Geoscience Australia Open Day 2010

Geoscience Australia Open Day 2010

The world of geoscience will open to the community this Sunday 17 October when Geoscience Australia holds its annual Open Day from 10am to 4pm.

Media are invited to attend throughout the day and will be given access to interview and photograph geoscientists from many subject fields including experts on earthquakes, carbon capture & storage and groundwater.

What: Geoscience Australia Open Day
When: 10am 4pm Sunday 17 October 2010
Where: Geoscience Australia, Corner of Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Drive, Symonston, Canberra

There will be a diverse program of displays, tours and talks to showcase Geoscience Australia's latest endeavours in petroleum, mineral, marine, groundwater, mapping and natural hazard research.

* Tours include: the Geoscience Australia Operations Hub of the joint Australian
Tsunami Warning Centre where earthquakes from around the world are
monitored; and the SHRIMP laboratory where million-year-old rocks are dated.

The community can enjoy fun geoscience activities including gold panning, rock identification, discover the science of quicksand through slime, take a stroll through the Earth's 4.6 billion year history on our Geological TimeWalk, and find out about local ACT geology for a better understanding of our surroundings and history.

* At 2pm, see the winning films from Geoscience Australia's Geologi short film
competition, followed by the official awards ceremony. Two hundred school
students from across Australia entered short films based on the theme "Ever
changing Earth".

Talks highlighting Australian achievements in geoscience will include:

10:30am Australia's energy future - from fossil fuels to renewables
11:00am Geothermal energy in Australia what, how, why, where and when
11:30am Hazard modelling to keep your feet dry
12:00pm Winner's Bore hard won outback water
12:30pm How geology has shaped the Australian people

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Geoscience Australia 24 hour Media Hotline
1800 882 035

SOURCE: Geoscience Australia