DMIRS geology presentations get a good response at Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest
| Date: | Wednesday, 27 September 2017 |
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Geology proved a popular topic at last month’s 2017 Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest with two presentations from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) going over time due to strong audience interest.
The annual event, held in August, celebrates the night sky and ancient rocks in the Murchison region. Activities on offer include night sky tours, displays and presentations, plus a variety of children’s activities.
DMIRS Geoscience Mapping Branch Project Manager Stephen Wyche made his first visit to the event this year to present two consecutive sessions.
He said the department had previously provided posters and books to the fest, but this had been the first time that an invitation to present had been received.
“I had an audience of about 30 people, made up of interested locals, a few tourists who just happened to be in town, and a few people who had come to town specifically for the show,” he said.
“I was scheduled to give two, half-hour talks but ended up speaking for about 90 minutes as a result of discussion and interaction with various audience members during the course of the presentations.
“My talks were designed to let the local community know about the large amount of work that the department’s Geological Survey Division has been doing in the Murchison region over the past few years, some of it funded through the Exploration Incentive Scheme.”
Mr Wyche said the first session introduced the audience to how the department went about its work and the second talk focused on the geology of the Murchison region, in particular the Miners Pathway tourist trail.
More information about geology and geophysics is available on the department’s website and geological products, including maps and books, are available from the eBookshop.
