Queensland

1. North Stradbroke Island

A self guided tour of North Stradbroke Island is included as a download for your trip to the island and includes the ferry trip from Victoria Point across Moreton Bay to Dunwich. The geological processes in this region cover a period of earth history of at least 300 million years  Exposed rock outcrop occurs at Dunwich, at low tide adjacent to Canaipa Point opposite Russell Island and on the northeastern tip of the island adjacent to Point Lookout.  This rock exposure is of metamorphosed augite greensttone interpreted as part pf the basement rocks of the North D’Aguilar block and considered to represent sea floor basaltic volcanics of late Devonian age (about 300 million years before the present.

North Stradbroke Island proper  is dominantly quartz sand with economic concentrations of heavy mineral sand that has been mined and progressively rehabilitated after mining.  It also has a diversity of vegetation and wildlife that has developed over a period of about a million years.  The island developed  through  the movement of quartz sand from erosion of granitic rocks in northern New South Wales and northern movement by ocean currents. A series of parabolic dunes with northeast directed blowout orientations were created by strong south-easterly prevailing winds.   The island has a resource of fresh water that is tapped for onshore use by Redland Shire Council. The largest lakes on the island are a ground water lake that is a window into the regional water table (Blue Lake) and Brown Lake a perched water table lake with a underlying layer of organic sand rock.

 

Geohistory Tourism in Australia

Australian Geohistory Tourism

Geohistory tourism in Australia is just beginning. The Ecotourism component of Geohistory tours is better developed than the Geological or Geotourism component. Cultural tourism is developed in Europe based on many thousands of years on human history and culture and is an evolving part of tourist experiences in Australia. The world science fair has been held in Brisbane, Queensland  for the past 3 years and this year was located in the Southbank Parklands adjacent to the  QPAC centre.

Queensland

Google map ,Queensland

Queensland has the potential to create a thriving industry in geohistory tourism based on its climate, local development and natural resources. the ways that these tours could operate would include:

1.. Traditional tour with guide and brochure and commentary and a set agenda for the travel.  This would suit larger tour groups and particularly those from overseas with limited English and time to visit the State.

2. self guided tour using brochures, printouts,  Thus would link to the grey nomads who have both enough time and are not very computer literate and like to travel the main highways of the country seeking out interesting places to visit along their travels.

3.Self/tour  guided tour using phone apps or websites would  link best with tech savvy tourist who enjoys the constant use of   smart phone apps to locate all their  items of interest  .   This concept of using a hone app to highlight the building stones of the city of Brisbane was first showcased in the International Geological Congress (IGC in 2012) as the Geotourism Brisbane app  This has been upgraded and used in the 2017 World Science Fair  (e.g. Konect Tourism).  The concept includes creating digital postcards in front of sites of interest. Regions included and shown on the following slide. The Konect App could be a model for self -guided Global Geohistory Tourism. The most northerly area covers the Etheridge shire and has been complied with the purpose of creating Australia’s first geopark. Other areas completed include Eungella National park and the Brisbane CBD. Work is continuing on North Stradbroke Island and the Redcliffe Peninsular.

The Queensland map illustrates where a telephone app has collected material over the state for geohistory tourism.  The blue highlighted area covers the Etheridge Shire which was proposed as Australia’s first Geopark. unfortunately due to local politics this did not eventuate and there is significant information about the geological features of this region documented in the Konect Tourism phone app.  Similarly information for the Eungella national park, Brisbane CBD and parts of the Redcliffe peninsular north of Brisbane has also been completed.

Further compilation of the Redcliffe Peninsular and the immediate inland regions of southeast Queensland is being undertaken with guided and self guided tourist expereinces.  Places to stay overnight and for a few days to adequately explore the southeast is being compiled.

Geologist’ s Working Lives Book

Working Lives

“WORKING LIVES” 

Geologists and their work covering 50 years is covered in a new book – ‘Working Lives’ compiled by  Bill Koppe, Peter Hayden and Bill Turner, with editorial support from  Barry Avery (Perth-based).

The cover is a long-wheelbase Landrover up to its radiator in water during a river crossing in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This book (foreword written by Professor Sue Golding , bSchool of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland)   incorporate the message of geological processes creating resources that build human civilisation and technologies  including  coal seam gas and carbon capture and storage, that employed  geoscience graduates. Globalisation allowed Australian geologists to work worldwide and  the increased emphasis on the environmental and social impacts of mining and production improved employment options .

These working lives stories encapsulate the evolution of human civilisations and resources  covering the lives  of nearly two dozen geologists and their discoveries of economic resources for a globalised world.

These stories are intertwined within the spectacular growth, diversification and technical innovation that has characterised the Australian resources sectors over the last 50 years, makiing  it world-class with a presence now in many countries around the world. Apart from compilers Bill Koppe, Peter Hayden and Bill Turner, the other stories come from Daud (Brian) Batchelor, Lindsay Bottomer, David Brunt, Neil Clifford, Barry Cotton, Leonard Cranfield, Alan Davies, Geoff Eupene, John Feros, Andrew Graham, Peter Gregory, Neil Krosch, Hamish Paterson, Nev Robinson, Peter Robinson, Roger Scott, John Siemon, Phil Smart, Eric Streitberg and Peter Vickerson.

As is common in mining and exploration  it was not always an easy road to success; many career paths were potholed with retrenchment, collapsing companies, downsizing or as victims of global downturns in the minerals industry due to depressed metal prices. Employment opportunities changed over the period of each person’s career and  where one door slammed shut on the  another opened. Qualifications were improved to be ready for the next slightly different phase of a resources cycle. The knowledge of how geological processes operate to create mineral and energy deposits has enriched their appreciation of the natural world, added to their enjoyment of travelling through it, and a sense of accomplishment that comes from involvement in the discovery and development of economic resources to develop human civilisations.

Design and publication of ‘Working Lives’ ISBN 978-0-85905-731-8,9 (Hesperian Press, Perth, Australia)   costs $30.00 plus $8.55 post Australia wide. Send your delivery details to [email protected] and pay by bank direct, see www.hesperianpress.com and details under ‘order.’ Copies may also be picked up from the Hesperian office in Perth, see the website for more details.

 

 

Understand Geological Processes and Geohistory

To truly appreciate Geohistory tourism it is important to have a knowledge of Geological Process and how they affect the resources and landscapes, evolution of plants and animals and guide the history of human civilisations. Below are a series of publications of the Geology of the earth and of specific areas of the earth.  Check with your local geological survey or national body to find out more about the earth and the dynamic processes that affect it and the plants, animals and human civilisations that eveolve over human history.

The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocks 

The Practical GeologistThis is a good starter book  introducing   geology, geological processes  to your personal pet rock and rock collection to a shiny mineral collection, this book is a great  introduction to the magic that is the science of the earth. It outlines the proposed history of the formation  of the earth and its geological processes that form and modify its composition, and its continents and oceans over time. The present landscapes are linked to surface weathering and erosional effects of weather and water. Check it out on Amazon

 

 

The aerial view of geology of the planet has dramatically enabled geologists to interpret the boundaries between rock bodies.  This beautifully illustrated book encompasses the aerial tour of  north Americas canyons , glaciers and towering peaks.  – A great  illustration of how geological landscapes can be interpreted. Great Coffee Table Book.

 
 
essentials of geologyStephen Marshall’s book on essentials of geology is an excellent book for those who want to know more about the science.  The scope of this book  encompasses much of the great images of classical geology. Check out this book !
 
THIS BOOK HAS BEEN UPDATED TO THE 6TH
 
The story of the earth the first 4.5 Billion years from stardust to living planet

Enjoy a human perspective of the first 4.5 Billion years of the evolution of Earth.  This perspective has been developed through our natural curiosity of how things happen. Science and scientific method has allowed the human race to have concepts through the development of language of  communicating our ideas of how things have happened in our beautiful blue planet.  It is a story of the evolution of a planet unique in its development in a galaxy that we as humans are aware of through our curiosity.  The story is beyond the belief of logic and chance and makes amazing reading. Buy and enjoy! 

 

The Map that Changed the World

by Simon Winchester

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To me this is a magical book looking at the work of William Smith an canal engineer who set the foundations of geology in the early part of the nineteenth century by creating the first modern style geological map of the united Kingdom.  The book outlines how Smith came to understand the link between his work in creating the series of canal that revolutionised transport of goods of the early part of the industrial revolution with the rocks that were being excavated to form the canal in southern and midland areas of the united Kingdom.

Check it out for an understanding of how maps are created

Discover the local geology of the San Francisco bay area. Find out about the local influences of the San Andreus Fault and how the fault movements have affected the local rock units in the area. A great read to discover more about the local geology and history of this exciting region of the USA.

Check out the unique geology of the bay area for yourself

This book and several more books on local geology of regions of the USA and important global destination can make great introduction to the concept of the ubiquitous nature of geological processes in affecting the natural world, human history and the development of global human civilisations. 

USA examples: 

0807857866

 

This book is an illustrated field guide to assist interested geologist and would be geologists to understand how to identify local rock bodies. For those interested in finding about why geologists find rock bodies that they regard as their favourites this book is for you –Find out what make a geologist like his favourite rocks through this guide.- Check it out!

2.Geology Underfoot in Yosemite National Park First Edition

This guide to Yosemite National park is a definite buy for those who require basic  information om what to expect prior to going to Yosemite.  I suggest that is it prescribed  reading prior to gpoing to Yosemite and will continue to  inform  you as a references as you drive around the park and appreciate the wondrous  landscapes in this national park.  The book gave adequate  background and imagery to link the tourist with the landscapes and the geological processes that created them. Buy the book and better appreciate Yosemite. l

 

 

Take your time  plan your trip, buy this book and use it it for your next trip to Yosemite. You wont be disappointed as your experience in Yosemite will be enhanced for you your family and friends. It will be Great for your next trip to Yosemite.  Buy it before you go

Other books on geology of the USA for you to check out before you travel  

3. Ancient Wyoming: A Dozen Lost Worlds Based on the Geology of the Bighorn Basin

by Fulcrum Publishing

4. Maryland’s Geology

by Schiffer Pub Ltd

Western Australia

1. Meckering Earthquake -50 years on

 

Day 1 Meckering Earthquake revisted



Meckering – 50 years on day 2

Photos of excursion

Meckering Earthquake Landform 1968

Kockerbin RockKockerbin Rock (Monodock)

Photos of the Landscapes and geology of Western Australia by regions and explanations


(A) Great Southern region Esperance
Beach scenes at Esperance, combining beach, cold blue water and Granite terrain landscapes

Esperence beach granite headland

The landscapes of the coastal area of Esperence are characterised by some of the whitest sands and darkest blue water of the Australian mainland.  The Granite pictured here is geologically an old one dating back to the Proterozoiz (more than 1500my BP). 

Global Geohistory Sites

Global  Geohistory Sites

A compilation of sites in Google linked to Global tourism and /or Geohistory tourism links to one of the three component of what is termed geohistory tourism in this site – geology, landscapes and resources, Ecotourism and Cultural/human history tourism.

Examples  of some of these sites is given below under which of these categories the main focus is linked.

1.Geology /Landscapes/ resource Read more

Global Geohistory Tourism or Geotourism

 Geotourism, Geohistory Tourism, Ecotourism and Cultural or Human History Tourism.

According to Wikipdeia, Geotourism was first defined (Hose, 1995) in England.[2] There are two viewpoints of geotourism:

  1. Purely geological and geomorphologically-focused Sustainable Tourism as abiotic nature based tourism.[1] This is the definition followed in most of the world.
  2. Geographically Sustainable Tourism, the most common definition in the USA. This emphasises preservation of the geographical sense of a place in general, beyond simple geological and geomorphological features, as a new charter & concept in the sustainable tourism.

Wikipedia’s definition is essentially only concerned with the identification of geological evolution, rocks and landscapes of a region, their promotion, evolution and preservation. A similar definition by

Geotourism  is defined  as a form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on geology  and landscape geosites and the conservation of geo-diversity and an understanding of earth sciences through appreciation and learning. This is achieved through independent visits to geological features, use of geo-trails and view points, guided tours, geo-activities and patronage of geosite visitor centres. This definition is similar to that of wikipedia’s geotourism definition. It expands the definition to include specific ideas on methods to develop geotourism in a region.

Geotourism is ‘tourism that focuses on geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning, and enjoyment’ (Governing Council of the Geological Society of Australia, 2015). Western Australia has landscapes and rocks both old and new, well suited to a variety of tourism experiences. The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) develops geotourism products that can help the traveller to genuinely experience the magnificent geological heritage of the State.

Geotourism is defined by Tao Xu School of Humanities and Economic Management, China University of Geosciences (Beijing).  He identified 24 models of geotourism, which are all essential related to geology, geology research, entertainment, shopping and eating.

Geotourism is defined by National Geographic as tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.

This definition of Geotourism by National Geographic  Tourism is more closely aligned to the geographic rather than specifically the definition of geological rocks processes and landscape model of Geotourism

Geohistory Tourism has had a range of defintions – according to Mirriam Webster it includes history interpreted on the basis of geographic factors.  

Based on this definition Geohistory tourism would encompass Geotourism according to National Geographic.  These definitions place Geohistory tourism as emcompassing Geotourism based on geology, landscapes and research of the Chinese experience linked to

Additionally it can emcompass Geotourism based on earth science and geography, ecotouristionalm about the evolution linked to the appreciation and conservation of the natural world and cultural tourism based on the understanding and celebration of the cultural  diversity of different regions based on their past and current cultural norms.