIf you missed the Super Early Birdregistration fees the Early, Standard andLate registration fees will be released in theThird Circular (late September).Student registration fees will be released inthe Third Circular. For all other delegates,the Super Early Bird fees have been thelowest-cost registration options availablefor the congress.You can register now at www.34igc.orgThe Third Circular, which will be released inlate September 2011, will include the namesof the invited keynote speakers where thesehave been provided.Abstract SubmissionAbstract submissions are now being acceptedvia the Congress website. Select the AbstractSubmission option at www.34igc.orgDr Neil Williams electednew President of the AGCThe Australian Geoscience Council haselected Dr Neil Williams PSM as President fora two-year term 2011-2013. Neil recentlyretired as the Chief Executive Officer ofthe Australian Government’s nationalgeoscientific research and spatial informationagency, Geoscience Australia (GA). He is thelongest serving CEO of this body in itsvarious incarnations (including the Bureau ofMineral Resources or BMR). Dr Williams iscurrently an Honorary Professorial Fellow atthe School of Earth and EnvironmentalScience, University of Wollongong.Image courtesy Neil Williams.Neil trained as an economic geologist andhas a BSc Hons from the ANU and a PhDfrom Yale University. Following his PhD hereturned to the ANU for five years as anacademic researcher, specialising in thegenesis of sediment-hosted base-metaldeposits. He then joined Mt Isa Mines andspent 10 years in mineral exploration intechnical and management roles.Dr Williams has been the recipient of variousawards including the Public Service Medaland the Society of Economic Geologists’Lindgren Award. He is also a Fellow of theAustralian Academy of TechnologicalSciences and Engineering, a member of theNational Committee for Earth Sciences,Australian Academy of Science, and of theQueensland Exploration Council, and wasPresident of the Society of EconomicGeologists in 2008.In welcoming Neil’s acceptance of the role ofPresident of the AGC, the outgoing PresidentMichael Leggo commented “there is now acongruency with respect to the 34thInternational Geological Congress to be heldin Brisbane in August 2012, where he isalso the President of the 34th IGC. Thecongruency arises since the AGC iscontractually responsible for the organisingand conduct of this Congress. We arefortunate indeed to have a geoscientist ofthe eminence and with the geoscienceknowledge and understanding of Dr Williamsas our new President”.TAG September 2011|21

IUGG Melbourne makingmedia wavesThe International Union of Geophysics andGeodesy (IUGG) held in Melbourne in lateJune and early July attracted 4000 delegatesand strong interest from the media. Theconference titled Earth on the Edge covereda wide range of topics, generating mediaheadlines including Tsunami, Earthquakes,the safety of nuclear installations,Christchurch earthquake, Cyclone Yasi, ashclouds, Climate Change and much more.3D Mineral Mapof AustraliaThe Western Australian Centre of Excellence for3D Mineral Mapping (C3DMM), led by CSIRO’sMineral Down Under Flagship, is helping to builda sustainable Australian resources industrythrough access to 3D mineralogyNew technologies that can non-invasively andaccurately map the composition of the Earthwill be critical for the future discovery,exploitation and environmental managementof natural resources. Amongst a newgeneration of mapping technologies is a suiteof sensors that can map mineralogy fromsatellites, aircraft and drill-core logging(Table 1). Helping to capture this mineralmapping opportunity for the Australianresources industry is the Western AustralianCentre of Excellence for Three Dimensional(3D) Mineral Mapping(C3DMM - http://c3dmm.csiro.au).C3DMM’s 2020 vision is a public, webaccessible,3D digital mineral map of theAustralian continent. This mineralogy includesthe species, abundance and physicochemistryof a large range of minerals important forexploration in Australia. These continentalscale,high spatial resolution (

FIGURE 1: CSIRO’s first pass cross-calibrated ASTER image mosaic (~1000 scenes) of ferric oxide contentover Western Australia (raw ASTER data courtesy of the USGS, NASA and ERSDAC). Bright tonesrepresent high ferric oxide (hematite and goethite) contents though these data have not yet beencorrected for seasonal variations in green (and dry) vegetation which causes error, including apparentdifferences across some scene boundaries.C3DMM is seamlessly extending the surfacemineralogy into the 3rd dimension usingdrill-core data measured using systems likeCSIRO’s HyLoggers (http://www.csiro.au/science/hylogging-systems.html), which areincreasingly becoming available through thegovernment geological surveys(http://nvcl.csiro.au) and commercially(wayne.roberston@csiro.au).Maarten Haest, C3DMM geologist, has beenbuilding a public 3D case history withMurchison Metals of the Rocklea channeliron ore deposit in the Hamersley Basin usingHylogger, airborne and satellite spectraldata. One of the findings is the value ofkaolin disorder product for accuratelymapping the extent of the CID palaeochannels(front cover). CID and othertransported materials are characterised bypoorly-ordered kaolin (blue tones) whereasweathered bedrock comprises well-orderedkaolin (red tones). Importantly, well-orderedkaolin is mapped seamlessly from drill core tothe surface in areas mapped previously asCID. Murchison Metals would have saved alot of time and money in more accuratelydrilling their Rocklea channel iron oreresource if they had prior access to theremote mineral maps before planning theirexploration drill program. This public RockleaDome 3D mineral mapping case history hassince been a catalyst for other iron orecompanies, like BHP-Billiton, which haveimplemented C3DMM’s published mineralmapping methods into their routine iron oredrill core HyLogging operations.Andrew Rodger, C3DMM physicist, is leadingefforts to solve some of the fundamentalchallenges for generating seamless 3Dmapping, including retrospective calibrationof multi-sensor data (Table 1) and removingthe obscuring effects of vegetation andweathering from the remote spectralsignatures to leave the desired fresh rockmineral signatures typically observed in drillcore data. C3DMM has made a number ofrelated breakthroughs such that seamless3D mineral maps built from multi-sensordata, such as Rocklea CID (front cover), arenow emerging.Joanne Chia, C3DMM’s statistician, istackling the issue of a global lack ofquantitative accuracy measures forspectrally derived geoscience products.Through targeted validation studies we haveestablished the errors associated with someof our key geoscience products, which willhelp the process of establishing traceableproduct standards.Ultimately, knowledge comes from asking theright questions and so simply arminggeo-scientists with 3D mineralogy is onlyone part of the equation. To address thischallenge, Carsten Laukamp has beeninstrumental in building C3DMM’srelationships with the resources industry,government geosurveys, the Centre forExploration Targeting (www.cet.uwa.edu.au),universities and other MDU researchers.From this interaction, the geological valueof 3D mineralogy is growing especially asmodeling becomes increasingly quantitative.C3DMM’s access to the iVEC computing andvisualisation facilities (http://www.ivec.org)has been vital for this geological modellingprocess.The progress of C3DMM is being watchedaround the world.Professor Benoit Rivard, University of Alberta,Canada, says that “in establishing C3DMM,Dr Cudahy has showed immense leadershipand vision, dared to tackle big problems thatrequired big initiatives and commitments”.Professor Carlos Roberto de Souza Filho,University of Campinas, Brazil, says that“C3DMM is pioneering the guidelines forthe production of seamless, geoscienceinformation from hyperspectral data”.Professor Kaufmann, German ResearchCentre for Geosciences, Germany says that“we would DREAM to have such a situation inEurope where new non-expert users likefarmers would be able to access mineral mapsproduced from the web like a regular product”.From 2014 a suite of satellite hyperspectralimaging systems will come on-streamenabling global-scale mineral mapping andmonitoring (Table 1). C3DMM has beenforging strategic relationships with theseinternational agencies to help secure theirbenefit for Australia in order to capturethe 2020 vision of a 3D mineral map ofthe Nation.For more information about C3DMM,including publications and access to mineralproducts, please visit our website athttp://c3dmm.csiro.auTHOMAS CUDAHYDirector Western Australian Centre ofExcellence for 3D Mineral Mapping (C3DMM)CSIRO Earth Science and ResourceEngineeringAustralian Resources Research Centre (ARRC)thomas.cudahy@csiro.auTAG September 2011|23

100 years of Australian Antarctic ExpeditionsLaying the foundation: Early Australian Earth Scientists in the Antarctic: Part 1To understand our environment fully, we must begin with thegeology on which everything else builds; this includes theorigins and influences on evolution of biology, oceanographyand so on. Antarctica is no different.Imagine you have been asked to be a geologist on a new planet. Howdifferent will it be from, or similar to, one’s previous experience? Nomaps, no images: perhaps five or six people have any idea of what theregion is like. What would field conditions be like? Are the resources youhave adequate for the task? Is there any outcrop? And the companionswho are all new to you. These were some of the problems facing the firstAustralian geologists to work in the Antarctic, a continent almost twicethe area of Australia. For the Antarctic, this meant weeks at sea inappalling conditions and to arrive with no real understanding of localconditions. And it raises such questions as What was an ‘Australian’? andWhat is a ‘geologist’? In response to the latter question, it is clear thatthe discipline boundaries were not important and geologists worked verysuccessfully in supporting all other branches, especially in meteorology,biology and what is now glaciology.Generally, Australian geologists were not with the earliest expeditionsbecause such expeditions had strong national overtones; thus,during the ‘Heroic Era’ of Antarctic exploration, other than British,there were Swedish, Norwegian, German, Scottish, French andJapanese expeditions with their own nationals who did fine work andgenerated the first understandings of the continent’s foundations, butlittle was in the Ross Sea region where the first Australians worked.The earliest expedition south that can be called Australian was the1899 wintering group — the Southern Cross expedition — under theenigmatic Carsten Borchgrevink, who claimed to have some knowledgeof natural science. This did not prevent him from misidentifying pyriteas a more valuable substance. Other non-geologists knew he waswrong. The expedition did note quartz, pyrite, basalt, slate and theinfluence of glaciation.The blossoming of real Antarctic geology with some Australianinput came with the expeditions of Mawson, Scott and Shackleton andmany of the names are well known — Frank Debenham, Thomas GriffithTaylor, Raymond Priestley, Douglas Mawson, TW Edgeworth David.Scott’s first expedition — the 1902/03 British National AntarcticExpedition — almost had as its geologist Prof. JW Gregory, but heresigned as a matter of principle and came to Australia instead. His roleon the expedition was taken by Hartley Ferrar.There is a sideline to this storyThe expedition had a Union Jack supplied by the King andShackleton had taken it south. To claim territory, the group neededa flag, so they made a duplicate from scraps of material. When itcame to the red and white cross of St George, the only materialavailable had polka dots; thus the flag is adorned that way and thisis clear on the famous photograph. The flag came down throughthe David family and is now owned by the Australian Academy ofScience.24 | TAG September 2011Shackleton’s 1907/09 British Antarctic Expedition (BAE) was thefirst in which Australian geologists came to the fore. TW EdgeworthDavid planned simply to do the round trip but was convinced byShackleton to stay. David’s student Douglas Mawson was a hero of thatexpedition and it was Raymond Priestley’s introduction to theAntarctic. Leo Cotton was present on the initial round trip. David,Mawson and Priestley were the first triumvirate of geologists for therest of the expedition.After failing to establish a base near Edward VII land, the eventualsite of headquarters at Cape Royds proved exciting because of thevolcanic features (basalt and kenyte) plus the variety found in erraticsthat littered the area.The first major geological exercise was to the summit ofMt Erebus by David, Priestley and Mackay on 6–12 March 1908.The successful venture gave the first detailed, specialist description ofthe volcano, its current activity, evidence of past glacial history,meteorology, elevation (then estimated to be 13 350 feet or 4069 m,but now taken to be 12 448 feet or 3794 m), and provided valuablefield experience that stood them in good stead for later.During the 1908 winter, all were involved in preparation forShackleton’s main Southern Journey but found time for many localexcursions in volcanic terrain with many different features. Mawsonpursued his physics, which included auroral observations, studies of iceand snow: Priestley studied the volcanics and assisted the biologists:and David (‘The Professor whose thirst for knowledge could not bequenched’) worked with all.And they contributed to Aurora Australis, the first book publishedin the Antarctic. David provided an excellent factual review of‘The ascent of Mount Erebus’, Mawson his fanciful journey in‘Bathybia’, an essay of which Jules Verne would be proud, and Priestlyhis light-hearted story of ‘Trials of a Messman’.With winter passed, the summer program began with various smalldepot-laying journeys. One, beginning in mid-December, was theWestern Party across McMurdo Sound to Butter Point and into thelower reaches of the Dry Valleys, partly in the search for fossils in theBeacon Sandstone. This quest was a failure but they did examine manyrocks, igneous and sedimentary, and discovered evidence of recentuplift with modern species of bivalve (now Adamussium colbecki and‘Anatina’, perhaps Laternula). They laid a depot for the North MagneticPole Party and were recovered by Nimrod rather than having to trekoverland to headquarters.

Then came the epic for which this expedition is best known — thequest of the Northern Party for the South Magnetic Pole by David,Mawson and Alistair Forbes Mackay.Instructions given by Shackleton included the search for economicminerals in the ‘Dry Valley’ and to claim territory for the British Empire atone location in the western mountains and at the South Magnetic Pole.The group departed Cape Royds on 5 October 1908 and reachedButter Point by 13 October. From here, it traversed north mainly onsea-ice, but also over the Nordenskjöld and Drygalski Ice Tongues thatprotrude deeply into the Ross Sea, making distant observations ongeology along the way, occasionally reaching the coast to make moredetailed comments and take or depot samples. The main observationswere that the local rocks are mainly granite or gneissic granite withmany variations of mineralogy. This basement is overlain by horizontalsedimentary rocks (Beacon Sandstone) and ‘basalt’ (Ferrar Dolerite?).The search for fossils in moraines generally was unsuccessful but onelimestone fragment containing what appeared to be ‘plant seeds’ wasrecovered and left in a depot but not retrieved. Mawson surveyedassiduously along the route, carefully adding specifics to previous moregeneral maps. He made detailed observations on earlier maps and onice features. It was a journey marked by every ice condition conceivable,and regular encounters with crevasses and dunking in the coldwater. Rations, while sparse, were supplemented by readily availablepenguins and seals.LEFT TO RIGHT: Alistair Forbes Mackay, TW Edgeworth David and DouglasMawson at the position of the South Magnetic Pole, 16 January 1909.David is pulling the string to activate the camera. The homemade flagflutters in the background. Note the polka dots. Image courtesy AustralianAntarctic DivisionOn 17 October, at Cape Bernacchi, Victoria Land was formallyclaimed for the British Empire.Traversing north continued until 12 December when they were atthe northern side of the Drygalski Ice Tongue. Here, they reduced theirload and Mawson calculated that they had a 500-mile round trip to theSouth Magnetic Pole, which was farther away than initially thought.After almost a week re-organising and accepting reduced rations, theydeparted and began climbing through the Transantarctic Mountains.Quickly they encountered evidence of uplift in the form of raisedbeaches and glacially re-deposited marine sediment with very diverseinvertebrate faunas. By 27 December they had found an apparently easypassage through the mountains and had reached 6 000 feet (1829 m)by 4 January. The path chosen avoided much contact with rocks, andthus observations were few and from a distance. On 8 January,the South Magnetic Pole was found again to be farther away thanestimated earlier and four days later was seen to be moving northwestrather than consistent with the earlier belief of an eastward migration.Cold and hunger were taking their toll. The needles on magneticinstruments were now moving very slowly and by 15 January the dipneedle was shown to be reading 89°45’, suggesting that the Pole wasonly about 13 miles away. The next day saw a dash to the estimatedTAG September 2011|25

100 years of AustralianAntarctic ExpeditionsThe 2011-12 Antarctic expedition season marks 100 years of AustralianAntarctic Expeditions. In the coming issues of TAG we will celebrate thecontribution made to Australian Antarctic Expeditions.The following is a guide to upcoming events, courtesy the 100 years ofAustralian Antarctic Expedition website.Raymond Priestley, of whom more anon, Image courtesy AustralianAntarctic Division.location but it was clear to Mawson that an undisputed location wouldtake about a month’s continuous observations and that was impossible.Mawson clearly understood the possible weakness in his estimate of thelocation.Thus, on 16 January, at 72°25’S; 155°16’E, the famous photographwas taken, heads were bared, the claim made for the British Empire andthree cheers given.Now for ’home’. The return to the tent meant a journey of only 249miles to the rendezvous point where Nimrod was to retrieve them. Itrequired a daily march of 16 miles made more difficult throughout byMawson’s painful leg but this aim was achieved. There was no geologyuntil 30 January when they were in the mountains and could seemoraine, red granite, quartz porphyry, pyrite and mafic rocks. Moregranite followed.By 2 February, it was estimated that they were close enough tothe depot at the rendezvous point and that they could leave muchmaterial and make a dash for the depot. They could see the depot 2–3miles away but it was on the other side of a major ravine in ice and ittook two days before they eventually got across. As no ship was insight, the question arose of what to do for winter if the ship didnot arrive.However, on the afternoon of 4 February, Nimrod’s guns could beheard firing three shots, so the exercise was over, only delayed becauseMawson fell into a difficult crevasse and it required the help ofJK Davis from the ship to extricate him. A grand re-union withexcellent food and company was enjoyed by all.After retrieving the party, Nimrod sailed for New Zealand.This expedition was the first by Mawson and Priestley and the onlyone by David.Part 2 Continued in the December TAGPATRICK G QUILTY AMGeoscience Australia CommemorativeGeological Cape Denison Map14 October 2011Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with the Australian AntarcticDivision, is developing a commemorative poster map on the geologyof the Cape Denison region. The poster will provide facts on anddescriptions of Cape Denison geology; a geological map; and analyticalresults, drawn from Australasian Antarctic Expedition scientific reportsand more recent discoveries. The poster map will be suitable for everyone,from the keen Antarctic buff, to serious geologists, and Antarctictourists. The poster map will be available from Geoscience Australiaand the Australian Antarctic Division, with a provisional release aroundOctober 2011.For further information, contact Dr Chris Carson, Geoscience Australia:chris.carson@ga.gov.auCCAMLR Meeting24 October 2011 – 4 November 2011The Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of AntarcticMarine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is one of the international agenciesbased in Hobart, Tasmania, principally for its proximity to the Antarcticand its robust community of scientists and research institutionsworking in the field.The organisation’s role is to gather scientific data and establishprotocols on the management and harvesting of Antarctic fish and krilland to develop programs to counter illegal or unreported fishing in thisvast and difficult region. CCAMLR celebrates its 30th anniversaryduring the Antarctic Centennial Year.For further information, please visit the CCAMLR website:http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/gen-intro.htmAntarctic Diary Of Charles Harrissonby Heather Rossiter1 November 2011Charles Turnbull Harrisson was a member of Douglas Mawson'slegendary Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–14. Harrissonjoined the expedition as a biologist and artist, part of the Western Partybased on Queen Mary Land and led by Frank Wild. He was also agifted writer and the diary he kept from December 1911 to March 1913has been reproduced for the first time. By bringing Harrisson's diaryfrom obscure history to published volume, complete with his charcoalsketches and watercolours, The 1911-1913 Antarctic Diary of CharlesTurnbull Harrisson honours the daring spirit of these lesser known butequally audacious Antarctic explorers.The book, by Heather Rossiter, is being published by Murdoch Books,and will be available in November. A launch event will be held inHobart on Sunday 13 November at 2.00pm. Sir Guy Green (a formerGovernor of Tasmania) will launch the book at Fullers Bookshop.26 | TAG September 2011

The Royal Society of Tasmania MawsonSymposium30 November – 1 December 2011December 2, 2011, marks the centenary of the sailing of Dr (later Sir)Douglas Mawson from Hobart, to establish his headquarters atCommonwealth Bay in Antarctica in the Australasian AntarcticExpedition (AAE), and to begin serious involvement of Australia inAntarctic territorial claims and research. The Antarctic Centennial Year(ACY) has been launched to coordinate activities to commemorate theoccasion. Many events will be held and the full program is available onthe websites of the Australian Antarctic Division and AntarcticTasmania.The Royal Society of Tasmania is organising the Mawson Symposium aspart of the ACY celebrations. The brochure and registration form areavailable on the Royal Society of Tasmania website at www.rst.org.au.The website contains information on how to register and to beinvolved.In addition to the information contained there, the Governor ofTasmania, His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood AC, hasagreed to open the meeting at 9.15 am on 30 November 2011 and tohost a reception 6.00-7.00 pm at Government House that evening forparticipants.If you have any questions, feel free to contact me onp.quilty@utas.edu.auI look forward to your involvement to make this a landmark occasion.PS Please note there is an error on the brochure concerning the postoffice box number. The correct address for registration is GPO Box 1166as indicated on the RHS of the main page of the brochure.PATRICK G QUILTY AMConvenerAntarctic Division and Western Australian Museum, with support fromthe Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and South Australian Museum.The exhibition opens at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery onFriday 2 December 2011 before travelling to the National Archives inCanberra, opening on 19 April 2012 until mid-August 2012. It will thentour nationally until 2014 and will include Western Australia and SouthAustralia.IPHC Meeting and Open Conference9–11 March 2012Conservation Challenges, Solutions and Collaboration Opportunities inUncontrolled EnvironmentsThe International Polar Heritage Committee will be holding its nextmeeting and conference at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery inHobart, with the conference dinner in the spectacular setting ofPeppermint Bay. A number of events celebrating Hobart's links withAntarctic heritage will also take place.The focus of the conference will be to bring together interested partiesto discuss the conservation challenges and share solutions inuncontrolled environments, as well as improving linkages andencouraging opportunities for collaborations particularly with thescience community to benefit broader conservation practice. Inaddition it is proposed that the opportunity for dialogue with scientistswill enable linkages to be explored between current polar research andthe scientific investigations which underpinned so much early polarexploration.More information on the conference, visit the website: http://www.polarheritage.com/index.cfm/Hobart2012Stay in touch with all the activities during 100 years of AustralianAntarctic Expeditions: http://centenary.antarctica.gov.au/eventsMawson's Huts Foundation Centenary Dinner1 December 2011Time: 6.00pmVenue: Hotel Grand Chancellor, HobartCost: $200 per person and $2000 for a table of 10.Bookings: through the Mawson's Huts Foundation: 02 9321 8242 oremail: david.jensen@mawsons-huts.org.auTraversing Antarctica:The Australian ExperienceTasmanian Museum and Art Gallery2 December 2011A national touring exhibition developed by the National Archives ofAustralia.Traversing Antarctica marks the 100th anniversary of the 1911–14Australasian Antarctic Expedition, led by Douglas Mawson. Theexhibition is a journey of discovery through the stories, science andwonder of Antarctica’s past, present and future. The exhibitioncelebrates the enduring scientific, historic and social legacy of thislandmark expedition and will include original documents, objects,innovative touch-screen displays and stunning imagery.Discover the sights, sounds and smells as you indulge in a sensoryexperience and traverse life in Antarctica.Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience is being developed bythe National Archives of Australia in partnership with the AustralianShackleton's Cape Royds headquarters. Image courtesy Patrick Quilty.TAG September 2011|27

Young Earth Science NewsIn the news this issue:■ Top young Earth ScientistsTop young Earth ScientistsIn this issue of TAG, we profile two YoungEarth Scientists, Zara Dennis studying atMonash University and Alan Aitken from theCentre for Exploration Targeting, University ofWestern Australia.Zara DennisPhD Candidate Monash UniversityGeophysics – EM MethodsThesis: Electromagnetic Mapping for theIdentification of Potential Gold-BearingStructures Undercover in North Central Victoria.TAG: What sparked off your interest in EarthScience?ZRD: I think first and foremost I have alwaysloved anything to do with the Earth, spaceand planets, pondering how things work onthe large scale, and have an overwhelmingcuriosity to try and find answers. It naturallyfollowed then that the history of our ownplanet; volcanoes, earthquakes, fossils, alwayscaptured my interest and imagination whenI was a kid. In addition to taking over a cornerof my parent’s garden with rocks I hadcollected, coupled with a constant urge toexperiment with things; becoming an EarthScientist was an inevitable outcome.In terms of the physics, possibly my firstsignificant fascination came about when I wasplaying with batteries and wires at primaryschool. I would have been about seven and wewere given the task of building a lighthouse…with lights! Okay, so it seemed far moreimpressive at the time, but the enthrallmentstuck and subsequently grew.I think going to the Yorkshire Mining Museumnear Wakefield, UK for my 10th birthday wasto seal my future direction however, with aprivate underground tour and then beingpresented with my own child-size miner’shardhat. I didn’t see it at the time, but lookingback this really was a huge indication I wasdestined for a career in Geosciences.TAG: Who or what has influenced thedirection of your career/research?ZRD: After finishing Year 12, I initially lookedat doing a Geology degree in Leeds (my homecity). The Physics side won at this pointhowever, and after an academic detourperusing my athletic interests, I completedmy undergraduate degree at the University ofSalford in the UK, attaining First ClassHonours (and the highest percentage mark inmy year) in Physics with Space Technology.Staying with Physics for the subsequent18 months, whilst working as a Laser Engineer,my interest in Geoscience and desire toexplore beyond the lab further manifesteditself and I found myself looking atprospective PhDs, and just because it wouldbe a good experience, PhDs overseas —I have no complaints as to where I ended up!Coming to Australia has been a fantasticopportunity and experience, one which I hopeto continue.TAG: Where was your best field tripexperience and why?ZRD: For some reason, things going not quiteto plan seem to make the best stories; fromhiding from dust storms in Broken Hill totrying to communicate with land holders inrural Victoria who couldn’t understand a wordof my accent. The one that really stickshowever, has to be pulling apart a terraTEM inthe middle of a paddock; my supervisor on thephone in one hand, a multimeter in the other,and subsequently driving to the nearesttownship to ask a very confused car workshopowner if I could borrow a 6 mm socket toswitch over the cards in the DGPS modules.The fact I successfully finished the survey thatday was a gratifying achievement.I think field work in general is a huge bonusto being a Geoscientist — getting up at4.00 am to make the most of daylight hours;8.00 am off-roading and having morning teawith some of the most awe-inspiring views;looking for a nice shady tree for lunch oralternatively huddling in the back of a ute;scrambling up rocks to get the best handsamples; and the puzzled looks you getfrom some people when you tell them youenjoy this.TAG: Where would you like to go with EarthScience in the future?ZRD: Eventually, research...Elaborating onthat however, at present I am fresh off theback of my PhD, and having spent the lastthree and a half years focusing specifically onEM methods. I am keen to gain an array ofexperiences in a range of roles that bothchallenge and inspire me. With the aim ofachieving this broad scope, consulting has aparticular attraction in many respects, leadingto a huge variety of projects that I would havethe opportunity to gain familiarity with.Experience with non-EM methods inparticular is something I am currently workingtowards, including looking at alternativeapplications for geophysics. Most recentlyI have been involved with an archaeologyproject using Ground Penetrating Radar forthe high resolution mapping of a cemetery;a venture far removed from the regional-scalecrustal surveys of my PhD: it is this varietythat geophysics can offer which maintains myenthusiasm for the subject.TAG: How or why is Earth Science importantto society?ZRD: The term Earth Science encompasses somany disciplines integral to our everyday lives;from resources and energy to natural hazardsand environmental issues. Achieving athorough understanding of how our planetworks is essential if we are to successfullyadapt and maintain our environment, properlymanage the world in which we live andpredict how it will change in the future.Zara found the little guy hiding in one of thetrenches for the horizontal coils, while installingMT sites in August 2008, close to the townshipof Boort in north Victoria. She removed him priorinstalling the recording equipment. Imagecourtesy Zara Dennis.28 | TAG September 2011

Essay Review A guide for mineral exploration through the regolithin the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, (AJES Vol 57; No. 8) RR Anand and CRM Butt30 |Asustained, multi-decadal researchprogram into the development of theYilgarn Craton’s regolith and relatedimplications for mineral exploration by theCSIRO and collaborating organisations hasarguably been one of the most successful inthe history of mineral exploration relatedresearch, particularly if success is measured byimpact on industry practice. The majority ofthis research was carried by a Co-operativeResearch Centre, CRC LEME and its successor,colloquially referred to as CRC LEME II, over afourteen year period during the 1990s and2000s. A hallmark of this research programwas very close interaction with industry anda very strong focus on delivering pragmaticoutcomes to help exploration. Therefore, as anindustry, we are very fortunate that RaviAnand and Charles Butt (two of the giants ofthis field, along with Ray Smith) have writtenan extremely comprehensive review for us.They have chosen to publish this review inAJES and their paper (published in December2010) comprises the entirety of Issue 8 inVolume 57 of the journal. This choice nodoubt reflects both the standing of AJES as ajournal and a desire to ensure that this workis easily and widely accessible for manydecades to come, something that might notbe achieved with a stand-alone publication.At 99 pages, this paper is epic in scopecovering topics from the long-termweathering history of the landscape throughto detailed issues relating to practicalsampling strategies. In essence it is a“geochemical exploration manual” for anyexplorer in the Yilgarn targeting gold, nickel,base-metal or uranium deposits. In mostcontexts, this paper alone will provide theexplorer with a ‘one-stop’ shop with respectto the knowledge required to plan andexecute effective geochemical explorationstrategies, however the paper has acomprehensive reference list if more detail issought on a particular topic, or for a particulararea. Importantly, in an era where effectivevisual presentation of geological concepts iscritical to maintaining management orinvestor support for exploration, this paper isbeautifully illustrated. These illustrationsinclude high-quality photographs of relevantregolith materials, real examples of maps andsections and schematic block diagrams. Thelatter are superb visual syntheses of muchcomplex research that rapidly communicateoptimum sampling strategies and relatedcritical issues in a comprehensive range oflikely real-world exploration scenarios. TheseTAG September 2011diagrams are imminently suitable for inclusionin an Exploration Manager’s PowerPointpresentation aimed at explaining a particularproject concept to investors.The paper is very well organised, comprisingten sections: Introduction, Regolith (anoverview of its character and evolution,together with important contextual issuessuch as patterns of regional groundwatercomposition), Exploration Challenges andStrategies, Regional-District ScaleExploration- General Principles, ExplorationStrategies for Gold Deposits, ExplorationStrategies for VHMS Base-Metal Deposits,Exploration Strategies for Nickel Deposits,Exploration Strategies for Surficial UraniumDeposits, Sample Preparation, Analysis andAnalytical Control, and Conclusions.The Regolith section provides a succinct andaccessible summary of a vast body of researchon this topic (carried out over many decades)into a coherent synthesis that must underpinany thinking about geochemical exploration inthe Yilgarn. However, as the above outlinemakes clear, the strong focus of this paper isnot simply on just providing a conceptualframework for exploration but also on givingus detailed guidance on how to actuallysample and explore. The paper includeswell-organised flow charts that lay out boththe process of regolith mapping and theprocess of selecting the optimum geochemicalsampling strategy for a particular area. I wasparticularly impressed with the level ofpractical detail provided about samplingstrategies, with guidance provided on topicsas diverse as to how to sample ground-water(and importantly how to treat your sampleafter you have taken it to ensure meaningfulresults) and the need to store sulphide-richanalytical reference standards in a desiccatorto avoid degradation. Some of the potentialpitfalls highlighted when collecting sampleswere also interesting. We all know we have tobe careful about gold wedding rings but howmany of us would automatically think aboutthe potential Zn or Cr contamination thatmight be derived from the red or green painton our shovel?The paper also addresses some of the majortopics of debate in geochemical samplingstrategies in the Yilgarn over the years.The authors find little evidence for verticalgas-related metal transport and littlesuggestion that partial leach geochemicalmethods provide reliably superior results whensampling in covered terranes. They also findlittle evidence in support of collecting amagnetic lag fraction, as in most cases thenon-magnetic goethite fraction tends to be abetter concentrator of target metals. Althoughmagnetic concentration might assist whenthere is significant eolian dilution of thesample, they suggest that screening out thewind-blown sand fraction might be a betterapproach.Some of the more recent innovative advancesin regolith mapping are also discussed. Theseinclude using the spectral response ofkaolinite to discriminate transported clay-richsediments from clay-rich in situ saprolite(often fiendishly difficult in the field) and theapplication of scale-specific multi-scaleparameters to resample SRTM data in order toreveal very subtle features such as sheetwashfans (where surface sampling is likely to beineffective) within a basically flat landscape.Although the focus of the paper is thedevelopment of geochemical samplingstrategies, I would not want the reader to gainthe impression that the role of geophysics hasbeen ignored. There are lucid discussions ofthe role that various geophysical technologiescan play in helping to map the regolith,particularly in the sub-surface. Geophysicalmethods discussed include gravity, magnetics,EM, SAM, resistivity mapping andradiometrics. The role of remote sensingapproaches is also discussed.It is hard to be critical of such a magnificentpiece of work as that represented by thispaper. However, there are a few topics whereField photograph showing different group of sedimentsunderlain by an in situ weathered profile, Lancefield,Figure 14, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume57/8, 2010.

Response in Mulga foliageand litter. Mulga rootspenetrate deeper inregolith and groundwaterand bring metals to thesurface, Figure 48b,Australian Journal of EarthSciences, Volume 57/8,2010.I would have appreciated a little morediscussion. One of these is the issue of ‘falsepositive’ anomalies — these are the bane of theexplorer’s life and, although these are discussedat various points in the text, a section thatbrought this topic together, and perhapsexpanded on it, would have been example,it would have been helpful to have includedmore discussion of the potential role ofMn-rich zones in the regolith in scavengingmetals and generating false anomalies, with anemphasis on those environments in which wemight need to be particularly cautious. Anotherissue that is not really addressed is the roleof the regolith in obscuring the geophysicalresponse (particularly in the case of electricalgeophysics) of bedrock-hosted mineral deposits.I would strongly recommend that any explorerworking in the Yilgarn reads this paper andthen keeps it readily at hand. My generationof geoscientists grew up with the developmentof these concepts, which had a majorinfluence on the way we explored this terrane,particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. However,since the turn of the century, with theexception of the recent calcrete uraniumboom, much of the exploration in the Yilgarnhas been focused at depth near knowndeposits. This has resulted in a generation ofgeologists who in general are probably muchless familiar with the complexity of theregolith than the preceding one. Therefore,I suspect that if (or when) exploration in thecraton eventually returns to greenfields areas,there will need to be a phase of ‘rediscovery’of the concepts summarised so succinctly hereby Anand and Butt. Any exploration managerresponsible for a team operating in the Yilgarnshould buy a copy of this issue of AJES forevery one of their new geoscientists and makeit compulsory reading.Although there is a widely held perceptionthat the Yilgarn is a mature explorationenvironment, analysis indicates that Anandand Butt’s “Depositional Regime” remainssignificantly under-endowed in gold relativeto their Relict and Erosional Regimes. Thissuggests that despite a number of importantdiscoveries in the Depositional Regime such asBronzewing, Sunrise Dam and Wallaby, wehave not yet been as effective in exploringthese covered areas as we were in areas ofresiduum. I wonder, for example, in how manyplaces explorers stopped their drill holes intransported cover but thought they hadpenetrated the basement? There may beconsiderable scope for explorers to go back toareas of complex regolith, particularly thosewith unexplained gold anomalies, and, armedwith the synthesis presented in this paper,perhaps finally make a significant discovery.Even in near-mine environments, there maybe important clues in the data that require anunderstanding of regolith dispersion processes.Perhaps the last point to make about thiswork is that although all these concepts weredeveloped in the Yilgarn Craton, many of theprinciples are likely to be broadly applicableto similar deeply weathered environmentselsewhere, such as West Africa, where wecannot expect to see a similar comprehensivesynthesis for many decades. There will nodoubt be many differences in detail, but itwould not be wise to be exploring in suchweathered terranes without an understandingof the processes first elucidated in the Yilgarn.In summary, I believe this volume is alandmark paper that will be an invaluablereference for the Australian and globalmineral exploration industry for manydecades to come. Anand and Butt are tobe congratulated for their efforts in makingall of these research results so accessibleto us industry practitioners. Seldom do weget research results served up to us on aplate as usefully as they have done.JON HRONSKYAustralianJournal ofEarth Scienceswww.gsa.org.auAn International Geoscience Journal of the Geological Society of AustraliaToaccompany the reviewin this issue of TAG, Issue 8 Volume 57, is now availableto purchase at aspecial discounted rate of:US$105 (print copy only)or US$80 (online access only)A guide for mineral exploration through the regolithin the Yilgarn Craton,Western AustraliaBy R. R. Anand & C. R. M. Butt pages 1015-1114Purchase online viawww.ajes.com.au w.ajes.com.au and clicking on“news and offers” fers” link.TAG September 2011|31

32 |FeatureNew National Geochemical Atlas opens up fresh avenuesfor mineral exploration and natural resource managementAnew continental-scale geochemical atlas and datasetwere officially released into the public domain at theend of June 2011. The National Geochemical Survey ofAustralia (NGSA) project, which started in 2007 under theAustralian Government’s Onshore Energy Security Program atGeoscience Australia, aimed at filling a huge knowledge gaprelating to the geochemical composition of surface and nearsurfacematerials in Australia. Better understanding of theconcentration levels and spatial distributions of chemical elementsin the regolith has profound implications for energy andmineral exploration, as well as for natural resource management.In this world-first project, a uniform regolith medium wassampled at an ultra-low density over nearly the entirecontinent, and subsamples from two depths and two grainsizefractions were analysed using up to three different (total, strongand weak) chemical digestions. This procedure yielded aninternally consistent and comprehensive geochemical dataset for68 chemical elements (plus additional bulk properties). From itsinception, the emphasis of the project has been on qualitycontrol and documentation of procedures and results, and thishas resulted in eight reports (including an atlas containing over500 geochemical maps) and a large geochemical datasetrepresenting the significant deliverables of this ambitiousand innovative project. The NGSA project was carried out incollaboration with the geoscience agencies from every State andthe Northern Territory under National Geoscience Agreements.TechnicalitiesFrom 2007 to 2009, the National Geochemical Survey ofAustralia (NGSA) project collected sediment samples from 1315sites located in 1186 catchments (~10 % of which were sampledin duplicate) from across Australia. The total area covered by thesurvey is 6.174 million km 2 , or ~81% of Australia. The resultingaverage sampling density is 1 site per ~5200 km 2 .Catchment outlet sediments, in most cases similar tooverbank sediments, were chosen as the sampling medium, withHelicopter access was required at a number of remote sites accessed by theNGSA field teams between 2007 and 2009. Image courtesy Joseph Tang,Geological Survey of Queensland.TAG September 2011Auger holes drilled to collect BOS samples at a site in the Northern Territory.Note that several auger holes were sampled at each site and combined intothe BOS samples to minimise the effect of natural local compositionalvariability. Image courtesy Andrew Wygralak, Northern Territory GeologicalSurvey.a near-surface sample (Top Outlet Sediment, TOS, from 0-10 cmbelow the surface) and a bottom sample (Bottom OutletSediment, BOS, between on average 60-80 cm below thesurface) being collected at each site. In order to minimise theeffect of natural small-scale compositional variability of soils,the TOS sample was collected from material mixed from ashallow pit (~1 m 2 by 10 cm deep), and the BOS sample was acomposite of material originating from between three and tenauger holes drilled within a 100 m 2 area. The sample sites wereselected to be near outlets or spill points of large catchments, sothat overbank sediments there could reasonably be assumed torepresent well-mixed, fine-grained composite samples of allmajor rock and soil types present in the catchment. Finally,sampling sites were selected to be well away (and preferablyupstream) from major human activities or infrastructure, such asmines, urbanisation, or roads, in order to provide background,ie, as devoid of human influence as practically possible,chemical compositions.A number of parameters were recorded in the field,including GPS coordinates, and dry and moist Munsell® colourand field pH of the soil. The sampling sites were described andphotographed, with all field data captured digitally for easysubsequent upload into databases. In the laboratory, thesamples were air-dried, homogenised and split into an archivesample for future investigations and an analytical sample forimmediate analysis. The latter was further split into a bulksubsample, a dry-sieved

Distribution of gold concentrations determined by the NGSA project in BOSfine samples after aqua regia digestion (solid and open black symbols asper scale on left side of map), overlain on known gold occurrences (greydots) and deposits (grey triangles). Ellipses marked ‘A’ to ‘F’ are illustratingthe coincidence of elevated geochemical concentration in catchments withknown gold occurrences and/or deposits. Unmarked ellipses are examples ofelevated aqua regia gold values in areas with no known gold occurrencesand deposits.1:5 (soil:water) slurries (EC1:5), pH of 1:5 (soil:water) slurries(pH1:5) and grainsize analysis using a laser particle size analyser.During 2009 to 2010, the coarse (

Special ReportGeoscience Education turns aroundat Australian UniversitiesIn 2007, in response to increasing concern amongst themember societies about the health of tertiary geoscienceeducation in Australia, the Australian Geoscience Council(AGC) undertook a survey of Australian universities with‘geoscience departments’ to establish an Australian GeoscienceTertiary Education Profile 2007 (AGTEP 2007). Following theinitial impact of the Global Financial Crisis, the resumption ofthe resources boom and the associated skills shortages, it istimely for the survey to be repeated and updated. AGTEP 2010provides an up-to-date stocktake of tertiary geoscienceeducation in Australia and the general capabilities of tertiarygeoscience institutions. The full report can be accessed atwww.agc.org.auThe principal conclusion of this survey is that the statusof geoscience and geoscience education has improvedsubstantially over the last three years (2008–2010) with amarked growth in enrolled students and academic teachingstaff reversing the decade-long decline to 2007. In the 2007survey there had been an increase in enrolment particularly inlevels 1 and 2 in some universities and this has now extendedto all levels, particularly at the Honours level, and in manyinstitutions (Figure 1). The situation of geoscience in Australianuniversities is stronger now than at any time over the past15 years.Seventeen universities (Table 1) have the capacity to teachgeoscience as a major in their undergraduate programs with anadditional university offering an Earth Science major as partof an environment degree. Of these, six maintain distinctgeoscience schools. In the remainder, the geoscience disciplineis amalgamated into schools of ‘Earth, geography andenvironmental science’ or schools of ‘physical sciences’. Theconsequence for the structure of the undergraduate majors onoffer varies. Some schools have created ‘geoscience degrees’from a blend of physical geography or environmental coursesand traditional ‘solid Earth Science’ courses. Others havemaintained a clear distinction between degree types.Contrary to expectations arising from the 2007survey, geoscience is still being taught as a component of‘environmental science degrees’ at the Universities of Canberraand La Trobe and to a lesser extent at University of TechnologySydney. At Flinders an Earth Science major is offered as partof an environment degree, At RMIT University, an Honourscourse in Physics-Geophysics is offered to eligible physics orengineering students.TABLE 1Earth Australian universitiesoffering Earth Science DegreesUniversity School GeoscienceStaff*Adelaide School of Earth & 34.8Environmental ScienceSchool of PetroleumAustralian National Research School of 72Earth SciencesBallarat School of Science and 4.6EngineeringCurtin Department of Applied Geology 38.9Department of ExplorationGeophysicsJames Cook School of Earth and 17Environmental SciencesMacquarie Department of Earth and 14Planetary SciencesMelbourne School of Earth Sciences 35.6(includes ocean, atmosphericsciences)Monash School of Geoscience 22.7New England School of Rural and 2.5Environmental ScienceNewcastle School of Environmental and 13.1Life SciencesNew South Wales School of Biological, Earth & 16Environmental SciencesQueensland School of Earth Sciences 26.6Queensland School of Biogeoscience 10.5U TechnologySydney School of Geosciences 25.5(includes geography,environmental sciences)Tasmania School of Earth Sciences 31Western Australia School of Earth and 43.4EnvironmentWollongong School of Earth and 16Environmental Sciences*Includes teaching and research staff in geoscience only at the time ofthe survey.34 | TAG September 2011

FIGURE 1 Trend in Equivalent Full Time Student load (EFTSL) in geoscience at Australian universities2003-2010.FIGURE 2: Output of higher geoscience degrees in 15 Australian universities2003-2010The extent to which course work is undertaken for thecompletion of an Honours degree varies slightly with institution.Eight universities participate in the Minerals ShortcourseProgram at Honours underwritten by the Minerals TertiaryEducation Council (MTEC). All institutions offer MSc byresearch, but there are several MSc degrees being offeredpredominantly by course work with a lesser component allowedfor a dissertation or thesis. These coursework degrees are oftenspecifically aimed at training candidates in the knowledge andtechniques required for employment in industry.In addition to normal curriculum reviews, severaluniversities have taken, or are planning, specific steps to meetthe needs of potential employers by addressing the core skillsrequirements of graduates:● they have made (or are in theprocess of making) specific teachingappointments in resource geoscience;● they have remodelled courses tomeet core skills requirements and theevolution of disciplines including fieldgeology, digital geology, mineralsgeoscience and petroleum geoscience;● placements in industry as part of acourse of study; and● provision of specific options andspecialisations in majors.Increasingly, sharing of specialistteaching at the Honours and Masterslevels is becoming more common,active and systematically organised, asfollows:● The national Minerals TertiaryEducation Council (MTEC) programwhere eight institutions teach coursesinto the Minerals Short CourseProgram;● Three universities collaborate todeliver the MTEC Minerals GeoscienceMasters program;● The Sydney Universities Consortiumof Teaching Geology and Geophysics –Honours Course Electives run by theSydney metropolitan universities; and● The Victorian Institute of Earth andPlanetary Sciences Honours Programrun by Melbourne, Latrobe, Monashand Ballarat.Nationally, student enrolments asmeasured by Equivalent Full-TimeStudent Load (EFTSL) have increased25% over the last three years, accelerating the level of growthrecorded in AGTEP 2007 of 20% over the previous five years(Figure 1). Most universities show increases at all levels whileothers are static, or have decreased in enrolments at somelevels.A major difference from the previous survey has beenthe substantial growth in the numbers of Honours students(Figure 1), which have increased nationally by 73% to 265 overthe period 2008–2010 compared with the 9% decrease in theprevious five years and the 60% decrease in the fifteen yearsleading up to 2007. However there is a wide variation betweeninstitutions.There is also a wide variation in student load. The total EFTSLacross all levels ranges from 53 to in excess of 350 with12 (10 in 2007) universities having total EFTSL values above 100and seven (two in 2007) universities in excess of 150, of whichtwo have values above 250. There are five (seven in 2007)TAG September 2011|35

universities with values below 100 of which one (two in 2007)has a value below 55.Whereas in AGTEP 2007 it was not possible to discern anysignificant trends in postgraduate degrees, the addition of threeyears of data clearly shows some major changes (Figure 2). Theoutput of MSc/MPhil degrees by research has declined by over50% whilst the output of MSc degrees based on coursework hasseen a dramatic increase, which appears to be accelerating — up250% in 2010 compared with 2007.In the five years leading up to 2007, the output of PhDdegrees had remained generally static, but since 2007 there hasbeen a decline of about 15%.In 2010, 256 academic staff were engaged in some level ofteaching of geoscience in Australian universities, whilst thereare a further 183 staff engaged in research with no formalteaching commitments. The numbers in 2007 were 170 and 187respectively. The dramatic difference is dominated by significantchange in reporting from the ANU following internalre-organisation. Removing the ANU, nationally there has beenan increase in 22 (13%) staff engaged in teaching whilst thenumber of research positions has increased by 18 (13%).Consistent with the increase in teaching positions amongstthe ‘geoscience’ schools, there are now eight (three in 2007)schools with more than 12 teaching positions, five (12 in 2007)with eight to twelve teaching positions and four (four in 2007)with fewer than eight teaching positions. The EFTSL perteaching academic ranges from below 5 to 20. There are fourinstitutions below 10 (six in 2007) six between 10 and 15(seven in 2007) and six above 15 (three in 2007).The combination of teaching and research positions (Table 1)shows a wide range in capability between the ‘geoscience’universities with two having in excess of 40 geosciencepositions, four having between 30–40 positions, three having20–30 positions, six having between 10 and 20 positions andtwo having fewer than 10 positions.The survey shows that the Australian institutions varywidely in their viability as teaching institutions although therehas been a general strengthening of ‘geoscience schools’ asstudent numbers have increased. There is evidence of considerableeffort to meet the work-force requirements of graduatesboth at the undergraduate and MSc levels. Funding pressuresremain in some institutions. In others the rapid increase instudent numbers, although sometimes accompanied byexpansion of teaching staff, is causing an increase in teachingloads at a time of turnover of the ‘baby boomer’ generation ofacademics. The decline in PhD output must have a financialimpact on departments and, if it continues, must be a concernfor the long-term viability of geoscience research in Australianuniversities.The question asked in the report on AGTEP 2007 remainshighly pertinent: “What is the minimum economic departmentsize that is sustainable in the longer run?” This has to take intoconsideration government-funded student load, fee-payingstudents, academic staff numbers, service teaching to otherdegrees, external funding for teaching and research funding. Asthis survey once again demonstrates these considerations varyfrom institution to institution and are not easily compared. Thisis rendered more complex by the changes in the fundingarrangements for universities.In general the position has improved substantially since2007, but it remains a truism that a critical mass of teachingand research capability that creates a vibrant and attractiveeducational experience is fundamental to retaining tertiarygeoscience educational opportunities in Australia. This surveyshows that some larger schools with wide capability aregrowing from strength to strength, whilst others with lessercapability are static or reducing.TREVOR POWELLFormer President, Australian Geoscience CouncilGEOQuiz ANSWERS (From page 29)2. Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench (10 923 m), Pacific Ocean3. Nile (6650 km), Africa4. Ojos de Salado (6893 m), Chile/Argentina5. Vredefort Dome (~300 km diameter), South Africa6. African elephant (Loxodonta africana): largest elephant everrecorded was male and weighing 11 t, with an overall length(trunk to tail) of 10 m and a shoulder height of 3.96 m7. Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) 115.56 m, Redwood NationalPark, USA8. Vatican City (0.44 km2)9. Mount Augustus (1105 m), WA (Ii is 2.5 times larger than Uluru)10. Valdivia (Great Chilean) Earthquake of 22 May 1960 (9.5 on theRichter scale36 | TAG September 2011 1. Everest/Sagarmatha/Chomolungma (8848 m) Nepal/Tibet

A special issue of the Australian Journalof Earth Sciences in honour of thelate Ernest H NickelThe next issue of the Australian Journal of Earth Sciences(Volume 58, issue 7; October 2011) is dedicated to thelate Ernest Henry Nickel, better known to all as Ernie,who died after a short illness in July 2009. He was a mentor,friend and colleague to many in Australia and Canada andthroughout the mineralogical world. This special issue followsthe symposium sponsored in his name by the SGGMP at lastyear’s AGC in Canberra, as well as a number of publishedobituaries that recognise his contributions to mineralogy.Ernie Nickel was born in Louth, Ontario, Canada, on31 August 1925. He gained his BSc and MSc at McMasterUniversity in 1950 and 1951, respectively, and his PhD at theUniversity of Chicago in 1953. He then joined the MineragraphicLaboratory of the Mines Branch, Department of Mines andTechnical Surveys (now CANMET) in Ottawa (Figure 1). Over thenext 18 years, he published nearly 40 papers on an eclecticrange of topics, including descriptions of three new mineralsspecies. Although established as one of his country’s leadingmineralogists, Ernie foresaw that his career-path would involveever-increasing managerial responsibilities, so he sought aposition that would allow him to devote his time solely tomineralogical research. Arthur Gaskin, Chief of the then CSIRODivision of Mineralogy, offered him a non-administrativeresearch position in Perth, so in 1971 Ernie, his wife Muriel andtheir three daughters migrated to Perth, where he was to live forthe rest of his life.During the decade or so following his arrival in Australia,Ernie published a series of papers on the primary and secondarymineralogy of the nickel sulfide deposits of Western Australia.These included descriptions of the new hydrated nickel sulfateand carbonate species carrboydite, nickelblödite, otwayite,nullaginite and kambaldaite. He also undertook a detailed studyof the supergene mineralogy of the Teutonic Bore volcanichostedmassive sulfide deposit. Although he ‘retired’ early, in1985, Ernie continued his research as a CSIRO Honorary Fellowfor the next 24 years, working almost full-time. Duringthis period, he made his most significant and long-lastingcontributions to the international mineralogical community,based on his long-term interest in the classification andnomenclature of minerals. As Vice-Chairman of what is now theInternational Mineralogical Association’s (IMA) Commission onNew Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC), Ernieextended his activities by developing several voluminous databasesthat list all IMA-approved species and minerals that havebeen discredited and redefined, as well as unnamed mineralsthat have been described in the mineralogical literature. Othercompilations include the Mineralogical Reference Manual andthe ninth edition of the Strunz Mineralogical Tables. Erniepublished over 120 research papers and books, includingdescriptions of 24 new minerals. He was also honoured by a newmineral, ernienickelite, NiMn 34+O 7 3H 2 O, a member of thechalcophanite group, being named for him.Ernie Nickel (1962) hard at work, Ottawa. (From Ernie’s own photographalbum). Image courtesy of his daughter Laura Connell).TAG September 2011 | 37

Photo of ‘older’ Ernie Nickel (2008) in ‘retirement’.Ernie was twice awarded the Hawley Medal ofthe Mineralogical Association of Canada, in 1969 and 1973,thereby gaining two life memberships of the Association. Hewas also president of the Association in 1970−1971. He was amember of the Mineralogical Society of America and theMineralogical Society of Great Britain; the latter elected him anHonorary Fellow in 2008, fitting recognition of the exceptionalcontributions he had made to mineralogy for over half acentury.Both in Canada and Australia, Ernie was particularlyconcerned with the applications of mineralogy—including theformation, discovery, mining and treatment of economicmineral deposits or in other fields. The articles in the specialissue all have this theme. Several papers focus on nickel,including sulfide deposits, which have been the mainstay ofthe industry in Australia for the past four decades, and theincreasingly important laterites, which present majorchallenges for economic exploitation. Historically, gold has hada prominent position in the development of the Australianmining industry, so it is appropriate that several papers dealwith the characteristics of gold nuggets and their potential inexploration.Resistant minerals have long beenused as pathfinders or indicators inexploration, but other than using golditself, have less commonly been applied togold exploration. Several papers inthis issue describe resistant mineralsassociated with alteration haloes that mayindicate mineralisation where gold isleached, fine-grained, associated withtellurides or otherwise not readilydetected. Ernie himself had examinedresistant minerals in the ‘green leader’alteration associated with high-gradegold-telluride mineralisation at Kalgoorlie.Long-term weathering is an importantfeature of the economic geology ofAustralia, and a number of papers canbe grouped under this theme. Weatheringhas led to the oxidation, destruction andconcealment of primary mineral deposits,and to the formation of secondarydeposits such as Ni laterite and bauxite.Although the processes involved are commonlyconsidered in terms of inorganicchemical reactions, it has long beenconsidered that soil organisms may alsohave a role.The majority of the authors of papers in this special issuewere Ernie Nickel’s colleagues or collaborators. He had directinvolvement in some of the work reported, providing samples,discussing results and offering advice. Less directly, hiscontributions to the IMA, especially in mineral classification andnomenclature, and as an author of valuable reference manuals ofmineral names and properties, are also significant. Not only didErnie make his own highly significant mineralogical observations,but he was also a willing and knowledgeable collaborator, asource of information and a valued ‘sounding board’ based on hisbroad experience.So it is with pleasure and respect that the we dedicate thisspecial issue of the Australian Journal of Earth Sciences to ourfriend and colleague Ernie Nickel.CRM BUTT 1 and WD BIRCH 21 CSIRO Earth Science & Resource Engineering,Box 1130, Bentley, Western Australia 6102Charles.Butt@csiro.au2 Geosciences, Museum Victoria,GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.bbirch@museum.vic.gov.au38 | TAG September 2011

ABOVE: Ernienickelite. The mineral forms opaque blackish red platy crystals to 0.5 mmacross. a: Optical image (photograph Judy Rowe). b: Scanning electron microscopeimage. (Museum Victoria specimen M44604).Articles appearing in the Volume 58,issue 7 of the Australian Journalof Earth Sciences:Butt CRM & Birch WDPrefaceBarnes SJ, Godel BM, Locmelis M, Fiorentini ML & Ryan CGExtremely Ni-rich Fe–Ni sulfide assemblages in komatiitic duniteat Betheno, Western Australia: results from synchrotron X-rayfluorescence mapping.Wells MA & Chia JQuantification of Ni laterite mineralogy and composition: a newapproach.Watling HR, Elliot AD, Fletcher HM, Robinson DJ & Sully DMOre mineralogy of nickel laterites in relation to processingcharacteristics under simulated heap-leach conditions.Landers M, Gräfe M, Gilkes RJ, Saunders M & Wells MANickel distribution and speciation in rapidly dehydroxylatedgoethite in oxide-type lateritic nickel ores: XAS and TEMspectroscopic (EELS and EFTEM) investigation.Eggleton RA, Fitz Gerald J & Foster L2011. Chrysoprase from Gumigil, Queensland.Butt CRM & Timms NEThe Liversidge nugget Collection: a new look at some old gold.Hancock EA & Thorne AMMineralogy of lode and alluvial gold from the western CapricornOrogen, Western Australia.Scott KM, Radford NW, Hough RM & Reddy SMRutile compositions in the Kalgoorlie goldfields and theirimplications for exploration.Roache TJ, Walshe JL, Huntington JF, Quigley MA, Yang K,Bil BW, Blake KL & Hyvärinen TEpidote-clinozoisite as a hyperspectral tool in exploration forArchaean gold.Anand RR & Verrall MBiological origin of minerals in pisoliths in the Darling Range ofWestern Australia.Birch WD, Mills SJ, Maas R & Hellstrom JCA chronology for late-Quaternary weathering in the MurrayBasin, southeastern Australia: evidence from 230Th/U dating ofsecondary uranium phosphates in the Lake Boga andWycheproof granites, Victoria.Did you know your Geologist? (From page 12)Mid-1985: Lynton Jaques (left; previous Geoscience Australia), Reid Keays (right, University of Melbourne), and field assistant(centre) enjoying a sunrise breakfast at base camp, Munni Munni Intrusion, west Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. Lynton andReid were in the field observing platinum-group-element-bearing mafic–ultramafic rocks as part of Dean Hoatson’s PhD studyon the west Pilbara layered intrusions. Photograph and text provided by Dean Hoatson (Geoscience Australia).Please send your ‘Know your Geologist’ to tag@gsa.org.auTAG September 2011|39

Cam Bryan’s GeojottingsChangeWe are constantly being reminded that we live in achanging world, whether the change be politicalchange, climate change or ourselves growing older.But it comes as a shock to learn that things we thought fixed foreverare also changing.A recent case in point is the kilogram. The internationalstandard for the kilogram is a cylinder 39 mm in height and 39mm in diameter consisting of an alloy of 90% platinum and10% iridium with a density of ~21500 kg/m 3 . It is maintained atthe International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sèvresnear Paris and is known as ‘Le Grand K’. The object, along with anumber of identical cylinders, was made in London in the 1880s.Britain has Kilogram 18. Every few years the copy Kilograms aretaken to Paris to check that they are all of the same mass.However, over the years it has been discovered that Le Grand Kis losing mass to the tune of ~50 µg (about a grain of sugar) upto date. Since this is the defining Kilogram it means that thecopies are really gaining mass! In this case ‘plus ça change, plusc'est la même chose’ does not apply. No one can account for thechange in the mass of Le Grand K.The problem is prompting scientists to look at other ways ofdefining the kilogram using fundamental constants of naturerather than a physical mass. In fact, of the seven units ofmeasurement in the International System (SI) [metre (m),kilogram (kg), second (s), ampere (A), kelvin (K), mole (mol),candela (cd)], the kilogram is the only base still defined by aphysical object.The new definition of the kilogram depends on determiningan exact value for Planck's constant (denoted h). Once its valueis fixed—which could be years away—scientists will be able toplug h into an equation, along with other variables, that willdefine the kilogram.In the same way the metre was redefined as the length ofthe path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of1/299 792 458 of a second. Previously a variety of definitionshad been used: one ten-millionth of the length of the meridianthrough Paris from pole to the equator; then in 1889 a newinternational prototype was made of an alloy of platinum with10% iridium that was to be measured at the melting point ofice; this in turn was replaced in 1960 by a definition based on awavelength of krypton-86 radiation. Finally in 1983 the CGPM[Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures, General Conferenceon Weights and Measures)] replaced this latter definition by thedefinition based on the speed of light in a vacuum.The speed of light in vacuum is usually denoted by c, for‘constant’ or the Latin celeritas (meaning ‘swiftness’). Originally,the symbol V, introduced by James Clerk Maxwell in 1865 wasused. Einstein used V in his original German-language papers onspecial relativity in 1905, but in 1907 he switched to c, whichby then had become the standard symbol. The speed of light,usually denoted by c is exactly 299 792 458 m/s in a vacuum.But is it constant; and are the other constants of nature in factconstant?We are all familiar with the anthropic principle, which statesthat observations of the physical Universe must be compatiblewith the conscious life that observes it, and this explains whythe Universe has the age and the fundamental physicalconstants necessary to accommodate conscious life: if theconstants of nature were to change even a fraction our universewould not exist.The speed of light was first measured by Ole Rømer in 1676:Christiaan Huygens used his data to estimate the speed as220 000 000 m/s, 26% lower than the actual value. Over theyears many more measurements have been made culminatingon the CGPM’s acceptance of the current value when definingthe metre in 1983.The various measurements made of the speed of light (c)since 1676 prompted Barry Setterfield in 1981 to propose theconcept of c-decay in the creationist magazine Ex Nihilo. Heselected a number of historical measurements of c to show adecrease in speed over time, which he claimed was anexponential decay series that implied an infinite speed in thepast. Such a change in c would fit in with the creationisttimescale with creation occurring some 6000–7000 years ago.Needless to say there have been many refutations of thisconcept, not the least being Setterfield’s selective use ofprevious measurements of c to fit an exponential curve.However, according to John Barrow there is evidence fromthe light spectra of quasars that some of the constants ofNature (eg, velocity of light) may have been slightly different10 billion years ago. Furthermore, recent research reported inABC Science Online suggests that some black holes could haveformed before the formation of our universe. They could beremnants of a previous universe that collapsed in a big crunchand was then reborn in the ‘Big Bang’ 13.7 billion years ago.Such ‘big bounces’ could also allow for differences in thefundamental constants of nature, including the speed of light.However, these changes would be in different universes, notnecessarily in our own universe, so perhaps we are safe fromsuch changes.All most confusing. Despite being an ardent republican, I willlet Elizabeth II have the last word on change. On her tour ofPakistan in 1997 she said: “I sometimes sense the world ischanging almost too fast for its inhabitants, at least for us olderones” (she was 71 at the time). My sentiments too.40 | TAG September 2011

Books for reviewPlease contact the Geological Society ofAustralia Business Office (info@gsa.org.au)if you would like to review any of thefollowing publications:New publicationsThe Cadia Valley mines –a mining success storyEd MalonePublished 2011244 pagesISBN 978 1 921522 383Re-advertisedGuide to NSW Karst and CavesKarst & Geodiversity Unit,Department of Environment, Climate changeand Water NSWPublished 2010ISBN 978-1-74232-547-7www.environment.nsw.gov.auinfo@environment.nsw.gov.auDinosaurs in Australia mesozoic lifefrom the southern continentRobert Hamilton-Bruce & Benjamin KearPublished April 2011ISBN 9780643100459CSIRO Publishingwww.publish.csiro.aupublishing.sales@csiro.auSeismic reflection processing withspecial reference to anisotropySK UpadhyayISBN: 3-540-40875-4Published 2004600 pagesskues@iitr.ernet.inRudolf Glossop and the rise ofgeotechnologyRonald E WilliamsISBN: 978-184995-021-3Published 2011274 pageswww.inbooks.com.auorders@inbooks.com.auPrice: $130.00From the Geological Societyof LondonThe following books are published by theGeological Society of London,www.geolsoc.org.uk/bookshop but areavailable from the GSA for review, contactinfo@gsa.org.auSP337 Petrological evolution of theEuropean lithospheric mantleM Coltori, H Downes, M Gregorie &SY O’ReillyPublished 2010, 236 pages, ₤85 (A$127.60),GSA Member price: ₤51 (A$81.35)SP324 Thermochronologicalmethods: from Palaeotemperatureconstraints to landscape evolutionmodelsF Lisker, B Ventura & UA GlasmacherISBN: 978-1-86239-285-4Published 2009336 pagesPrice: ₤100.00/ $200.00 GSA Mem ₤60.00/$120.00SP313 Underground gas storageDJ Evans & RA ChadwickISBN: 978-1-86239-272-4Published 2009360 pagesPrice: ₤54.00/ $108.00SP308 Geodynamic evolution ofEast AntarcticaM Satish-Kumar, Y Motoyoshi, Y Osanai,Y Hiroi & K ShiraishiISBN: 978-1-86239-268-7Published 2008464 pagesPrice: ₤60.00/ $120.00SP303 Biogeochemicalcontrols on Palaeoceanographicenvironmental proxiesWEN Austin & RH JamesISBN: 978-1-86239-257-1Published 2008200 pagesPrice: ₤51.00/ $102.00SP293 Metasomatism in oceanic andcontinental lithospheric mantleM Coltorti & M GregoireISBN: 978-1-86239-242-7Published 2008368 pagesPrice: ₤54.00/ $108.00SP276 Economic andpalaeoceanographic significance ofcontourite depositsAR Viana & M RebescoISBN: 978 1 86239 226 7Published 2007360 pagesPrice: ₤51.00/$102.00SP244 Submarine slope systems:processes and productsDM Hodgson & SS FlintISBN: 1-86239-177-7Published 2005232 pagesPrice: ₤65.00 / $117.00 –GSA Member Price: ₤39.00 / $71.00SP338 The evolving continents,understanding processes ofcontinental growthTM Kusky, M–G Zhai & W XiaoISBN: 978-1-86239-303-5Published 2010402 pagesSP341 Evolution of the levantmargin and Western Arabia platformC Hombery & M BachmannISBN: 978-1-86239-306-6Published 2010326 pagesSP343 Dinosaurs and other extinctsaurians: an historical perspectiveRTJ Moody, E Buffetaut, D Naish &DM MartillISBN: 978-1-86239-311-0Published 2010380 pagesSP223 Permo-carboniferousmagmatism and rifting in EuropeM Wilson, E-R Neumann, GR Davies,MJ Timmerman, M Heeremans & BT LarsenISBN: 1862391521Published 2004487 pagesTAG September 2011|41

Book Reviews42 |Geohazard in RockyCoastal AreasEdited by C. ViolanteGeological Society Special Publication322, London, 2009ISBN 978-1-86239-282-3The emphasis placed in thisbook on volcanic coastalenvironments detractssomewhat from itsusefulness to Australiangeoscientists. Nonetheless, there areenough chapters describing geohazards ofsedimentary (including limestone) coaststo render this publication a worthwhilepurchase by universities, largerconsulting companies and practicinggeomorphologists and geologists.As editor Crescenzo Violante states inthe preface, ‘this book brings togethercontributions dealing with differentaspects of hazard-related geologicalprocesses that naturally drive coastal slopeevolution’. All papers focus on Italian casehistories, with most restricted to theNeapolitan coastal area between Naplesand Cilento on the west coast of Italy. Theeditor’s contributed paper provides auseful summary of the geological aspectsof hazard assessment on rocky coasts.Such coasts are transfer zones deliveringsediment from the land to the marineenvironment and are impacted upon bythe full range of geological processes. Inparticular, the coastlines covered by thisbook include areas subjected to recentvolcanic activity as well as rain, wind andriver flow in the terrestrial environmentand waves and currents in the marineenvironment.Lacking from the Australian environmentbut an important influence on coastallandforms and geohazards in Italy ishistorical human usage of the coast.Ports, roads and railways, quarries andurban development are just some of theanthropogenic modifications to the coastwhich can lessen or increase both thelikelihood of and adverse impacts fromcoastal land movements.Four of the papers on coasts dominatedby volcanic materials take up 102 of thispublication’s 208 pages. They may be ofinterest to people working in Papua NewGuinea, Indonesia and other parts ofvolcanically-active South East Asia.Iadanza et al provide a useful overview oflandslides or coastal collapse throughoutItaly. They report a total of 776 landslidesaffecting just a short section of theAdriatic coast, where rotational andtranslational slides were most common(41%), with most other earth movementsdivided up between slow earth flows,TAG September 2011complex landslides, falls and topples, andshallow landslides. Sea-wave erosion wasthe main cause of failure in active cliffareas, with heavy rainfall and changes ofpore pressure controlling the stability ofgenerally more stable inland slopes. Themain predisposing factor is considered tobe the reduction in shear resistance ofclay by processes of creep, softening andweathering.A number of remedial measures arementioned in Iadanza et al’s paper. Theseinclude rock scaling and slope redesign;retention structures such as walls or piles;passive structures such as rockfallbarriers; dowels and anchors; sub-surfaceand deep drainage; and protectioninstalled at the base of cliffs.Slope stability of a rocky limestone coastin northern Italy is discussed byBrandolini et al. Bedding structures andtheir orientation to the slope surface is afeature that predisposes such coasts tomovement. The authors conclude thatthe factors causing landslides are partlynatural — geological and tectonicsetting, geomorphology, hydrology,geomechanical properties, wave actionand rainfall — and partly anthropogenic— quarrying, rail and roadways.The ability to call upon written recordsdating back 500 years is a useful toolin assessing current geohazards, asdescribed by Porfido et al, althoughcareful evaluation of the accuracy andhistorical context of such historicaldocuments is essential.The final paper by De Pippo et al on amethod of assessing coastal hazard andits application in southern Italy hasrelevance to Australian conditions. Sixprimary hazards are recognised: cliffretreat, riverine flooding, storms, landslides,seismicity and volcanism, andman-made structures. This latter hazardis rated highly, owing to its extensiveinfluence on the other hazards. A figureshowing a matrix of the interactionsbetween these hazards, together with atable ranking the incidence of the mostimportant indicators of geohazards, allowfor a clearer understanding of the overallgeohazard potential of a coastal area.This publication’s only faults lie in thecomplexity of several diagrams, renderingthem difficult to understand due to theuse of multiple overlays of information.Otherwise, this publication is readilyrecommended. The papers are wellwritten and detailed. In spite of only fiveof the nine papers being generallyrelevant to Australia’s coastal geohazards,the book is a valuable introduction to themultiple geohazards of the Italiancoastline and, by extrapolation, ofcoastlines around the world.BERNIE MASTERSCapel WAbmasters@iinet.net.auThe Rise of Fishes:500 million years ofevolutionSecond EditionJohn A. LongJohn Hopkins University Press2011 287 pagesISBN-13: 978-0-8018-9695-8ISBN-10: 0-8018-9695-9This is an extensiveupdate of the firstedition of Rise ofFishes published in1995 (University ofNSW Press inAustralia; John Hopkins in the US).Fifteen years ago John Long, one ofthe most productive and successfulpalaeontologists to be born in Australia,was the Curator of VertebratePalaeontology at the Western AustralianMuseum in Perth. Now, after severalyears as Head of Science at MuseumVictoria, he holds the position of Vice-President, Research & Collections at theNatural History Museum of Los AngelesCounty —Australia’s loss, America’s gain.The first edition of Rise of Fishes was a223 pp comprehensive review ofresearch on fish evolution combinedwith numerous beautiful colourillustrations of key fossil vertebrates, lifereconstructions, and some of the famouslocalities that have produced them. Thenew edition follows the same pattern,but is updated with all the latestresearch results. Many of the earlierimages are repeated, but there arenumerous additions, and hardly a page inthe book lacks superb colour images ofthe fossils and their reconstructions, andthe localities and in some cases theresearchers that have brought this majoraspect of vertebrate evolutionary historyto life. The first edition comprised anIntroduction (general and geologicalbackgrounds), and ten chapters coveringtopics from the origin of vertebrates tothe origin of the tetrapods (land animals)during the Devonian, and all the majorvertebrate subgroups: the Agnatha(jawless fishes), cartilaginouschondrichthyans (living and fossil sharksand rays), the Osteichthyes (bony fishes;both ray-fins and lobe-fins) and theextinct Placodermi (armoured fishes),and Acanthodii (spiny-finned fishes).The new edition has a similar format,but breaks up the treatment ofactinopterygians (ray-fins) into twochapters. Teleost fishes, the ‘world’smost successful vertebrates’ judging bytheir diversity of at least 28 000 livingspecies, is separated out as an additional19 pp chapter. This leaves room inthe preceding chapter for a moreextensive treatment of the primitiveray-fins including much new evidencefrom China, and the famous Australianlocalities at Burrinjuck NSW and GogoWA. The latter is well represented withsuperb acid-etched specimens and newreconstructions by Brian Choo of thefirst diverse actinopterygian assemblagefrom the fossil record. Similarly, theprevious treatment of the lobe-finnedfishes into three chapters on Dipnoi(lungfishes), ‘Crossopterygii’, and the‘fish-tetrapod transition’ is now prefacedby an additional 14 pp chapter entitled‘The Ghost Fish and other PrimevalPredators’. The ‘ghost fish’ is aremarkable fossil from the Silurian ofChina called Guiyu (that is the ChinesePinyin equivalent name) described inNature in early 2009, an articulatedearly bony fish apparently combining arange of features previously consideredspecialised features (autapomorphies) ofthe various Devonian bony fish groups.There is another excellent reconstructionby Brian Choo, and an up-to-datesummary of other significant fossils fromChina (Meemannia, Psarolepis,Styloichthys, Achoania, Youngolepis) andAustralia (Luckius, Onychodus, a newcoelacanth from Gogo), all highlysignificant discoveries of the last10–15 years that have caused a radicalreinterpretation of previous hypotheses.The next chapter (‘Strangers in the bite …’)deals with the ‘dipnomorphs’ including theDipnoi or lungfishes, of which Australiahas one of three living genera (theQueensland lungfish Neoceratodus).Arguably we also have the best fossilrecord of the group, extending back to thesuperb acid-etched specimens from theEarly Devonian Burrinjuck limestones, andthe Late Devonian of Gogo, WA. Notsurprisingly therefore, half of the 26illustrations are of Australian specimens,

and another four represent anothersurprisingly primitive form Diabolepisfrom the Early Devonian of China. Thepenultimate chapter deals with the‘tetrapodomorphs’, a diverse group oflobe-fins of the Middle Palaeozoic thatevidently included the ancestors oftetrapods (ie, if you believe the fossilrecord and over 150 years of detailedcomparative morphology, rather thansome recent molecular studies thatconclude tetrapods did not have ancestorsamongst known fishes!). Again, some 75%of the illustrations represent Australianmaterial (especially from Gogo, WA,Canowindra, NSW, and Mt Howitt,Victoria), to demonstrate the majorcontribution of recent research in ourcountry. The final chapter deals with the‘Greatest step in Evolution’ (fish-tetrapodtransition), and takes account of the newdiscoveries of tetrapod trackways inPoland reported in Nature in 2010, whichdemonstrate that a large part of earlierscenarios for the rise of land animals duringthe Devonian Period was an artefactof an incomplete fossil record.The 30-page bibliography at the endof the book gives an entry into all theessential and classical literature onthe topic, plus numerous recentpublications up to 2010. There is also acomprehensive glossary and index.As the author states in his preface,quoting advice from a fossil fish mentor:‘once you understand the complexity ofthe fish skull, and how it came to evolve,the rest of vertebrate anatomy is quitesimple’. This book is truly an exemplar ofthe amazing insights we have gained byintegrating the comparative anatomicalstudy of living animals with the evidenceof the fossil record, to produce acompelling story about the deep historyof life on the planet, and our place asvertebrates in that history. Thecombination of numerous beautifulimages with an engaging and wellwritten text by a research leader in thefield makes it exceptional value in the$50–60 price range. This book will notbe out of place on the ‘coffee table’, butwe also need it beside our computers asa reality check before we unwittinglydownload more of the rubbish that nowpervades the internet!GAVIN YOUNGAustralian National University CanberraGeology at ANU(1959-2009)50 Years of History andReminiscencesCompiled by Mike RickardANU Press 2010ISBN: 9781921666667 (Print version)ISBN: 9781921666674 (Online)This is a fascinatingbook because of itsemphasis on thepeople involved inmaking this history.It covers all the keyareas of interest inthis department.He makes a point of documenting thecareers and interests of all the teachingand research staff. He also documentsall the technical staff, visitors and thecareers of the postgraduates over thedepartment’s history. Anyone with aninterest in the geology group at ANUcan use this volume to better understandtheir research, teaching and outreachactivities.The soft-cover book with both colouredand black and white plates is easy tonavigate around and logically ordered.The eleven chapters cover the people,buildings, teaching/research/administrativeareas, student activities, the newmillennium and the 2009 reunion. Foran outsider such as myself, it is interestingto hear first-hand the roles of the variousresearchers, students and others whopassed through Geology, ANU. This hasbeen and continues to be one ofAustralia’s best geoscience groups. It isvibrant and productive and has thepromise of an even better future.I would commend this publication to anyonewith a passing interest in the geologygroup at ANU. Mike Rickard has done agreat job in recording the highlights anddifficulties faced by this group.PAUL LENNOXPutting South Georgia onthe map: Duncan Carse’sSouth Georgia Surveys of1951–56Alec Trendall 2011Published by Alec Trendall, Albany(www.alectrendall.com.au/)216 pagesISBN: 978-0-9870614-0-9 (Hard Cover)ISBN: 978-0-9870614-1-6 (Soft Cover)‘Putting SouthGeorgia on themap’ literallymeans what itsays. Thiscopiouslyillustrated book isabout the expeditions that resulted inthe first accurately surveyed map ofSouth Georgia. It is also about the man,Duncan Carse, who had the tenacity tosee the work through. In a metaphoricalsense, South Georgia has been ‘puton the map’ on at least two otheroccasions. First when Ernest Shackleton,Frank Worsley and Tom Crean walkedacross the island after sailing fromElephant Island in 1916 in theirsuccessful bid to rescue theircompanions stranded on Elephant Islandafter the ship Endurance was crushed bythe ice. The second time was in 1982when Argentine naval forces seizedcontrol of the east coast of SouthGeorgia after overpowering a smallgroup of Royal Marines at Grytviken.Both these events have a bearing on thestory Trendall weaves of the SouthGeorgia Surveys and Duncan Carse.Duncan Carse was many things during hislong life — he lived to be 90. When hemarried for the first time in 1938 hecalled himself ‘Announcer’; by the time ofhis third marriage in 1962 this changedto ‘Antarctic Explorer’. Many of mygeneration will remember him as theactor who played Dick Barton – SpecialAgent in a BBC serial that ran for anumber of years in the time slot latertaken over by the (still running) Archers.But Carse himself would prefer to beremembered for his Antarctic exploits.He had a ‘consuming ambition’ to lead aTrans-Antarctic Expedition, to succeedwhere Shackleton failed and cross thefrozen continent. He had previous polarexploration credentials, having sailedwith the British Graham Land Expeditionin 1934–37 and in 1949 startedplanning to lead an expedition to SouthGeorgia. This was to give him more polarexperience so that he could move on tohis dream of leading an expedition tocross Antarctica.The result was three South GeorgiaSurveys — 1951–52, 1953–54, 1955–56 —that are documented in detail with superbphotographs and maps. Trendall was amember of the first two expeditions. Theaccount of the first six-man survey iswritten by Walter Roots, an experiencedskier and climber with the team, as it wason this expedition that ‘Alec…disappeareddown a hole in the snow!’ — actually abergschrund — and was hors de combatand sent back to England for specialisttreatment of his injuries. Because ofTrendall’s accident the first survey did notachieve as much as had been planned. Thesecond survey consisted of four men, oneof whom was sent home sick and another,the surveyor, sent home after a falling-outwith Carse. Again not as much wasachieved as planned.While Carse had not abandoned his plansfor a Trans-Antarctic crossing, there was arival expedition, which culminated in theCommonwealth Trans-AntarcticExpedition 1955–58 led by Vivian Fuchs.The disappointing results of the two SouthGeorgia Surveys, no doubt coupled withCarse’s absence from England at criticaltimes meant that his abilities as a leaderwere questioned and his bid for leadershipof such an expedition failed.Disappointed, he set about planning athird survey with eight men. This wasextremely successful, with all members ofthe expedition working together veryhappily. When it came to integrating theresults from the three surveys it wasdiscovered that there were a fewimperfections in the overall data thatcould be remedied by a short one-mansurvey and Carse returned to SouthGeorgia to do this in 1956–57. The finalmap at 1:200 000 scale was published bythe Directorate of Overseas Surveys in1958 and sold for the princely sum offour shillings.Trendall’s geological work was publishedin two FIDS (Falkland Island DependenciesSurvey) Scientific Reports, The geology ofSouth Georgia I and II. The BritishAntarctic Survey (the successor to FIDS)subsequently published a detailed mapof the island in 1987, the work involving11 geologists over eight years. Theaccompanying text stated ‘The memoir isdedicated to Alec Trendall, who showedus all the way’, a testament to thedetailed observations Trendall made onthe two expeditions he took part in.Duncan Carse returned to South Georgiatwo more times. In 1961 he became ahermit — an ‘experiment in solitude’ —living in a hut on a patch of land leasedon the southern side of the island. Thisalmost ended in disaster when anenormous wave carried away his hut andstores so that for 116 days he had to livein a small tent on food and fuel which hescavenged from his storm-damagedsupplies. The second occasion was morecivilised. He had long been interested inestablishing the exact route taken byShackleton and his companions incrossing South Georgia. In 1972–73 theBritish Antarctic Survey took him as aguest and dropped him by helicopter towalk along part of the route. However,bad weather prevented him fromachieving his goal.Carse’s final involvement with the islandarose out of the second metaphorical‘putting South Georgia on the map’.In the aftermath of the Falklands Warhe was commissioned to produce asurvival manual on travel conditionsand techniques on and around the islandfor use by military personnel!Putting South Georgia on the map is apleasure to read. As is to be expectedfrom a geologist author the maps arequite outstanding. Appropriately enoughthe book ends with a map: entitled‘A suggested route of the Shackleton–Worsley–Crean Crossing, 1916’ Trendallplots his version of the route taken bythe trio on their epic journey across theisland. Some 40 years later the journeysof Carse and his companions mark a finalchapter in the Heroic Age of Antarcticexploration so splendidly recorded in thisbook.TONY COCKBAINTAG September 2011|43

O B I T U A R I E SPhilip Jon Stephenson1930–2011With the sudden death of Jon Stephenson on May 24, the profession haslost one of its stalwarts and a founding figure of the modern era inQueensland. Rural Australia has produced a disproportionate number ofoutstanding geologists and Jon was one of that number. Schooled largelyat Warwick on the southern Darling Downs, the youngest in a family of sixboys, Jon completed his education at the University of Queensland duringwhich time he was awarded a Queensland Medal, and at Imperial College,London where he graduated with a doctorate in 1959. This year marks the50th anniversary of the commencement of geology at James CookUniversity. Jon was its foundation staff member, appointed in 1962, anddepartmental head in the critically important formative years of its firstdecade. He set the pathway, with foresight and high accomplishment, whichled to Earth Science emerging as a recognized area of research strength forJCU and as the centre for the discipline in Queensland, and also in thenational fabric of higher education. The practicalities of early-stagedevelopment involved enabling teaching programs and their support, butJon’s enduring legacy was leadership in research aspiration, a strongcommitment to building research infrastructure and an unwavering focus indeveloping research capacity through appropriate staff appointments acrossthe full breadth of the discipline. The pathway was not easy. Geology wasthe last foundation department of the University to be recognised with aprofessorial appointment, and among the last departments to be movedfrom the original site at Pimlico, where most geology staff occupieddemountable buildings, to the current Douglas campus. But the outcomewas one of very considerable achievement.As for many of us, Jon’s attraction to Earth Science was intimatelyassociated with a love of outdoor pursuits. But he was set apart, by passionand accomplishment, from an early age. Solo mountaineering exploits as aschool boy led to prominence at university, as a founding member of thebushwalking club, for climbing feats in Queensland including first ascentson new pathways for several peaks. Choice of the Mount Barney igneouscomplex for doctoral study was a seamless progression, combiningmountaineering and geology. High achievement in both pursuits, combinedwith outstanding personal qualities, resulted in his selection for membershipof the Trans-Antarctic Expedition (TAE), under the leadership of Sir VivianFuchs, in 1956-7. Following three months of very challenging trail-blazingacross then unchartered wilderness, in his case largely by dog sled, Jonbecame the first Australian to reach the South Pole and one of an elitegroup to achieve a trans-Antarctic crossing at that time, arguably the lastgreat feat of expeditionary accomplishment. In retirement, his deep interestin Antarctic exploration was rekindled, culminating in publication byRosenberg Press of his fascinating, detailed, personal TAE account “CrevasseRoulette” in 2009. He was recognised with an Australian GeographicLifetime of Adventure award in the same year.Jon’s close colleagues remember him with great warmth, as a salutaryexponent of those admirable “old world” attributes of ever courteous andprofessional interaction, circumspection, balance, and enduring support forothers. Recognition of these personal qualities and standing were embodiedin the informal name given him by departmental colleagues and studentsalike: he was universally referred to as PJ. As a teacher Jon was traditional,thorough and exacting. He provided a valuable foundation in mineralogyand igneous petrology for generations of undergraduate students and wasa guiding, supporting and value-adding hand in the studies of manypostgraduates and honours candidates. His ongoing combination ofgeological and expeditionary pursuits took him to the Himalayas, where hewent within a whisker of the first ascent of K12, and Heard and AmbronIslands. He was a motivational force for research aspiration of those aroundhim, with his own significant contributions to knowledge of intrusiveigneous assemblages in north Queensland and particularly, through hislife-long interest, to documentation of Queensland’s younger volcanicsystems. The publication of the “Geology of Northeastern Australia”of which Jon was a co-editor, was a statement of his industry andcontribution. He was a lifetime supporter of the Geological Society ofAustralia, with an ongoing contribution to its activities, not least asconvenor of the 3rd Geological Convention held in Townsville in 1978.In spite of long periods of poor health since retirement in 1995 Jon’sinterest in the discipline never failed and he was regularly in touchwith friends and colleagues on his own perspectives on issues and newdevelopments in Earth Science. That he attended a research seminar at JCUjust days before his death was no surprise. PJ was uniquely moulded, isirreplaceable, and is sadly missed by his many colleagues and friends acrossthe profession. For many of us, his passing marks the end of an era for thegeological community in Queensland.BOB HENDERSON AND MIKE RUBENACHDavid Walter Suppel1943–2011Dave Suppel passed away on 11 March this year after a three-year battlewith cancer. Many in the minerals industry would have known Dave as thelong-time Principal Geologist Metallic Minerals in the Geological Survey ofNew South Wales. To encounter a Dave Suppel in a career is to have had anexperience one should value for a lifetime. Quality individuals such as Daveare unfortunately rarer than we would like to think. Accordingly,Dave Suppel’s death is not only a loss to our professional cadre but also aloss to that small cohort of good men.Dave entered Geology in much the same way many of us did, more byaccident than design. After completing his Leaving Certificate at MaristBrothers Parramatta in 1960 he embarked on what he thought would be acareer in industrial chemistry and commenced a science degree in 1961.Geology, of course, lay lurking in the shadows. Dave was majoring in bothchemistry and geology at Sydney University and it was geology’s gain thathe was offered a New South Wales Mines Department traineeship at the endof his third year at university. The traineeship scheme usually involved theselection of the best and the brightest either from school or university to besupported in full-time university study in geology to eventually jointhe Geological Survey of New South Wales. This scheme fundamentallybenefited both government and industry geoscience as many formertrainees became prominent in exploration and mining.44 |TAG September 2011

After completing an honours thesisin 1963 entitled “Geology of theOrange Lower Lewis Ponds district”Dave started in the Geological Surveyin January 1964. His initial exposurewas to coal geology and the regionalcoal resource drilling program in theSydney Basin. Over much of the 1960showever, Dave worked in the MetallicsSection, more particularly in theFerrous and Allied group. During thistime he worked with many illustriousgeologists on assessments andImage courtesy Milly Farrell. mapping of many of the smallerprospector operations around theState. Young geologists at this time in the Geological Survey cut their teethon mapping underground mine workings and their geology. This was verymuch a part of the way the Mines Department in those dayssupported the prospecting industry. It was during this period that much ofthe detailed data on small prospects were collected; data that provided theinformation base for the NSW metallogenic mapping program in the 1970sand 1980s.In 1968, the new Director of the Geological Survey, Cliff McElroy,established a number of specialist units in the Survey. One of these was tofocus on geochemistry. Dave took over the role of Senior Geochemist andthrough to 1970 conducted numerous exploration and environmentalgeochemical surveys across the State.In 1970, Dave was appointed Principal Geologist and assumedresponsibility for managing the State’s metallogenic mapping program. Healso conducted a number of large studies, including that of the stratiformcopper mineralisation in the Girilambone Group at the old Tottenhammining field (an abiding love). Dave went on to lead major studies inwestern NSW, including work on the mineral fields at Cobar, Nymagee,Mt Hope and Shuttleton. He subsequently completed an MSc on themineral deposits of the Cobar region.Dave had a keen interest in metallogenesis, particularly that of theLachlan Fold Belt and in the 1980s published extensively on this subject. Hiswork has provided an essential framework for subsequent resource andland-use studies of this region of NSW which is so critical to its mineralwealth. During this time, he made important contributions to the understandingof platinum mineralisation in NSW through his work at Fifield.In 1988, following the election of the Greiner Government, Dave tookover an innovative program known as the Mineral Resources Audit. Theprogram set in train innovations that have benefitted the Geological Surveyever since. He worked closely with Peter Lewis, Rob Barnes and the lateAdelmo Agostini. He led the development of GIS in the Survey and asystem for mineral potential analysis. Dave was an innovator and it was hewho led the establishment of digital capabilities that then allowed Discovery2000 (the 1994-2000 mineral exploration initiative) to take GSNSW to theposition then as arguably the premier State geological survey in Australia.With the change in government in the mid 1990s, Dave led theDepartment’s involvement with the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA). Thisrequired him to deal extensively with other agencies including National Parksand Wildlife Service, State Forests, Planning NSW, etc. He earned respectacross government as a true professional. His involvement in the strategicland-use assessment process associated with the RFA process gained thethen NSW Department of Mineral Resources and the Geological Survey acredibility in natural resource management that could not be bought.In 2001, Dave returned to his first love, metalliferous geology.He further expanded collaboration with CSIRO in lead-isotope workparticularly, which allowed him to provide invaluable insights to others onmetallogenesis, resource analysis and land use planning. Dave gave 40 yearsof his life to public service in the Geological Survey and for much of thistime he loved what he did. He often said that he felt he should be payingthe government for what he did, not them paying him. He eventually retiredin 2003 after a proud and illustrious career. He did well!Dave was a mentor and role model to many in his profession. Hisunassuming charm caused many to warm to him instantly. To have knownDave is to be richer for that experience. He had a well-developed socialconscience, valued public service and saw working for government as anoble calling. He was not so much personally ambitious, but he wasambitious for his science. He was also a clear thinker and a skilful writer.Dave had a fundamental honesty and would, if prodded, provide an insightfulassessment based on his values of integrity and decency. He fosteredmany a geologist’s interest in ore deposit geology, but also taught them towrite, speechify, and love language! His humanity infected us all.Dave leaves his wife Mary, son James and daughter Kate. His friendsand colleagues share their grief and are honoured to have known DavidWalter Suppel.Dave was a Member of the Geological Society of Australia since 1964.LINDSAY GILLIGANFrank Radke1941–2011Members of the South Australian Divisionmourn the loss of mineralogist/ petrologist,Frank Radke, a longstanding GSA member,who was their Divisional Secretary 1978-1979 and Divisional Treasurer 1979-1981.Frank’s wife, Catherine McGregor, hasprovided the following information abouther late husband.Frank was born and educated in Brooklyn,New York, USA. He moved to Australia in1971 when he was appointed a geologist/mineralogist/petrologist withAMDEL, a post that he held until his death. For most of this period he wasbased at AMDEL’s Adelaide office. Over the years Frank was active on thecommittee of the Geological Society of Australia SA Division as well as on thecommittees of the Mineralogical Societies of South Australia and WesternAustralia. He is a past President of the Mineralogical Society of SouthAustralia.Age 69 years, Frank died peacefully at home in Western Australia on29 January 2011 after suffering for 13 months with oesophageal cancer.He was grateful for his life and especially for the opportunities given to himby his parents who sent him to University despite having little money oreducation themselves. This allowed Frank to spend his working life doingwhat he loved – mineralogy. At his death, Frank was one of few opticalmineralogists still operating in Australia in the field of petrography andmineragraphic analysis, including the examination of metal ores and mineralsboth qualitatively and quantitatively. This meant that Frank was always indemand with many companies sending their samples to him from overseas.To say that Frank was well liked and highly respected by his colleagues andclients is to do him an injustice, for he will be sorely missed. The small worldof hands-on mineralogy just got a whole lot smaller.Frank asked that his ashes be scattered near the banks of Reedy Creek nearEldorado, Victoria where Frank and his wife, Catherine, spent their first NewYear’s Eve together panning for gold.TAG September 2011|45

Calendar201121–23 SeptemberWater in Coal Mines School, Sydney NSW5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au26–30 SeptemberAdvanced Master Class in Australian GroundwaterPerth, WAwww.srit.com.au/course_details.php?id=928–29 SeptemberRIU Melbourne Resources Round-upSofitel Melbourne on Collins, VICdoug@verticalevents.com.au28–30 SeptemberWater in Coal Mines School, Sydney NSW5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au4–7 OctoberGroundwater Flow and Transport Modelling with GMSAdelaide, South Australiawww.srit.com.au/course_details.php?id=235–7 OctoberInternational Hydrographic Organisation's HydrographicCommission on Antarctica Annual MeetingHobart, Tasmaniawww.iho-ohi.net/english/committees-wg/ircc/hca.html#IHO10–12 OctoberGIS-based Modelling using ArcHydro GroundwaterAdelaide, South Australiawww.srit.com.au/course_details.php?id=2614 OctoberGeoscience Australia Commemorative Geological CapeDenison Mapchris.carson@ga.gov.au19–21 OctoberCoal Seam Gas and Water ManagementCQU Brisbane5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au24–26 OctoberSD2011: Rhetoric to RealityMackay, Queenslandents@minerals.org.au24 October– 4 NovemberConvention on the Conservation of Antarctic MarineLiving Resources (CCAMLR)Hobart, Tasmaniawww.ccamlr.org/pu/e/gen-intro.htm26, 27, 28 OctoberMining 2011 Resources ConventionCanberra ACTdoug@verticalevents.com.au27–28 OctoberPolicy and GovernanceBrisbane, QLD5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au8–10 NovemberAustralian Centre for GeomechanicsFourth International Seminar on Strategic versus TacticalApproaches in MiningPerth, WAacginfo@acg.uwa.edu.au15–16 NovemberRiver and Floodplain ModellingSydney NSW5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au15–16 NovemberAustralian Water Industry Essentials CourseSydney NSW5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au16–18 NovemberAustralian Centre for GeomechanicsBlasting for Stable SlopesPerth WAacginfo@acg.uwa.edu.auhttp://www.acg.uwa.edu.au17–18 NovemberHydraulics and Hydrology for Non-EngineersSydney NSW5% Discount for GSA Members!www.icewarm.com.au22 & 23 NovemberInnovation in Urban Water Management & TreatmentMebourne VICwatertreatmentconference.com.au30 November – 1 DecemberThe Royal Society of Tasmania Mawson Symposiumwww.rst.org.aup.quilty@utas.edu.au1 DecemberMawson's Huts Foundation Centenary DinnerHotel Grand Chancellor, Hobartdavid.jensen@mawsons-huts.org.au1 December2011 Sprigg Symposium: Unravelling the NorthernFlinders and BeyondUniversity of Adelaidewww.sa.gsa.org.au2 December8th SA Exploration and Mining Conference AdelaideConvention CentreAdelaide, South Australiawww.saexplorers.com.au46 |TAG September 2011

Geological Society of Australia Inc. Office Bearers 2011/2012MEMBERS OF COUNCILAND EXECUTIVEPresidentBrad PillansAustralian National UniversityVice PresidentLaurie HuttonMines & Energy (DEEDI)SecretaryMichelle CooperGeoscience AustraliaTreasurerChris YeatsCSIROEarth Science and Resource EngineeringPast PresidentPeter CawoodUniversity of St AndrewsHon EditorAustralian Journal of Earth SciencesAnita AndrewCOUNCILLORS OF THEEXECUTIVE DIVISIONIan GrahamUniversity of New South WalesJon HronskyWestern Mining Services, LLCPatrick LyonsLincoln Minerals LtdKen McQueenUniversity of CanberraMarc NormanAustralian National UniversityAnna PettsAdelaide UniversityJim RossSTANDING COMMITTEESGeological HeritageNational ConvenorMargaret BrocxAustralian StratigraphyCommissionNational ConvenorCathy BrownSTATE CONVENORSACT, External TerritoriesAlbert BrakelNew South WalesLawrence SherwinGeological Survey of New South WalesNorthern TerritoryTim MunsonNorthern Territory Geological SurveyQueenslandIan WithnallGeological Survey of QueenslandSouth AustraliaWayne CowleyPrimary Industries & ResourcesSouth AustraliaTasmaniaStephen ForsythVictoriaFons VandenBergGeoScience VictoriaWestern AustraliaRoger HockingGeological Survey of Western AustraliaDIVISIONS ANDBRANCHESAustralian Capital TerritoryChair: John RogersAustralian National UniversitySecretary: Michelle CooperGeoscience AustraliaNew South Waleswww.nsw.gsa.org.auChair: Ian GrahamUniversity of New South WalesSecretary: Dioni CendonANSTONorthern TerritoryChair: Christine EdgooseNorthern Territory Geological SurveySecretary: Linda GlassNorthern Territory Geological SurveyQueenslandwww.qld.gsa.org.auChair: Laurie HuttonGeological Survey of QueenslandSecretary: Friedrich von GnielinskiGeological Survey of QueenslandSouth Australiawww.sa.gsa.org.auChair: Len AltmanMarden Senior CollegeSecretary: Jim JagoUniversity of South AustraliaTasmaniaChair: Garry DavidsonCODESSecretary: Mark DuffettMineral Resources TasmaniaVictoriawww.vic.gsa.org.auChair: David CantrillRoyal Botanic GardensSecretary: Adele SeymonGeoScience VictoriaWestern Australiawww.wa.gsa.org.auChair: Katy EvansCurtin UniversitySecretary: Marcus WilsonIntegra MiningBroken Hill BranchChair: Barney StevensGeological Survey of New South WalesSecretary: Kingsley MillsHunter Valley BranchChair: John GreenfieldGeological Survey of New South WalesSecretary: Phil GilmoreGeological Survey of New South WalesSPECIALIST GROUPSApplied Geochemistry SpecialistGroup (SGAG)www.sgag.gsa.org.auChair: Louisa LawranceSecretary: Craig RuglessAssociation of AustralasianPalaeontologists (AAP)www.es.mq.edu.au/mucep/aap/indexPresident: Guang R. ShiDeakin UniversityVice-President: Alex CookQueensland MuseumSecretary: Elizabeth WeldonDeakin UniversityAustralasian Sedimentologists Group(ASG)Chair: Bradley OpdykeAustralian National UniversitySecretary: Sarah TynanAustralian National UniversityCoal Geology (CGG)www.cgg.gsa.org.auChair: Wes NicholsSecretary: Mark BiggsEarth Sciences History Group (ESHG)www.vic.gsa.org.au/eshg.htmChair: Peter DunnSecretary: John BlockleyEconomic Geology Specialist Groupsgeg.gsa.org.auChair: Frank BierleinAreva NC AustraliaSecretary: Oliver KreuzerRegalpoint Exploration Pty LtdEnvironmental Engineering &Hydrogeology Specialist Group(EEHSG)Chair: Ken LawrieGeoscience AustraliaSecretary: Steven LewisGeoscience AustraliaGeochemistry, Mineralogy &Petrology Specialist Group(SGGMP)www.gsa.org.au/specialgroups/sggmp.htmlChair: Hugh O'NeillAustralian National UniversitySecretary: Greg YaxleyAustralian National UniversityGeological Education (SGE)Chair: Greg McNamaraGeoscience Education & OutreachServicesPlanetary Geoscience SpecialistGroup (SGPG)Chair: Graziella CaprarelliUniversity of TechnologySolid Earth Geophysics SpecialistGroup (SGSEG)www.gsa.org.au/specialgroups/sgseg.htmlChair: Nick RawlinsonGeoscience AustraliaSecretary: Richard ChoppingGeoscience AustraliaTectonics & Structural GeologySpecialist Group (SGTSG)www.sgtsg.gsa.org.auChair: Peter BettsMonash UniversitySecretary: Tim RawlingGeoscience VictoriaVolcanology (LAVA)www.es.mq.edu.au/geology/volcan/hmpg.htmChair: Rick SquireMonash UniversitySecretary: Karin OrthUniversity of TasmaniaTAG September 2011 | 47

Publishing DetailsThe Australian Geologist48 | TAG September 2011 Background InformationG E N E R A L N O T EThe Australian Geologist (TAG) is a quarterly member magazine which includes society news,conference details, special reports, feature articles, book reviews and other items of interest to EarthScientists. Each issue has a long shelf-life and is read by more than 3000 geologists, geophysicists,palaeontologists, hydrologists, geochemists, cartographers and geoscience educators from Australia COPYRIGHTand around the world.Schedule and Deadlines for 2011/2012I SSUE C OPY F INISHED A RT I NSERTSDecember 2011 26 October 2 November 9 NovemberMarch 2012 28 January 3 February 2 MarchJune 2012 30 April 4 May 29 MaySeptember 2012 30 July 6 August 18 AugustArtworkMaterial can be supplied electronically via Email or mail CD (MAC or PC). The advertisements orphotographs can be sent as jpeg, eps or tiff. Word files are not accepted as finished art (pleaseconvert to pdf). 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However, material in this issue may be photocopied by individualsfor research or classroom use. Permission is also granted to useshort articles, quotes, figures, tables, etc, for publication in scientificbooks and journals or in other scientific newsletters provided acknowledgementis made. For permission for any other use or publication oflonger articles please contact the Honorary Editor.Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyrightholders of material in this publication. If any rights have been omitted,apologies are offered.The Geological Society of Australia Inc is a learned Society. TheAustralian Geologist is published by the Geological Society of AustraliaInc, to provide information for the members and a forum for theexpression of their professional interests and opinions. Observations,interpretations and opinions published herein are the responsibility ofthe contributors and are not necessarily supported by the GeologicalSociety of Australia Inc or the Hon Editor.While the Hon Editor and the Geological Society of Australia Inchave taken all reasonable precautions and made all reasonable effortsto ensure the accuracy of material contained in this publication theaforesaid make no warranties, expressed or implied with respect to anyof the material contained herein.Advertising/Membership: All business enquiries and correspondencerelating to advertising space, inserts and/or subscription matters,should be addressed to the Business Manager of the Society.Contributions: All editorial enquiries or contributions should be sent totag@gsa.org.au or mailed to the GSA business office.Contributions are preferred as email. MS WORD documents for PC(or compatible) are the preferred file attachment. 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