Late Proterozoic (Sturtian) succession of the North Flinders Basin, South Australia; An example of temperate glaciation in an active rift setting

Author(s):  
G. M. Young ◽  
V. A. Gostin
1962 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret D. Beech ◽  
A. E. Duxbury ◽  
Peter Warner

This paper consists of an epidemiological study of 52 cases of Q fever occurring in metropolitan Adelaide in 1957 and also a description of the results of a survey of 516 sera obtained from abattoir workers.The only case occurring outside the abattoirs was a dairy farmer who probably became infected while visiting the abattoirs. If this were so the incubation period (35 days) of his disease would have been exceptionally long.The general features of the outbreak, which lasted several months, differed from those on the North American continent in that the latter occurred explosively within a few days with very high attack rates. The situation in the Adelaide abattoirs is similar to that in Brisbane, where the disease appears to be endemic. However, unlike in Adelaide, cases are commonly recognized outside the abattoirs in Brisbane.In the abattoirs the disease affected mainly inspectors, those working on killing beef, and those working on offal. Mutton workers were not so severely affected. However, all these groups had similar incidences of low titre antibodies suggesting that in the past Q fever spread equally in all killing departments. In departments not directly associated with slaughtering the incidence both of cases in 1957 and low titre antibodies was relatively small.It was suggested that the epidemiological features of Q fever in Adelaide could be explained by the irregular appearance of animals from infected herds situated perhaps in Queensland—a known endemic area. Perhaps the appearance of such animals in the Adelaide abattoirs might be governed by meteorological conditions such that they were prevented from going to the ordinarily most convenient slaughterhouse.


1984 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Hongzhen ◽  
Qiao Xiufu

AbstractThe time span of the Proterozoic is taken as from 2600 to 600 Ma with subdivision boundaries at 1850 and 1050 Ma respectively, as 2600 Ma seems more appropriate for the initial Proterozoic in China, Siberia and parts of Gondwanaland, and 600 Ma is an inferred age of the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary based on recent study of the Yangtze Gorge section. The Proterozoic of China includes the Lower Proterozoic Wutaian and Hutuo-an, the Middle Proterozoic Changchengian and Jixianian and the Upper Proterozoic Qingbaikou-an and Sinian.Based mainly on tectono-sedimentary types and associations, seven stratigraphic super-regions are recognized in the Proterozoic of China and stratigraphic successions of various representative regions are shown in two tables, one for the Sinian and another for the Pre-Sinian Proterozoic. Palaeogeographic outline of the main super-regions and chronometric limit of the principal stratigraphic units are briefly discussed. Three types of stable Sinian successions are distinguished, the Yangtze type, the Quruktagh type and the Jiaoliao type, which are correlated mainly on the basis of tillite horizons and of sabelliditids and the Ediacara type of fossils. Semi-stable and mobile types of Sinian deposits in Southeast China are also briefly mentioned.The Proterozoic tectonic units of China and the nature of their boundaries are shown on a sketch map showing basement structures. Crustal sectors of continental nature are designated as continental tectonic domains, while broad and complicated crustal sectors of mainly transitional and partly oceanic nature may be called continental margin tectonic domains. The boundaries between these domains are usually the principal crustal consumption zones. On this basis, three continental domains, the North China, the South China and the Southern (Gondwana), and two continental margin domains, the Northern (Siberian–Mongolian) and the East China, are distinguished. Platforms, continental nuclei, massifs and uplifts are used to denote subdivisions within the tectonic domains. The development of aulacogens is an outstanding feature in the continental domains, especially in the Middle Proterozoic. Aulacogens may be classified into an intra-platform type and a platform margin type. Early Proterozoic aulacogens are usually brachy-axial and intermittent, and show conspicuous deformation at closure, much like a geosyncline. Thirteen aulacogens of different types are shown on the sketch map.The boundary nature of continental domains is analysed in terms of island arcs and marginal seas, and also of emplacement of granite rocks in border parts. The North China Domain was basically consolidated at around 1850 Ma and has a passive northern margin stretching from Nei Mongol to Central Tianshan, but the southern margin was active and was twice subducted by the Qinling marine realm at 1700 and 1000 Ma approximately. The Yangtze Platform was not completely consolidated until 1050 Ma BP but has a core older than 1850 Ma. A broad continental margin terrain had developed in the Jiangnan region and farther to the southeast in the Middle and Late Proterozoic. At least two island arc belts with interarc basins, an inner Fanjingshan and an outer Sibao, may be discerned in the Middle Proterozoic, and a Late Proterozoic island arc zone over 1000 km in length was developed along the southern margin of the Jiangnan Uplift, represented by the Banxi Group and equivalent strata. This kind of broad complicated continental margin tract which has a long development history may be called the open type or the West Pacific type.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn Scott ◽  
Richard Biffin

ABSTRACT The Pygmy Copperhead Austrelaps labialis is South Australia’s only endemic snake, being native to the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula; with an additional allopatric population on Kangaroo Island. Within the AMLR, it inhabits stringybark forests and adjacent dense vegetation, occupying a total area of ~150 km2. Here, we document a newly discovered and seemingly isolated population at the north-eastern extent of its known mainland distribution. We visited Lobethal Bushland Park from 2013–2018 and observed snakes of varying age and size, while documenting their ecology and behaviour. In late 2019, the site was decimated by catastrophic wildfire and its persistence here remains unknown. Alongside descriptions of our observations, we suggest measures for the conservation of this vulnerable population in its remnant habitat if it has survived the impacts of wildfire.


2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
PE Hornsby ◽  
EY Corlett

Responses to severe drought by two sympatric macropodids, the yellow-footed rock-wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus) and the euro (Macropus robustus erubescens) were examined at a site in the North Flinders Ranges of South Australia. The results indicate that the two species respond differentially to drought conditions. It was observed that small fluctuations occurred in the P. xanthopus population. In contrast, M. r. erubescens evidenced significant mortality, especially among larger animals.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
S.J. Smith

Last year the petroleum industry witnessed the enactment of new legislation both at Commonwealth and State levels. The principal legislative change to environmental management was the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, 2000 (EPBC Act). South Australia and Victoria also implemented new Petroleum Acts and/ or Regulations.Construction of the Eastern Gas Pipeline was also completed last year, whilst preliminary approvals and environmental assessment continues for the Papua New Guinea, Timor Sea and Tasmania Natural Gas pipelines. Offshore exploration continued, particularly in the North West Shelf, Otway Basin, Timor Sea and Bass Strait.Other critical areas of environmental management included greenhouse gases, national pollution inventory reporting and the increasing requirements for environmental approval and management under various state environmental legislation.This paper provides an overview of environmental developments in the petroleum industry during the year 2000, in particular, the implication of new legislation, new technology, e-commerce and a greater focus on environmental reporting.


2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Thomas Bernecker

The Australian Government formally releases new offshore exploration areas at the annual APPEA conference. This year, 31 areas plus two special areas in five offshore basins are being released for work program bidding. Closing dates for bid submissions are either six or twelve months after the release date (i.e. 3 December 2009 and 29 April 2010), depending on the exploration status in these areas is and on data availability. The 2009 release areas are located in Commonwealth waters offshore Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria, comprising intensively explored areas close to existing production as well as new frontiers. As usual, the North West Shelf features very prominently and is complimented by new areas along the southern margin, including frontier exploration areas in the Ceduna Sub-basin (Bight Basin) and the Otway Basin. The Bonaparte Basin is represented by one release area in the Malita Graben, while five areas are available in the Southern Browse Basin in an under-explored area of the basin. A total of 14 areas are being released in the Carnarvon Basin, with eight areas located in the Dampier Sub-basin, three small blocks in the Rankin Platform and three large blocks on the Northern Exmouth Plateau (these are considered a deep water frontier). In the south, six large areas are on offer in the Ceduna Sub-basin and five areas of varying sizes are being released in the Otway Basin, including a deep water frontier offshore Victoria. The special release areas are located in the Petrel Sub-basin, Bonaparte Basin offshore Northern Territory, and encompass the Turtle/Barnett oil discoveries. The 2009 offshore acreage release offers a wide variety of block sizes in shallow as well as deep water environments. Area selection has been undertaken in consultation with industry, the states and Territory. This year’s acreage release caters for the whole gamut of exploration companies given that many areas are close to existing infrastructure while others are located in frontier offshore regions. As part of Geoscience Australia’s Offshore Energy Security Program, new data has been acquired in offshore frontier regions and have yielded encouraging insights into the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Ceduna-Sub-basin.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Peter D. Shaughnessy ◽  
Simon D. Goldsworthy

Long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) were tagged as pups in colonies on Kangaroo Island, South Australia in eight consecutive pupping seasons from 1988–89 to 1995–96. Thirty-nine tagged animals were sighted on the southern Australian coast, being 0.89% of those tagged. They were aged from 9 months to 14 years 6 months, with half in their second and third years. Most records (88%) were of animals that moved eastwards. The most distant records were from Sydney in the east (1700 km), south of Tasmania in the south (1240 km) and Head of Bight in the west (700 km). One animal was seen twice, both times on the north coast of Kangaroo Island, once underwater and two years later ashore. Satellite telemetry studies of juvenile A. forsteri from Kangaroo Island showed that they typically forage in pelagic waters ~1000 km further south in association with the subtropical front. The study reported here shows that some animals tagged as pups disperse widely as juveniles around the southern Australian coast. The possibility of genetic interchange between breeding colonies is suggested by sightings of three tagged females aged 4 years and older at non-natal colonies.


1982 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
FJ Odendaal ◽  
CM Bull

Ranidella signifera has a wide distribution in south-eastern Australia; R. riparia is endemic to the Flin- ders Ranges in South Australia. The ranges of the two species are largely allopatric, but they contact and overlap in a zone about 10 km wide, in the southern Flinders Ranges. The nature of the creeks changes across this zone. Immediately to the south and east, where only R. signifera is found, the creeks are slow-flowing and heavily vegetated, with mud or sand substrates. To the north and west the creeks are swift-flowing, and have rocky substrates and little vegetation; only R. riparia is found in these. In the sympatric overlap zone creeks are heterogeneous, with both habitat types represented. The close association between species and creek habitat is lost in populations not immediately adjacent to the overlap zone. This implies that each species can survive in both creek habitats but that R. riparia has a competitive advantage in swift, rocky creeks and R, signifera has an advantage in slow, vegetated creeks. This prevents either species from expanding its distribution beyond the narrow overlap area.


The Holocene ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas SN Oliver ◽  
Colin V Murray-Wallace ◽  
Colin D Woodroffe

Prograded barrier systems record shoreline behaviour and palaeoenvironmental information. The Guichen Bay Holocene embayment fill succession in South Australia has been subject to several prominent studies; however, several important unanswered questions remained regarding the timing of the older ridge sets at this site. Additional Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating indicates that progradation commenced in the southeastern corner of the plain ~7300 years ago and was rapid between ~5800 and ~5000 years ago. To augment this record, three OSL dating transects were constructed at nearby Rivoli Bay in the north, central and south. Rapid progradation occurred in the south and then north of the Rivoli plain until ~5000 years ago. Steady progradation occurred in the centre of the plain between ~5000 years ago and present. Rapid shoreline progradation at Guichen and Rivoli Bays before ~5000 years ago was due to the input of sediment from the erosion of Robe and Woakwine Ranges and the inner continental shelf as sea levels rose to present. Raised beach strata imaged with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) at Rivoli Bay suggest a sea-level highstand of +2 m above present ~3500 years ago, steadily falling and reaching the present ~1000 years ago. This concurs with evidence from Guichen Bay and may have promoted shoreline progradation. Sediment infilling of Guichen and Rivoli Bays and the fall in sea level restricted the marine corridor between the Woakwine and Robe Ranges to a narrow channel by ~4000 and ~2000 years in the north and south, respectively. Holocene shoreline behaviour was influenced by changing sediment supply and shoreline reorientation with changing wave refraction patterns.


1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Dupont ◽  
H. Lapierre ◽  
M. Gravelle ◽  
J. M. Bertrand

The main petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical features of the metavolcanites belonging to the Late Proterozoic tectono-sedimentary units of southern Mauritanides (Termessé and Niokolo Koba – Koulountou) and western Hoggar, Algeria (Timesselarsine), permit a reconstruction of the geodynamic environment that controlled the evolution of the Pan-African ranges of western Africa. Flows and pyroclastic beds metamorphosed under greenschist-facies conditions are interbedded within detritic and carbonate platform sediments, suggesting an unstable environment in the vicinity of a continental margin.The association of oceanic tholeiites slightly enriched in LREE and basalts more enriched in TiO2, Zr, Nb, and LREE displaying alkalic affinities suggests intracontinental rifting succeeded by expansion. The lack of ultrabasic – basic complexes (oceanic paleosutures) in southern Mauritanides and their occurrence in the Hoggar suggest that the opening was bigger in the north than in the south.The later calc-alkalic sequences of the Niokolo Koba – Koulountou units are tectonically associated with the Termessé unit. In the Timesselarsine unit, calc-alkalic acid rocks coexist with the basic lavas previously mentioned. Thus, the closure of the rift related to a continental collision appears to be later in southern Mauritanides than in the Hoggar.


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