School of Physical Sciences
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This collection contains Honours, Masters and Ph.D by coursework theses from University of Adelaide postgraduate students within the School of Physical Sciences. The material has been approved as making a significant contribution to knowledge.
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Item Open Access A petrological study of the Wallaroo and Moonta mining districts(1940) Jones, R. H.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsIntroduction: The country in the neighbourhood of the mines is flat or slightly undulating. On the west coast there is usually a low cliff; the country then rises slowly to the east side of the peninsula. There are almost no lines of drainage and there are no creeks at all. At the time when the mines were first discovered the area was covered wit scrub, mallee, broombush, sheoak, sandalwood, quondong, saltbush and various grasses and herbage, and was held under pastoral lease. It has now been cleared and is used for farming, mainly wheat. Deep soil, a light sandy loam, covers the whole district and this is underlain by a layer of travertine of varying thickness. Except for the coastal cliffs there are no rock outcrops. This made prospecting difficult and has made any detailed geological study of the area impossible.Item Open Access A geological reconnaissance of the north-eastern section of County Light.(1941) Robinson, E. G.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsIntroduction: The area investigated extends from just north of the southern boundary of the Hundred of Waterloo, northwards to the northern boundary of County Light. The westerly limit is on the western side of the Peters Hill ridge and the area extends eastwards to the Julia Range which runs northwards through Point Pass. An area to the north in the County of Burra has been mapped by Mr. S B Dickinson (Bulletin 20 of the Mines department of S.A.) whilst Mr. Hossfeld and Mr. Segnit have both covered areas to the south. Professor Howchin has noted the presence of glacial erratics in the area as well as the presence of the quartzite ridge south of Peters Hill.Item Open Access Geological reconnaissance of part of the Hundreds of Encounter Bay and Goolwa(1943) Guppy, D. J.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsThe general geological features of much of this area have been touched upon by Howchin (1926) and the same author has given an account in considerable detail of the Late-Palaeozoic glacial features there so illustrated. There are several publications relating to the igneous intrusions of the neighbourhood of Encounter Bay, chief of which is that by Browne (1920). The object of the present undertaking has been to complete a general geological examination of the region with special regard for the problem of the continuity of the sedimentary formation based on the Grey Spur conglomerate and extending to the south-east in somewhat broken outcrops to the coast.Item Open Access An introduction to granitization and hybridisation at Rosetta Head(1945) Bowes, D. R.; School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe occurrence of granite in the Encounter Bay Area has been a subject of interest to all South Australian geologists. The granite outcrops at Port Elliot, Granite Island Victor Harbour and also at Rosetta Head (commonly known as The Bluff). A number of unusual rock types (as well as the granite) occurring at Rosetta Head were first described by W.R. Browne in his paper entitled “The Igneous Rocks of Encounter Bay, South Australia”. The most prominent of these was his “albite mica syenite” which does not outcrop anywhere else in this area. Browne’s general description of this rock is …. “the relative proportions of the main constituents vary considerably from place to place and there are likewise textual variations. Sometimes the rock is porphyritic and at other times phenocrysts are absent. For the most part mica is subordinate, but near the contact with the schists it increases in amount until it predominates over the feldspar and in places the syenite actually appears to merge gradually into the country rock.” This description makes it appear that the rock is not typically igneous. The outcrop of the ‘syenite’ follows the granite – country rock (a hornfels type) contact and this suggests that the rock is not solely of igneous origin, but is due to the mixing of the granite with the country rock. Browne also described “impregnation near the syenite contact.” Here there are tongues and stringers of “syenite” and granite running through very highly altered country rock. The “syenite” itself as well as the country rock becomes very Micaceous. Browne considers that the “albite syenite was first injected with accompanying veins and veinlets, the country rock being impregnated with albite and to a lesser degree, with rutile, zircon and apatite. Subsequently circulating solutions, still magmatic in character attacked the biotite of both igneous rocks and schists, converting it to chlorite.” Also described were a cordierite mica schist and an andalusite mica schist from Petrel Cove. These were described as contact metamorphic features. The area around Rosetta Head has been mapped, a series of rocks analysed and a number of slides examined. The author feels that these unusual types can be ascribed to segregation and hybridisation. This is the object of the thesis.Item Open Access A geological report of part of the Para Fault Block(1946) Darragh, P. J.; School of Earth and Environmental SciencesA geological outline of the Para Fault Block from a little south of Modbury to the Little Para River. The author wishes to acknowledge the help and encouragement given by Professor Sir Douglas Mawson and other members of the staff of the Geology Department. The area investigated is situated a few miles northeast of Adelaide. Its eastern and western limits are marked by two well defined fault scarps which are sub parallel. The western fault is known as the Para and the eastern as the Eden Fault. The southern boundary has been taken as the Grand Junction Road owing to absence of outcrops south of this line. The northern boundary has been fixed at the Little Para River owing to pressure of time. There is some suggestion that the geology north of this boundary is essentially similar to the area under discussion. Some investigation was carried out east of the Eden Fault. This was made as an attempt to determine the position of the Block in the generally accepted sequence known as the Adelaide System. No very detailed mapping was carried out. Little more than a log of beds above the schists of the Barrossian Complex was prepared. These investigations proved of little benefit as faulting has greatly disturbed the sequence. As yet no displacement can be measured as location of marker beds is not definite. Owing to relatively flat topography of the Block there is little removal of eroded material and hence rock exposures are poor except adjacent to the creeks. Investigation has been confined to field mapping. Air photos proved useful only as a means of location. The photos showed no geology except for some trend lines adjacent to the Little Para River.Item Open Access The geological reconnaissance of an area in the northwest of the Hundred of Encounter Bay in the County of Hindmarsh, South Australia(1947) Ayliffe, R. W.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Geology & GeophysicsAn attempt to do a reconnaissance of some of the geology in the northwest of the Hundred of Encounter Bay.Item Open Access The geology of the metamorphic complex of Houghton and the Humbug Scrub.(1948) Spry, A. H.; School of Earth and Environmental SciencesAn area of metamorphic rocks is discussed with reference to their mineralogical, petrological and petrographic properties and certain deductions as to their paragenesis are forwarded. The constituent minerals of the rocks are tabulated and their properties described. A series of descriptions of microscope slides are appended. The structure of the Archaean rocks together with the associated overlying sedimentary series is mentioned while the topographic and economic aspect of the area are briefly touched upon. The discussion of the origin of the metamorphic complex is made with reference to views expressed by previous workers. A geological map is included, together with a new chemical analysis of one of the rocks.Item Open Access The Palmer Granite and associated granitised sediments(1948) Rattigan, J. H.; Wegener, C. F.; School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe rocks under discussion outcrop in the vicinity of the township of Palmer, Hundred of Tungkillo, South Australia. The writers are of the opinion that the Palmer Granite has arisen through granitisation of sediments in place. Further they consider that the processes active at Palmer are connected with those which have wrought regional metamorphism and metasomatism on the rocks of the eastern Mt. Lofty Ranges on a grand scale. The Palmer district is but part of this province of regional metamorphism and granitisation.Item Open Access An iron deposit near Braemar Station, South Australia(1949) Wilson, R. B.; Wymond, A. P.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsBraemar Head Station lies about 50 miles north east of Burra, and about 35 miles south of Yunta. The iron deposits occur in roughly parallel ranges of hills, Ironback Range to the north-west, and Little Ironback Range to the south-east. These both have a roughly NE-SW trend, and are about 5 to 7 miles apart, with some small undulating hills and much alluvial material in between. The iron deposits were examined with a view to discussing their origin and associations. The beds were not mapped on this visit (May 1949) but it is hoped to be able, at a later date, to return and map the beds in detail. Thus at present, no indication as to their possible future economic utilization can be given. The deposits were inspected at 3 general localities (see sketch map attached). Loc. A: Ironback Range, approx. 2 miles east of Braemar-Tiverton track. Loc. B: near the southern tip of the Little Ironback Range. Loc. C: about half mile north of Loc. B. Loc. D: about 1 mile north of Loc. C. Loc. E: About 300 yards east of Braemar H.S. The following Sections are also attached:- Section 1. Diagrammatic Section from Little Ironback Range to Ironback Range. This is very generalised, and at present only represents the probable structure. Section 2. Generalised Section of the Little Ironback Range, Loc. D. Section 3. More detailed section at Loc. C, Little Ironback Range. Sections 2 and 3 show thicknesses which are approximate only, the profiles also being diagrammatic.Item Open Access A thesis on the basic intrusions of Blinman(1949) Howard, P. F.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Geology & GeophysicsThe Blinman dome is comprised of middle and upper Adelaide System rocks which were faulted and crushed and subsequently intruded in Post-Cambrian times. This diastrophism is discussed and petrological descriptions of the basic and related rocks submitted.Item Open Access A geological reconnaissance of portions of Counties Stanley, Burra, Light and Eyre.(1949) Wymond, A. P.; Wilson, R. B.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsThe area under consideration is portion of Counties Stanley, Burra, Light and Eyre, and is situated to the south and south west of the Town of Burra. It lies between Farrell Flat to the west, Robertstown to the east, Waterloo to the south, and the northern boundary lies about 10 miles south of Burra. The main road from Adelaide to Burra runs approximately through the centre of the area. Initially this work was undertaken as a Geological interpretation of aerial photographs, from which the base map was drawn. The interpretation of the Geology was limited to a delineation of the outstanding ridges by means of trend lines, all running in a north-south direction, details of this work being contained in a separate report on the photo interpretation which is appended. It was realised after this work was completed that it would be necessary to check many features in the field and with this in view, a brief reconnaissance of the whole area was made. It must be emphasized that owing to the limited time available, every portion of the area could not be visited. However, by a combination of information gathered in the field, with interpretation from the air photos, a regional picture of the Geology of the area can be presented. The authors wish to acknowledge assistance provided by Professor Sir Douglas Mawson, with regards to research grants and transport facilities, also to both Sir Douglas Mawson and Professor E. A. Rudd for numerous suggestions.Item Open Access Geology of the Yankalilla area.(1949) Parkinson, K. J.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsThis is a discussion of the geology of the Yankalilla District; of the crystalline and sedimentary rocks. Petrological descriptions are submitted together with some suggestions on the origin of the rocks and their subsequent history. A geological map is appended hereto (map not found).Item Open Access The geology of part of the Adelaide Series rocks in portions of the Hundreds of Barossa and Moorooroo.(1949) Mumme, I. A.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsIn the area survey, the rock formations are mainly Adelaide Series rock which belong predominantly to the lower Adelaide System in age. Several major faults have been found in the area as well as a number of minor faults and belts of intense drag folding. A major fault extending from Williamstown to Rosedale is approximately parallel in strike with the regional cleavage. The vertical displacement is several thousand feet. Injection of pegmatites took place in the zones of intense faulting and folding and under the high temperatures prevailing talc was formed through metasomatic processes and accumulated in drag folds; clay and damourite were formed under hydrothermal conditions and an introduction of iron-ore in fault zones of the Mt. Kitchener area (this must not be confused with the Mount Bessemer iron ores). According to Sprigg, middle Tertiary Time was a period of faulting (Kosciusko Epoch) in which the present 'Horst' Range took place. The writer considers that the down faulting of the Tanunda Angaston Senkungsfeld corresponds to this period. The older rocks, although much covered by Tertiary sands, clays and gravel beds, and in places lateritized (see Diagram) to a white clay, which is evidence of much secular decay, shows evidences of much folding and served faulting and considerable thermal and metamorphic changes. From Barritt's Estate (north Para) a fault zone runs down to the foothills at Williamstown. This fault is probably of middle Cambrian age when pegmatites were injected into fracture zones during orogenic events. This injection of pegmatites was accompanied by wide spread hydrothermal alteration with development of talc, chrysotile, serpentine, sericitic mica. The marble horizon above the basal grits can be traced across the area occupied by Tertiary sands and gravels in the Lyndock area, mainly from bore results. Between Rosedale and Mr. Hermann Thunn's Winery, the limestones are deposed in the form of an anticlinal fold. The presence of quartzite beds have prevented intense faulting and folding of the less competent strata except in fault zones and these quartzite bands have been found a useful index to the regional dip. Mineralization does not generally occur on a commercial scale in the area surveyed. Copper ores occur at the Enterprise Copper mine and the Lord Lindock mine. However, these have been practically worked out. Rutile occurs as disseminations in damourite schists and clay occurs in important deposits at Williamstown. Gold has been found in many places in the Tertiary gravels.Item Open Access Report on the Monarto - Summerfield area.(1950) Hopkins, B. McD.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsThe following conclusions can be drawn from the investigation of the broader features of the area. (1) The area of low-grade schists has been developed by the metamorphism of arenaceous material which was originally deposited in a geosyncline. The east limb of the fold shows approximately 20,000 feet of sediments. (2) The age of the rocks is not known, but the presence of grits and the ilmenitic rocks indicates the base of the Adelaide (Proterozoic) series. (3) A compressional couple acting in an east-west direction produced major folding and small-scale faulting associated with it. There is no complex folding. (4) Tertiary block-faulting (Kosiuskan period of Orogeny) produced an upthrust block of old rocks on the west side of the area, while Tertiary beds constitute the Murray Plains in the east. (5) There are no important centres of mining and the prospects for future development are not convincing. The cost of exploration is not warranted by the nature of the mineralization.Item Open Access The geology of the Kanmantoo - Harrogate area(1950) Tester, D. K.; School of Earth and Environmental SciencesNo abstractItem Open Access Geology of the Rapid Bay area, South Australia(1950) Skinner, B. J.; School of Physical SciencesNo abstract/summaryItem Open Access Report on the Monarto-Summerfield area(1950) Hopkins, B. McD.; School of Physical SciencesThe following conclusions can be drawn from the investigation of the broader features of the area. (1) The area of low-grade schists has been developed by the metamorphism of arenaceous material which was originally deposited in a geosyncline. The east limb of the fold shows approximately 20,000 feet of sediments. (2) The age of the rocks is not known, but the presence of grits and the ilmenitic rocks indicates the base of the Adelaide (Proterozoic) series. (3) A compressional couple acting in an east-west direction produced major folding and small-scale faulting associated with it. There is no complex folding. (4) Tertiary block-faulting (Kosiuskan period of Orogeny) produced an upthrust block of old rocks on the west side of the area, while Tertiary beds cobnstitute the Murray Plains in the east. (5) There are no important centres of mining and the prospects fo0r future development are not convincing. The cost of exploration is not warranted by the nature of the mineralization.Item Open Access Geology of the Springton-Cambrai area.(1951) Markham, N. L.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsDuring 1951 some geological mapping was carried out in the Springton Cambrai area. This report deals with the chief geological features observed, with special emphasis on structure, stratigraphy and metamorphism.Item Open Access Geology of part of the Springton-Cambrai area.(1951) Kaewbaidhoon, S.; School of Physical SciencesThe report deals with the general geology of part of the East Mount Lofty Ranges on lower part of Cambrai sheet and upper part of Mannum Sheet, which is the result of geological mapping during 1951. The rocks of the area are mainly, schists, quartzites, and marbles of Kanmantoo Series and Palmer Granite. The structure of Kanmantoo Series is pitching north synclinal fold, of which, the east limb was cut off by big fault separating the Mount Lofty Ranges from the Murray Plains. The Palmer Granite intruded the Series about the middle of the area.Item Open Access The Cainozoic succession of Maslin and Aldinga Bays.(1951) Reynolds, M. A.; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology & GeophysicsAfter a brief review of various attempts to classify the Cainozoic succession of Aldinga and Maslin Bays, which together with a description of Field Work and Scope and Acknowledgements form the Introduction, the General Description of the Pre-Tertiary Basement, Cainozoic Succession, Structure and Physiography is given. Under the section on Stratigraphic Observations, the Succession is divided into 8 units, with appropriate subdivisions, and these are discussed in detail, with descriptions of Exposure, Lithology, Fauna, Contacts and Thickness. These are listed under Table I, and although they are lithological units, the separation of them has necessitated some consideration being given to the faunal assemblages which they contain. After a consideration of the conditions of Deposition, the Stratigraphic Relations are reviewed, with both paleontological and lithological observations. Whilst careful analysis of the ranges of all fossils has not been completed, it seems likely that major breaks in lithology will closely approximate the more prominent changes which are expected to emanate from such analysis. This thesis is submitted with the hope that it will form a basis for the establishment of a standard section of Cainozoic beds, and that it may be used in both local and regional correlations.