Статті в журналах з теми "Mount Isa depositional environment"

The Mount Isa Basin is a new concept to describe the area of Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic rocks south of the Murphy Inlier (not the Murphy Tectonic Ridge) and inappropriately described as the Mount Isa Inlier. The new basin concept presented in this paper allows the characterisation of basin-wide structural deformation and the recognition of areas with petroleum exploration potential.The northern depositional margin of the Mount Isa Basin is the metamorphic, intrusive and volcanic complex referred to as the Murphy Inlier. The eastern, southern and western boundaries of the basin are obscured by younger basins (Carpentaria, Eromanga and Georgina Basins). The Murphy Inlier rocks comprise the seismic basement to the Mount Isa Basin sequence. Evidence for the continuity of the Mount Isa Basin with the McArthur Basin to the northwest and the Willyama Block (Basin) at Broken Hill to the south is presented. These areas combined with several other areas of similar age are believed to have comprised the Carpentarian Superbasin.The application of seismic exploration within Authority to Prospect (ATP) 423P at the northern margin of the basin was critical to the recognition and definition of the Mount Isa Basin. The northern Mount Isa Basin is structurally analogous to the Palaeozoic Arkoma Basin of Oklahoma and Arkansas in the southern USA but as with all basins it contains unique characteristics, a function of its individual development history. The northern Mount Isa Basin is defined as the basin area northwest of the Mount Gordon Fault.

Microfacies analysis of the Upper Triassic (Norian) "Bača Dolomite": early evolution of the western Slovenian Basin (eastern Southern Alps, western Slovenia)The Slovenian Basin represents a Mesozoic deep-water sedimentary environment, situated on the southern Tethyan passive margin. Little is known about its earliest history, from the initial opening in the Carnian (probably Ladinian) to a marked deepening at the beginning of the Jurassic. The bulk of the sediment deposited during this period is represented by the Norian-Rhaetian "Bača Dolomite", which has, until now, been poorly investigated due to a late-diagenetic dolomitization. The Mount Slatnik section (south-eastern Julian Alps, western Slovenia) is one of a few sections where the dolomitization was incomplete. Detailed analysis of this section allowed us to recognize eight microfacies (MF): MF 1 (calcilutite), MF 2 (pelagic bivalve-radiolarian floatstone/wackestone to rudstone/packstone), MF 3 (dolomitized mudstone) with sub-types MF 3-LamB and MF 3-LamD (laminated mudstone found in a breccia matrix and laminated mudstone found in thin-bedded dolomites, respectively) and MF 3-Mix (mixed mudstone), MF 4 (bioturbated radiolarian-spiculite wackestone), MF 5 (fine peloidal-bioclastic packstone), MF 6 (very fine peloidal packstone), MF 7 (bioclastic wackestone) and MF 8 (crystalline dolomite). The microfacies and facies associations indicate a carbonate slope apron depositional environment with hemipelagic sedimentation punctuated by depositions from turbidites and slumps. In addition to the sedimentary environment, two "retrogradation-progradation" cycles were recognized, each with a shift of the depositional setting from an inner apron to a basin plain environment.

Soils in arid and semi-arid environments are threatened by salinization. A cost-effective and efficient way to reclaim saline land is through leaching. This will be most effective in situations where direct human impact is the cause for salinity, e.g., in environments affected by industrial use or land rehabilitation following mining. Irrigation, which is the most common means of achieving salt leaching, is not feasible for the reclamation of mine sites’ salt-affected soils located in remote areas, and thus, land reclamation largely relies on natural climatic conditions. This study was conducted to assess the effect of different climatic conditions of semi-arid environments on spatio-temporal salt leaching from brine-affected soil, and investigate the efficacy of the reduction of soil bulk density as a reclamation technique for saline land experiencing water scarcity. Three regions (represented by the Australian cities of Roma, Mount Isa, and Quilpie) representing semi-arid environments of Australia were selected, and their climatic scenarios (23 years) were applied to a validated HYDRUS-1D model. A brine-affected soil typical to Queensland, Australia, was chosen for this study. The investigations established that a greater number of individual high rainfall events resulted in a greater reduction of salinity in Roma (96%) and Mount Isa (93.31%) compared with Quilpie (58.75%), in which the soil salinity approached a level (<2 dS m−1) that was suitable for sustaining plant growth. Soil salinity reduced to 8 dS m−1 under the climatic conditions of the Quilpie region. This study also demonstrated that the success of salt leaching from a brine-affected soil is a consequence of a sensitive response to the depth of individual rainfall events rather than rainfall distribution and the total amount of rainfall, and is controlled by the physical properties of the soil. Where climatic conditions cannot solely assist with salt leaching, reclamation may be successful by reducing soil bulk density.

Squamish River has been impounded temporarily by debris avalanches from Mount Cayley on numerous occasions. Evidence of these impoundments comes from backwater deposits and also from a cluster of in situ stumps protruding from a bar along Squamish River. Backwater deposits consist of both lacustrine and fluvial deposits that have formed within the low-energy depositional environment created by a river impoundment. Three main backwater deposits occur in the study area. The fan toe deposit is ~14 m thick and represents a single impoundment of Squamish River that likely formed behind a large ~4800 BP debris avalanche. In situ ~3200 BP stumps along Squamish River probably were killed by a river impoundment due to a debris avalanche. The upper terrace backwater deposit is ~6 m thick and forms an aggradational terrace along Squamish River which probably accumulated behind an ~1100 BP debris avalanche. The lower terrace deposit also forms an aggradational terrace along Squamish River but represents four or possibly five separate impoundments. These occurred between ~1100 BP and 1955 AD, and it seems likely that one of the deposits relates to an ~500 BP debris avalanche. Seven or eight Holocene impoundments of Squamish River have been identified in the study area.

Living in a rural or remote environment presents unique challenges for people with chronic conditions, mainly those created by limited health-care services and the physical and emotional isolation. Yet, research on how people self-manage their chronic conditions in such locations is limited. This study aims to contribute to research and clinical practice by describing the ways in which a diverse group of rural and remote people with a range of chronic conditions, and their unpaid carers, self-manage their conditions. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews, data was collected from a sample of 32 participants, residing in one of two regions of Australia: Mount Isa/North West region of Queensland and the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. Our findings suggest that although self-managing in a rural and remote context requires many of the lifestyle changes necessary in urban areas, the uniqueness of the rural lifestyle and the limited availability of health care results in, at times, creative forms of self-management. Health-care professionals and policy makers need to be cognisant of the ways in which rural and remote residents modify self-management strategies to suit their needs, and help them develop self-management plans tailored to the realities of their rural environment.

The Lawn Hill Platform (LHP) is a sedimentary province in north-eastern Northern Territory and north-western Queensland that hosts a significant Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic sequence, often referred to as 'the ‘Isa Superbasin’, and includes the overlying South Nicholson Group. Shale gas resources and base-metals mineralisation are known in north-west Queensland, but the larger basin is underexplored. The Australian Government’s Exploring for the Future (EFTF) 2016−2020 program aims to boost resource exploration in northern Australia. New precompetitive geochemical data obtained in this program includes source rock geochemistry, kerogen kinetics, bitumen reflectance, biomarker and δ13C n-alkanes for understanding the petroleum potential, organic geochemistry of source rocks and fluids, stratigraphic correlations and mineralogy to determine the brittleness of shales. All data and derived reports are accessible on the EFTF portal (www.eftf.ga.gov.au), providing a central location for informed decision making. The results in this study demonstrate fair to excellent source rocks in multiple supersequences that are brittle and favourable to hydraulic stimulation. A comparison to the greater McArthur Basin demonstrates, that although there are many similarities in bulk geochemistry, LHP mudstones are largely heterogeneous, reflecting local variations that may be inherited from variations in contributing biomass, microbial reworking, depositional environment, sediment input and paleoredox conditions.

AbstractTwo upper Middle Permian palaeosols, consisting of coal and pyrite intercalated with a 20 cm thick limestone, were found near Mount Emei in the SW Sichuan Basin, China. The macro- and micromorphology and physico-chemical properties, in conjunction with the mineralogical composition of the palaeosol horizons were investigated. This type of palaeosol is common within the Permian intertidal facies of the Upper Yangtze Craton. The section reflects fluctuations within the range of 0–25 m in relative sea-level, with the depositional environment changing from shallow-marine to littoral, followed by tidal-flat to littoral, and finally to continental volcanic rocks, based on a combination of palaeopedological and carbonate microfacies analyses. Such short-term relative sea-level fluctuations in late Middle Permian times in the SW Sichuan Basin of South China are consistent with the long-term falling trend on a global scale in late Middle Permian times, and may be related to regionally variable subsidence and global cooling. The combination of coastal palaeosol and carbonate microfacies analyses is proposed as an additional tool for estimating the amplitude of sea-level changes.

Mount Isa Mines Limited discovered coal seam gas (CSG) in the ‘Dawson Valley’ in 1991. It was the first commercial coal seam gas field in Australia, with production and sales of gas commencing circa 1994, then operated by Conoco and known as Meridian SeamGas. In 2010, Westside Corporation acquired a 51% operating interest in Meridian SeamGas from Anglo American (Anglo) and Mitsui Moura Investment Pty Ltd (MMI). Over the last 10 years, Westside has increased sales by 466% from 9 terajoules per day (TJ/d) to 42 TJ/d with gas being sold to both domestic and export markets. Further acreage acquisition to the north and south increased the asset area by 264%; now known as the Greater Meridian Fields (GMF). The steep rise in gas demand, complex market dynamics, regulatory environment, and competition from large global oil and gas operators makes it a challenging environment for smaller gas producers in Australia. Remaining agile and employing innovative approaches to optimise field development are key factors for Westside’s growth. In particular, the pad-based drilling of up dip multi-lateral wells has reduced cost and surface footprint, while enabling more efficient gas drainage. To support this field development, a more robust subsurface framework was required. Adequate knowledge of the distribution and variability of coal thickness, gas content/composition, structure, and geohazards forms the basis of the static model. It is used for resource definition and for the optimal planning and execution of multi-lateral wells, reducing drilling risks.

AbstractThe present study investigates the reservoir characteristics of the Mount Messenger Formation of Kaimiro-Ngatoro Field which was deposited in deep-water environment. A 3D seismic dataset, core data and well data from the Kaimiro-Ngatoro Field were utilized to identify lithofacies, sedimentary structures, stratigraphic units, depositional environments and to construct 3D geological models. Five different lithologies of sandstone, sandy siltstone, siltstone, claystone and mudstone are identified from core photographs, and also Bouma sequence divisions are also observed. Based on log character Mount Messenger Formation is divided into two stratigraphic units slope fans and basin floor fans; core analysis suggests that basin floor fans show better reservoir qualities compared to slope fan deposits. Seismic interpretation indicates 2 horizons and 11 faults, majority of faults have throw less than 10 m, and most of the faults have high angle dips of 70–80°. The Kaimiro and Ngatoro Fields are separated by a major Inglewood fault. Variance attribute helped to interpret faults, and other seismic attributes such as root-mean-square amplitude, envelope and generalized spectral decomposition also helped to detect hydrocarbons. The lithofacies model was constructed by using sequential simulation indicator algorithm, and the petrophysical models were constructed using sequential Gaussian simulation algorithm. The petrophysical parameters determined from the models comprised of up to ≥ 25% porosity, permeability up to around 600mD, hydrocarbon saturation up to 60%, net to gross varies from 0 to 100%, majority of shale volumes are around 15–20%, the study interval mostly consists of macropores with some megapores and 4 hydraulic flow units. This study best characterizes the deep-water turbidite reservoir in New Zealand.

AbstractThe Devonian of the Carnic Alps (Austria) is developed in different facies. The shallow marine facies is up to 1200 m thick. The Feldkogel Limestone of the Polinik Formation, >330 m thick, was dated as Eifelian–Late Devonian. The Feldkogel Limestone at Mount Polinik is developed in a peritidal facies composed of subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal deposits. Subtidal sediments are represented by dark grayAmphiporalimestone and intertidal deposits by laminated and partly bioturbated grainstone and packstone, ostracode wackestone to packstone, and locally intercalated intraclast breccias documenting tidal channel fills. Laminated microbial mats (stromatolites) formed in a supratidal depositional environment. Grainstone and packstone contain abundant unilocular parathuramminid foraminifers. This latter group encompasses a diversified assemblage of ivanovellids, parathuramminids, uralinellids, and irregularinoids; some earlandiids are also present. They are dated herein as late Eifelian–early Givetian. These foraminifers provide a more precise systematics of these taxa, which often have not been studied for more than half a century. The taxonomic problems of their assignment to foraminifers, pseudo-foraminifers, calcitarcha, thaumatoporellaceans, volvocaleans, or other algae are also discussed. Several taxa are emendated: Parathuramminida, Parathuramminoidea, Irregularinoidea, Eovolutinidae, Ivanovellidae, Parathuramminidae, Uralinellidae,Ivanovella,Elenella,Neoarchaesphaera,Parathurammina,Bykovaella,Uralinella, andParacaligella. The new taxa are:Ivanovella reitlingeraen. sp.,Elenella polinikensisn. sp.,Uralinella sabirovin. sp., andRadiosphaerella poyarkovin. sp.

High-tech metals including Ge, Ga and In are often sourced as by-products from a range of ore minerals, including sphalerite from Zn-Pb deposits. The Hilton Zn-Pb (Ag) deposit in the Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, contains six textural varieties of sphalerite that have formed through a diverse range of processes with variable co-crystallising sulphides. This textural complexity provides a unique opportunity to examine the effects of co-crystallising sulphides and chemical remobilisation on the trace element geochemistry of sphalerite. Early sphalerite (sph-1) is stratabound and coeval with pyrrhotite, pyrite and galena. Disseminated sphalerite (sph-2) occurs as isolated fine-grained laths rarely associated with co-crystallising sulphides and represents an alteration selvage accompanying the precipitation of early stratabound sphalerite (sph-1). Sphalerite (sph-3) occurs in early ferroan-dolomite veins and formed from the chemical remobilisation of stratabound sphalerite (sph-1) during brittle fracturing and interstitial fluid flow. This generation of veins terminate at the interface, and occurs within clasts of the paragenetically later sphalerite-dominated breccias (sph-4). Regions of high-grade Cu (>2%) mineralisation contain a late generation of sphalerite (sph-5), which formed from the recrystallisation of breccia-type sphalerite (sph-4) during the infiltration of a paragenetically late Cu- and Pb-rich fluid. Late ferroan-dolomite veins crosscut all previous stages of mineralisation and also contain chemically remobilised sphalerite (sph-6). Major and trace elements including Fe, Co, In, Sn, Sb, Ag and Tl are depleted in sphalerite associated with abundant co-crystallised neighbouring sulphides (e.g., pyrite, pyrrhotite, galena and chalcopyrite) relative to sphalerite associated with minor to no co-crystallising sulphides. This depletion is attributed to the incorporation of the trace elements into the competing sulphide minerals. Chemically remobilised sphalerite is enriched in Zn, Cd, Ge, Ga and Sn, and depleted in Fe, Tl, Co, Bi and occasionally Ag, Sb and Mn relative to the primary minerals. This is attributed to the higher mobility of Zn, Ge, Ga and Sn relative to Fe and Co during the chemical remobilisation process, coupled with the effect of co-crystallising with galena and ferroan-dolomite. Results from this study indicate that the consideration of co-crystallising sulphides and post-depositional processes are important in understanding the trace element composition of sphalerite on both a microscopic and deposit-scale, and has implications for a range of Zn-Pb deposits worldwide.

The terminus position of Shoestring Glacier, Mount St. Helens, has pulsated over the last few centuries, generally following local climate trends, but the pattern of advance and retreat has been strongly modulated by effects of local volcanic activity. In this paper, I discuss the techniques employed to map and survey fluctuations in ice velocity, thickness, and terminus position of Shoestring Glacier. Solutions to major problems in acquiring and interpreting data peculiar to an active volcano are also explained. Results show that this steep mountain glacier responds quickly and dramatically to local environmental changes. The effects of volcanic activity are distinguished from internal instabilities and local climate change by combining information obtained using a variety of techniques, including field surveying, contour-mapping using stereo-aerial photographs, photo-documentation, and published historical accounts, In this paper I will focus attention on surveying and mapping conducted since 1979 at Shoestring Glacier, but will also discuss methods used to identify historic and “prehistoric” glacier fluctuations back to the early 1800s.The field survey was conducted at the glacier from mid-1979 to late 1983, during several eruptive episodes, major earthquakes, and covering winter and summer velocity and thickness changes. (Brugman and Post, 1980; Brugman and Meier, 1981). Coordinates of glacier velocity markers and the survey reference net were monitored with several different theodolites and electronic distance meters. In addition, topographic maps of Shoestring Glacier and vicinity were made for the years between 1979 and 1982, for the purpose of characterizing the drastic changes which occurred during the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens of May 18, 1980. The maps were constructed with 2 m contour intervals, using three sets of vertical aerial photographs. The difference between maps results in two plots showing the surficial changes caused by the volcanic field-checked against ground survey data on thickness change, using standard techniques. Overall, this study included monitoring glacier flow, configuration, and thickness changes at Shoestring Glacier since mid-1979, and also monitoring any changes in the local survey net due to ground deformation associated with nearby volcanic activity.In addition, photographic and written documentation of recent glacier fluctuations at Mount St. Helens was compiled from a variety of sources, which included local explorers, scientists, mountaineers, aviators, and historians. From this information, I was able to obtain the general pattern of Shoestring Glacier terminus fluctuations since the early 1900s.To extend the study further back in time, I also mapped the local surficial geology surrounding Shoestring Glacier using aerial photographs and ground studies. Because Mount St. Helens is a highly active, young volcano, a major problem was to distinguish glacier moraines, built during a recent ice advance, from volcanic levees built during passage of a recent lahar. Both lahar levees and glacier moraines exist along the glacier margin and most have been dissected and scoured by later mudflows. This study required the separate identification of glacial lag-till, from mudflow and rock avalanche debris. Comparison of depositional and erosional features generated by the several major lahars which decended over the Shoestring Glacier during the 1980 eruptions to pre-1980 surficial geology shows that glacier and lahar deposits are closely intermingled, but they can be distinguished on the basis of surface morphology obtained from aerial photographs, supported by field mapping of sedimentary structures. The dominant pre-1980 surficial deposits were laid down during a time of intense volcanism dating from 1800-1857, when the Shoestring Glacier was initially at its most advanced terminus position in its limited geologic record. During the early 1900s, several minor historic eruptions deposited ash and debris as distinctive englacial debris layers, which were well preserved within the glaciers on Mount St. Helens. Rock material deposited in the early to mid-1800s from glacier advances and volcanic eruptions can be distinguished from volcanic material deposited during the early 1900s because of the minor effect these later eruptions had on the glaciers of Mount St. Helens.This study shows that, over the last few centuries, repeated eruptions of Mount St. Helens have caused important changes in the mass balance of Shoestring Glacier. During several volcanic eruptions since 1800, the Shoestring and nearby glaciers have been deeply blanketed with rock ejecta and avalanche and mudflow debris, which could have increased the glacier mass balances. In contrast, the dominant effect of major volcanic eruptions on the Shoestring Glacier has led to strongly negative mass balances due to scouring, melting, and blasting away of glacier snow and ice. Deep incision of the glacier and its surrounding topography is clearly evident from the maps produced during this study, both during and before 1980. This melting and scouring occurred as pyroclastic flows and lahars swept down the glacier-filled canyon from the summit of the volcano and has probably occurred repeatedly since the canyon holding the Shoestring Glacier was first cut, approximately two thousand years ago. The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, when the Shoestring Glacier was beheaded, deeply incised, and covered by volcanic ejecta and mudflow debris, is the most recent example of the highly variable environment in which the glacier continues to survive.

The terminus position of Shoestring Glacier, Mount St. Helens, has pulsated over the last few centuries, generally following local climate trends, but the pattern of advance and retreat has been strongly modulated by effects of local volcanic activity. In this paper, I discuss the techniques employed to map and survey fluctuations in ice velocity, thickness, and terminus position of Shoestring Glacier. Solutions to major problems in acquiring and interpreting data peculiar to an active volcano are also explained. Results show that this steep mountain glacier responds quickly and dramatically to local environmental changes. The effects of volcanic activity are distinguished from internal instabilities and local climate change by combining information obtained using a variety of techniques, including field surveying, contour-mapping using stereo-aerial photographs, photo-documentation, and published historical accounts, In this paper I will focus attention on surveying and mapping conducted since 1979 at Shoestring Glacier, but will also discuss methods used to identify historic and “prehistoric” glacier fluctuations back to the early 1800s. The field survey was conducted at the glacier from mid-1979 to late 1983, during several eruptive episodes, major earthquakes, and covering winter and summer velocity and thickness changes. (Brugman and Post, 1980; Brugman and Meier, 1981). Coordinates of glacier velocity markers and the survey reference net were monitored with several different theodolites and electronic distance meters. In addition, topographic maps of Shoestring Glacier and vicinity were made for the years between 1979 and 1982, for the purpose of characterizing the drastic changes which occurred during the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens of May 18, 1980. The maps were constructed with 2 m contour intervals, using three sets of vertical aerial photographs. The difference between maps results in two plots showing the surficial changes caused by the volcanic field-checked against ground survey data on thickness change, using standard techniques. Overall, this study included monitoring glacier flow, configuration, and thickness changes at Shoestring Glacier since mid-1979, and also monitoring any changes in the local survey net due to ground deformation associated with nearby volcanic activity. In addition, photographic and written documentation of recent glacier fluctuations at Mount St. Helens was compiled from a variety of sources, which included local explorers, scientists, mountaineers, aviators, and historians. From this information, I was able to obtain the general pattern of Shoestring Glacier terminus fluctuations since the early 1900s. To extend the study further back in time, I also mapped the local surficial geology surrounding Shoestring Glacier using aerial photographs and ground studies. Because Mount St. Helens is a highly active, young volcano, a major problem was to distinguish glacier moraines, built during a recent ice advance, from volcanic levees built during passage of a recent lahar. Both lahar levees and glacier moraines exist along the glacier margin and most have been dissected and scoured by later mudflows. This study required the separate identification of glacial lag-till, from mudflow and rock avalanche debris. Comparison of depositional and erosional features generated by the several major lahars which decended over the Shoestring Glacier during the 1980 eruptions to pre-1980 surficial geology shows that glacier and lahar deposits are closely intermingled, but they can be distinguished on the basis of surface morphology obtained from aerial photographs, supported by field mapping of sedimentary structures. The dominant pre-1980 surficial deposits were laid down during a time of intense volcanism dating from 1800-1857, when the Shoestring Glacier was initially at its most advanced terminus position in its limited geologic record. During the early 1900s, several minor historic eruptions deposited ash and debris as distinctive englacial debris layers, which were well preserved within the glaciers on Mount St. Helens. Rock material deposited in the early to mid-1800s from glacier advances and volcanic eruptions can be distinguished from volcanic material deposited during the early 1900s because of the minor effect these later eruptions had on the glaciers of Mount St. Helens. This study shows that, over the last few centuries, repeated eruptions of Mount St. Helens have caused important changes in the mass balance of Shoestring Glacier. During several volcanic eruptions since 1800, the Shoestring and nearby glaciers have been deeply blanketed with rock ejecta and avalanche and mudflow debris, which could have increased the glacier mass balances. In contrast, the dominant effect of major volcanic eruptions on the Shoestring Glacier has led to strongly negative mass balances due to scouring, melting, and blasting away of glacier snow and ice. Deep incision of the glacier and its surrounding topography is clearly evident from the maps produced during this study, both during and before 1980. This melting and scouring occurred as pyroclastic flows and lahars swept down the glacier-filled canyon from the summit of the volcano and has probably occurred repeatedly since the canyon holding the Shoestring Glacier was first cut, approximately two thousand years ago. The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, when the Shoestring Glacier was beheaded, deeply incised, and covered by volcanic ejecta and mudflow debris, is the most recent example of the highly variable environment in which the glacier continues to survive.

Deep seismic reflection surveys in north Queensland that were collected in 2006 and 2007 discovered a previously unknown sedimentary basin, now named the Millungera Basin, which is completely covered by a thin succession of sediments of the Jurassic–Cretaceous, Eromanga-Carpentaria Basin. Interpretation of regional aeromagnetic data suggests that the basin could have areal dimensions of up to 280 km by 95 km. Apart from regional geophysical data, virtually no confirmed geological information exists on the basin. To complement the seismic data, new magnetotelluric data have been acquired on several lines across the basin. An angular unconformity between the Eromanga and Millungera basins indicates that the upper part of the Millungera Basin was eroded prior to deposition of the Eromanga-Carpentaria Basin. Both the western and eastern margins of the Millungera Basin are truncated by thrust faults, with well-developed hangingwall anticlines occurring above the thrusts at the eastern margin. The basin thickens slightly to the east, to a maximum preserved subsurface depth of ˜3,370 m. Using sequence stratigraphic principles, three discrete sequences have been mapped. The geometry of the stratigraphic sequences, the post-depositional thrust margins, and the erosional unconformity at the top of the succession all indicate that the original succession across much of the basin was thicker–by up to at least 1,500 m–than preserved today. The age of the Millungera Basin is unknown, but petroleum systems modelling has been carried out using two scenarios, that is, that the sediment fill is equivalent in age to (1) the Neoproterozoic-Devonian Georgina Basin, or (2) the Permian–Triassic Lovelle Depression of the Galilee Basin. Using the Georgina Basin analogue, potential Cambrian source rocks are likely to be mature over most of the Millungera Basin, with significant generation and expulsion of hydrocarbons occurring in two phases, in response to Ordovician and Cretaceous sediment loading. For the Galilee Basin analogue, potential Permian source rocks are likely to be oil mature in the central Millungera Basin, but immature on the basin margins. Significant oil generation and expulsion probably occurred during the Triassic, in response to late Permian to Early Triassic sediment loading. Based on the seismic and potential field data, several granites are interpreted to occur immediately below the Millungera Basin, raising the possibility of hot rock geothermal plays. Depending on its composition, the Millungera Basin could provide a thermal blanket to trap any heat which is generated. 3D inversion of potential field data suggests that the inferred granites range from being magnetic to nonmagnetic, and felsic (less dense) to more mafic. They may be part of the Williams Supersuite, which is enriched in uranium, thorium and potassium, and exposed just to the west, in the Mount Isa Province. 3D gravity modelling suggests that the inferred granites have a possible maximum thickness of up to 5.5 km. Therefore, if granites with the composition of the Williams Supersuite occur beneath the Millungera Basin, in the volumes indicated by gravity inversions, then, based on the forward temperature modelling, there is a good probability that the basin is prospective for geothermal energy.

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Deep learning has been used successfully in computer vision problems, e.g. image classification, target detection and many more. We use deep learning in conjunction with ArcGIS to implement a model with advanced convolutional neural networks (CNN) for lithological mapping in the Mount Isa region (Australia). The area is ideal for spectral remote sensing as there is only sparse vegetation and besides freely available Sentinel-2 and ASTER data, several geophysical datasets are available from exploration campaigns. By fusing the data and thus covering a wide spectral range as well as capturing geophysical properties of rocks, we aim at improving classification accuracies and support geological mapping. We also evaluate the performance of the sensors on their own compared to a joint use as the Sentinel-2 satellites are relatively new and as of now there exist only few studies for geological applications. We developed an end-to-end deep learning model using Keras and Tensorflow that consists of several convolutional, pooling and deconvolutional layers. Our model was inspired by the family of U-Net architectures, where low-level feature maps (encoders) are concatenated with high-level ones (decoders), which enables precise localization. This type of network architecture was especially designed to effectively solve pixel-wise classification problems, which is appropriate for lithological classification. We spatially resampled and fused the multi-sensor remote sensing data with different bands and geophysical data into image cubes as input for our model. Pre-processing was done in ArcGIS and the final, fine-tuned model was imported into a toolbox to be used on further scenes directly in the GIS environment. The tool classifies each pixel of the multiband imagery into different types of rocks according to a defined probability threshold. Results highlight the power of using Sentinel-2 in conjunction with ASTER data with accuracies of 75% in comparison to only 70% and 73% for ASTER or Sentinel-2 data alone. These results are similar but examining the different classes shows that there are significant improvements for classes such as dolerite or carbonate sediments that are not that widely distributed in the area. Adding geophysical datasets reduced accuracies to 60%, probably due to an order of magnitude difference in spatial resolution. In comparison, Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) that were trained on the same data only achieve accuracies of 46 % and 36 % respectively. Most insecurity is due to labelling errors and labels with mixed lithologies. However, results show that the U-Netmodel is a powerful alternative to other classifiers for medium-resolution multispectral data.</p>

This study was conducted on an assessment of the various mitigation strategies to combat desertification in Jibia and Kaita Local Government Areas of Katsina State, Nigeria. The data use includes Satellite imageries for the study such as landsat MSS of 1976, landsat TM of 1987, SPOT XS of 1995 and landsat ETM of 2006 as well as structured questionnaires. Sixty close ended copies of the Questionnaire were administered in the study. Purposive sampling method of administering questionnaires was adopted. The percentages land mass covered for each of these variables was determined and estimated in M2. literature was obtained from various agencies which were responsible for desertification control in Katsina state. It was found from the reserved forest that in 1976 the percentage of reserved forest was 2.57%. In 1987 however, it increased by 73.9% to 76.47 %. By 1995, it declined by 9.42% to 67.05% and further declined by 0.52% in 2006. Effort to combat desertification through the use of reserved forest has been quite significant over the years. Also, noticed was a declined in shelter belt from 5.91% in 1987 to 1.097% in 1995 and a shot up to 7.39% in 2006. About 37% of the respondent opined that the deforestation leads to the disappearance of trees while 33% pinioned that it leads to reduction on agricultural productivity. The major strategy adopted to combat desertification is tree planting as supported by 88% of the respondents. It found that desertification as major environmental problem of the study area has reduced drastically from 43.34% in 1976 to 1.29% in 2006. It was also revealed from this study that some organizations such as European Economic Community/Katsina State government EEC/KTSG, Katsina Afforestation Project Unit KTAPU and Local Government Councils are the major agencies that are responsible for mitigating desertification in the study area. Keywords: Desertification, Mitigation, Afforestation, Shelterbelt and Satellite image References Ariyo, J.A, Abdullahi, C.J. Stigter, O.Z Onyewotu and I. Musa (2005). Community Participation in Planning Desertification, Control Interventions in Northern Nigeria. Lessons from Kano State. A Paper Presented at the Conference on Prospects and Problems of Agricultural Development in Nigeria, Held in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. June 29th – July 2nd, 2005. Auwal, U. (2006). An Appraisal of Desertification in Arid Zone of Bauchi State. Unpublished PGDEM thesis Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano. Babura, D.U. (2001). Desertifucation in Babura Local Government Area. Unpublished PGDEM Thesis. Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano. Bala, A. (2003). An Evaluation of Drought Incidence and Hazards in Northern Nigeria. A Paper Presented at a Seminar on the Conservation of the environment. 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The Curiosity rover is exploring Hesperian-aged stratigraphy in Gale crater, Mars, where a transition from clay-bearing units to a layered sulfate-bearing unit has been interpreted to represent a major environmental transition of unknown character. We present the first description of key facies in the sulfate-bearing unit, recently observed in the distance by the rover, and propose a model for changes in depositional environments. Our results indicate a transition from lacustrine mudstones into thick aeolian deposits, topped by a major deflation surface, above which strata show architectures likely diagnostic of a subaqueous environment. This model offers a reference example of a depositional sequence for layered sulfate-bearing strata, which have been identified from orbit in other locations globally. It differs from the idea of a monotonic Hesperian climate change into long-term aridity on Mars and instead implies a period characterized by multiple transitions between sustained drier and wetter climates.

This paper will comprehensively discuss the stratigraphy of the Kendeng Zone by using geological field mapping and laboratory analysis. The research area located in the Miyono Village and surrounding areas, Sekar District, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java with an area of 4x5 km2. Based on the geological mapping results obtained 160 points station with a variety of results in the form of tracking map of the research area. Laboratory analysis uses Embry and Klovan classification (1971), Pettijohn et al. (1987), and Mount (1985) for petrographic analysis, while paleontological analysis using Manual of Planktonic Foraminifera (Postuma, 1971) and Atlas of Benthic Foraminifera (Holbourn et al., 2013). This paper will show the differences between regional stratigraphy and the result, depositional environment, and its mechanism. Lithology units found grouping into nine units. The research area epoch ranged between N18-N23 (early Pliocene - Holocene) and the depositional environment from the lower bathyal to the terrestrial. The geological structures of the research area must be considered in the stratigraphic arrangement determination. Based on the analysis, the Kendeng Zone stratigraphic column was obtained and expected to provide accurate data of Kendeng Zone specifically around Miyono area.

Presented on Wednesday 18 May: Session 14 Mount Isa Mines Limited discovered coal seam gas (CSG) in the ‘Dawson Valley’ in 1991. It was the first commercial coal seam gas field in Australia, with production and sales of gas commencing circa 1994, then operated by Conoco and known as Meridian SeamGas. In 2010, Westside Corporation acquired a 51% operating interest in Meridian SeamGas from Anglo American (Anglo) and Mitsui Moura Investment Pty Ltd (MMI). Over the last 10 years, Westside has increased sales by 466% from 9 terajoules per day (TJ/d) to 42 TJ/d with gas being sold to both domestic and export markets. Further acreage acquisition to the north and south increased the asset area by 264%; now known as the Greater Meridian Fields (GMF). The steep rise in gas demand, complex market dynamics, regulatory environment, and competition from large global oil and gas operators makes it a challenging environment for smaller gas producers in Australia. Remaining agile and employing innovative approaches to optimise field development are key factors for Westside’s growth. In particular, the pad-based drilling of up dip multi-lateral wells has reduced cost and surface footprint, while enabling more efficient gas drainage. To support this field development, a more robust subsurface framework was required. Adequate knowledge of the distribution and variability of coal thickness, gas content/composition, structure, and geohazards forms the basis of the static model. It is used for resource definition and for the optimal planning and execution of multi-lateral wells, reducing drilling risks. To access the presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here