ERTH3104 Virtual Field Trip to New England Orogen
Introduction to the virtual field trip
[Go back to Geological Background] [Move on to the first stop]
We usually take a 3-day trip (Brisbane-Tamworth-Nundle-Port Macquarie-Brisbane) in early May in order to visit all sites. Field trips for plate tectonics could be challenging because we need to cover quite a lot of ground distance in order to be able to observe rocks that developed in different plate tectonic settings. In this regard, virtual field trips have unique advantages!
This trip will introduce rocks associated with an ophiolite, intra-oceanic island arc, continental margin volcanic arc, subduction complex – both sediments and more deformed high P/T metamorphic rocks, strike-slip related basins, mélange as well as classic locations from which both S- and I-type granites have been reported.
On this trip, you will “travel” across terranes for ~1500 km. Additional data such as thin section photos and radiogenic isotope ages will be provided. You will have about a month to prepare a field report, which should include a general background of NEO, key information from each site, description and interpretation of additional data, as well as any information that you would have researched by yourself.
Aims
To observe plate tectonic units at 1:1 (actual) scale
To familiarize the geologic history of eastern Australia
To observe rock record related to an Andean-type convergent margin, including those related to volcanic arcs, subduction complexes, and forearc basins
To observe rock record related to an intra-oceanic island arc (Izu-Bonin-Marians, IBM, style)
To observe rock record related to subduction metamorphism
To relate rock record to tectonic history
To interpret geochronologic data with real-world examples
To take advantage of this virtual trip format and hopefully observe more than what we would if going out for real!
What you need to do
This virtual field trip is best viewed with a computer monitor (i.e., mobile phones or tablets will not give you the best viewing experience).
Frequently refer to Google Earth [Link to Google Earth] and NSW SIX Maps [Link to SIX Maps] for high resolution imagery.
Use IsoplotR for geochronogical tasks. You may need to refer to our geochronology lecture notes on how to use IsoplotR. [Link to IsoplotR]
Follow links and visit external websites when guided so. Take a pause and read some references if needed.
Give me feedbacks! This is the first time we run this virtual field trip. Let me know what works and what doesn’t. Tell me your feedbacks during or after the trip.
Naming terranes in New England Orogen
You may have already noticed that many of the terrane names (Gamilaroi, Anaiwan, Weraerai, Djungati, and others) are not English. They are named by early mappers (in the 80s) after the names of aboriginal tribes that have lived in similar regions. Check out more from AIATSIS.
Have a trip by yourself post-COVID? The following resources would be useful.