NSW

Title: Dynamic Earth Models for frontier kimberlite exploration

Speaker: Nicolas Flament

Date and time: Aug 20, 2024 1800 (NSW)

Regstration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M9Emiw4nQueg05JnWFofDg#/registration

Abstract: 

Understanding mantle convection plays a frontier role in advancing kimberlite exploration. Kimberlite melts, which commonly transport diamonds from depths of over 120 km and occasionally more than 660 km, commonly form at approximately 300 km depth. This study investigates the deep mantle processes that transport heat to the source depths of kimberlite magmatism. Possible kimberlite formation environments include the lower mantle and transition zone, subduction zones, and mantle upwelling regions.

We leverage the proposed statistical relationship between kimberlites and basal mantle structures to create global maps of relative kimberlite potential. These maps reveal the association of kimberlite eruptions with both fixed and mobile basal mantle structures over the past 320 million years. The findings suggest that broad mantle upwelling, rather than narrow mantle plumes, may link kimberlite eruptions to deep Earth processes, transporting heat to shallower depths where localized geodynamic processes induce eruptions.

Title: The tectonic and volcanic history of Northern Zealandia

Presenter: Maria Seton, Associate Professor and Associate Head of Research in the School of Geosciences, University of Sydney

Date and time: Wednesday, 17th July 2024 at 1800

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3IrP_IRSTnuXe_54PdglaQ

Overview:

A defining characteristic of the southwest Pacific is the significant amount of continental crust and volcanism distributed throughout the region. This includes the world’s largest submerged continent, Zealandia, which separated from eastern Australia and Antarctica in the Cretaceous during the final phase of Gondwana break-up. A large knowledge gap in the tectonic and volcanic history of Zealandia has been the location and continuity of the Mesozoic subduction related magmatic arc and the Late Cretaceous to Eocene rift-related volcanics. In addition, widely distributed, intraplate Cenozoic volcanism, which appears to pockmark much of Zealandia, has been difficult to explain via existing models. To address these gaps in our understanding, we conducted several research voyages on the RV Investigator and its precursor, the RV Southern Surveyor. We undertook a series of dredges, informed by seismic reflection profiles, to target places where basement outcrops at the seabed. We performed detailed geochronological and geochemical analysis of these samples and combined this with regional geophysical data interpretation to determine the location and orientation of the Mesozoic Gondwana magmatic arc axis (Median Batholith) from New Zealand through to the northern reaches of Zealandia. We further mapped the extent of Late Cretaceous to Eocene rift-related volcanics and their relationship to strong positive magnetic anomaly signatures in the region as well refining the age and extent of plume related volcanism within Zealandia. Our work has provided the first offshore reconnaissance geological mapping of the Zealandia continent, of critical importance for understanding the Mesozoic geological history of pre-breakup Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, which in turn is the basis for exploring the mineral potential hosted within these regions.

Bio:

Maria Seton is an Associate Professor and Associate Head of Research in the School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, and a former ARC Future Fellow and Australian Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focusses on using the marine record to understand global to regional plate motions, the relationship between deep Earth processes and those happening at the surface and the role of tectonics in modulating Earth's long-term climate. She has been involved in several marine expeditions and leads research projects with university, government and industry partners. Maria has a passion for science communication and has received extensive coverage for her research in the media. She also has a passion for changing the public perception of the Australian continent, from one that ends at the coastline to one that extends hundreds of kilometres offshore, and where vital information about the evolution of our continent can be found. 

Title: A New Integration Approach Led to the Discovery of a New Deep-seated World-classPorphyry Copper Deposit

Presenter: Hojat Shirmard

Date & Time: Jun 19, 2024 @ 1800

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UeuOVLT_STepGirRj7z5rQ#/registration

Abstract: 

The discovery of a new deep-seated world-class porphyry copper deposit named Sereydoun resulted from a distinctive approach to processing, analyzing, and interpreting airborne geophysical data and satellite images in the cluster of Sarcheshmeh copper porphyry mine. This area, which was becoming a tailings dump for the Sarcheshmeh mine, has now become one of Iran's largest porphyry copper deposits after drilling more than 100,000 meters of exploration boreholes, with a reserve of approximately 3.5 billion tons of copper, an average grade of 0.4%, and a cutoff grade of 0.15%. Several porphyry and epithermal copper and gold potential regions were also introduced for further investigation. Following the lithogeochemical survey, interpretation, and integration of the data, the ideal exploratory drilling locations for Sereydoun were determined. The approach used in this study can play a significant role in other places looking for epithermal and deep porphyry copper and gold deposits.

Bio: 

Hojat is a PhD candidate in the EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney. He holds a MSc degree in Mining Engineering – Mineral Exploration from the University of Tehran. He has experience doing more than 200 mineral exploration projects in different districts of Iran including geophysics, remote sensing, geology, and geochemistry. He has a track record of being involved in discovering a variety of ore deposits through a combination of fieldwork, processing, analysis, integrating a variety of exploration data in industry-based projects. He is now working on “Spatio-temporal Data Mining in Mineral Exploration”. His research has implications regarding developing sustainable mineral exploration in the era of the green energy transition.

Title: NextGen Geoscience Professionals: What is important for their career development

Presenter: A team of young geoscientists from Fender Geophysics.

Date and Time: May 23, 2024 at 1800 AES

Location: Level 2, Club York (99 York St. Sydney. Room: ‘ANZAC’) + Zoom

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iMKDwSunS0qualVCL_0XDg#/registration

Abstract:

NextGen Geoscience Professionals: What is important for their career development

Educating the next generation of geoscientists is a constant discussion in many forums around Australia. However, formal education as part of a degree program is only a partial aspect of career development. Education generally happens under an instructor's guidance and may involve both theory and practice often within a school or university. Whereas training is usually more focused on practical skills and can be provided either in an educational setting or on the job. Mentoring also provides a significant role in career development and is also seen as crucial for bridging generational differences in the workplace.

This talk is going to focus on the importance of community, mentorship, and career development. Or more specifically, the importance of mentorship and how that builds a strong sense of community. To support this vision, we will have some early career geoscience professionals from a range of backgrounds provide insights into why they started careers in the industry and give their feedback on the community as it is now, how they would like to see it in the future, and some of their thoughts on how to reach that goal.

As a special highlight of the evening, we will be presenting the Lindsay Ingall Memorial Award to the family of the late Bob White in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of exploration geophysics.

Title: Advanced geomodelling to reveal buried deposits

Presenter: Addison Tu

Date and time: Wednesday, 24th April 2024 at 1800 (NSW)

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uVDLEHa8TFOByizyPdGRAQ

Abstract:

Porphyry deposits are of important societal significance as critical sources of copper. 

Copper demands are projected to increase significantly to supply the transition to net-zero, but discoveries have dwindled in recent decades. The finite number of deposits exposed at the surface are nearing depletion, and advancements to exploration techniques must target buried deposits. Here we present a workflow which incorporates machine learning predictions for deposit formation within the crust, with a highly calibrated landscape evolution model to track the vertical motion of deposits through geological time. The results inform where deposits may be preserved and at what depth, or where deposits have been destroyed by erosion. We tested this approach on the mountains of New Guinea, which feature abundant volcanism responsible for deposit formation at depth and extreme erosion to exhume deposits toward the surface. Our approach identified high prospectivity in accordance with the spatial extents of known surface deposits, identified several highly prospective regions for near-surface deposits and where deposits have been destroyed by erosion. Our workflow provides a region-scale prospecting tool to de-risk the economic and environmental cost of field-based exploration. Importantly, the workflow is open-source, scalable to other regions and even adaptable to other mineral systems (with constraints on the depth of formation

Bio:

Addison is a PhD student and Research Assistant within the Earthbyte group, working closely with Dr. Sabin Zahirovic and Dr. Tristan Salles. His research focuses on Eastern Australia, particularly concerning the eastward accretion of microcontinents and volcanic arc-islands since the Cambrian. Geological events in this region and period involve the formation of mountains and the closing of seaways, with many implications for climate, past landscapes and environments, and the formation and preservation of economic deposits.

Addison utilises landscape evolution modelling, tectonic models, and thermochronology with a focus on linking Earth’s surface processes and evolution to other Earth Systems such as the tectonics, climate and the ocean. He also has experience developing landscape evolution models and landform design tools within industry.

Title: Continental fragment collision in subduction and the dramatic uplift acceleration in the Eastern Ana-tolian region

Presenter: Peigen Luo

Date and time: 1800 (Sydney) Oct 18, 2023

Registration: here

Abstract:

The interaction of the subducting lithosphere and embedded continental fragment is a characteristic feature in many subduction zones with complexity. We conducted dynamic subduction modelling to investigate the interactions between the subducting lithosphere and an embedded continental fragment in the Cyprus subduction zone. This study aims to elucidate the effects of the continental fragment on various aspects, including the evolution of regional uplift in the subduction back-arc, morphology of the subducting slab, and internal deformation in the central Anatolian back-arc region during the process of continental fragment indentation. The geodynamic models provide explanations for local seismic data that indicate the absence of lithosphere on the subducting slab ahead of the continental fragment and the puzzling acceleration of uplift in the Central Taurides region over the past 450,000 years. The models demonstrate that the removal of the detached slab due to slab tearing alters the surface deformation and mantle upwelling in the Central Taurides region by reducing the shortening deformation during the collision with the continental fragment. This shift in deformation results in a significant increase in the uplift rate during the subduction slab breakoff process in this region from 450,000 years ago to the present.

Bio: 

Peigen Luo is a dedicated researcher in the field of geological processes. After recently completing his PhD thesis, he's spent years studying plate tectonics, subduction modelling, and applying high-performance supercomputing to geological challenges. Starting his academic journey in 2020 as a PhD student, Peigen has consistently aimed to deepen his understanding and share insights with the academic community. He has also collaborated with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in a casual professional capacity since 2023. Passionate about both geology and computational science, Peigen seeks to continuously learn and contribute to the ever-evolving field of geoscience.

Title: “Geophysics in the Park”: How can Industry support geophysics education? with presenter Dr James Daniell 

Date and time: Wednesday 20th September at 1800 AEST

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U3wTeGpFTIilM8pEDrtLwA#/registration

Info:

On Wednesday 20th September, ASEG NSW brings a presentation on Mergers, cutbacks, and closures of geoscience departments in Australia have been well documented in the media. Outreach events supported by industry and intended for university students and young professionals can provide an opportunity for ongoing education, gaining practical experience, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. In August this year, Fender Geophysics hosted its second outreach event to demonstrate basic geophysical surveying techniques. ‘Geophysics in the Park’ was attended by 14 students, 2 industry professionals, 1 academic, and 1 work experience student. Attendees were shown how to deploy, acquire, and process electrical resistivity imaging and seismic refraction datasets.
Data was acquired in Tunks Park in Cremorne (north Sydney). Tunks Park was chosen primarily as it was known to be a site with ‘thick alluvium’ and likely more interesting than most of the other local parks that were assumed to have Hawkesbury Sandstone located in the shallow subsurface. Tunks Park turned out to be an interesting choice as the existing park was actually constructed as part of land reclamation project in the 1940’s. Historical aerial photos showed the presence of an estuarine mudflats and creek, and it was this creek that was targeted by the geophysical surveying. Unsurprisingly, the creek was imaged as a highly conductive feature within the resistivity data. The refraction data differentiated a boundary between some upper ‘landfill’ and lower sediments but didn’t not image the top of bedrock. 
Despite the geophysical data providing results that were to be expected, Geophysics in the Park provided an opportunity to demonstrate some basic geophysical techniques in an area with an interesting geological history. Students benefitted from gaining some hands-on experience and participated in data acquisition and processing. There is an unmet need for education, training and demonstrations of basic geophysical techniques that can easily be filled by industry. Demonstrations of geophysical techniques do not necessarily require remote field sites. Local parks and sports ovals can be interesting targets for geophysical surveys to demonstrate the various survey techniques. As well as changes in geology and soil, buried debris, services and structures may also be suitable survey targets.
James has spent most of his career undertaking marine geophysical research for James Cook University (2012-2020) and Geoscience Australia (2001-2012). His expertise includes oceanography, geomorphology, sedimentology, geophysics, remote sensing and GIS. However, his research has been focused on mapping the seabed using acoustics and seismic reflection to understand geological processes, oceanography, and the distribution of benthic habitats in both deep and shallow water environments. Geographically his research has focussed on Torres Strait the Great Barrier Reef, however, he has also published research from the Gulf of Papua, Northwest Shelf, Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Tasman Sea. He initially studied palaeontology for a BSc at Macquarie University and followed that up with a Masters in Geology and Geophysics. He completed his PhD through the University of Sydney in 2011.
He returned to Sydney in 2020 and is now a senior geophysicist for Fender Geophysics. He is working at developing a ‘near surface’ geophysics division at Fender which will focus on environmental, groundwater and infrastructure related project. He maintains some ongoing research at JCU and enjoys not marking any more exams.

We are delighted to share with you the details for an upcoming SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course (DISC) being hosted by the ASEG. 

This course will be run virtually over two days. 

Who: Dr Mark E Willis, Chief Scientific Advisor of Borehole Seismics at Halliburton

What: Distributed acoustic sensing for seismic measurements – what geophysicists and engineers need to know - DISC course

Where: Virtually. There will be a streaming of the virtual course in Brisbane at Anglo-American office, Brisbane, QLD. Please contact Tim.Dean.Geo@gmail.com if you would like to join the streaming (ensuring that you also register for the virtual DISC)

When: September 12th and 13th 2023, 9am - 1pm ACST each day. 

Cost: $250 USD for SEG and ASEG members which includes access to software and a copy of the accompanying e-book. ASEG members need to use the code emailed to them, or contact secretary@aseg.org.au. Registration cost for non-members is $375 USD.

Register: Please register here by September 12th.

Course description: Geoscientists and engineers are very comfortable using seismic data sets acquired with geophones, hydrophones, and accelerometers because we have a long, well-defined set of standards for acquiring, processing, and interpreting them. However, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) seismic measurements are rapidly augmenting, and in some cases replacing, the data from these conventional tools. Technologists are frequently unaccustomed to using DAS seismic data sets since it directly acquires relative strain or strain rate measurements and not the more familiar pressure, displacement, velocity, and acceleration data. There are also acquisition parameter selections that must be made to optimize the acquired data to accomplish the purpose of the seismic survey. This course is designed to build an intuition and understanding of the value, limitations, and applications of DAS seismic technology. In addition to the lecture and accompanying book, software will be provided, which will allow the student to interactively explore DAS seismic technology.

For more details visit Current DISC - SEG.

Title: The Seven Deadly Sins Of Scale: Why Petrophysics + Structure + Mineralogy Can Solve The Scale Paradox.

Presenter: Jim Austin

Date & Time: Wednesday, 16th August 2023 at 1800

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kVfHg58_T8qjdHp1Og-3Gw

Abstract:

Prior to the last decade, Petrophysicists typically had access to contextual information on the geology, but that information was qualitative, and unreliable.  of non-contextual (cf. geochemistry, maths, statistics). The advent of quantitative methods for mapping mineralogy and rock texture on palaeomagnetic samples took petrophysics out of the dark ages. It provided quantitative geological information on mineralogy and rock texture, which in turn provide insights into a range of contextual constraints, including alteration, deformation and metamorphism. Quantitative mineralogy allows us to classify our petrophysical data accurately, this providing a framework to interrogate data meaningfully. Inversely, petrophysics provides a lens through which to convert mineralogy into physical properties, many of which (unlike mineralogy and geochemistry) are truly scalar. If we can convert mineralogy to physics, we can understand crustal architecture across scales. Whilst petrophysics is gradually becoming more widely used, physics can be complex, magnetic and conductivity in particular. In this talk, Jim will outline the Integrated Petrophysics approach, illustrate how to integrate and use the data, citing case histories on IOCG, Magnetite and Magmatic Nickel deposits across Australia. We’ll discuss seven of the most common traps which lead to misinterpretation.  

Bio:

Jim Austin occupies the core of a Venn diagram in which petrophysics, geophysics, structural geology, alteration and magmatic mineralogy, GIS and guitar overlap. He is focussed on dissecting the petrophysical and structural anatomy of ore deposits, to understand the interaction of structural controls on alteration.

Title: Engaging Students in Geophysics with Interactive Notebooks and Team-Based Learning

Speaker: Dr Stuart Clark, Associate Professor, The University of New South Wales

Time: 5:30 for 6 pm start

Address: Level 2, Club York (99 York St. Sydney. Room ‘York 2’)

Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xCG5S4rURfCOsCbPzUXkiw#/registration

Dr Stuart Clark

Associate Professor·The University of New South Wales

Stuart is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW Sydney. His research interests are understanding the influence on deep Earth processes on the development of sedimentary basins and the use of machine learning in developing geological models. Stuart teaches geology and geophysics at UNSW and is a passionate advocate for Team-Based Learning. Stuart has presented the design and results of his teaching methodology at a number of conferences and events as well as running workshops and training events for colleagues in higher education. In 2019, Stuart was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Rising Star category.