Overview of work program between 2007 to early 2009.

Two significant offshore data acquisition surveys along Western Australia's continental margin (AusGeo News 92) were recently completed by Geoscience Australia. They form part of the agency's ongoing collection of fundamental pre-competitive data and information to understand Australia's offshore frontier basins, and assist with planning and management of Australia's marine environments.

A3 Map showing oil/gas fields and pipelines in Australia

One of the main outputs of the Earthquake Hazard project at Geoscience Australia is the national earthquake hazard map. The map is one of the key components of Australia's earthquake loading standard, AS1170.4. One of the important inputs to the map is the rate at which earthquakes occur in various parts of the continent. This is a function of the strain rate, or the rate of deformation, currently being experienced in different parts of Australia. This paper presents two contrasting methods of estimating the strain rate, and thus the seismicity, using the latest results from the seismology and geodynamic modelling programs within the project. The first method is based on a fairly traditional statistical analysis of an updated catalogue of Australian earthquakes. Strain rates, where measurable, were in the range of 10-16s-1 to around 10-18s-1 and were highly variable across the continent. By contrast, the second method uses a geodynamic numerical model of the Australian plate to determine its rate of deformation. This model predicted a somewhat more uniform strain rate of around 10-17s-1 across the continent. The uniformity of the true distribution of long term strain rate in Australia is likely to be somewhere between these two extremes but is probably of about this magnitude. In addition, this presentation will also give an overview of how this kind of work could be incorporated into future versions of the national earthquake hazard map in both the short and long term.

As part of the National Coastal Vulnerability Assessment currently being undertaken by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Geoscience Australia is developing a nationally consistent geomorphic classification of the Australian coastal zone. Mapped coastal geomorphology is a fundamental data layer required by all levels of government to undertake modelling of coastal processes and assessment of coastal vulnerability to the potential impacts of global climate change. A digital coastal geomorphology map, combined with a high resolution digital elevation model, will allow for detailed sea-level rise modelling and assist in the identification of potentially susceptible landform units.

This dataset contains species identifications of crinoids collected during survey SOL4934 (R.V. Solander, 27 August - 24 September, 2009). Animals were collected from the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf with a benthic sled. Specimens were lodged at Museum of Victoria on the 19 April 2010. Species-level identifications were undertaken by Kate Naughton at the Museum of Victoria and were delivered to Geoscience Australia in December 2010. See GA Record 2010/09 for further details on survey methods and specimen acquisition. Data is presented here exactly as delivered by the taxonomist, and Geoscience Australia is unable to verify the accuracy of the taxonomic identifications.

Project Y4 Final Report Parts I & II January 2005 July 2008 Concepts to targets:a scale integrated mineral systems study of the Eastern Yilgarn Craton

Australia's mineral resources are an important component of its wealth, and a long term perspective of what is likely to be available for mining is a prerequisite for formulating sound policies on resources and land-access. The national resource stocks are quantified in the annual online publication: Australia's Identified Mineral Resources: http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/aimr/index.jsp, which provides Geoscience Australia's assessments based on its national mineral resource classification system. This paper summarises Australia's national classification system for Identified Mineral Resources. Estimating global stocks of mineral and energy commodities is becoming increasingly important. This requires mapping of categories between the various the mineral and energy classification systems in use, and rationalising these systems where feasible. This paper also outlines how Australia's national system correlates with other mineral and energy resource classification systems.

This map shows the boundary of the security regulated port for the purpose of the Maritime Transport & Office Security Act 2003. 8 sheets (Colour) June 2009 Not for sale or public distribution Contact Manager LOSAMBA project

Assessment of geological, geochemical and isotopic data indicate that a subgroup of volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposits has a major magmatic-hydrothermal source of ore fluids and metals. This group, which is characterised by high Cu and Au grades, is distinguished by aluminous advanced argillic alteration assemblages or metamorphosed equivalents. These characteristics are interpreted as the consequence of disproportionation of magmatic SO2. Other than deposits associated with advanced argillic alteration assemblages, the only deposit for which we ascribe a major magmatic-hydrothermal contribution is the Devonian Neves Corvo deposit. This deposit differs from other deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt and around the world in being extremely Sn-rich, Comparison with 'normal' VHMS deposits suggest that these subgroups of VHMS deposits may form in specialised tectonic environments. The Cu-Au-rich deposits appear to form adjacent to magmatic arcs, an environment conducive to the generation of hydrous, oxidised melts by melting metasomatised mantle in the wedge above the subducting slab. This contrasts with the back-arc setting of 'normal' VHMS deposits in which relatively dry granites formed by decompression melting drive seawater-dominated hydrothermal circulation. The tectonic setting of highly Sn-rich VHMS deposits such as Neves Corvo is less clear, however thick continental crust below the ore-hosting basin may be critical as it is in other Sn deposits.