TAG 166 - Geological Society of Australia

More documents

Recommendations

Info

A spectacular hornblende–diorite orbicule about 150 mm wide. Imagecourtesy Mike Fetherston.Bevan (2004) proposed that the orbicules were formed bycrystallisation from a fluid-rich, supercooled dioritic magma. Variationsin orbicule type and layer structure reflect a very dynamic history ofcrystallisation influenced by changes in magma composition and degreeof cooling. The presence of broken fragments and variations in zonemineralogy indicate that proto-orbicules were very mobile in the magmachamber, probably propelled by convection currents within fluid-richmargins. Orbicules were eventually subject to gravity settling to formthe deposit visible today. It is evident that, at the time of settling,orbicules were still in a plastic state as they are often deformed ormoulded together. Some orbicules appear to have been dragged alongby the current while others show evidence of mass movement aftersettling. Further recent information on the nature and origin of theorbicular granite is given in Bevan and Bevan (2009).Because of its visually spectacular orbicular structure, relative rarityand ability to take a high polish, the orbicular granite has been quarriedat different times, supplying blocks and slabs mainly to artisans andmonumental masons. Prime examples of completed works include highqualityornamental works such as contemporary sculptures, interiordecorative panels and tables. Floating orbicular granite spheresmeasuring up to one metre in diameter are also popular.MIKE FETHERSTONIndustrial minerals specialistGeological Survey of Western AustraliaNational Rock Garden updateTwo recent developments have given the National Rock Garden (NRG) amajor boost. First, the Australian National University (ANU) has agreedto become an Education Partner of the NRG. Second, the NRG has beenmade part of the Centenary of Canberra celebrations.At a time when university budgets are stretched to the limit, the ANUhas generously agreed to provide $100 000 in funding for the NRG. A draftMemorandum of Understanding has been drawn up and, once it is approvedand signed, ANU will become an Education Partner with the NRG.Dean of the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (andGSA member), Professor Andrew Roberts, summed it up pretty well.“In Australia, we owe much of our national prosperity to our geologicalresources. The NRG is a great way to communicate to the general publicabout Australia’s geological heritage. As one of the world’s great EarthScience research establishments, it makes sense for ANU to partner withthe Geological Society of Australia in the NRG.”On 13 October 2013, in Earth Science Week and during Centenaryof Canberra celebrations, an inauguration ceremony will be held at thesite of the NRG on the western side of Lake Burley Griffin. Not to beconfused with an opening ceremony, which is still some years away, theNRG inauguration ceremony will mark the arrival of the first big rockson-site — eight to be exact, if things go according to plan.[L–R] Andrew Roberts and Brad Pillans at the NRG tourist sign — a sign ofthings to come! Image courtesy Brad Pillans.R E F E R E N C E SBevan, J, 2004, Archaean orbicular granitoids from Boogardie, near Mt Magnet, inWestern Australia: Dynamic Earth: Past, Present and Future: Geological Society ofAustralia, Abstracts 73, 17th Australian Geological Convention, Hobart, p. 252.Bevan, JC and Bevan, AWR, 2009, Nature and origin of the orbicular granodioritefrom Boogardie Station, Western Australia: an ornamental stone of monumentalproportions: The Australian Gemmologist (2009), v. 23, p. 373–432.Fetherston, JM, 2010, Dimension stone in Western Australia, Volume 2, Dimensionstones of the southern, central western, and northern regions: Geological Survey ofWestern Australia, Mineral Resources Bulletin 24, p. 35–43.The Canberra Foundation Stone, laid in 1913, and relocated to the lawns infront of New Parliament House in 1988. Image courtesy Brad Pillans.TAG March 2013| 15
It is proposed that an important element of the NRG will be eightlarge rocks representing each of the states and territories of Australiaand commemorating Federation — the raison d’être for Canberra. Theywill be displayed permanently and prominently near the NRG entranceand will form a centenary link to the six-sided Canberra FoundationStone, laid in March 1913, in front of Parliament House. The FoundationStone was intended to be the base for an obelisk made of rocks fromaround the British Empire, but it was never completed. The base is madeof ‘Bowral trachyte’, also known as Mt Gibraltar microsyenite, once apopular building stone that we may also choose to display in the NRG.Each of the eight rocks, to be known collectively as the ‘FederationRocks’, will be selected for its special significance to the state or territoryfrom which it comes. The NRG is liaising with the ACT Government toencourage all states and territories to fund the Federation Rocks.BRAD PILLANSChair, National Rock GardenInternational Geological CorrelationProgramme (IGCP)Annual report 2011–2012The Australian committee’s annual report to the IGCP for 2011–2012 issummarised here. This report highlights the committee’s work in ensuringAustralian scientists and students can engage with this internationalprogram.Committee members 2011–2012Members of the committee during 2011–2012, and their main areasof interest were:Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich (Chair for 2010 onwards) —Paleobiology and Science CommunicationSchool of Geosciences, Monash University, Monash Vic 3800pat.rich@monash.edu.auProfessor Peter Cawood — Tectonics, Assembly and Dispersalof ContinentsSchool of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia,Crawley WA 6009peter.cawood@st-andrews.ac.ukProfessor Tony Crawford — Petrology and GeochemistryARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits, University of Tasmania,Private Bag 126, Hobart TAS 7001tony.crawford@utas.edu.auDr Brenda Franklin — Mineralogy and Industrial MineralsConsulting Mineralogist/Petrologist141 Oaks Ave, Dee Why NSW 2099brendafranklin@bigpond.comProfessor Steven Reddy — Structural Geology and TectonicsDepartment of Applied GeologyCurtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845s.reddy@curtin.edu.auDr Elizabeth Truswell — Environmental Geoscience and PaleontologyVisiting Fellow, Research School of Earth Sciences, ANU,Canberra ACT 0200etruswell@aapt.net.auDr Sue Turner — Vertebrate Paleontology and BiostratigraphyQueensland Museum Ancient Environments122 Gerler Road, Hendra, Qld 4011sue.turner@qm.qld.gov.auProfessor Allan Chivas — Geochemistry and GeochronologySchool of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong,Wollongong, NSW 2522toschi@uow.edu.auDr Alfons (Fons) VandenBerg — Biostratigraphy, Graptolites, RegionalGeology, Volcanology, Structural Geology and Geological MappingMuseum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne 3001avandenberg@museum.vic.gov.auIGCP projectsThe IGCP is a joint initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientificand Cultural Organization (UNESCO), through its Division of EarthSciences, and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).Australia has been involved with the IGCP since its inception in 1972.In 2011–2012, 27 IGCP projects were active and funded. Australiangeoscientists at the beginning of 2011 were either leaders or co-leadersof seven projects, and active participants in 11 others, indicating the ongoinghigh level of interest and the benefits to be gained from cooperationin international projects. Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich continuesin a position on the expanded IGCP Scientific Board and was elected asthe Theme Leader for Global Change and the Evolution of Life onthe International Geoscience Programme Board based in Paris for2011–2014.Two new IGCP project proposals have been submitted to UNESCOfor 2012. There are Australian leaders for 17 of the internationallysubmitted projects. And of those 17, several include Australianparticipants beyond the two led by Australian researchers.Bursaries for Australian researchersThe Australian National IGCP Committee functioned as usual. Its mainbusiness is to disburse much of the $20 000 ($22 000 less tax) Grantsin-Aidprovided annually by Geoscience Australia to assist Australiangeoscientists, in particular students and early career researchers, toparticipate in IGCP activities. The ongoing contribution made byGeoscience Australia and the GSA to IGCP activities is gratefullyacknowledged.The following grants were provided to assist Australian scientists toattend IGCP sponsored meetings and workshops. This included assistancetowards attending international workshops and conferences as wellorganisation of the 40th anniversary meeting of IGCP in Paris in 2012.There were also two field conferences in Newfoundland and Saudi Arabiaand a conference on science communication in Iran.16 |TAG March 2013
Page 3 and 4: From the PresidentWelcome back from
Page 5 and 6: Society UpdateGovernance changesCom
Page 9 and 10: Society UpdateFrom the AJES Hon Edi
Page 11 and 12: Society UpdateEducation&OutreachIn
Page 13 and 14: A conference in 2014 is envisaged a
Page 15: NEWSIn the news this issuen NRG Roc
Page 19 and 20: IGCP projects with Australian leade
Page 21 and 22: Ediacaran Golden Spike localityVisi
Page 23 and 24: Feature 1Feature 1Snowy Mountains H
Page 25: Tumut 2 tailwater tunnel during con
Page 31 and 32: Fossil hunting organised by Kronosa
Page 33 and 34: Fortunately for Paul Stumkat, he is
Page 35 and 36: Year 12 EES students from across WA
Page 37 and 38: Special Report 3Global warming and
Page 39 and 40: As indicated in the table accompany
Page 41 and 42: Ian Percival spoke on protecting an
Page 43 and 44: Books for reviewPlease contact the
Page 45 and 46: An introductory paper to the volume
Page 47 and 48: this land, and showing the richness
Page 49 and 50: Geology of QueenslandP Jell (Ed)Dep
Page 51 and 52: O B I T U A R I E SSylvia Whitehead
Page 53: The Australian GeologistBackground

TAG 166 - Geological Society of Australia

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?