March 2008

• AESIS boosts AusGeoRef
• Australia continues to invest in mineral exploration
• Earthquakes in the Canberra Region

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AESIS boosts AusGeoRef

References from the Australian Earth Science Information Service (AESIS) database have been added to the AusGeoRef database, to complement the world's most comprehensive source of geoscience information regarding Australia.

The 78 000 AESIS references will almost double the size of the AusGeoRef database. It will provide greater coverage of geoscience literature specific to Australia (including the Antarctic regions) and Papua New Guinea. Many of the additional references relate to mining, mineral processing, mineral resources, and environmental protection.

AusGeoRef, and its parent database, GeoRef, have a combined global subscription of over 1200. Of these, most are universities, research organisations and companies with multiple-access subscriptions.

Developed and maintained by the Australian Mineral Foundation (AMF), AESIS was Australia's leading geoscience, mineral and petroleum database until late 2001 when the AMF ceased operations. In 2003, the Australian Geoscience Information Association (AGIA, SA) acquired AESIS, and began working with GA to facilitate the inclusion of AESIS references into AusGeoRef.

Learn more about AusGeoRef or to sign up for a free 30-day trial subscription.

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Australia continues to invest in mineral exploration

Australian mineral exploration expenditure reached a record $1714.6 million in 2006-2007 according to the recently released Australian Mineral Exploration Review. Expanding 38% from the previous year, the Review shows an increase in spending across all States and the Northern Territory.

Produced annually since 2001, the Review examines levels and trends in exploration in a national and global context, and highlights government programs designed to help reduce the inherent risk in exploration.

The 2007 edition features the first major surveys conducted under Geoscience Australia's $59 million five-year program to stimulate discovery of hydrocarbon and energy minerals in onshore Australia.

Exploration results were also announced for a wide range of commodities from across the country including:

• a major increase in resources in the South Australian Olympic Dam deposit;
• an initial gold resource in the Tropicana deposit, Western Australia; and
• continuing successful exploration for mineral sands in the Eucla Basin in South Australia and Western Australia.

Download Australian Mineral Exploration: A Review of Exploration for the Year 2007. [pdf 1mb]

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Earthquakes in the Canberra Region

The Canberra region has experienced an average of one earthquake per year for the past 50 years; and for most residents this information would come as a surprise.

Earthquakes in the Canberra Region [pdf 2.5mb] contains a complete history of seismic activity in and around the nation's capital, using records that date back from as early as 1841.

This updated version of the 1996 publication draws upon new seismic data from the past 11 years, in conjunction with felt reports from local residents.

Included in the 32 page booklet is an earthquake action guide explaining what to do during and after an earthquake and possible warning signs.

Earthquakes in the Canberra Region is also available free of charge from the Geoscience Australia Sales Centre or our Education Centre.

If you do feel an earthquake, you can help Australia's seismic research by telling us about your experience.

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