News

Wits Geosciences News

February 2013

Workshop on the ICDP Barberton Core

During the week of the 18–25 February, scientists from 12 different countries met at Wits to discuss research aims and sample requests on the core drilled in the Barberton greenstone belt under the International Continental Drilling Project (ICDP). The drilling project was conceived in 2005 by Professor Nick Arndt (Grenoble University) and Professor Allan Wilson (Wits University).

WELCOME!

 Join us in welcoming four new academic staff members!

Prof. Rais Latypov, recently from Finland, is a specialist in platinum and layered intrusions. http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/staff/18987/latypov.html

Dr. Nico de Koker joins us after postdocs in Germany and Japan, and specializes in high pressure mineral physics and the use of mathematical and numerical modeling in the geosciences.  http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/staff/18963/dekoker.html

Dr. Katie Smart, from Münster, Germany, is a specialist in diamond genesis and kimberlite petrology. 

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/staff/19011/smart.html

Dr. Jonah Choiniere has joined the BPI as a Senior Researcher studying the early evolution of dinosaurs and other archosaurs in the Stormberg group.

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/staff/19013/choiniere.html

Retirements (sort of)

We are excited to retain our retiring staff members!

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/staff/6474/emeritus_professors.html

Prof. Spike McCarthy will be continuing in the department as emeritus professor continuing his research in environmental issues.

Prof. Guy Charlesworth will be continuing as the project manager of the joint Wits/RTZ Damara Belt Project.

Prof. Allan Wilson will continue as caretaker/manager of the EarthLab geochemical facility until a suitable replacement can be found.

Facilities and Equipment

We have recently designed and built an extensive new rock cutting and sample preparation facitilty.  This facility is managed by Mr. Caiphas Majola, senior technician and will be available for commercial use.  Caiphas.majola@wits.ac.za

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/6398/facilities.html

The Palaeosciences Centre at Wits opened a microfocus CT facility in 2012.  It permits the non-destructive investigation of small objects (i.e., micron scale) and visualization of internal structures.  Applications for using the facility can be found on its website:  www.wits.ac.za/microCT

At the end of last year Geosciences and Archaeology acquired a hand held portable XRF to measure rock compositions in the field.  Jaqui Areias of the Earth Lab is the manager. jaqui.areias@wits.ac.za

Short Course

The School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand will be presenting an exciting new 20 week course on basic geology. This is a great opportunity to find out more about how the Earth works. There is an economic focus to the course making it suitable for anyone involved in the minerals industry who would like to learn something about the terminology used. However it is suitable for all interested beginners.  The course is presented by a range of well-qualified staff with many years of experience. During the course there will be hands-on practical work on mineral and rock identification together with a look at some geological maps. A certificate of participation will be given at the end of the course. No examination is involved, only a self-evaluation practical test in the last week. A minimum number of 15 participants is required to make the course viable. A maximum of 40 participants can be accommodated so register early to avoid disappointment. Download the application form. http://www.wits.ac.za/files/2ugr0_098291001360574617.docx

Course cost: R4000

Retired participants: R3000

Couple: R7500

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/18951/short_courses.html

Prizes

Trishya Owen-Smith won the best speaker award at annual Igneous and Metamorphic Studies Group held in Bloemfontein in January 21-23, 2013

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/17129/news.html