Field Trip Summary

AESC 2014 FIELD TRIPS

All Field trips will begin and conclude at Newcastle City Hall unless otherwise noted.

 HUNTER VALLEY COAL: FROM THE EXPLORATION SITE TO THE COAL SHIP

Leader: Sarah Jardine, Geological Survey, NSW

No of Days: 1 day         
Departure: Saturday 5^th July, 8am      
Return: Saturday 5^th July, 5pm     
Cost:    $110 p/p

Inclusions:  Pick up from City Hall; all refreshments, return to CBD hotels

Booking deadline: Friday 30^th May 2014

The Hunter Valley is the largest coal-producing region in NSW. It is rich in resources, hosting several large coal mines, an extensive transport network and one of the largest coal-exporting ports in the world.

This field trip follows the journey of mined coal through the Hunter Valley. The day starts at an exploration drill rig where Permian black coal resources of the northern Sydney Basin are discovered and analysed to determine their mining potential. The trip continues to an open-cut coal mine operation, where mine design, mining techniques, coal processing and handling will be observed.

Most coal is transported to a domestic or international market via a rail network. This network delivers the export product to large coal terminals at the port of Newcastle. The field trip continues on through the port’s coal terminals, where the trains are unloaded, coal is stockpiled and ships are loaded.

The field trip is a must for those interested in the complex process of discovering, mining, transporting and exporting coal from the Hunter Valley

 GEOLOGY, SURF AND SCENERY OF NEWCASTLE: A SUNRISE COASTAL WALK

Leader: Phil Gilmore, Geological Survey of NSW

No of Days: 2½ hours  
Departure: Wednesday 9^th July, 6am      
Return: Wednesday 9^th July, 8:30am                     
Cost:    $40 p/p

Inclusions: 6am bus pick up at CBD hotels for transfer to Nobby’s. Coffee at Merewether Surf House before return transfer to hotels by 9am

Booking deadline: Friday 30^th May 2014

A 6km sunrise walk along the Bathers Way from Nobby’s to Merewether to enjoy the spectacular coastline, examine the local geology of the Late Permian Newcastle Coal Measures, discuss the European settlement and development of Newcastle and spot some whales! A good level of fitness is required for this tour.

 GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LOWER HUNTER VALLEY

Leaders: Phil Gilmore, Geological Survey of NSW; Dr. John Greenfield, Geological Survey of NSW

No of Days: 1 day         
Departure: Fri 11^th July, 8am      
Return: Fri 11^th July, 5pm               
Cost:    $95 p/p

Inclusions:  Pick up from City Hall; all refreshments; return to CBD hotels

Booking deadline: Friday 30^th May 2014

This one-day trip provides an overview of the geology of the Newcastle area from Port Stephens to the north, the coalfields to the west, Lake Macquarie to the south and coastal sections along the Tasman Sea. The role of mapping by Edgeworth David and others leading to the rich mining culture in the region will also be discussed.

Four main aspects of the local geology will be examined at field stops:

• Late Carboniferous sequences including volcanism of the New England Orogen in the Port Stephens area, and varved shales related to glacial activity in the Seaham area;
• Fossiliferous shallow marine sedimentary rocks of the Early Permian Branxton Formation;
• Sedimentary sequences of the Late Permian Newcastle Coal Measures, including Glossopteris and other plant fossils;
• Quaternary geology of the Hunter Valley, including formation of the barrier systems of Stockton Bight and the impacts of past climate change in the area’s geomorphology.