Minerals and Magmas - 625-222

WHAT AND WHERE: To inspect granite and volcanic outcrops in the vicinity of Euroa, Strathbogie and Violet Town.

LEAVING: Sunday, 20th April. The coach will leave at 9 a.m. SHARP from the front of the Earth Sciences Building (Note: There will be a two hour drive and one field stop before we reach a roadhouse with services).

RETURNING: Sunday, 20th April around 6:00-6:30 pm

OBJECTIVES:

This excursion is a compulsory component of unit 625-222 and has two primary aims. The first is to extend your understanding of peraluminous granites and related volcanic rocks, including key mineral assemblages in each. The second is to introduce you to the field relationships of high-level (subvolcanic) igneous rocks. The excursion will also highlight a number of other features such as variations in magma composition within a suite, the effects of fluid migration and release from plutons, and the possible origins of enclaves in granitic and volcanic rocks. The region around Strathbogie has been selected as an excellent example of ÔS-typeÕ granites, common throughout the Lachlan Fold Belt of southern Australia.

In order to avoid you missing classes in other subjects, this excursion has been scheduled for the weekend. For those who may have part-time work or other commitments on this Sunday, please make arrangements to release yourself from these obligations as soon as possible.

BRING:

In addition to items mentioned in "Safety in the field" (below) make sure you have the following.

Personal Items: your lunch (we will stop briefly at a roadhouse in Euroa, so you may wish to purchase lunch at this time) additional clothes, especially a warm jumper wet weather gear and wind proof jacket solid pair of shoes or boots.

Personal items

your lunch (we will stop briefly at a roadhouse in Euroa, so you may wish to purchase lunch at this time)
additional clothes, especially a warm jumper
wet weather gear and wind proof jacket
solid pair of shoes or boots

Field equipment

clipboard with paper and/or field note book
pencils and/or pens
hand lens
geological hammer (or small sledge hammer) and safety glasses
magnet

BEHAVIOUR ON THE EXCURSION

On this trip you will examine a number of rock outcrops either in road-cuttings or in quarries. In particular, as a representative from The University of Melbourne, you should note:

1. Only use the paths recommended by Staff. The unauthorised climbing of quarry faces or rock outcrops will NOT be allowed.
2. Exercise caution when climbing on boulders, they can be very slippery and you may easily lose your footing.
3. Do not climb fences and leave gates as you find them.
4. Firearms and dangerous knives are banned at all times. Do not bring any.
5. Take all of your rubbish back to the coach for disposal.
6. Do not hammer at key geological sites, particularly those pointed out by staff as exhibiting special geological features.
7. No alcohol is to be consumed in University or hired vehicles.

SAFETY IN THE FIELD

Fieldwork frequently puts geologists in potentially hazardous situations. Therefore use your common sense in the field:

• If someone is injured or is ill in the field, make sure a staff member is informed. There will be first aiders on staff to assist. An incident report form should also be completed upon returning from the trip if there has been an injury.
• If there is any situation on the excursion in which you feel unsafe or lack confidence, do not proceed. Inform a staff member of your situation.
• In exiting the coach or vehicles provided for the excursion take care in how you place your feet, protect yourself from sprained ankles.
• Carry a small first aid kit and be familiar with the current first aid treatment of injuries such as sprains, cuts, snake bites, heat distress and exposure.
• Wear adequate, easily visible clothing for the conditions in which you are working.
• Carry a water bottle and be prepared for strong sun. Use plenty of sun-screen, have a hat and sun-glasses.
• Do not attempt to climb rock faces or cliffs of any type without the permission and supervision of a staff member.
• Do not throw rocks or any other object, and be careful when dropping rocks you have finished examining.
• Do not stand near the edge of significantly vertical drops as the edge may give way.
• When approaching a rock face, always look up to check if there are loose rocks which could fall on you, or others.
• Exercise caution when hammering rocks (do NOT use the sharp end of your geology hammer on hard surfaces, or hammer with others close by), and wear eye protection.
• Exercise caution when around others hammering rocks (chips of rock and/or hammer fragments can cause serious injury).