Registered by Australia Post Publication No 100010917
ISSN 0312 4711
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Anthea Batsakis
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Kath Kovac
DESIGN & TYPESETTING
Anthea Batsakis
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Amber Jarrett
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COVER IMAGE: Geologists Jacqui Halpin (left) and Jack Mulder (right) on the Denman Glacier during a helicopter refuelling stop on route to the mountains Photo: J Halpin
INSIDE COVER IMAGE: The 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria Photo: Canva
GENERAL NOTE
The Australian Geologist (TAG) is a quarterly member magazine that includes society news, conference details, special reports, feature articles, book reviews and other items of interest to Earth Scientists Each issue has a long shelf-life and is read by more than 3,000 geologists, geophysicists, paleontologists, hydrologists, geochemists, cartographers and geoscience educators from Australia and around the world
SUBMISSIONS
TAG is no longer accepting complete articles without prior notice Instead, we encourage members to send in their ideas and work with editors to produce new content If you’d like to get involved, please email tag@gsa org au Artwork must be high resolution 300 dpi or larger.
COPYRIGHT
The Publication is copyright by the GSA Inc unless specifically stated otherwise However, material in this issue may be used provided acknowledgement is made Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright holders of material in this publication If any rights have been omitted, apologies are offered
The GSA is a learned society and TAG is published by the Society to provide information for members and as a forum for the expression of their professional interests and opinions Observations, interpretations and opinions published herein are the responsibility of the contributors and are not necessarily supported by the GSA
The GSA has taken all reasonable precautions and made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of material contained in this publication, and makes no warranties, expressed or implied with respect to any of the material contained herein
BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
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Attention GSA members!
You now have access to the world-renowned Practical Geocommunication course.
This course gives you the tools to boost public engagement, influence decision-making, and enhance professional visibility.
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity. Scan the QR code to learn more.
Geologize empowers geoscientists to communicate complex topics clearly and effectively, using cutting-edge, neurosciencebased strategies to engage diverse audiences and elevate public understanding.
I’m writing to congratulate all those involved in the production of Issue 211 of TAG. What a wonderful transformation and refreshing change in the paper quality, layout, presentation and content!
I’ve enjoyed reading TAG each month for a number of years, but this most recent edition blew me away I found virtually every page extremely interesting reading (for a non-geologist).
The highlight for me, in particular, was the feature on amber treasures in Australia, having carried out the very early exploration drilling of the coal deposit in Anglesea, Victoria, in 1963–1964. This deposit proved to have vast potential and was
Photo: Rod McCallum, age 21, removing the diamond bit and reamer shell from a core barrel in Anglesea. Photo: Rod McCallum via Corroboree June/July 1964
Letter to the editor
ultimately acquired as a power generation source for Alcoa of Australia’s Point Henry aluminium smelter, which closed in 2014 I was also involved in the drilling and commissioning of the 300-metre deep, 1-metre diameter, screened and gravelpacked artesian bore to provide cooling water for Alcoa’s Anglesea Power Station. Unfortunately, though, I can’t claim to have found any amber
I found The Rare Earth Element Uprising in Australia: Context, Challenges and Potential, by Ignacio González-Álvarez, most enlightening. Ignacio has definitely “thrown down the gauntlet”
Another article, under Heritage Matters, brought back memories, given the spotlight on
stromatolites at Shark Bay, Western Australia I drilled a deep artesian bore at Useless Loop for Shark Bay Salt in the late 1960s and was fascinated by the stromatolite heads In those days, I had no idea how their shape and texture were formed I was still learning and developing my interest in geology, which created the challenges (and enjoyment) I faced in my over 50-year career drilling differing formations, while working across all sectors of the drilling industry and in a variety of roles and countries
Suffice to say, as a long-retired ‘old’ driller with a continued interest in the Earth Sciences, I enjoyed reading the entire content of this issue Well done, and may subsequent issues continue at this level
ROD MCCALLUM Retired driller
From the President
Welcome to the November issue of TAG I first want to thank all our members who have reached out with overwhelming support for the revamped magazine. Our fantastic Editor-in-Chief Anthea Batsakis has done a wonderful job bringing to life our vision of a modern, colourful magazine with informative articles we can all be proud of. I do hope you feel inspired to share your photos and ideas for future articles as we continue our mission to promote and advance Earth Sciences.
We are also grateful to one of our long-standing fellows, who has generously and anonymously bequeathed a substantial amount into the GSA Endowment Fund For more than 10 years, the GSA Endowment Fund has supported students undertaking graduate research in Earth Sciences Her selfless legacy will continue to support the next generation of Earth Scientists for years to come
November is always great month to pause and reflect on the year that has been
Since our last issue, we have celebrated National Science Week (11 to 18 August) and Earth Science Week (13 to 19 October) It has been fantastic to see GSA members on the ground, right across Australia, sharing our passion for Earth Science at public events
Online, GSA has been promoting Earth Science across Australia on social media During National Science Week, we highlighted a series of geological features in each state and territory And this Earth Science Week, we showcased several of our members and their diverse work
Our members represent a broad range of Earth Science disciplines, from geophysics to geotourism, economic geology to education and outreach. This multidisciplinary nature is our strength and can lead to new collaborations and discoveries. It is so important for the GSA and our members to promote Earth Sciences. We know why we are important but we need to be communicating and changing the narrative on what Earth Science is to our communities and decision makers, and importantly, to attract
Amber Jarrett
young people to work in Earth Sciences To do this, we need a clear narrative and to ensure our messaging and brand is consistent
This is why the GSA is refreshing its brand, upgrading its website and modernising its communications plan I thank the Geocommunication Standing Committee led by both Mark Pearce and Pete Betts for their help with this
The GSA has also signed with Geologize for another twoyear term We will be proactive in having Geologize CEO Haydon Mort provide practical workshops on ways to communicate Earth Science to the public The GSA wants to provide members with a platform to amplify your messaging.
Finally, I want to use this column to reinforce my commitment to a welcoming and engaging Earth Science community, where everyone feels safe and valued. I want to be clear that the GSA has a zerotolerance policy for bullying, abuse or harassment. We are working on updating our Code of Conduct to be clearer about our responsibilities as a Society and our obligations as a member
The GSA is run by a team of amazing volunteers, and I thank you all for volunteering on top of your job, family and friends and other hobbies I urge everyone to be considerate and patient and allow for a few days between emails before prompting If The Association Specialists are contracted to respond within 48 hours, we cannot expect anything more from our volunteers
Thanks for understanding, and I hope you have a safe and relaxing end-of-year holiday season happy reading
AMBER JARRETT President
Working with children and vulnerable people policy
The GSA has a mission to promote and advance Earth Sciences
This new policy formalises the GSA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable people in our outreach and engagement activities
Across Australia, GSA volunteers are involved in a wide range of fun and rewarding outreach activities, including school visits, public presentations, field trips and online events. The GSA wants to continue these events, keeping everyone safe and engaged while learning
The new working with children and vulnerable people policy is now available on our website and follows state legislation, best-practice guidelines and the national principles for child-safe organisations
Many states in Australia have a legal requirement for a volunteer to hold a current working-with-children clearance to work or volunteer with children The GSA will require all volunteers to obtain a clearance if volunteering with children on behalf of the society Most states provide a free clearance to volunteers, and the GSA will reimburse any fees if this is relevant in your state
The policy will continue to be assessed and may be updated from time to time in order to meet best practice Any questions or concerns about this policy should be directed to the President via info@gsa org au
We thank you in advance for your support and commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment to everyone who attends a GSA event
Standards of behaviour expected at a GSA event
DOs
Treat all children and vulnerable people with respect
Listen and appropriately respond to the views and concerns of the child or vulnerable person
Create and maintain a safe environment
Ask permission before any physical contact
Communicate effectively in a clear, age-appropriate way
Immediately report any concerns to the person in charge
Ask for help when you need it
DO NOT use inappropriate language
DO NOT ignore safety or well-being concerns
DO NOT exchange contact details
DO NOT take children away from the group
DO NOT take photos without consent from a guardian
DO NOT give food or drink (except water) to an unknown person
Tips and Tricks when working with children
Always give safety instructions first (before sharing equipment)
Get down to the child’s level on a chair or kneel
Use simple language and avoid sarcasm and jargon
Use positive reinforcement
Avoid taking over Help and encourage the child
Students investigating a pegmatite at ANZAC Hill during the GSA-led field trip at the Inspiring Careers in Earth Sciences Forum, Alice Springs Photo: Amber Jarrett
GSA updates
Safety and Culture Committee
The GSA continues to work on our culture of safety, care and respect through our psychosocial hazard-awareness program.
Organisations that promote psychologically healthy workplaces and identify and manage psychosocial hazards benefit from thriving workers, greater productivity, engagement and job satisfaction, less absenteeism, fewer work-related injuries, and smaller turnover of workers
Additionally, it is a legal requirement for employers to consult with their workers under the model Work Health and Safety Legislation
The GSA has taken a proactive approach in understanding the obligations and management of psychosocial hazards. We have engaged Awareness Co as an independent provider to initiate the consultation process, providing education to effectively identify and assess hazards and risks
In late June, Awareness Co. facilitated a volunteer awareness session for all GSA members to discuss health and safety obligations when it comes to psychosocial hazards This presentation will soon be available behind the GSA member paywall, or upon request to info@gsa org au
Business matters
Membership renewal notices have been emailed to all members There are options to renew your membership online, or manually via the phone You are also welcome to print and post your membership renewal, as with previous years
The GSA is aware of six members who do not have email addresses, to whom a physical renewal notice will be mailed out
If you would prefer a physical renewal form, please contact GSA Secretariat via info@gsa.org.au or (02) 9160 8193
We have commenced a website refresh project that will be user focused, as opposed to redesigning the same structure on a new platform We emailed members to join us for one of six workshops to understand audience and website needs, where we held a card-sorting exercise to prioritise content and to determine the look and feel of a future website
The insights gained from these sessions will inform the new website structure, and we are eagerly anticipating these results Thank you to everyone who participated in the workshops
The GSA is still working to upload and share content behind the member paywall This includes Governance materials (policies, and minutes
Awareness Co also facilitated an anonymous survey, and listen-and-learn sessions to understand potential hazards in the Society
This information will help us continue to identify, assess, control and review inherent and potential hazards.
Awareness Co will be briefing the Governing Council with aggregated insights before providing a report that will be available to all members
Thank you to the members who provided feedback and attended the session
from past AGM and Governing Council meetings), publications (including past issues of TAG) and the GSA brand kit, logos and style guide Content will be continually uploaded.
Members are advised to be vigilant, as scams are becoming more sophisticated
The GSA Secretariat, Governing Councillors, and Divisional or Specialist Groups will never ask members to purchase items such as gift cards on behalf of the Society, or ask to transfer money to you, and we will never ask you to share your credit card details.
If you are ever in doubt, you can forward a suspicious email to info@gsa org au with “SCAM?” in the subject, or phone the GSA Secretariat to double check the authenticity
GSA updates
Correction in TAG
TAG would like to clarify a data error in the article by Ignacio González-Álvarez published in July 2024
The correct estimated rareearth elements + yttrium total resource for Olympic Dam is approximately 11 500 megatons at approximately 0 32 weight per cent, rather than the originally stated approximately 2,000 megatons at approximately 0 35 weight per cent total, rare-earth oxides
News from the NT Division
Joel Kumwenda from Monash University presented his PhD research on the evolution of the North Australian Craton His talk sparked lively discussion, future research ideas, and introduced an exciting Northern Territory Geological Survey project in the Pine Creek Orogen Special thanks to Pablo Farias for facilitating the seminar
During National Science Week, GSA-NT members Anita Doig, Lachlan Hallett and Amber Jarrett represented Earth Science at the Science Fair at Charles Darwin University. They hosted a booth featuring Northern Territory rocks, minerals, and a dollhouse showcasing household items made from natural resources.
News from the Hunter Valley Branch
For the Hunter Valley Branch’s AGM on 28 May 2024, we hosted a presentation at Club Maitland City by Brenainn Simpson of the NSW Geological Survey
Brenainn spoke on peralkaline magmas and mineralisation in New South Wales Despite 22 ticket bookings, only 11 attended due to inclement weather that night
On 26 June, five members of our Branch’s committee met and then together attended the Virtual Volunteer Awareness Session on work culture and safety for GSA volunteers This was a useful reminder of our responsibilities
To celebrate National Science Week, the Branch ran a geoscience booth at the Hunter Science Festival at Newcastle Museum on 18 August.
Committee members Rosemary Hegarty and Marta Vega-Faundez, with assistance from Dale Sims of Australian Institute of Geoscientists, showcased the geology of the Hunter Valley (and New South Wales) Emphasis was placed on the fossil record through a display of local rocks, fossils and giveaway publications The Hunter Valley Branch is a member of Hunter Innovation and Science Hub, which ran the popular festival.
On 24 September, Luke Mahoney of the Geological Survey of NSW gave an excellent talk at East Maitland Bowling Club He spoke on ‘Crustal architecture and geological evolution of the Central Lachlan Orogen: Insights from new deep crustal seismic imaging of the Yathong–Cobar–Hermidale region’ This was followed by dinner at the nearby Bank Hotel.
Congratulations to Amber Jarrett for being named the 2024 STEM Hero of the Year at the Northern Territory Science Awards This well-deserved recognition celebrates her community outreach, showcasing the fascinating geology and minerals of the Northern Territory
Editor’s note
I can confirm that, in 2025, TAG will be published in March, June, September and December
I appreciate those who have already sent in their ideas for March Note that I will preference ideas for articles, rather than complete pieces. While I will consider unsolicited complete pieces, unfortunately I cannot guarantee that they will be published
Deadline for article ideas: Monday 16 December 2024
Deadline for copy: Monday 6 January 2025 (but the earlier the better)
This may seem early, but when you consider the time it takes to proof, design, print and distribute the magazine, copy must be finalised one to two months in advance.
Please send your ideas to tag@gsa org au
Amber Jarrett awarded Photo: supplied
Equity, diversity and inclusion: News from the WA Division
The WA Division of the GSA fosters equity, diversity and inclusion within the geoscience community.
Over the past two years, we have made significant strides to create a dynamic and inclusive environment that supports all geoscientists in the region.
In 2022, GSA-WA experienced substantial growth in social media engagement, particularly on platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn Our Facebook page ' s reach increased by 34 7%, while LinkedIn saw a rise in followers from 1,099 to 1,480 by 2023 This growth increased visibility while also attracting new participants to monthly talks on topics from paleontology to planetary geosciences This diversity in programming reflects the varied interests of the membership and underscores the Division’s commitment to inclusivity
A key component of GSA-WA's support for emerging talent has been its bursary program In 2022, four recipients were awarded $1,000 each to support fieldwork, analytical expenses and conference travel This support continued in 2023 with three bursaries awarded,
emphasising accessibility for marginalised and disadvantaged applicants This initiative ensures that under-represented groups within the geoscience community are given the support they need to succeed
The sudden closure of the venue for monthly talks in 2023 presented a challenge for the GSA-WA committee The committee responded quickly, increasing our online presence Talks were recorded and made available on our YouTube channel, broadening access significantly We now aim to make all monthly talks available on YouTube Our members and friends attend free-entry talks at Public House, 263 Adelaide Terrace, Perth This adaptability highlights the Division’s resilience and forward-thinking approach
Efforts to improve gender equity have also been a focal point. In 2022, social media analytics revealed that men predominantly followed the Division's pages. Recognising this disparity, we have worked towards balancing gender representation By 2023, efforts began to show results, with more balanced engagement across various age groups on Facebook and an increase in female participation at monthly talks and other events
GSA-WA's strategy for 2023 included a significant focus on growing engagement and support for early career geoscientists and those from under-represented backgrounds and ages This is demonstrated in the composition of our executive committee. In 2024, the Division continues to collaborate with local university geoscience clubs and provide financial support for networking events.
GSA-WA is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive community for all geoscientists. Through ongoing efforts and strategic planning, the Division is well-positioned to support the next generation of geoscientists and continue its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in Western Australia’s geoscience community.
For more information on GSAWA activities and to stay updated on upcoming events, visit our social media platforms
Subscribe to the WA Division’s YouTube channel here
I would like to say a huge thank you to those members who donate to the GSA Endowment Fund It has opened opportunities for me that I would not have been able to experience for my research and professional growth. It has also provided me with more confidence and sense of achievement in my research I have gained new perspectives and ideas into my research outcomes, and I am so thankful to all those who continue to donate and impact many researchers in the Earth Sciences fields ” Sabrina Newton
The Endowment Fund Help us secure its future
The GSA Endowment Fund Committee disbursed $12,000 to help Australian students undertaking studies in the Earth Sciences in 2024.
The single national PhD grant was awarded to Emily Lazarus (James Cook University, Queensland) for her project regarding cay geomorphology, dynamics and future morphodynamics within the Great Barrier Reef In particular, the grant will be used towards deploying hydrological instruments and undertaking drone and topographic surveys on Masthead Island. This will help classify and model the morphodynamic trajectory of the cay under various climate change scenarios
One honorary award was granted to Joshua Coker, for his PhD research into understanding complex plumbing systems in arcs through detailed volcanic stratigraphy Honorary awards are given at the discretion of the GSA Endowment Fund Committee
Recipients are required to write a report for TAG on how the funds were used so keep an eye out for this in upcoming issues
The GSA Endowment Fund has been giving out awards for 10 years what a milestone! Just over $100,000 in grant monies has been awarded to 65 students Congratulations to those recipients
Yet, the overwhelming needs of our research community is evident each year GSA members have generously donated money to the GSA Endowment Fund, and we are grateful for their contributions However, the fund still needs donations to maintain the monies currently awarded each year to support students
Without donations, the GSA Endowment Fund Committee will have to stop granting awards in two years, or severely reduce the awards given out each year.
Your help is needed please consider making another impact on the future of Earth Sciences and donate to the GSA Endowment Fund Please give generously so we can maintain a healthy foundation that can continue to support Australian students studying Earth Sciences.
The GSA Endowment Fund is a charity, and all donations are tax deductible Donations can be made via cheque, money order, credit card, electronic funds transfer or by bequest To learn more, visit www gsa org au, email info@gsa org au, or scan the following QR code to donate.
Thank you for your generosity in supporting this initiative Your contribution now will continue to grow into the future
DIANE JORGENSEN Chair, GSA Endowment Fund Committee
2024 RECIPIENTS
Emily Lazarus
PhD, James Cook University, Qld
GRANT
$5,000
PROJECT
Cay geomorphology, dynamics and future morphodynamics within the Great Barrier Reef, Qld
PURPOSE
Deploy hydrological instruments and conduct drone and topographic surveys on Masthead Island to classify and model the morphodynamic trajectory of the cay under various climate change scenarios
Rachel McGivern Honours, The University of Newcastle, NSW
GRANT
$1,000
PROJECT
Understanding the surface water–groundwater dynamics beneath supratidal forests
PURPOSE
Fieldwork and instruments to establish a long-term monitoring site along a mangrove to terrestrial forest transect in Bensville, NSW.
William Grant
Honours, University of Tasmania, Tas
GRANT
$1,000
PROJECT
Geophysical investigation into the geometry of dolerite intrusions on North Bruny Island, Tas
PURPOSE
Collect gravity and magnetic data in the field to undertake inverse modelling.
Joshua Coker, PhD, The University of Adelaide, SA
GRANT
$2.000 (Honorary award)
PROJECT
Understanding complex plumbing systems in arcs through detailed volcanic stratigraphy
PURPOSE
Collect field samples from more recent eruptions (years to decades) in Chile to compare to intraplate volcanism in the Newer Volcanic Province, Vic and Auckland, NZ
Jayden Squire Honours, The University of Adelaide, SA
GRANT
$1,000
PROJECT
Rb–Sr and K–Ca
thermochronology of the Gosses Bluff impact structure central Australia, NT
PURPOSE
Present key findings and thermochronology timelines developed using the Rb-Sr and KCa methods to determine the age of the impact structure
Nikki Bishop
Masters, Queensland University of Technology, Qld
GRANT
$1,000
PROJECT
Mapping the hidden fluid pathways in Earth’s ductile crust
PURPOSE
Attend Small Angle Scattering Workshop at the Australian Synchrotron to employ advanced mathematical modelling for interpretation.
Moss Thompson Honours, ANU, ACT
GRANT
$1,000
PROJECT
Coral-ation or Cores-ation: a trace-element analysis of oil pollution in Porites corals from the Persian Gulf by Laser Ablation ICP-MS
PURPOSE
Core collection and preparation of 28 Porites coral cores from reefs off the Gulf Coast of Saudi Arabia stored at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Qld
YOUR PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD
I am an international student from Mongolia in my second year of studying Environmental Management with a major in Earth Science at The University of New South Wales (UNSW) This photo is from a field trip we took to Hunter Valley, where we explored the area and collected data It was my first time using a geological hammer and other instruments, such as a hand lens, Garmin eTrex 10 GPS and Brunton GeoLite Transit Compass Clinometer in a practical field setting I had a backpack full of rock samples we collected during our daily hikes
Anundari Enkhmandakh, student, UNSW
The active volcano forming the island erupted in 1970, sending a lahar through living quarters occupied by the British
The island is a caldera that has been breached at one point so ships can enter through a 50-metre-wide channel to escape the storms It still has hot springs that quietly steam away at the water’s edge
David Moore, affiliate, Monash University
A maar on Deception Island at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula The layers alternate between ice and volcanic ash
Lahar material, such as ash, mud and pumice, that swept into the British living quarters.
A chip tray with colourful mineral sands drilled at the Atacama deposit near Jacinth–Ambrosia mine in South Australia
Ka Sin Ki, exploration geologist
Below: Photos from the recent Avenel Active community granite trek in the 2,000-square-kilometre Strathbogie granite of central Victoria A feature of the Strathbogie granite is the flat, sheet-like nature of its variants, the widespread cordierite and subordinate garnet, and near horizontal orientation of much of its boundary with Paleozoic hornfels Regular community walks within the Strathbogie granite are organised by Avenel, Highlands and Strathbogie townships, and these are an important component of valorisation within the long-running Strathbogie Granite Project
Neil Phillips, researcher
Quartz–tourmaline rock found near the upper margin of the Strathbogie granite Such abundance of tourmaline is not common and indicates concentrations of boron towards the top of the granite
The walking group beneath a perched boulder These features always attract questions How did it form? When will it fall?
Geoscience Australia has released a new map that shows a layered view of Australia’s surface and subsurface geology. The map progressively strips away geological layers up to 1 billion years old.
Delivered under the Exploring for the Future program, the Layered Geology of Australia introduces a new era of geological mapping It details the geology of five major eras, ranging in age from the Cenozoic (younger than 66 million years ago) to the pre-Neoproterozoic (older than 1,000 million years ago), layered on top of each other
Users can remove or add the layers to uncover details of the geology of each era
“Accurate mapping of Australia’s rocks is vital to managing our mineral, energy and groundwater resources, ” says Andrew Heap, Chief of Minerals, Energy and Groundwater Division at Geoscience Australia.
“With up to 80% of Australia’s surface covered by sediments, it can be challenging to map what lies beneath. The Layered Geology of Australia reveals what is underneath those top layers that we live and walk on ”
Knowing what is hidden in these layers is crucial to our understanding of groundwater resources, identifying hydrogen storage potential, and exploring for deposits of critical minerals and strategic materials needed for Australia’s future prosperity and transition to net-zero carbon emissions
The map was compiled using existing geology maps, information from drill holes and interpretations of geophysical datasets that image the subsurface Scientists built a comprehensive overview of the entire continent at a scale of about 1:1 000 000 Working in partnership with the state and NT geological surveys reconciled differences in geological understanding and interpretation at the regional scale to produce national-scale seamless layers
Andrew says no other country currently has a layered national dataset like the Layered Geology of Australia
“It is a world-first for harmonised, continental-scale geological mapping ”
“Traditionally we ’ ve had to rely on surface geology, which provides a limited view of Australia’s geology So to be able to see beneath the surface, and then also through time, is significant
“In essence, the Layered Geology of Australia is a globally significant advance in geological mapping It helps reveal Australia’s potential for additional mineral, energy and groundwater resources like never before, and will inform natural resource management across the country ”
Note: This is an edited version of an article originally published on the Geoscience Australia website, ga gov au Republished here with permission
Layered geological maps of Australia Image: Geoscience Australia
‘Unlike anything else I’ve seen’
The intricately preserved fossils in McGrath’s Flat
The astonishing fossils in McGrath’s Flat offer a window into the central tablelands of New South Wales some 15 million years ago.
This discovery was the focus of Matthew McCurry’s recent talk at the GSA-NSW annual general meeting.
Photo: Salty Dingo 2020
Between 11 and 16 million years ago, the dry, red-dirt terrain of the New South Wales central tablelands was covered in a dense, lush rainforest with vast biodiversity
After some of the region’s insects, fish, plants and birds died, they became encased in goethite and lay undisturbed until a farmer stumbled upon a fossilised leaf in his paddock.
The farmer, Nigel McGrath, got on the phone to paleontologists from the University of NSW and the Australian Museum One of these was Matthew McCurry
For three years, Matthew and his colleagues excavated the paddock and discovered one of the best-preserved fossil sites in the world. In his talk at the GSANSW annual general meeting, he updated the audience about this celebrated discovery, providing
a glimpse into the region’s longextinct flora and fauna
INSECTS AND SPIDERS GALORE
Given insects are so delicate, it’s extremely rare to find them in the fossil record. But here, just one metre below this unassuming paddock, the paleontologists discovered the fossils of ants, wasps, trapdoor spiders, giant cicadas and countless midges
To put this into perspective, only four fossil spiders had previously been found in Australia McGrath’s Flat has already yielded 30 different specimens, each of which appears to represent a new species One, a brush-footed trapdoor spider, was five times larger than its living relatives
As Matthew explained, the fossils in McGrath’s Flat are breathtakingly intact and diverse, with resolution at the nano-metre
scale. For example, they can see colour-producing cells on a fish, bristles and wings of insects inside a fish’s stomach, and patches of ganglia in a spider.
“It’s unlike anything else I’ve seen in the fossil record,” Matthew says
“On some fossil leaves we can see infections, like fungal infections And they're quite beautiful ”
WHY ARE THEY SO WELL PRESERVED?
“We think that the process that turned these organisms into fossils is key to why they are so well preserved,” explains Matthew.
“Our analyses suggest the fossils formed when iron-rich groundwaters drained into a billabong. A precipitation of iron minerals then encased organisms that were living in or fell into the water ”
The fossils provide detail into a period we know relatively little about: the Miocene.
This epoch is characterised by immense environmental and climatic changes. Australia was drifting north while its warm, wet climate was slowly cooling and drying The fossils in McGrath’s Flat capture this period when today’s ecosystems were beginning to form
THE POWER OF CITIZEN SCIENCE
After the team excavated the fossils, they faced the challenge of using pollen biostratigraphy to date them This is when they turned to the power of citizen science – and Date A Fossil
was born This online citizen science project, developed with the Australian Museum, allows volunteers to scan thousands of images to look for hints of pollen
After the citizen scientists selected the images, an expert would then date the pollen
“I learned that people in the general community want to help out with science,” Matthew says
“I learned that if you set up something that requires a lot of hours, they're willing to help you do it I found this surprising, but also kind of heartwarming ”
ANTHEA
BATSAKIS Editor, TAG
left: The team have found at least 30 specimens of spiders in McGrath’s Flat, such as this one
Michael
Photo
Photo:
Frese
Photo below: Salty Dingo 2020
Introducing Bruno Ribeiro
In this new column by the Early Career Geoscientist Advisory Panel, we chat to early career Earth Scientists to learn about their job, goals and advice to aspiring scientists.
Bruno Ribeiro's journey into geology was a unique one. His academic path began with a Bachelor's degree in physics, but it wasn't long before Bruno realised his true passion lay elsewhere
"My encounter with geology was unplanned," he reflects "I didn't know much about the field or what I could do with it, but the desire to understand how things work the planet, in this case captured my attention early on. " This curiosity led him to dive into research projects as an undergraduate student From there, his passion for geology grew
Bruno's academic path saw him travel from Brazil to Australia, where he visited Monash University and was invited to do a PhD His time at Monash proved pivotal, allowing him to work with respected mentors such as Roberto Weinberg and Peter Cawood It also led to his inaugural first-author publication
"Those visiting periods were crucial for my career, " Bruno says, adding that they laid the groundwork for his future endeavours
After completing his PhD in 2022, Bruno joined Curtin University as a research associate. His hard work and dedication soon saw him promoted to lecturer in the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
In his current research, Bruno significantly contributes to our understanding of crustal-scale processes in Precambrian terranes His work is multidisciplinary, blending structural geology, metamorphic petrology and isotope geochemistry to solve the complexities of rock deformation and tectonic processes
"I've been successful in exploring when rocks were deformed by applying in situ isotopic techniques to minerals such as apatite, micas and garnet," he says.
These innovative approaches provide new insights into the timing and nature of geological processes, shedding light on problems previously considered unsolvable.
But Bruno's journey hasn't been without its challenges Like many early career geoscientists, he faced uncertainties around securing a stable academic position
"Fixed-term contracts are far too short to establish a research portfolio, especially when a significant portion of that time is spent applying for future positions," he says
Despite these challenges, Bruno's resilience and the support of colleagues and mentors such as Chris Kirkland, Martin Van Kranendonk and Melanie Finch helped him navigate these hurdles. Their recognition of his skills has allowed him to secure a continuing lecturer position early in his career
Bruno lights up when asked what excites him most about his work
"The most exciting aspect of my research is developing and applying new techniques to tackle geological problems that haven't been explored in detail before," he says
Looking ahead, Bruno has ambitious goals Over the next few years, he aims to establish himself as an inspiring lecturer and mentor for the next generation of geoscientists. In terms of research, he is focused on pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the interplay between rock deformation, tectonics and mineral deposit formation in Australia and beyond
Bruno offers sage advice for those just starting out in their careers
"Early career researchers often doubt their potential the famous impostor syndrome but it's important to focus on what we ' ve achieved and reach out to researchers worldwide. Building a collaborative network has been crucial for me "
With his drive, innovative spirit and commitment to the field, Bruno Ribeiro is undoubtedly a geoscientist to watch in the years to come
ALANIS OLESCH-BYRNE PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne
Bruno Ribeiro
Photo: supplied
Barbara Wagstaff wins the 2024 Selwyn Medal
The medal recognises significant contributions to any field of Victorian geology.
For decades, Barbara has documented and advanced our understanding of the evolution of flora and its effect on the biota of the Mesozoic of Victoria, and Australia in general.
Since completing her PhD on the Cretaceous marine strata of the Great Australian Bight at Monash University, she has had a distinguished career in palynology and geology research, teaching and consulting
Barbara has investigated Quaternary floral and environmental interpretations of southeastern Australia, using quantitative palynology analyses of
sections in Victoria’s western district. This has greatly improved our understanding of the millionyear climate evolution of Victoria
She has also documented the age and climate setting of Victoria’s polar dinosaurs through meticulous palynological analyses of the Cretaceous strata of the Otway and Gippsland basins
This has increased our understanding of the evolutionary significance of these enigmatic polar faunas, as well as of highlatitude floral and climate evolution. Barbara’s additional, extensive work on tertiary palynology of the Gippsland and Otway basins has grown our knowledge of Victoria’s hydrocarbon-rich strata
As well as being a brilliant researcher, Barbara has trained and taught many Earth Science and paleontological courses
Her inspirational teaching style has encouraged many students to pursue geology careers and continue with Honours, Masters and PhD studies.
The Krishna & Pamela Sappal Prize awarded
Maximilian Dröllner of Curtin University has been awarded the Professor Krishna and Pamela Sappal Prize for the best Higher Degree by Research Graduate in Geoscience
His thesis was titled To see the world in a grain of sand: integrating techniques and phases to reconstruct more complete geological histories.
Krishna Sappal presented Maximilian with his award at the university’s School of Planetary Earth Sciences on 27 May 2024
Photo: supplied
Finding a more efficient way to reconstruct ancient volcanic successions
Malai Ila’ava’s paper provides a remarkable example of how the exploration industry can more efficiently collect and interpret data.
About 350 kilometres west of Sydney lies Cowal, in Wiradjuri Country Cowal is home to the largest inland lake in New South Wales, and the remnants of a 480million-year-old volcanic island arc Beneath the rocky terrain are complex layers of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, broken apart by networks of gold-bearing, quartz-sulfide veins Since 2015, Evolution Mining have been targeting this gold in their open-pit and underground mines.
Cowal is a perfect case study for learning about ore deposits within volcanic successions The fundamental technique used to characterise volcano-sedimentary sequences, called facies analysis, is based on graphic logs This requires a lot of time and specialist experience that people working in industry rarely have
University of Tasmania PhD candidate Malai Ila’ava spent eight months at Cowal to try to address this problem In a recent AJES paper, he and his co-authors provide a workflow to construct 3D models of Cowal’s volcanic and sedimentary bodies that host gold-bearing veins
The workflow uses digitised graphic logs as the basis for correlation charts and cross sections It is incorporated in a graphics editor to interpret complex volcanic successions before they were folded, broken up and shifted around by tectonic forces
The power of the workflow is in the possibility of integrating multiple datasets, such as geochemical assays, structural measurements and ore grade shells, to complement the graphic logging This workflow can be used at virtually any mine site or exploration prospect that’s hosted in or comprises volcanic successions
“This workflow bridges a gap between what volcanologists do in academia and what geologists do in industry,” says Malai “I think that’s why this paper is getting a bit of traction.”
“There are a lot of papers and textbooks on graphic logging, facies analysis and such, but no specific recipe targeted at exploration geologists about how to go from graphic logs to 3D models as fast as possible ”
The workflow has 11 steps, divided into four phases: initial scoping 1 graphic logging of volcanic facies
2 interpretation of volcanic successions by locality (or fault block)
4
3 a synthesis and 3D model
The workflow is flexible and can include logging of current or historic drill cores to continually update the geological model Interestingly, the authors recommend the graphic logs be hand drawn
In their paper, they write: “Although graphic logs can be produced in some industry software, we recommend that the graphic logs be hand drawn, at least initially In our experience, hand-drawn logs remain the best way of conveying complexity and producing good-quality graphic logs in volcanic terrains ”
Malai says that the workflow provides a remarkable example of what can be done in the exploration industry to collect and interpret data much more efficiently
“If I could have read this paper at the start of my PhD, it would have saved me going down many dead-ends in my interpretations It would have saved several months of work ”
“I hope this work will help geologists in industry save time and get 3D models of host volcanic rocks as fast as possible That’s really what I want from this paper ”
Malai, who has a background in exploration geology, will submit his PhD to the University of Tasmania at the end of 2024
Find Malai’s paper – 3D modelling of subsurface ancient volcanic successions: a workflow developed during regional reconstructions of the Cowal Igneous Complex in the Ordovician Macquarie Arc of NSW, Australia – via the QR code
Malai Ila’ava Photo: supplied
Disputed tectonics of a Devonian subductionrelated magmatic arc in coastal central Queensland; continental margin or island arc setting?
In this paper, the authors present new detrital zircon ages determined from volcanicderived and quartz-rich sedimentary rocks These came from the Calliope and Yarrol provinces in the northern New England Orogen in coastal, central Queensland
The rocks have long been considered part of a subductionrelated magmatic arc, and for the
Calliope Province, are attributed to a gross island arc association For the first time, the authors have determined that zircons within these rocks have prominent Cambrian and Ordovician ages, and indicate a likely source within the Charters Towers Province of North Queensland
This means that in the Devonian, these sediments had a connection with the mainland (part of the supercontinent of Gondwana), and were not separated in an offshore island arc, as has been previously argued
A continental margin arc setting is therefore recognised, as it is widely accepted for the overlying Carboniferous succession.
A note on publishing and artificial intelligence
Some of you may have seen reports in the media in recent months about an agreement between Taylor & Francis (T&F) and Microsoft These articles report on an £8 million ($15 65 million) deal for Microsoft to access T&F publications to train their AI systems:
The Bookseller, 19 July 2024 (tinyurl com/TandF-AI)
The Conversation, 23 July 2024 (tinyurl com/Conversation-AI)
The commentary raises concerns about the deal, and about the lack of consultation with authors. When this issue was brought to my attention by one of our astute authors, I followed up with T&F to understand the implications for AJES
In short, the agreement covers only books, not journals So, at this stage, there is no impact They also state that the agreement was built around very strict copyright protection rules. Note that copyright for AJES articles is owned by GSA and authors and/or institutions (such as Geoscience Australia, geological surveys) where the paper is open access.
The purpose is explained in the following correspondence from T&F that I was asked to pass on to members
“The agreement is to help train Microsoft’s AI systems in a way that makes an author’s work more discoverable, to ‘unlock’ content to make it more widely discoverable for both authors and readers, while also protecting intellectual property rights
The data will develop foundation models in the world of generative AI, specifically models in augmented retrieval and accuracy and subject matter specialisation. There are very strict controls on what Microsoft can and can’t do with the data to make sure content is protected and an author’s work is respected ”
The impact of AI on all our lives is just emerging, and what it will mean for research is not yet clear If an AI model is based solely on material from books, then impact on scientific research will be limited But I’m sure this will ultimately be wrong
We must assume all open-access publications will be accessible to AI
The knowledge in an AI system could be skewed by having access only to research in open-access publications, and using only books will date this knowledge
USING AI AS AN AUTHOR
To help us all in this transition, T&F have developed policies for authors’ use of generative AI in publishing (taylorandfrancis com/our-policies/ai-policy) Below, I have summarised the policy, which outlines benefits, risks and responsibilities of authors using AI in their publications.
Generative AI tools for example, large language models or multimodal models can be beneficial across the research process, from idea generation to language translation, and accelerating research and dissemination The T&F policy aims to guide authors, editors and reviewers on the use of these tools, while avoiding risks associated with their use
For example, today’s generative AI tools may result in inaccuracy and bias, lack of attribution, and breach confidentiality and intellectual property rights of authors and publishers
Authors are accountable for the originality, validity and integrity of the content of their submissions When using generative AI, authors are expected to do so in accordance with research and publishing ethics, to confirm the accuracy of content and respect high standards of data security, confidentiality and copyright protection
Authors must clearly acknowledge any use of generative AI tools through a statement that includes the full name of the tool used (with version number), how it was used and the reason for use Use of generative AI tools is inappropriate where it replaces core researcher and author responsibilities, such as:
text or code generation without rigorous revision synthetic data generation to substitute missing data without robust methodology generation of any inaccurate content, including in abstracts, images, figures or supplemental materials
For editors and peer reviewers, uploading unpublished manuscripts (including any associated files, images or information) into generative AI systems would risk confidentiality, proprietary rights and data, including personally identifiable information. Peer reviewers are chosen experts in their fields, and should not be using generative AI for analysis or to summarise submitted articles or portions in the creation of their reviews
Generative AI tools are continually improving, and we all need to stay across opportunities and limitations on their use The T&F policy provides more detail and will be regularly updated
ANITA ANDREW Honorary Editor-in-Chief, AJES
Sponsorship Acknowledgements: The GEOFEST 2024 Sydney workshop had generous sponsorship from various Australian Geoscience Council member societies (The GSA inclusive of its NSW Division, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and its Sydney Branch, the Australian Institute of Geoscientists), as well as by the Sydney Minerals Exploration Discussion Group
GEOFEST
A huge success
The fifth Geotourism Festival and International Conference 2024 was initiated by the Indonesian Geoparks Network (IGN), and cohosted by The University of Sydney IGN is comprised of 10 UNESCO Global Geoparks and more than 10 national geoparks
A conference workshop in Australia focused on building a framework for geotourism development in destinations where a volcano is a key attraction A wildlife workshop was led by Ronda Green, president of Wildlife Tourism Australia, and three tours took in the Blue Mountains, Ku-ring-gai GeoRegion, and the Royal National Park and South Coast Volcanics
THE MAIN WORKSHOP
In his welcoming address, chair of the National Geotourism Strategy Jon Hronsky said the event was the first international, joint cohosted geotourism project organised in Australia with our closest neighbour: Indonesia Ambassador for the Republic of Indonesia to Australia, Siswo Pramono, responded that he was
very pleased to see this significant event taking place Three speakers from Indonesia followed the welcoming address:
Ipuk Fiestiandani Azwar Anas, regent of Banyuwangi, spoke about the impacts of volcano geotourism and the Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark on improving economic development in the East Java Province
Mohamad Farid Zaini, chair of IGN, discussed managing volcano geotourism destinations to sustain local communities, and how Indonesian geoparks serve as a beacon for other volcanic destinations aspiring to balance conservation efforts with socio-economic benefits
Dedy Asriady, head of Genung Rijani National Park Office in Lombok, discussed the social and economic impacts of geotourism in Gunung Rinjani National Park in West Nusa Tenggara
For the Australian side, Jon Hronsky affirmed that the Australian Geoscience Council fully supports working with global partners, particularly in the Asia Pacific. He advised that engagement with the Australian
mining industry in developing geotourism strategies to maximise the value of cultural landscapes, particularly in regions where mining operations are facing closure, was a top priority Volcanic landscapes formed another theme:
Phil McManus from The University of Sydney Geosciences explained that volcanic landscapes offer sustainable geotourism potential, and that many parts of regional and remote Australia are looking for opportunities to rejuvenate their local economy
Volcano geotourism specialist, Patrica Erfurt, and Savannah Guides general manager, Russell Boswell, gave an overview of past volcanic activity across Australia and Far North Queensland, respectively
Sasha Morriss, geoeducator and geoscientist of the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark, discussed the evolution and rationale for the first geopark in Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Mega Fatimah Rosana, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Geology, Padjadjaran University in West Java, detailed how geoscientist bridge scientific knowledge with practical applications to promote sustainable geoparks and geotourism This theme was explained further by National Geotourism Strategy Digital Working Group chair, Mark Williams Mark outlined a range of opportunities for geoscientists (and other geoprofessionals) in volcano geotourism To bring all these themes together, the workshop included two panel sessions: ‘Geotourism and sustainable development’, and ‘Geotourism opportunities for geoscientists’
GEOFEST 2024 continued to allow new and friendly relationships to be forged among geotourism practitioners in the Asia Pacific The event has also demonstrated what members of professional geoscience groupings can achieve through collaboration and shared funding support, working within a cohesive national strategic framework
DAVID ROBSON Chair, GSA Geotourism Standing Committee
Geoscience Australia looks back on Earth Science Week
Earth Science Week, held each year in October, is a global movement that aims to increase the awareness of the importance of Earth Science and its value to our everyday lives. It is an exciting opportunity to deepen our understanding of the world around us and to discover ‘Earth Science Everywhere’ the theme for Earth Science Week in 2024
As one of the nation’s trusted sources of data and information for Australia’s Earth Sciences, Geoscience Australia was proud to lead the event in 2024 and provide everyone the opportunity to learn about and engage with Earth Science.
Like the GSA, Geoscience Australia believes Earth Science has a critical role to play in Australia’s future Earth Science Week was an excellent and dedicated opportunity to share insights about how science can help meet 21st century challenges
Educating the community in the role and relevance of geosciences will lead to greater interest in our science and increased uptake in the community Australia needs more people to pursue STEM careers to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time That means attracting young minds to consider careers in geoscience, geophysics, geochemistry, spatial science and engineering Earth Science Week was another great opportunity to educate, inform and inspire this interest
In addition to leading and taking part in events around the country, Geoscience Australia launched a dedicated Earth Science Week web page
The site has a comprehensive digital supporter tool kit to help Australians celebrate and raise awareness of this important week It is packed with downloadable resources, templates and activities
designed to encourage people to engage with Earth Science, join in the celebrations and even run their own events
Loads of events were registered on the events calendar (tinyurl com/ESW-events) These included the GSA-ACT annual dinner and recognition night, held to help elevate awareness of all celebrations across the country
Earth Science Week can’t capture the diversity of work in this massive field without your help
Geoscience Australia would love to hear what you are planning for Earth Science Week in 2025. Visit the website www ga gov au/esw to check out what resources are on offer And consider hosting your own event for Earth Science Week next year!
Australian students win big on global stage
The GSA sends a huge congratulations to the Australian team of high-school students who competed at the International Earth Science Olympiad in China in August
They returned home glittering with an array of gold, silver and bronze medals Results for the four competitors are as follows:
Individual Test
Gold for Kevin Hao
Silver for Tanya Chi
Silver for Joel Tan
Bronze for Carolyn Wang
Earth Systems Project
Gold for Carolyn Wang
Bronze for Joel Tan
Bronze for Kevin Hao
International Team Field Investigation
Gold for Joel Tan
Silver for Kevin Hao
Bronze for Carolyn Wang
The Yalgorup Plain
A globally unique ensemble of geoheritage-significant Pleistocene landforms and stratigraphy in Western Australia.
The Yalgorup National Park is situated in the Yalgorup Plain along the southwestern Swan Coastal Plain in Whadjuk Noongar Country It contains the largest and most complex linear wetland system in the southwest of Western Australia, and is recognised as a Ramsar site of international significance for supporting migratory birds
The Yalgorup Plain is also of international geoheritage significance for a variety of natural history features, ranging from Earth Science to paleo-biodiversity It represents the best preserved sequence of Pleistocene landforms and coastal sedimentation, recording deposits over four glacial and interglacial periods in Western Australia It also represents the state’s best preserved series of marine prograded Pleistocene limestones
The geological features of the Yalgorup Plain occur in four Pleistocene formations that record paleogeography, paleo-sedimentology, paleo-ecology, and changing climate and sea level The overall progressive accretion of the Yalgorup Plain from east to west records, with subaerial interruptions include:
coastal sedimentation and progradation, partly behind offshore rocky reefs changes in style from cuspate foreland and shoreface accretion to coastal barriers alternation from carbonate-rich to quartz-rich sediments.
Reconstruction of paleogeography shows that during the Pleistocene, the Mandurah–Eaton Ridge developed as a barrier dune system Later, it formed the high-relief coastline from which the Yalgorup Plain accreted westwards.
As a barrier, the Mandurah–Eaton Ridge was dominated by quartz sand This is because when sea-levels were higher during the interglacial period, sediments of the Yalgorup Plain began to prograde westward, causing carbonate-enriched parabolic dunes to encroach onto the barrier These sands were reworked from the submarine shelf of the seaward-facing Mandurah–Eaton Ridge, and augmented by carbonate sand generated during the higher sea levels
Buried under the Safety Bay Sand are residual remnants of a limestone ridge This acted as a perforate barrier limestone reef system to diffract and refract swell and wind waves: namely the Bouvard Reefs to the north, and the Buffalo Reefs to the south This barrier limestone reef system is the reason a series of cuspate forelands developed along the former Pleistocene shore of the Mandurah–Eaton Ridge, forming the Yalgorup Plain
MARGERT BROCX
National Convenor Standing Committee for Geological Heritage
The southern part of the Yalgorup Plain (wetland complex, with the Holocene Leschenault Peninsula barrier in the background).
Photo: supplied
A new spotlight on Alcheringa
Alcheringa is the flagship journal of the Australasian Palaeontologists, a GSA Specialist Group.
Alcheringa initiated the Australian Fossil National Fossil Species List (AFNSL) special feature article series in 2023 and 2024 The AFNSL is a priority project for Australasian Palaeontologists, which contributes to the federal government’s Australian Biological Resources Study.
The inaugural AFNSL paper summarised Mesozoic tetrapods, with forthcoming papers on Mesozoic macroinvertebrates, and Mesozoic and Cenozoic mammals appearing in coming months Other highlights include a landmark run of special issues
In 2023, Alcheringa published Australian Time Traveller: Papers in Honour of Mike Archer, which showcased the spectacular fossil record of reptiles, birds and mammals spanning the last 50 million years (and more) in Australasia.
In 2024, Palaeontology from Australasia and Beyond presented studies linked to the Australasian Palaeontologists quadrennial conference Palaeo Down Under, which was held in Perth in July 2023 Last, but certainly not least, Alcheringa has now opened submissions for the 50 Years of Australasian Palaeontology special issue for 2025. This celebrates both the formation of Australasian Palaeontologists in 1974 and first publication of Alcheringa in 1975
We welcome articles on any aspect of Australasian paleontology Our aim is to support research for the next 50 years and on into the future!
BENJAMIN KEAR Chief Editor, Alcheringa
Learn more about the National Fossil Species List via the QR code.
Photo: Canva
Steropodon was the first Mesozoic mammal discovered in Australia This platypus-like animal is one of the most primitive monotremes (egg-laying mammals) A lower jaw of a Steropodon, the first Mesozoic mammal discovered in Australia, containing three molar teeth This fossil was found in early Cretaceous sediments (about 110 million years old) at Lightning Ridge During fossilisation, the original jawbone and teeth were dissolved by acidic groundwater and replaced by opal
Tim Flannery and colleagues investigated opalised monotreme fossils from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. In a paper published in Alcheringa, they found that long before marsupials arrived in Australia, monotremes ruled alongside dinosaurs.
This paper appeared in the Alcheringa 2024 special issue: ‘Palaeontology from Australasia and Beyond’.
Monotremes are the only surviving egg-laying mammals in the fossil record The Australian platypus (one species) and Australian–New Guinean echidnas (four species in two genera) are the last survivors of this ancient group. To date, monotreme fossils are known only from Australia and South America
The origin of monotremes is disputed, with possible relatives being either dryolestids (extinct mammals mainly from the Jurassic), or australosphenids (tribosphenic mammals with a restricted southern distribution) The oldest monotreme fossils occur in rocks of Barremian age (around 126 million years ago) from Victoria These would have lived near the ancient south pole and survived both seasonally freezing conditions and months of polar darkness each year Monotreme fossils are extremely rare Many species are known from just a few bones or teeth
In 2022, during a break in COVID restrictions, I visited the Department of Palaeontology at the Australian Museum in Sydney
A small package of opalised bones that had been on loan for about 20 years had just returned to the collections These included nine mammal jaws that were discovered by opal miners in deposits of the of the Finch clay facies of the Griman Creek Formation. This formation is a Cenomanian-aged rock unit (between 100 2 and 96 9 million years old) that famously occurs at Lightning Ridge in northeastern New South Wales
In most opalised bones, the original organic material has been replaced by transparent opal, making internal structures visible Unfortunately, all of the rare mammal jaws were damaged by the opal-mining process, which involves tumbling the opal-bearing rock matrix in agitators, and typically breaks off protruding features, such as tooth crowns
Alcheringa
Nonetheless, these rare, opalised jaws could be identified as monotremes, because their dentaries have distinctively large dental canals that housed nerves and blood vessels for an electrosensitive beak or bill. Excitingly, four of the pieces fitted together to make a fairly complete, ancient monotreme jaw
The jaw fragments had been recovered over a few weeks from the same mine tailings heap Amazingly, they represented five individuals classified into four genera, only one of which had been documented previously
Before now, only four monotreme fossils representing three genera had been described from Lightning Ridge. Significantly, our study doubled this number and added 20% to globally recognised species diversity of monotremes
The co-occurrence of six monotreme genera ranging in in size from a small pig to a rat, and probably inhabiting both terrestrial and aquatic settings, makes the Lightning Ridge monotreme fauna by far most diverse ever known No other types of mammal fossils have been found at Lightning Ridge This suggests monotremes dominated the Australian mammalian fauna during the Cenomanian
Marsupials arrived in Australia from South America around 54 million years ago Contemporary mammalian assemblages from other continents are typically more diverse, comprising between two and four distinct Orders
One of the newly described Lightning Ridge monotremes, Opalios splendens, has five molars an unusual feature that has only ever been seen in Jurassic dryolestids It also shares key features seen in platypus or echidnas, but not both, implying that Opalios could also have been a structural ancestor of the living monotreme families Conflictingly, however, genetic studies indicate that the platypus/echidna spilt occurred tens of millions of years
after the Cenomanian
A second species, Dharagarra aurora, differs from all other known platypus in possessing four premolars, rather than two or fewer. Dharagarra is similar to a toothed platypus that lived during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs (after 25 million years ago), as well as immature living platypus, which retain teeth (adult platypus replace their teeth with horny pads) The molar region of the platypus dentary has thus remained largely unchanged for more than 90 million years
A third species, Parvopalus clytiei, was a rat-sized, possibly terrestrial monotreme Lastly, we re-examined the oldest fossils of the living platypus, which are Pliocene in age and date from 5 3 to 2 6 million years ago These were so fragmentary and unusual they could no longer be assigned to any known genus The earliest evidence for tooth loss in platypus, therefore, dates to the Pleistocene (2 6 million to 11 700 years ago), and might have occurred in response to ecological displacement by southward dispersal of the Australian water rat
There is a 70-million-year gap (Cenomanian to late Oligocene) in the fossil record of Australian monotremes It is unclear whether mass extinction at end of the Age of Dinosaurs, the arrival of marsupials, or some other factor ultimately caused the monotreme decline
Future research will focus on closing this lost interval, and the search for new monotreme fossils from this elusive time
TIM FLANNERY
Australian Museum, Sydney
AusEarthEd helps kids have light-bulb moments
For the past 15 years, Australian Earth Science Education (AusEarthEd) has been enriching school curricula with incredible resources for primary and secondary teachers across the country, from presentations and hands-on activities to videos and investigations in the field
AusEarthEd’s goal is to increase the recognition of Earth Science as an integral part of STEM. They want to raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities in STEM, and emphasise the importance of Earth Science in understanding contemporary issues
Here, Jo Watkins, CEO of AusEarthEd, describes the moments that make her job so rewarding, and how fellow Earth Scientists can get involved.
Students from the Australian Islamic College in Forrestdale examine soils Photo: supplied
Can you tell me a bit about the resources you provide teachers?
We support educators with a comprehensive range of resources to engage students in Earth Science. This includes professional development sessions for both pre-service and in-service educators, mentorship, practical experiments showcased on YouTube, informative blogs, events, and our very popular teacher guides and student activities/worksheets
These offer curriculum-aligned lesson plans designed to maximise student engagement and to meet key learning outcomes
What have you found works best for making Earth Science engaging for primary-school kids?
Tailoring activities to the students' age and incorporating hands-on, fun experiments have proven most effective in engaging primary school kids Some of our most loved incursions (where our enthusiastic educators head into classrooms across Western Australia and the Northern Territory are those where students explore a problem or concept
They love being challenged to figure things out, such as: what could change the size and shape of an impact crater? Or, why does lava erupting from some volcanoes travel much slower than from others? And why are some more explosive than others?
What about high-school kids?
For high-school students, hands-on and outcomebased activities are key Our education officers, who are experts in their field and have extensive high-school teaching experience, bring their passion for Earth Sciences into the classroom, which significantly enhances student engagement
These students like to think about the real-world applications for what they are exploring, and they love a competition Our rock ID competition is a real winner with Year 8s
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing students have that light-bulb moment not just when they understand something but when you can see in their eyes that it excited them. This is especially rewarding when it happens in a group that started off unsettled or
On a field trip to Peppermint Grove, students from Carey Baptist College look at evidence for sea-level change in sedimentary structures Photo: Supplied
disengaged. I thrive off hooking students into the love of Earth Sciences when they see it in a positive light and especially when they begin to see the exciting career opportunities available to them
How would you like to see AusEarthEd grow in the next five years?
In the next five years, we aim to expand AusEarthEd's reach further into New South Wales and the Northern Territory, providing comprehensive services to more year levels and areas than we currently do. We also envision continued collaboration with like-minded organisations, whether within the Earth Science field or adjacent sectors to enhance our reach and impact
Is there a way for Earth Scientists reading to get involved?
Absolutely We encourage all Earth Scientists to engage with us on social media to stay connected. We also welcome Earth Scientists, whether university students or professionals, to volunteer. Their involvement adds a valuable layer of knowledge and real-life application for students.
Is there anything else you'd like to mention about AusEarthEd and its journey?
AusEarthEd has experienced significant growth over the past five years, driven by the dedication and shared vision of our staff, board, volunteers, and sponsors Every role within our organisation is crucial in fostering an understanding of Earth Science and its relevance to our past, present and future
We are currently at a critical time for Earth Sciences in Australia and I would like to see everyone working together towards a positive outcome
Explore AusEarthEd’s free teacher resources at www ausearthed com au
The towering basalt columns at Bombo Quarry, on Dharawal Country in New South Wales, formed about 265 million years ago from the cooling of molten rock, which created these stunning columnar joints As the lava cooled and contracted, cracks formed, giving rise to these striking, vertical columns
Bombo Quarry began providing construction material in 1880 Now, it is a key geotourism and geoheritage site Thanks to GSA champions, such as Ian Percival, Bombo Quarry was listed on the NSW Heritage Register in 1999, preserving its geological significance Photo: iStock
Words: SABIN ZAHIROVIC Chair, GSA NSW Division
If Jacqui’s experience is anything to go by, then we might now be entering a new era of Antarctic science where women can work as freely and easily as men.
When most people think about Antarctica, they picture a cold, icy landscape with white snow stretching all the way to the horizon perhaps with a colony of penguins waddling past in the middle distance Geologist Jacqueline Halpin is not most people
When she imagines Antarctica, she can peel back the ice to the landscape underneath And what she sees there is perhaps even more spectacular than at the surface
“There are big mountain ranges, rift valleys, lakes and big basin areas, ” she says “What you see popping out of the ice is just the tip of it. Those mountain chains are so much more extensive underneath, and some don’t pop out of the ice at all ”
Jacqui’s ability to peer under the ice has developed over a 20-year career in Antarctic geology, involving three separate field campaigns and an impressive list of publications The most recent trip was part of a 2023–2024 terrestrial campaign. This involved a multidisciplinary team of scientists tasked with understanding one of the fastest retreating glaciers in East Antarctica: the Denman glacier
The melting of this glacier could cause up to 1.5 metres of global sea-level rise, changing life on this planet as we know it
Jacqui’s job is to understand the glacier’s geology, which partly controls the ice flow patterns She looks at bedrock erodibility, permeability and geothermal heat, which helps predict ice sheet behaviour and produce more accurate sea-level rise forecasts. Geology and tectonics also control topography This influences how vulnerable glaciers are to being intruded by warm ocean water, and when tipping points of irreversible melting could be reached That task is made more difficult by the scarcity of outcrops poking out of the ice, and the logistical
difficulties of working in Antarctica However, what she and the team are revealing about the structure of the bedrock is remarkable
“The geophysics show us there’s quite a deep sedimentary basin underneath the Denman glacier that doesn’t outcrop anywhere,” Jacqui explains.
Just how deep? Early data suggest that the glacial canyon in the rift valley plunges to depths of more than 3 5 kilometres below sea level, making it the deepest terrestrial place on Earth
The data Jacqui and her team put together will help the team understand what that means for glacier flow. As Jacqui explains: “ a glacier on a sedimentary basin is behaving differently to something sitting on crystalline bedrock ”
Jacqui is also trying to peer back through geological time to understand whether the current melting is unprecedented, or if this has happened before
“Offshore, we have all this sediment that’s been deposited by the glacier retreating and advancing in the past We can take sediment cores that give us really nice resolution for the change in glacier behaviour.”
Jacqui will match these sediment cores to the outcrop of bedrock that they studied in Antarctica. “This will allow us to see where the glacier was sitting and where it was eroding in certain warm periods in the past.”
WHY THIS TEAM IS REMARKABLE
Alongside the geologists in Jacqui’s team are oceanographers, biologists, glaciologists and geophysicists, to name but a few. This, Jacqui explains, is what makes this project so unique and rewarding
“Collaborative science like that truly bringing together the expertise of different people to understand this particular problem is pretty rare. ”
About half of the team members are women. This is remarkable, because until recently, women were excluded from Antarctic field work, or have had such awful experiences that they never return.
In 2022, the Australian National University (ANU)’s Meredith Nash published research showing that sexual harassment of women was commonplace at Australia’s Antarctic research bases She also found women did not have access to suitable toilet facilities, and were forced to hide their periods during field work These reports would surely make any women think twice before signing up to an expedition
Jacqui’s recent experience suggests the situation might have changed in the wake of Meredith’s report During trip preparation, all participants had to attend a weeklong summit and workshops on appropriate behaviour, and handling toilets and periods in the field.
“Toileting in the field was just very matter of fact,” says Jacqui “It was like, ‘here are the things that you will need, here are the extra things that females need, and this is how we deal with conversations in the field’. Everyone is all in together.”
If Jacqui’s experience is anything to go by, then we might now be entering a new era of Antarctic science where women can work as freely and easily as men
The change is timely. If we are going to understand and mitigate the effects of a changing climate, then we need all our best people working on the big problems.
We won’t have the best people if we ’ re only sourcing from one half of the population.
MELANIE FINCH Vice President of WOMEESA, Lecturer at the University of Melbourne
Photo opposite: Jacqui Halpin at Cape Harrison, a small outcrop of Mesoproterozoic granitic gneiss alongside the Denman Glacier Photo: J Halpin
What Australia’s Earth Science community needs
Early career scientists are the heart of Australia’s Earth Science community, and under their stewardship, Australia is in good hands
TAG asked eight early career scientists what the Earth Science community should be prioritising (as well as their favourite Earth Science fact).
ALANIS OLESCH-BYRNE PhD Candidate
Favourite fact?
Australia, the flattest continent today, once had the Petermann Ranges in its interior, which were as high as the Himalayas and spanned about 1,000 kilometres More than 550 million years ago, these ancient mountains eroded, showing us the powerful geological processes that shape our landscapes over time.
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
Increasing support for women in geology through scholarships, mentorship programs and highlighting female role models Improving Earth Science education by incorporating more geology-based content in primary and secondary schools. Boosting public awareness through community outreach, interactive exhibitions and public lectures will make geology more accessible and engaging Additionally, fostering better collaboration between industry, academia and government will advance the field and address some of these challenges
Favourite fact?
The summit of Mount Everest is a 470million-year-old marine limestone called the Qomolangma Formation with trilobites, crinoids and ostracods
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
Public awareness and engagement Education initiatives, either directly through creating engaging content and incursions for schools, or indirectly through improving popular geotourism sites and trails, will hopefully lead to greater community interest and support for Earth Sciences
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
Movement towards renewable energy and low-impact mining I think we can always be improving the way we mine and rehabilitate to ensure we leave a thriving environment for the future
Favourite fact?
Earth’s magnetic field has flipped its direction multiple times throughout history in geomagnetic reversals What’s even more interesting is that these reversals are recorded in the Earth’s crust By studying magnetic patterns in the crust, scientists can understand the geodynamic processes
Favourite fact?
Something that always surprises my students is that it’s really hot underground Most students have the misconception that, since they've been in cold caves, it must get colder the deeper you go Showing pictures of my sweaty self, 1 4 kilometres underground, is always a good leeway to a discussion about the increase in temperature with proximity to Earth's core
LIAM PITT Geoscientist, Geoscience Australia
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
The training of the next generation of geologists is a critical issue that needs immediate attention. A more aligned effort between industry, government and universities could pave the way for a robust geological education system It’s concerning to see students graduating from universities without a solid understanding of geophysics, mineralogy, petrology or other fundamental aspects of geology. The current curriculum appears to be lacking in depth and breadth, providing only a superficial understanding of these complex subjects. This could potentially lead to a generation of geologists who are ill-prepared for the challenges they will face in their careers
ANGUS ROGERS
Igneous isotope geochemist
Favourite fact?
I think it's amazing that the big island of Hawai'i is the tallest mountain in the world. The process to create this enormous volcano essentially comes from a 2,900-kilometre-tall lava lamp!
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
The Australian Earth Science community is incredibly talented Unfortunately, research careers in Australia seem increasingly difficult to maintain, given current funding models Low student enrolments do not help this problem either and have exacerbated workforce shortages I would like to see greater collaboration between industry and research to better advertise and support careers in Earth Science A comprehensive solution would involve embedding Earth Science in all high-school curricula, growing the pipeline of future students, supporting tertiary students through scholarships and paid placement opportunities, and working with researchers and government bodies to develop new funding schemes.
VERA KORASIDIS
Lecturer in Environmental Geoscience, The University of Melbourne
Favourite fact?
Forests of Nothofagus (southern beech) once covered Antarctica
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
Education The fossil record provides crucial insights into how life will respond to predicted future climate conditions, because these have occurred before in Earth’s history. Knowing this history is critical to our response to the current climate change challenge
HAYDEN DALTON Lecturer in Geoscience
Favourite fact?
Diamonds are carried to Earth’s surface in rare, volcanic rock called kimberlites, derived from the deepest magmas on Earth
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
Education: particularly primary and secondary Earth Science has a huge image problem We either aren’t seen, or when we are seen, are often viewed with a negative lens It is imperative we engage with our communities so they can appreciate why geoscience is a crucial discipline for our future, and a fun and interesting one! Geoscience is seldom taught in the senior high-school curriculum, so it is incumbent on us (the community) to get out there and share the message through outreach programs and other avenues
SHANNON BROWN Geoscientist, Drilling Information
Favourite fact?
The first complete map of the sea floor was hand drawn using pens, ink and a ruler by an incredible woman called Marie Tharp, who originally studied music! Her work contributed to the revolutionary (and, at the time, controversial) theory of plate tectonics
What should the Earth Science community prioritise?
Cultural and psychological safety in workplaces We already go to great lengths to prevent physical safety incidents from occurring in workplaces, such as through Take 5s, yet we tend not to mitigate psychological risks For example, how are we currently reducing work-related stress? What steps are we taking to prevent sexist attitudes? Are our workplaces culturally safe for Indigenous people? We need treat these cultural and psychological issues with the same seriousness that we take physical safety, or we risk losing skilled and diverse people from Earth Science
Silicosis and mine safety
Silicosis has been fatal to miners at Bendigo, Kalgoorlie, Broken Hill and South Africa’s Witwatersrand mines. We focus on the prevalence of silicosis in the early 20th century, how it was eradicated and some lessons learned.
During a visit as a tourist to older gold mines, you might hear about miner’s phthisis: a less formal and older name for silicosis One of several interstitial lung diseases, phthisis was a major cause of death among miners at Bendigo, Kalgoorlie and Broken Hill, and sparked fear for those in deep mines at the start of the 20th century
Silicosis was not restricted to Australian mines Few places better present the stark realities of this fatal disease, and safety overall, than the Witwatersrand gold mines around Johannesburg in South Africa
Underground mining on the Witwatersrand goldfield has been inherently dangerous for reasons including the great depths, rock stresses and seismic risks During the early decades of the 20th century, 200 000 workers were employed on the gold mines, and fatalities peaked at 1,001 deaths in 1909 alone.
From 1930 to 1990, an average of 600 people died per year. In 1986, a century after this South African gold rush began, the labour force in the Witwatersrand peaked at around 534 000 That year, 681 people died, including as a result from a fire in the Kinross mine South Africa’s worst gold mining disaster. On that occasion, sparks from an acetylene tank led to fire involving the polyurethane foam on the mine walls and the production of toxic fumes, and 177 workers died Few foresaw such a huge risk from foam catching alight
Safety was not one of the achievements celebrated during the 1986 Witwatersrand centenary, but substantial gains have been made since Annual fatalities dropped below 200 by the year 2000, and then below 50 by 2022
South Africa’s Witwatersrand gold mines
Hoses feed water into the rock drill shown here The water means the rock fragments become mud or a slurry, rather than dangerous dust particles
Photo: Neil Phillips (1986)
Former AngloGold Ashanti CEO Mark Cutifani has been credited with leading some important changes in safety culture on Witwatersrand mines from 2008 These changes yielded a 70% improvement in his company ’ s safety record His key message was that safety was the company ’ s first value and should dictate how everyone thinks and operates He made it clear that safety was no longer an optional extra or peripheral consideration
LESSONS LEARNED
In the early 20th century, phthisis was a major cause of mine-related deaths. Its eradication in the 1920s was an achievement of global importance, and one for which South Africa, Australia and the Witwatersrand mines can take much credit Phthisis was also called miner’s disease and white plague, but is an older term loosely interchanged with consumption (even older) and tuberculosis
Today, the term interstitial lung disease covers several conditions important in mining, including silicosis. Others include coal dust pneumoconiosis and tuberculosis (caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis) Both
commonly affect the upper lobes of the lungs, as does silicosis. Asbestosis is a similar disease caused by asbestos fibres in the lungs
Silicosis is caused by small silica particles (generally made of quartz less than 10 microns) entering and remaining in the lungs and causing inflammation and fibrosis During this period of history, South Africa and Australia saw a high percentage of miners dying by age 35, preceded by a period of severe incapacitation.
In the late 19th century, the disease was prevalent at the world’s deeper mines – the Witwatersrand mines, as well as mines in Bendigo, Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie It was most prevalent in the Witwatersrand, followed by Bendigo, due to their high proportions of more siliceous ores
This period coincided with the introduction of underground rock drills Depending on the host rocks, these produced quartz (silica) particles that circulated through the mine airways and were inhaled by miners An effective solution was the extensive use of water during drilling to prevent the production of silica dust. Fatalities on the Witwatersrand fell almost 50% from the 1909 peak, which coincided with the medical successes in understanding phthisis
Although tuberculosis, also prevalent on the Witwatersrand mines, is caused by bacteria rather than silica dust, its incidence declined as solutions were found to reduce silicosis
The mica mineral group may also cause silicosis, though their role in early 20th century phthisis is less
well documented The widespread distribution of pyrophyllite (a silicate mineral of the mica group) in Witwatersrand mines, especially near the main ore zones, was not fully appreciated until the 1980s It may have been an extra contributor to the suffering on the early Witwatersrand mines.
Books could be written about mine safety and many unfortunate case histories In the example of silicosis, we might be able to transfer lessons to the ornamental stone cutting industry of today
NEIL PHILLIPS Researcher, Author of Formation of Gold Deposits
EMILY CRAMERI Researcher, MD
Editor’s note: Cases of silicosis have recently developed as a workplace safety risk relating to engineered stone. As engineered stone kitchen benchtops – a cheaper and durable alternative to, for instance, granite – became popular in the 2000s, hundreds of stonemasons developed the disease Thankfully, Australia has imposed a world-first ban on engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs, with a national ban coming into effect on 1 July 2024. This was strengthened by Safe Work Australia on 1 September 2024, when stronger regulation of all crystalline silica substances began While silica-containing products remain a risk to workers in mines and construction sites, these reforms are an important step to monitor and minimise the risk of this deadly disease.
South Africa’s Witwatersrand gold mines
After removing the gold ore, the space that is formed will close slowly under the pressure of 3 to 4 kilometres of overlying rocks The closure needs to be monitored to avoid any catastrophic movement
Photo: Neil Phillips (1987)
Photo opposite: The abandoned Mary Kathleen ore deposit is located 50 kilometres west of Cloncurry. This image is taken looking south
Mining Mount Isa
Forged
more than 1.8 billion years ago, the Mount Isa Inlier is vital for Australia’s energy transition.
Here’s how we mine it sustainably.
The Mount Isa Inlier on Kalkadoon Country in northwest Queensland is one of Australia's most geologically rich regions and is central to the nation's mining industry As the global demand for critical minerals surges, the significance of the Mount Isa Inlier is receiving renewed attention for its lead–zinc deposits These minerals are crucial for sustainable global supply chains that support industries and technologies essential for the worldwide transition to net-zero emissions
Earlier this year the Queensland government announced an investment of $30 million in the Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program to tap into the potential of the Inlier This initiative aims to speed up exploration and development to ensure the region remains a key supplier of critical minerals It comes after Glencore announced last year that its Mount Isa copper mines will close in 2025, putting more than 1,000 jobs on the line
As the world moves towards cleaner energy and advanced technologies, the Inlier's role in supplying critical minerals becomes vital for this transition. Academia, government and industry must collaborate to ensure Mount Isa remains at the forefront of discoveries
GEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE MOUNT ISA INLIER
The geologically complex, mineral-rich Mount Isa Inlier formed more than 1 8 billion years ago
It can be divided into three major geological domains: the Western Fold Belt, the Kalkadoon–Leichhardt Belt and the Eastern Fold Belt These domains have experienced extensive tectonic activity, metamorphism and mineralisation, resulting in a region abundant with critical minerals
The Mount Isa Inlier is well-known for its lead–zinc (Pb–Zn) deposits, which include the Mount Isa, Cannington, George Fisher and Hilton deposits, and the Dugald River mine. Iron-oxide copper–gold deposits in the Eastern fold belt, including the Ernest Henry mine, are known for copper and gold production
The Kalkadoon–Leichhardt Belt, while less famous, also hosts significant mineral deposits, such as the operational, copper-focused Mount Colin and Mount Cuthbert deposits
THE MODERN MINING LANDSCAPE
Today, the focus in the Mount Isa Inlier has shifted to critical minerals essential for emerging technologies, such as renewable energy systems. Due to the region's complex tectonic and fluid history, it holds deposits of rare-earth elements, cobalt and other critical minerals, making it a focal point for exploration
Rare-earth elements are crucial for producing hightech devices, such as smartphones, wind turbines and electric vehicles They play a vital role in maintaining a competitive edge in the global market during the
Photo: Alanis Olesch-Byrne
energy transition But despite their significance, deposits are both difficult to find and challenging to extract. This emphasises the importance of regions such as the Mount Isa Inlier for future supply chains.
I am particularly interested in the Mary Kathleen deposit in the Kalkadoon–Leichardt Folds Belt Historically known for uranium mining, this site has recently been recognised for its potential for rare-earth elements in tailings The deposit's proximity to ductile shear zones indicates that these geological structures likely played a crucial role in the mineralisation process This is the focus of my PhD
Our ongoing research aims to learn how the ore deposit is formed and then use that understanding of other structures in the Inlier to find more deposits in future This knowledge will guide future exploration across the Inlier.
RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE
MINING
The Queensland government’s funding initiative will focus on the Eva copper mine, the Paradise South phosphate mine, and the Vecco critical minerals project near Julia Creek
Mining in this region should prioritise environmental, cultural and economic sensitivity This is reflected in the federal government's Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030, and the new United Nations Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals Both emphasise the importance of sustainable resource management in mining, particularly in areas with significant economic and environmental sensitivity
As Mount Isa approaches the closure of its copper mine in 2025, the region is gearing up for a significant transition The Mount Isa Transition Fund has been established to help the community adapt, focusing on preserving jobs and supporting local businesses during this period of change However, the region is also contending with environmental concerns, such as recent lead contamination found in local water, sediment and soil
These challenges highlight the need for responsible mining practices that drive economic growth and protect the environment and community health. The local government's response plan aims to ensure a smooth transition, by prioritising site rehabilitation
Photo above: The Elaine Dorothy Prospect In the lower third of the image, you can see parasitic folding in marble associated with the Mary Kathleen syncline Photo: Alanis Olesch-Byrne
Photo opposite: The road leading to Dajarra 200 kilometres south of Mount Isa The image was taken looking southeast An outcropping of the Timothy Creek Sandstone can be seen. Photo: Alanis Olesch-Byrne
and collaborating with First Nations communities to safeguard their rights and livelihoods This aligns with the UN framework that calls for minimising environmental impacts and ensuring local community benefits
RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALISATION
Australia's top research institutions are well equipped to tackle the technical challenges of critical minerals project development.
The Cooperative Research Centre Program funds industry-led collaboration between academia, industry and government For instance, its Future Battery Industries program supports domestic refining and manufacturing of battery materials and components, helping address the challenges associated with the energy transition
The federal government is investing up to $50 5 million to establish the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub This initiative addresses strategic technical challenges and supports international research collaboration, bringing together expertise from Geoscience Australia, CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Additionally, the $50-million Resources Technology for Critical Minerals Trailblazer initiative will build research capabilities, increase commercialisation and strengthen industry engagement
THE FUTURE OF MOUNT ISA
The ongoing investment in exploration and sustainable mining practices has positioned the Mount Isa Inlier as a key player in Australia's mining industry Continued support for exploration and research will strengthen the region's economic viability and ensure Mount Isa remains a vibrant community.
However, the future of sustainable mining in the region hinges on more than just financial and technical backing It requires genuine collaboration with the local community To succeed, we must ensure the voices of those who live and work in Mount Isa are heard and respected
By fostering a strong partnership between government, academia, industry and the local community, we can create a mining model that drives economic growth and protects the environment, cultural heritage and wellbeing of future generations.
ALANIS OLESCH-BYRNE PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne
Hammer, compass, scribe… synchrotron?
Synchrotrons are the Swiss Army knife of scientific instruments. Here are a few ways the Australian Synchrotron has helped Earth Science, and how you can get involved.
Senior Beamline Scientist Jessica Hamilton changing samples at the X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy beamline. Photo: supplied
Like a geological hammer or your trusty compass, synchrotrons are a tool that make a fantastic addition to any geologist’s toolkit Granted, synchrotrons are roughly the size of a football stadium, so it would have to be a pretty large toolkit
The Australian Synchrotron is located in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs and is part of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Synchrotrons accelerate electrons to 99 9997% lightspeed to produce beams of synchrotron light This synchrotron light can be shaped, tuned and focused to then shoot non-destructively at geological samples.
Synchrotrons are like the Swiss Army knife of the scientific instrument world. They can be used for a whole range of applications, such as determining chemical speciation, mapping minerals and even imaging structural features in rocks
Below are four examples of how the Australian Synchrotron has been used to solve geological puzzles
1. PROTECTING CULTURAL SITES FROM CLIMATE CHANGE
Australasia is home to some of the oldest Indigenous rock art in the world Climate change poses a threat to rock art as humidity increases in tropical areas and evaporite minerals form
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction has been used to identify these destructive evaporite minerals and find conditions that will prevent their formation and preserve the rock art.
2. MAPPING ECONOMIC ELEMENTS
Mineral deposits are often mineralogically complex Fast and high-resolution synchrotron X-ray mapping shows the distribution of elements in rock samples to inform exploration models and extraction methods.
This technique has also been used on historic mine tailings to identify metal-containing minerals, which are now economic targets for re-mining
3. IMAGING STRUCTURES IN ROCKS
Have you ever wanted to see what is inside your rocks but did not want to break them open to look? Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging is for you
This technique has been used to identify fossils in stone artefacts, fractures and pore spaces in coal, and bubbles in lava. This technique works like the CT scans you might have had for various medical ailments and can effectively see through the rock to the features within
4. UNDERSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION
Synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used for investigating toxic metals in rivers and soils.
Identifying the speciation of metals in the environment using this synchrotron technique has allowed scientists to tailor environmental remediation plans.
Scan the QR code to find out more
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Researchers can access the Australian Synchrotron via a merit program, where applications for ‘beamtime’ are peer reviewed by external panels Outcomes from merit experiments are published in scientific journals and conference presentations
Industry clients can access the Australian Synchrotron through a commercial access scheme Commercial experiment clients receive rapid access, confidentiality and intellectual property protection.
EMILY FINCH Beamline Scientist, Australian Synchrotron
The origin of complex life
is far more ancient than we thought
Astrobiologist Erica Barlow made global headlines in recent months for discovering a microfossil hidden in black chert, which had been sitting idly beside her computer. The fossil is 2 4 billion years old
and like nothing else in the geologic record In fact, it may put the beginning of complex life 750-millionyears earlier than previous research suggests.
TAG asked Erica about her groundbreaking discovery, her many adventures in the field, and the exciting field of astrobiology.
Photo opposite: The original microfossil specimen discovered in 2013 The dark brown, honeycomb-like compartments connect to form a soccer ball shape. Photo: supplied
Photo above: One of the black chert samples the microfossil was discovered in
Photo: Erica Barlow
Where did you find the rock?
I found the piece of black chert on Puutu Kunti Kuruma and Pinikura country, in the Hamersley Ranges of Western Australia The rock, about the size of a golf ball, was in a dry gully that ran down to the creek I picked it up as it was dark black and shiny and glinting from the setting sun It caught my eye because it contrasted with the surrounding red, dusty rocks, so I pocketed it as a keepsake and put it by my computer at uni
Can you tell us a bit about the organism?
The fossilised microorganism is round and about the width of a thick human hair It is composed entirely of carbon and is preserved by microcrystalline quartz crystals that fill the space in and around the cells
At the microscale, the black chert is packed with organic matter some still in the form of recognisable microfossils, and the rest scattered around in the sample as remnant pieces of organic material The black chert rock likely formed on (or just under) the sea floor It would have initiated as a silica-rich gel that mineralised into chert, trapping the organic material inside and preserving the microfossils in exquisite detail
Current data suggest these microfossils probably lived in the water column at or near the sea surface, and likely used photosynthesis as an energy source They are associated with a nearshore microbialite reef and lagoonal complex We don’t know whether these microfossils lived within the reef and lagoonal complex, or in a more openwater setting just offshore
Erica inspects the microfossil glass slide
Photo: Shay Tobin
Why is the Pilbara a hot spot for these sorts of findings?
It’s a hot spot for a few reasons! It has a large swathe of some of the oldest rocks in the world, with the tectonic history resulting in (for the most part) lowmoderate levels of metamorphism, meaning any fossils present are preserved and recognisable
Another reason is the climate and arid nature of the land, which leaves the rocks well exposed and free from vegetation The low population also means rocks generally aren’t covered or destroyed by infrastructure.
Do you think complex life could possibly be even more ancient than this?
I think it’s entirely possible The fossil record around this time (actually, from about 1 65 billion years and earlier) is so sparse that I wouldn’t be surprised if further discoveries were made in future
You've been working on this project for 10 years. Can you tell us a bit about what you've had to do to get to this point?
When I first discovered this microfossil, I was in my Honours year at The University of New South Wales and basically knew nothing about microfossils Since then, I’ve learned much about early life on Earth and the types of physical and chemical imprints early life leaves behind in rocks.
The first step with any discovery of this age is to determine whether the feature you ’ ve found is indeed a fossil rather than a product of abiological, physical or chemical processes This involves studying physical aspects of the feature, such as its shape, size and distribution, as well as its chemistry and the repeatability of all these things We also look at other fossils around the same age, and compare all these aspects to determine whether the feature of interest is consistent with the type of life present during the particular geological time period
Once a biological origin (biogenicity) is confirmed, we go about characterising the fossil, looking at its morphology and depositional setting Characterising this microfossil involved various techniques to reconstruct its 3D morphology, using instruments such as X-ray micro-CT and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, as well as hundreds of hours of detailed petrographic microscopy We also analysed the carbon isotopic composition of the microfossil in situ using secondary ion mass spectrometry This told us information about the type of energy pathway used by the microorganism
Combining this information allowed us to make inferences about the microorganism itself and determine that the depositional environment in which it likely lived (planktonic setting) was different to that in which it was preserved (benthic setting)
You've been on so many incredible field trips. What has been your favourite?
It’s really hard to choose just one! A favourite field trip was when I first visited some of the oldest convincing evidence of life on Earth in the form of microbialites and microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS), at the Buick and Trendall localities in WA To see these famous fossils in the field was an incredible experience
Another more recent highlight was studying the sulfur-cycling microbes in Italy’s Frasassi Caves These white, gooey (and smelly!) microbial mats are an analogue to some other microfossils I’ve been studying They are of a filamentous form and are from the same locality in Western Australia as the spherical, aggregate microfossils The filamentous forms would have been benthic microorganisms, and we have evidence they may have been sulfur-cyclers So, it was very exciting to see an example of anoxic microbes in a modern setting in these caves
Where would your dream fieldwork trip be located?
I would love to visit the 1 8-billion-year-old Gunflint Iron Formation in Canada. This site contains many beautiful examples of famous microfossils, and I’ve never been to Canada, so it’s on the bucket list for sure!
What made you want to become an astrobiologist?
I never set out to become a geologist or astrobiologist I’ve been lucky to just follow the things I enjoy doing After discovering the spherical, aggregate microfossils late in my
Honours project (which was actually on something entirely different), I couldn’t not continue to do a PhD to try to find out what these things were From there, I developed a passion for studying microbialites and microfossils This led to some awesome opportunities, such as a postdoc with NASA working with great scientists in the international community
What do you wish more people knew about astrobiology?
Astrobiology is extremely broad, and most areas of interest and research can be adapted or used in the search for life elsewhere and in understanding the origins of life here on Earth It is a truly interdisciplinary field and a great international community has been built through conferences, such as AbSciCon, especially in the early career researcher space
What's next for you?
After returning from my postdoc in the US late last year, I took a few months off to re-evaluate what I wanted to do next I love research and teaching, but the limited funding and lack of job security in academia in Australia has had me looking for alternative careers
I’ve just started a job at the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. I hope to use my scientific background and practical field skills to help manage the preservation of natural and cultural heritage in my local Blue Mountains area
Although returning to research in the future is not off the cards for me, I’ve really enjoyed living and working within my local community and am looking forward to seeing where this path takes me.
Black chert at its source. Photo: Erica Barlow
Adventure calls from the new Binjareb–Peel Geodrive Trail in southwest Western Australia. David Robson describes its most notable features, from its exquisite views to ancient wetlands and famed thrombolites.
The Binjareb–Peel Geodrive Trail, launched in August 2024 by the WA Minister for Regional Development, Don Punch, is located around 100 kilometres south of Perth in Bindjareb Country From Mandurah to Lake Clifton and out to Pinjarra and Waroona, this self-drive geotrail currently spans 12 sites, including the largest thrombolites in the Southern Hemisphere, within Yalgorup National Park.
Geologically, the trail is situated on the Swan Coastal Plain, extending to the ancient Yilgarn Craton to the east, which has exposed mainly granite and metamorphic rocks aged between 3 7 and 2 4 billion years A continental collision 1 billion years ago between ancient parts of a large continental mass and the western edge of the Yilgarn formed a major mountain belt known as the Pinjarra Orogenic Belt
With the Gondwana break up 180–130 million years ago, the south coast of Western Australia stayed attached to the southeast of Australia, with major rifting along the Darling Fault. This created a depression known as the Perth Basin Over time, the basin would gradually fill with 8–15 kilometres of sedimentary material, and the mountain range would
be reduced to a low range of hills referred to as the Darling Scarp.
For millions of years, southeast Western Australia was therefore isolated from southeast Australia, allowing the evolution of an extensive range of endemic fauna and flora
The relatively flat-lying surface expression of the Perth Basin is the Swan Coastal Plain This consists of old dune systems of quartz sand and calcium carbonate that were deposited along shorelines during different sea levels
Depressions between these old dune systems are expressed as lakes, estuaries, wetlands and shallow coastal waters between the shoreline and offshore reefs. Sea-levels in the past 700 000 years have ranged from 10 kilometres inland to 40 kilometres seaward from the present-day shoreline.
Landforms such as dune systems, reefs, limestone karst formations, lakes, estuaries and rivers all preserve the rich geoheritage values of the region The landscape tells a story of the processes of the past, reminding us that it is under constant flux
Here’s what you’ll see on the trail
Mandurah Channel Entrance
Adjacent to the Visitors Centre are views of the Peel Estuary, which is very shallow and only 2 metres at its deepest point It is composed of layers of sediments deposited over the last 10 000 years since the most recent Ice Age The bottom sediments contain marine shells from 4,000–5,000 years ago
Seascapes
As part of the Halls Head suburb of Mandurah, outcrops of Pleistocene, aeolian calcarenite and Tamala Limestone can be seen in coastal cliffs These highlight cross-cutting bedding, paleosol horizons, rhizolith fossil root structures, solution pipes, karst formations and calcrete layers
Warrungup Springs
The outcrops of Tamala Limestone show special karst features that allow fresh water to seep into a natural aquifer like a sponge. Also known as Koka Maya, the springs are an important Aboriginal cultural and spiritual site.
White Hills Road Lookout
This offers uninterrupted views of the Yalgorup Landscape The Bouvard Reefs, the Quindalup dune system, the Tim’s Thicket Limestone, the Yalgorup Plain, the Mandurah–Eaton ridge, Lake Clifton and the Darling Scarp can all be seen from the lookout.
Lime Kiln, Lake Clifton
Adjacent to the Lake Clifton Thrombolites are Ramsar-listed wetlands The current conservation values of native vegetation and thrombolites may have suffered irreversible damage if the lime works had proved successful before the mine closed in 1923.
Dawesville Cut
This is the best viewpoint on the south-east side of the channel, where the Peel Estuary Basin meets the Harvey Estuary
Island Point Reserve
A narrow sand-and-limestone ridge between the Indian Ocean and the Peel Inlet is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species, that have adapted to the area ’ s unique geology and soil conditions The reserve has many tree species, such as marri, jarrah, tuart, peppermint and banksia woodland, and a diverse understory Sixty-two species of native orchids have been recorded
The Tamala Limestone is rich in fossils and forms the uppermost layer of the ridge This is underlain by the Kondinin Formation of sandstone and shale units, known for its distinctive pink and green colouration The ridge was formed during the Palaeocene and Eocene epochs, between 66 and 34 million years ago It is an important hydrogeological feature, containing aquifers that provide fresh water to the surrounding region.
Darling Fault, Waroona Visitor Centre
Near the visitor centre is the fault line that created the Darling Scarp To the east is erosional detritus that contributed to the filling of the Swan Coastal Plain
Lake Goegrup
Also known as Willy’s Lake, this large, open, shallow wetland covers 1,700 hectares. It contains native vegetation along its banks, riparian salt marshes, streams and small islands situated in a scenic river valley. It is a permanent wetland, formed approximately 10 000 years ago
Thrombolites, Lake Clifton
This thrombolite reef is one of the world’s largest living microbialite reefs, formed by photosynthetic microbes that precipitate calcium carbonate These are evidence of the oldest life on Earth The cyanobacteria present in them are a likely source of the increased levels of oxygen in the atmosphere approximately 2.2–2.4 billion years ago
This site provides valuable evidence on the nature of historic environments, aiding in the interpretation of the Earth’s earliest biosphere Lake Clifton also supports the largest known examples of living, non-marine microbialites in the Southern Hemisphere Radiocarbon dating indicates that these began to form up to 1,950 years ago
Seasonal fluctuations in the lake expose the thrombolites in summer and submerge them during winter. This area was the first place in the world where modern thrombolites have been compared with modern stromatolites
Pinjarra and the Murray River
This geosite has impressive views of the Murray River, and is near the award-winning Edenvale Heritage Precinct. Riparian vegetation, such as Eucalyptus rudis, line the river, along with she-oaks and saltwater paperbark. Up to 70 species of dolphins, fish and birds can be observed
DAVID ROBSON Chair, GSA Geotourism Standing Committee
Note: Input for this article provided by committee member Alan Briggs is acknowledged with appreciation The project was supported by the WA Government, in collaboration with the Peel Development Commission, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, surrounding local governments, Salt and Bush Eco Tours, Trails WA and the Geological Survey of WA
Thrombolites in Lake Clifton are an impressive feature of the geotrail Photo: Alan Briggs
This trail map highlights the current 12 drive sites of interest along the Binjareb–Peel Geodrive Trail The first is the Mandurah Visitors Centre, where visitors can collect a brochure showing the location and extent of the geosites, all of which include a pedestal sign with a QR code. Important abiotic, biotic and cultural features are also identified. Image: Alan Briggs, GSA Geotourism Committee Member
Ken Preston
14 May 1951 – 23 June 2024
Ken Preston, former Rio Tino Exploration Manager, passed away on 23 June 2024 Much of what follows about his life was adapted from Ken’s own words
Ken completed his degree (1969–1971) at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand Yes, he was a Kiwi He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1972. Ken then completed a second major in Physical Geography
He started his career at Thiess Bros Pty Ltd in 1973 as an Assistant Project Geologist, and in 1975 progressed to Project Geologist He and his wife Pat took some time off and travelled through Asia and Europe from 1976 to 1978
Returning from their travels at the end of 1978, Ken was employed as a geologist by Conzinc Riotinto of Australia, within the Coal Group In 1979, he became a Senior Geologist with Blair Athol Coal Pty Ltd. Ken worked from 1983 with Pacific Coal through many positions in management, which merged into Rio Tinto He continued in management during his time with Rio Tinto until he ‘retired’ approximately 10 years ago As Ken said, 2024 marked 10 years since he
Ken (left) and his good friend Dick Sanders (right), taken upon receipt of the Leichardt Award at the 2022 BBGG Symposium Photo: supplied
‘semi-retired’ from Rio Tinto after spending much of his lifetime working as a coal geologist marking the year that he, by his own admission, somewhat regrettably fully retired Ken considered it a worthwhile and rewarding career and he felt that his working life was well spent
His interest in ‘that intriguing black stuff’ and his activity in the coal industry and its people remained until the end. Ken felt there was plenty of life left in the coal industry, with tricky problems out there to solve and many good, keen young folk to solve them
Ken said he missed working and associating with the many interesting and clever people and the challenge of helping to answer the innumerable problems that arise in resource project evaluation, development and operations
He considered himself very fortunate to have provided significant input into the successful feasibility studies and subsequent development of the Blair Athol, Clermont, and Hail Creek mines and the western extension to the Kestrel Mine. Ken was also pleased to have contributed to developing systems and processes for evaluating coal deposits, and to have helped guide and mentor a number of younger geologists making their way in what he considered a very rewarding industry Ken paid tribute to the many clever people he learned from, including geologists, engineers, metallurgists, marketers and others.
Ken was most pleased to receive the Bowen Basin Geologists Group 2021 Leichhardt Award, jointly with his friend and fellow coal expert, Dick Sanders, for work they undertook to demystify the process of estimating the in situ density of coal.
Text courtesy of the Bowen Basin Geologists Group
Ian Metcalfe
1949–2023
Ian Metcalfe was a devoted husband to Amarjit Kaur, an incredible father to Noreen and David, and a beloved grandfather to John and James He was a globally recognised and accomplished professor, researcher, lecturer and author in Earth Sciences Ian will be dearly missed, not only for his outstanding contributions to academia, but also for his exemplary role as a husband and father
Ian was born in Yorkshire and began his association with the University of New England (UNE) in 1992 after completing his PhD at the University of Leeds Prior to that, he had worked at the University of Malaya, the University of Nottingham and the National University of Malaysia Over the years, his career at UNE included various roles from Senior Lecturer to Research Fellow Ultimately, he held the position of Adjunct Professor from 2005
Ian's impact on the academic world is substantial. He currently holds the position of seventh on Google Scholar for total citations among academics associated with UNE, marking the highest position in the physical sciences at the university. His h-index, a measure of research impact, stands at 49, with his publications garnering more than 15 000 citations Despite not holding a continuous position, Ian authored more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and served as an editor for several esteemed journals in Earth Sciences His extensive body of work significantly enhanced UNE's international research profile.
Ian’s most influential contributions were in the fields of regional and global tectonics, paleogeography, paleontology (particularly microfossils and mass extinctions), and geologic timescale calibration studies His work on the continental lithospheric terranes and suture zones of East and Southeast Asia is internationally renowned, and his Three-Tethys
model for the evolution of Asia has gained widespread acceptance. His work has provided a foundational framework for global reconstruction and deep Earth resources research for several decades
Conodont biostratigraphy was another area where Ian made a particularly positive impact His pioneering work on the Lower Carboniferous of northern England has become part of global zonation schemes His contributions to conodont biostratigraphy, biogeography and stratigraphy, especially concerning the Permian–Triassic boundary, have been invaluable to the field
Beyond geology, Ian extended his intellectual pursuits into the social sciences. He served as a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow and worked on the project ‘Women workers in industrializing Asia’ He also held positions as Deputy Director of the Asia Centre at UNE and Program Director for the UNE Research Initiative ‘Environmental and Social Impacts of Resource Development in Asia’ He was an active member of the New England Branch of the Royal Society of NSW in the 1990s
Ian's impact on academia, his dedication to his family and his diverse intellectual interests have left an indelible mark on those who knew him He will be remembered with deep respect and admiration by colleagues, friends and students alike.
CHRIS FELLOWS, HOWARD BRASTED, & TREVOR BROWN
Republished from the Royal Society of NSW with permission.
Ian Metcalfe
Photo: University of New England
Hugh Lucius Davies
8 April 1935 – 26 April 2024
Known as the father of geology in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Hugh Davies was born in Perth He completed his schooling there, and graduated from The University of Western Australia (UWA) with a Bachelor of Science in 1955 He first arrived in PNG in 1956 as a geologist with the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics (BMR, now Geoscience Australia) From 1957 to 1961 he was attached to the PNG Geological Survey. In 1963, UWA conferred a Master of Science upon him Hugh commenced PhD studies at Stanford University in 1963, working on the Papuan Ultramafic Belt ophiolite
In California, he met and married Connie Lou Hagen in 1964, subsequently remarking that their $10 marriage license was the best money ever spent From 1965 to 1968, the couple lived in PNG, where Hugh undertook more field work for his PhD The BMR seconded Hugh to the PNG government from 1967 to 1971 In 1968 to 1969, Hugh and Connie returned to Stanford, which conferred upon him a PhD in 1970
In 1971 to 1972, Hugh led mapping in PNG that included the Ok Tedi copper–gold prospect. From 1973 to 1981, the BMR again seconded him to the PNG government Hugh was deeply involved in the development of Ok Tedi as Executive Secretary of the Ok Tedi Steering Committee and as Managing Director of the Ok Tedi Development Company (OTDC) from 1973 to 1977 OTDC’s exploration confirmed a high-grade copper deposit, leading BHP Billiton to agree to develop the mine in 1977.
In 1978, as Crosby Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hugh lectured and analysed Papuan ophiolite rocks Back in PNG and with the family heavily engaged in swimming, Hugh served as President of the PNG Amateur Swimming Union (now PNG Swimming Inc) from 1978 to 1981, and was awarded Life Membership in 1981.
Hugh, Connie and their four children moved to Canberra in 1981, and Hugh worked at the BMR until 1989 His primary focus was marine geology, and he undertook research voyages to the Solomon Sea (1983–1984), Lord Howe Rise (1985), Kerguelen Plateau (1985 and 1986) and Great Australian Bight (1986). In 1987, Hugh was a Visiting Professor at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris In Canberra, Hugh was an active member of the Burley Griffin Swimming Club Taking advantage of the nearby Snowy Mountains, Hugh, Connie and their three daughters became avid backcountry and cross-country skiers
In 1989, following 33 years with the BMR, Hugh was appointed Professor of Geology at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), and he and Connie relocated to Port Moresby From 1989–1996 and 2002–2007, he served as Head of Earth Sciences At UPNG, Hugh restructured the geology degree program and created an internationally competitive geology department.
Hugh Davies, Photo: supplied
Renowned for his significant contributions to the geology of PNG, Hugh’s research and mentorship of numerous PNG students has left a lasting impact on the country, particularly in the minerals and energy sectors
Hugh remained at UPNG until 2018, when he and Connie retired to Canberra As an Honorary Visiting Professor at the ANU until his death, Hugh’s ‘retirement’ consisted of daily PNG research, helping former students and connecting with colleagues globally
Hugh’s approximately 150 papers, reports, maps, and abstracts encompass PNG and marine geology His books include Earth Tok (1994, 2001, 2014), an introductory geology textbook from a PNG perspective; and Aitape Story: The Great New Guinea Tsunami of 1998 (2018) He authored or coauthored 11 published geological maps of PNG at 1:250 000 scale
Hugh’s leadership roles included Chief Government Geologist of the newly formed PNG Geological Survey (1973–1981), Executive Manager of the newly formed Geological Survey Division at the PNG Mineral Resources Authority (2007–2009), Chairman of the PNG National Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Committee (1999–2007), and Executive Manager of the Geological Survey of PNG (2007–2009)
In 2001, he founded and became the inaugural director of UPNG’s Centre for Disaster Reduction Hugh’s oft-repeated mantra was “giving yourself to help others”. Humble, dedicated and a quiet achiever, he accrued multiple honours and recognition
In 2004, Hugh was awarded the Michael T Halbouty Human Needs Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and in 2005 the Order of the Logohu from the PNG government, both for “services to geological education and disaster relief”
In 2018, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for “distinguished services to Australia–Papua New Guinea relations in the area of geological sciences and to education as an academic, author and researcher”. He was also honoured as a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, the Society of Economic Geologists, and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Hugh is survived by his widow, Connie; his children Martin, Kendi and Rondi; his grandchildren Lara, Kaia, Marin and Aries; his sister Jo; and his beloved border collie, Brave Dog Hugh and Connie’s youngest child, Jocey, passed away in May 2024
Public obituaries for Hugh are available online at postcourier com pg and devpolicy org
Vale Robin Helby
Australian Geoscience lost a true giant in biostratigraphy on 14 July 2024, age 85 Robin Helby was indeed a pioneering expert in palynology and an inspiration to all those industry and academic palynologists who followed in his footsteps His work ethic was extraordinary, and his eye for detail and precision in documenting every new species or subspecies unmatched
Robin’s gift of a photographic memory and the ability to recall occurrences of rare specimens not only in which well, but which actual sample enabled him to piece together palynological zonations still used across Australia His generosity and patience in mentoring palynologists across Australia will not be forgotten
Text courtesy Geoff Wood
Donald E. Owen (Snr)
29 November 1936 – 30 December 2023
Don Owen died in Beaumont, Texas, US age 87 after a long illness, suffering from Myasthenia Gravis and dementia He was born in San Antonio, Texas, and during the 1940s and early 1950s he lived on Galveston Island where he became intimately acquainted with hurricanes and their effects on coastal sedimentary and geomorphic dynamics These seminal observations on Texas’ Gulf Coast inspired his interest in geoscience in general, and in sedimentary processes in particular, knowledge of which he later used to understand and reconstruct the complex facies interplay of the Cretaceous depositional systems in the southern Rocky Mountains He attained his Bachelor of Science with high honours at Lamar State University in Beaumont, Texas (1955–1957), and his Master of Science and PhD at the University of Kansas (1959–1963) In 1958, between his tenures at Lamar and Kansas universities, Don worked as an intern for Shell Oil on the Cretaceous Dakota Formation in New Mexico This and his subsequent extensive work on the Dakota became a lifelong obsession and hobby, for which reason he became known in the US geological community as “Doctor Dakota”
A self-described “fanatical geologist”, his passion for the science was reflected in his research, teaching and consulting accomplishments Don was primarily an academic whose main interest was classical stratigraphy Outside the classroom he was best known as a field geologist, stratigrapher, mentor, and the author of more than 100 technical papers and field guidebooks Those who went to the field with him in the Desert Southwest of the US could count on long days spent measuring sections, digging up bentonites, characterising sediments and deciphering depositional environments He seldom had time for anything else Don’s outdoor kitchen consisted of a cooler full of Diet Cokes, canned food, a can opener and a fork
Overlapping with the completion and award of his PhD, Don spent two years (1962–1964) working for the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology in Austin, undertaking geologic mapping and stratigraphic research in northeast and trans-Pecos Texas He spent most of the rest of his career as a university teacher and researcher: firstly at Bowling Green State University (BGSU, 1964–1978) in Ohio, and Macquarie University (MQU) in Sydney, Australia (1969–1971, on secondment from BGSU); and finally, over a span of 37 years, as a Professor of Geology at Lamar State University in Beaumont (August 1985–January 2015) and Emeritus Professor at Lamar (2015–April 2022)
From 1978–1984, Don worked sequentially as senior geologist, research geologist, and Assistant VPInternational at Cities Service Co, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma From 1995–2000, while at Lamar University, he worked as a consultant geologist for Burlington Resources on the San Juan Basin in New Mexico and Colorado When he wasn’t teaching field camp in west Texas and New Mexico, Don spent most summers measuring sections and deciphering outcrops in New Mexico, and consulting for petroleum companies in New Mexico and Colorado on the complex interplay of facies in the Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone and Burro Canyon formations. The highly variable petroleum production results of these formations, both geographically and stratigraphically, presented a huge challenge to workers trying to understand their subsurface stratigraphy Don constructed the first rudimentary maps of these formations, ultimately leading to a stratigraphic framework and database of formation tops, which integrated his outcrop data with subsurface well-control metrics His collaboration with San Juan Basin petroleum geologists
Donald Owen. Photo: supplied
(including one of us: CH) helped produce basin-wide maps of seven Dakota Formation reservoirs This formed the basis for petrologic, depositional and petrophysical models used to quantify its oil and gas reserves This research for the petroleum industry resulted in the first basin-wide resource assessment of the Dakota Formation, which was the deepest, most complex, riskiest, and previously most poorly understood, and least-mapped oil and gas reservoir interval in the San Juan Basin That work remains an industry standard for integrating enormous datasets of outcrop and subsurface quantitative and qualitative information over an entire petroleum system
In 1969, Don took a two-year secondment from BGSU to teach at MQU in Sydney at the invitation of Alan Voisey, the Foundation Professor of Geology at the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale, NSW This invitation happened through a fortuitous encounter of the two, probably in the boreal spring of 1965, when they were each conducting separate student excursions from their respective nearby institutions to a local limestone quarry Alan was on studyleave at the time from the UNE to Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti During the encounter, Don invited Alan to visit and give a talk at his university in Bowling Green, which Alan duly accepted During his visit to Bowling Green, Alan mentioned to Don that he was a member of the Interim Council of MQU, a new university being established in Sydney and that he (Don) might consider joining its geology teaching staff Accordingly, Don organised a two-year secondment from BGSU and joined Voisey’s School of Earth Sciences (SES) at MQU in 1969, two years after its first intake of undergraduate students (Voisey was appointed the Foundation Professor of Geology in the SES at MQU in October 1965 following a competitive process, and took up the position on 1st April 1966 )
The 1969–1971 period of Don’s time in Australia coincided with the height of Australia’s first mineral boom, when total student enrolments in geology, paleontology and geophysics courses at MQU exceeded those in all other MQU science disciplines combined The SES’s geologyfocused courses (taught on all three fronts, ie day, evening, and external) hardly coped with the frenetic demand, requiring multiple end-on field sessions and vacation schools in some courses. Together with the SES’s tenured soft-rock geologists (John Veevers, Patrick Conaghan, Günther Bischoff and John Talent), Don therefore got to teach thousands of students at MQU, both on campus and in field courses (including with one on us, PJC, on the Great Barrier Reef) Many of those students went on to become successful practitioners in industry and academia, both within Australia and overseas
Don’s time in Australia shortly followed the effective verification (in the boreal winter of 1966–1967) of the theory of plate tectonics and continental drift as a consequence of the discovery of sea-floor spreading and cumulative related discoveries in palaeomagnetism during the 1960s But there were hold-outs to acceptance of the new concepts, including Don. He once gave an evening lecture to a packed audience at MQU in a course called ‘Geological Problems’, in which he challenged the new ideas In his talk, he argued against the notion that the continents could drift and, as an illustration of what he posited to be a geological fantasy, he presented his own ‘risible’ reconstruction of an ancient theoretical supercontinent that juxtaposed the
the western edge of Laurentia (North America) against the eastern edge of palaeo-Australia He called it “Fantasia” Several decades later that same reconstruction of these two continents was arrived at on the basis of plausible scientific evidence, and the supercontinent reconstructed is called ‘Rodinia’ Little did Don anticipate at the time of his lecture that, historically, he owned the priority of that reconstruction (at least in terms of that particular juxtaposition), but which he had made in jest Don subsequently told one of us (PJC) that before the related discoveries of sea-floor spreading and palaeomagnetism that led to the emergence of the plate tectonic paradigm, anyone who believed in continental drift would not get a job in academia in North America, but that after those discoveries, the reverse was true
During his time in Australia, Don also consulted for the local petroleum industry and undertook fieldwork in the Darling Basin in western NSW for Planet Oil & Gas Ltd Planet subsequently brought Don back to Sydney many years later to give evidence in litigation involving another company, but the matter was settled prior to going to court, in Planet’s favour.
Don was active in many professional organisations in the US, including the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society for Sedimentary Geology, Houston Geological Society, New Mexico Geological Society, Four Corners Geological Society, and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources For many decades, he was also the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Member of the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, and a Member of the Task Group on Sequence Stratigraphy of the International Sub-commission on Stratigraphic Classification.
Highly respected by peers and students, Don was a positive influence on multiple generations of students and colleagues in North America and beyond His enormous contributions to academia, teaching and the petroleum industry are lasting legacies
Don was a fastidious taxonomist in the use of formal stratigraphic nomenclature, designed to distinguish the separate concepts of ‘rock’ (lithostratigraphy), ‘time’ (geochronology), and ‘time-rock’ (chronostratigraphy), and the corresponding terminology of their respective units In that general context, his globally most widely cited and internationally most influential paper (republished twice by popular demand) is:
Owen, Don E (2009): How to use stratigraphic terminology in papers, illustrations, and talks Journal of Stratigraphy, vol 6, No 2, p 106–116; and its 1978 original and 1987 iteration under the same title
Don is sorely missed by his extended family and numerous academic and industry colleagues He is survived by the three daughters of his first marriage to Louise Owen (deceased): Alicon Owen-Schmall, Arleen Owen Wenzel and Alissa Owen; by his second former wife Diane Sparks and their son Donald E Owen Jr, and Donald Jr’s wife Karen; by his sister Cissie Owen; and by his seven grandchildren
PATRICK J CONAGHAN, CHARLES (‘CHIP’) HEAD, CISSIE OWEN, DONALD E OWEN JR
Cryptic geological crossword
Thank you to Vince Moran for providing the GSA with another challenging crossword for TAG readers to attempt.
ACROSS
2. I’ll tolerate most minerals, but I draw the line with this one! (8)
7. Part of mount is a good place to find copper (3)
8 Seismic boundary inside demo home (4)
9 Sam P led party that grabbed a few rocks (7)
11 A way marker popular with geologists (5)
13 Damaged test kite crashed to the ground (8)
15 Metal commodity goes back in batteries (2)
16 Lubricate this earth material (3)
18 A fee on Funafuti, for instance (5)
21 Now that name rings a bell Could it be the highest mountain in Australia? (3,3)
22 Mineral makes an appearance in Media Mondial. This is a hard one! (7)
24. Hears about type of deformation. (5)
25. Dangerous mineral is best placed between arsenic and osmium. (8)
28. Old collision zone is part of natural selection. (5)
31. Backbone left the oxide mineral. (6)
DOWN
1. California valley is a good place to find this common element. (7)
2. Well produced resource. (3)
3. Local man dines partly on garnet. (9)
4 Consumption of this mineral goes up at meal times (6)
5 Structure hidden within banjo interior (5)
6 Concentrate on the source of this earthquake (5)
10 Did you know Eric initially? An intrusive type! (4)
12 Heavy metal found in dirt (2)
14 That might be a narrow stretch of land, but it’s hard to say (7)
17 Evenly extrude a mineral identifier (1,1,1)
19 Doles out rich seams of ore (5)
20 These sort of rocks upset ego in US (7)
21. Add salt to Ba to make a volcanic rock. (6)
23. A type of stark landform (5)
26. Sedimentary structures handy for tired field geologists. (4)
27. Rant about glacial feature. (4)
29. Agree to drop rare earth elements to obtain a valuable metal. (2)
30 Alan lost an abundant element (2)
What we’re reading
Rocks, Fossils and Formations: Discoveries Through Time
Thomas R H Woolrych, with illustrations by Anna
Madeleine Raupach
A primer for aspiring geoscientists, this book outlines the history of the Earth itself as told by the ground beneath our feet Thomas speaks directly to the reader, taking them on a time-travelling journey from the planet’s formation to the present day
Every few hundred million years, the author stops to break down geological principles and highlights from the fossil record (meteorite impacts! Opalised fossils from the Cretaceous!) He takes the time to distill complex subjects, such as plate tectonics and fossilisation, in
such a way that young readers can not only understand, but also intuit, how these forces have shaped the Earth of today
With gorgeous illustrations, dynamic design and breadth of subject matter, this book is perfect for young teens who are trying to understand the world around them, and any adults who still mix up their igneous and metamorphic rocks
Thomas R H Woolrych is a science communicator and exploration geoscientist
The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives
Ernest Scheyder
Focusing on the role of critical minerals in the renewable energy transition, The War Below takes a ground-up approach to the ethical questions involved in large-scale mining
Ernest outlines the dangers of such mining with real-world examples, such as the collapse of a tailings dam in Argentina or an on-again, off-again mine proposal that would see the destruction of Apache ceremonial sites in Oak Flat, Arizona, US.
He weaves his narrative around these events to get at the thorny question of how exactly the renewable future is to be built and what it will cost us And everyone, from politicians to entrepreneurs to mining executives to activists, is consulted in an effort to understand this question hanging over the industry.
Referencing the power held by countries such as China, Indonesia and Australia thanks to their critical resources, the author makes the case that other countries have become reliant on these industry leaders if they want to implement green energy targets of their own. Ultimately, The War Below gives a hard-eyed look at the battlefield for critical minerals, and the escalating competition over them
Ernest Scheyder is a senior Reuters correspondent, focusing on the green energy transition
Reviews by BEN MINARELLI, freelance writer, contact benminarelliwriter@gmail.com for any writing projects.
Rare Earth Frontiers: From Terrestrial Subsoils to Lunar Landscapes
Julie Michelle Klinger
In Rare Earth Frontiers, Julie tackles the weighty subject matter of rare earths, delving into their characterisation as both the solution to a great many modern production problems and the supposed scarcity that is their namesake
With a solutions-focused eye, the author examines case studies of mining in pristine environments, from the Amazon to the Arctic to the Moon. She highlights the human and environmental costs of development using interview and archival sources mixed with recent academic works, incisively placing these excerpts within broader geopolitical contexts
A careful note is made of the destruction such mining practices can wreak By also skewering the arguments of resource scarcity with exhaustive sourcing, she positions rare earths as a political football that enables global superpowers such as China to excuse their reach into less-politically relevant regions. In such places, the cost of mining rare earths will be felt for generations to come.
Julie Michelle Klinger is an Assistant Professor of Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware, with a PhD in geography from the University of California, Berkeley
The Secret History of Sharks: The Rise of the Ocean’s Most Fearsome Predators
John Long
A loving examination of the planet’s most fearsome marine predators, The Secret History of Sharks uses the fossil record to trace the variegated path of the modern shark through millennia
The author takes us, chronologically, through 500 million years of fossilised remains and highlights some of the stranger sharks evolution has produced along the way, from the famous 60-foot megalodon to the eight-inch Las Hoyas shark Weaving in dramatic recreations of ancient predations, the result is a gripping read that links the history of sharks with the history of life on Earth
The book also highlights the power of evolution It shows us what survival looks like over such a massive length of time as sharks grapple with, for
instance, mass extinction events and competition with other predators With wit and a canny eye for narrative, John asks us just what humanity can learn from sharks and their millions of years of survival
John Long is strategic professor of paleontology at Flinders University.
New self-published geoscience books
The GSA congratulates members Barney Stevens and Phil Brown for publishing new books They are easy to read and beautifully illustrated
Bent, broken and Melted, Broken Hill - The Rocks Speak by Brian (Barney) Stevens
$50 + postage from bhillexpertise@gmail.com
Broken Hill geology has fascinated and baffled scientists for over a century Now, many of these secrets have been unravelled This book makes the wonders of the rocks accessible to a range of people from the interested amateur to the student, researcher and geologist. It includes scientific controversies, challenges to long-held theories, and ideas for future research
Australian Hydrogeography by Philip John Brown
$100 + $30 postage from philjohnbrown@gmail.com
Australian Hydrogeography covers the anything and everything of groundwater, soil water, and surface water The book is aimed at safeguarding our water resources, minimising contamination, and to get us thinking of solutions It is a very enjoyable, easy read and not simply a book of formulas and complex 3D modelling
If you are interested in reviewing either book, please contact TAG@gsa org au
What’s on in 2024
11–12 November: GSA-WA workshop
Details: The workshop will introduce and develop computational skills in the Western Australian geoscience community It will focus on familiarisation with Python syntax and the most popular libraries to solve basic geoscience problems. A mix of foundational and hands-on experience using real-world datasets and applications
Location: University of New England, Armidale, NSW
18–22 November: Specialist Group in Tectonics and Structural Geology (SGSTG) Biennial Meeting
Details: The five–day conference will be broken up with mid-conference field trips, and a series of three-day pre and post-conference field trips that cover local geological highlights.
Location: University of New England, Armidale, NSW
27 November: GESSS-SA
Details: This student-led symposium highlights the ongoing research conducted by South Australian students
Location: University of Adelaide, SA
28 November: GSA-Vic event
Details: Barbara Wagstaff will deliver the Selwyn Award Talk
Location: Fritz Loewe Lecture Theatre, McCoy Earth Sciences Building, The University of Melbourne
Time: 5 30pm for 6 00pm start
28 November: GSA-ACT AGM and end-of-year BBQ
Details: Join us as we reflect on and celebrate 2024 The 2025 GSA-ACT committee will be elected Please consider nominating to be part of the committee! Roles include chair, secretary, treasurer, student representative and general council members
Location: Geoscience Australia BBQ area, ACT Time: 5 30pm
28 November: GSA-Tas event
Details: Take part in this premier Earth Science conference for the 14th Tasmanian Geoscience Forum. Learn about new developments across all areas of geoscience activities on the island state in industry, government and university Jointly organised by GSA, AIG and AusIMM Tasmanian Divisions AusIMM Tasmanian Divisions
Location: Tullah Lodge, Tullah, Tas
29 November: SA Exploration and Mining Conference
Details: This annual collaborative event brings together SA exploration and mining industries, academia and government. It is organised by a voluntary committee representing the local branches of professional associations (AIG, ASEG, AusIMM and GSA) Representatives from the SA Department of Energy and Mining, and the University of Adelaide, have also joined the committee Conference registration fees have been kept low to encourage a broad attendance, and the modest surplus is intended to be invested in student-related activities in the local, professional associations. A student poster competition with prizes will be held.
Location: Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA
Time: 8 00am start
29 November: 29 November: GSA-NT event
Details: Bang or bust? Monitoring for underground nuclear tests A talk from Mark Hoggard, ANU
Location: NT Geological Survey Darwin office Level 3 Paspalis Centrepoint, 48–50 Smith St Mall, Darwin, NT Time: 12:30pm (GMT +9:30)
