The third generation of the Tanami 3D geological model has been released on the GA website. The 3D model, including 2D datasets (Geophysical images, solid geology maps, geochronology data, mineral occurrence locations, plus others) are displayed in Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML), enabling 3D visualisation and manipulation over the web. The 3D model is available on the internet via the link http://www.ga.gov.au/map/web3d/tanami/

As part of the 'Felsic Igneous Rocks of Australia' project, Geoscience Australia personnel have been compiling and synthesising datasets of various metallogenic parameters for intrusive and country rock units of the Tasmanides of eastern Australia (previously reported in the issues of AUSGEO News web address; see http://www.ga.gov.au/rural/projects/aust_felsic_igneous_rocks.jsp), to assist the exploration industry in the search for intrusion-related mineralisation systems. As reported earlier this approach is been undertaken as regional modules, with datasets for north Queensland currently being prepared for release, and datasets for Tasmania now completed and released as a joint Geoscience Australia Mineral Resources Tasmania product. The project, in collaboration with Geoscience Victoria, is now extending into the Tasman Fold Belt of Victoria, and is currently synthesising metallogenic data on the intrusive igneous rocks and associated country rocks units for that state. Products of this study, which will include downloadable data tables (linked to Geoscience Australia's National Map digital geology) will be released early 2007.

Spiralling nickel metal prices (740 times increase from 2001 to a record level of US$33 400/tonne in August 2006) driven by the urbanisation and industrialisation growth of China, dwindling global stockpiles, and exploration expenditures and activities at all-time highs collectively indicate that the nickel industry of Australia is currently experiencing a `boom phase' of unparalleled opportunities. Geoscience Australia has just published (Ore Geology Reviews) a comprehensive synthesis 'Nickel sulfide deposits in Australia: Characteristics, resources, and potential' by Dean Hoatson, Subhash Jaireth, and Lynton Jaques, that for the first time, reviews the geological settings and resources of Australia's nickel sulphide deposits at a national scale and places them in a global context. It summarises the key factors that determine the fertility of nickel-bearing magmatic systems with a predictive focus that should be of considerable interest to companies exploring for nickel deposits.

Despite the clear unambiguous link between gold mineralisation and structural control in the well-endowed eastern Yilgarn Craton (EYC), the tectonic history of this region remains controversial. The current paradigm describes the tectonic history to have evolved in a relatively simple progressive manner with the main `D2? and subsequent events (D3 and D4) being the result of maximum shortening oriented ~E?W or ENE?WSW. Although most previous studies have focussed on the structural geology of the greenstones, both greenstones and granites (Fig. 1) have been assumed to have experienced the same event history (Swager, 1997: Precambrian Research 83, 11-41). This article outlines a new approach taken to better understand the tectonic and geodynamic evolution of this important part of Australia.

A review of the geochemical processes controlling the distribution of thorium in the Earth's crust and Australia's thorium resources can be downloaded from Geoscience Australia's website. The review is one of the outputs from Geoscience Australia's Onshore Energy Security Program (OESP). It will provide an enhanced understanding for government policy and industry investment decisions of the status and distribution of Australia's thorium resources and their potential as an alternative nuclear fuel source for overseas markets.

Geoscience Australia has recently conducted absolute gravity observations at Davis and Mawson stations in the Australian Antarctic Territory to establish accurate gravity reference points for past and future gravity surveys. These absolute gravity observations are the first such measurements undertaken at any of the Australian Antarctic stations and will not only provide an accurate absolute datum for future gravity work but will also enable gravity surveys that have already been conducted in the Australian Antarctic Territory to be tied to the same datum, thus allowing past and future gravity surveys to be accurately merged and combined.

Legacy product - no abstract available

One of the principal objectives of the North Australian project involved an assessment of the geology of the region and its known and potential mineral systems, particularly those associated with the gold deposits of the Tanami (see AusGeo News #74). From this work, the Tanami NGA Project, a collaborative initiative of the Northern Territory Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Western Australian and Geoscience Australia evolved to more directly target controls on lode gold mineralisation.

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.

This AusGeo New article provides an overview of the geological and petroleum prospectivity assessment of the Capel and Faust basins, northern Lord Howe Rise, that was completed during 2006-2010 by the Remote Eastern Frontiers project at Geoscience Australia. The regional setting, data acquisition, assessment methodology and the findings of the study are outlined.