Journal and Proceedings of
The Royal Society of New South Wales
Volume 112 Parts 1 and 2 [Issued 12 October 1979]
CONTENTS
AUTHORS & TITLES
PAGES
Part 1
Beavis, F. C. Engineering Geology of Farm Water Storages
1-6
King, D. S. Precise Observations of Minor Planets at Sydney Observatory during 1978
King, D. S. Proper Motions in the Region of the Galactic Cluster N.G.C. 4103
Korsch, R. J. An Explanation for a Systematic Change in the Plunge of Fold Axes
Within an Axial Surface of Constant Orientation
Korsch, R. J. The Use of Amplitude and Wavelength to Compare Successive Folded
Surfaces
Robertson, W. A. Palaeomagnetic Results from some Sydney Basin Igneous Rock
Deposits
Powell, C. McA., and Fergusson, C. L. Analysis of the Angular Discordance across the
Lambian Unconformity in the Kowmung River-Murruin Creek Area, Eastern New
South Wales
Marshall, Brian, Folding and Faulting at Brushy Hill, Glenbawn, New South Wales.
Discussion)
Part 2
Freeman, H.C., Elegance in Molecular Design: The Copper Site of Photosynthetic
Electron-transfer Protein
Russell, T.G., A Reappraisal of the Late Devonian Bective Unconformity
Martin, Helene, Stratigraphic Palynology of the Mooki Valley, New South Wales
7-11
13-17
19-23
25-30
31-35
37-42
43
45-62
63-69
71-78
Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.1-6
Engineering Geology of Farm Water Storages
F.C. Beavis
Abstract. The geological factors influencing the safe siting of farm water storages in arid regions
are discussed. An example of engineering geological mapping are [sic] discussed. An example of
engineering geological mapping for the location of farm dams and tanks from near Broken Hill,
is described.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.7-11
Precise Observations of Minor Planets at Sydney Observatory during 1978
D.S. King
Abstract. Positions of 1 Ceres, 3 Juno, 4 Vesta, 39 Laetitia, 51 Nemausa, 532 Herculina and 704
Interamnia obtained with the 23 cm camera are given.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.13-17
Proper Motions in the Region of the Galactic Cluster N.G.C. 4103
D.S. King
Abstract. Relative proper motions of stars in the region of the galactic cluster NGC 4103 based
on plates taken with the 33 cm astrograph are determined with the aid of identiying stars which
are non-members. The relative proper motions have an average standard error of 0."/century
and reveal 102 likely non-members and 69 likely members.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.19-23
An Explanation for a Systematic Change in the Plunge of Fold Axes Within an
Axial Surface of Constant Orientation
R. J. Korsch
Abstract. A theoretical model is developed to explain geometrically a systematic change in the
plunge of fold axes within an axial surface of constant orientation. If a folded surface was
originally horizontal, then as the intensity of folding increases, the dips of the folded surface
must become steeper. If the strike of the folded surface is constantly at an angle other than zero
to the strike of the axial surface, then as deformation proceeds the dip of the folded surface
becomes steeper and the plunge of the fold axis changes from 0° towards 90°. Even a difference
of 1° in the strikes of the folded surface and axial surface causes remarkable changes in the
plunge of the fold axis, when the dip of the folded surface is close to the dip of the axial surface.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.25-30
The Use of Amplitude and Wavelength to Compare Successive Folded
Surfaces
R. J. Korsch
Abstract. Theoretical models have been developed to explain some systematic changes in the
morphology of mesoscopic folds in a field area in northern New South Wales. Equations for
determining the wavelength, amplitude and percent shortening in both symmetrical and periodic
asymmetrical folds have been derived using the parameters of interlimb angle, chord length and
half-length of a fold. Theoretical fold profiles to simulate systematic changes in interlimb angles
and chord ratios are useful as a preliminary check in the field to delineate profitable areas for
more detailed analysis. Graphs comparing interlimb angles with the amplitude and wavelength
ratios of individual form surfaces allow comparisons of the fold shapes produced by different
deformational episodes or fold shapes found at different field locations. Significant differences in
fold shapes, as determined on the graphs, for folds from two spatially related stratigraphic units
from northern New South Wales possibly suggest that the folds developed during two separate
periods of deformation.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.31-35
Palaeomagnetic Results from some Sydney Basin Igneous Rock Deposits
W. A. Robertson
Abstract. The remanent magnetism of nine igneous deposits from the Sydney Basin has been
measured and its stability investigated using alternating field and thermal demagnetisation
techniques. Variations in the directions of magnetisation demonstrate that the deposits were
formed during a number of discrete igneous episodes beginning as early as the Jurassic.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.37-42
Analysis of the Angular Discordance across the Lambian Unconformity in the
Kowrnung River - Murruin Creek Area, Eastern N.S.W.
Christopher McA. Powell and Christopher L. Fergusson
Abstract. Nineteen measurements of the angular discordance between the Late Silurian to Early
Devonian volcaniclastic rocks and the Late Devonian Lambie Group in the Kowmung River –
Murruin Creek area range from 8° to 49° with a mean of 24°. This mid-Devonian angular
discordance is intermediate between the low-angle discordance found further north in the
northeastern Lachlan Fold Belt and the high-angle discordance found near Taralga. These data,
considered with data from other areas, suggest that the mid-Devonian angular discordance
across the Lambian Unconformity increases southward, and are consistent with the postulate
that the northeastern Lachlan Fold Belt is at the perimeter of the area of influence of midDevonian deformation that is more intense in the southeastern part of the Lachlan Fold Belt.
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p.43
Folding and Faulting at Brushy Hill, Glenbawn, New South Wales
(Discussion)
Brian Marshall
Abstract. Mory (1978) has suggested that re-activiation of a previously established NNW
trending fault is essential if Brushy Hill Fault and Brushy Hill Anticline are to be parts of the
same movement-picture. Alternative interpretations of Mory's field relations, based on
progressive deformation concepts at high crustal levels, and likely behaviour at the transition
from cylindrical to non-cylindrical fold systems, allow the conclusion that Mory's suggestions are
possible but not essential.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.45-62
Elegance in Molecular Design: The Copper Site of Photosynthetic ElectronTransfer Protein
Hans C. Freeman
The Liversidge Research Lecture, delivered before the Royal Society of New South Wales, 19th
July, 1978
Abstract. Plastocyanin is an intensely blue protein which is essential for photosynthesis in green
leaves and in some algae. The blue colour is associated with the presence of a single copper atom
in each molecule of the protein. In terms of the absorbance per copper atom, plastocyanin is
about a hundred times as blue as 'normal' cupric compunds. In addition, the protein has an
unusual electron spin resonance spectrum and an anomalously high redox potential. The
combination of these properties occurs in some other copper-proteins but has not yet been
mimicked in any model compound of low molecular weight.
The recent X-ray crystal structure analysis of plastocyanin has revealed a molecule ideally suited
to the biological function which it performs. The nature of the copper site is such as to produce
the high redox potential which is required for electron-transfer between plastocyanin and its
neighbours in the photosynthetic chain. The location of the copper site in the protein molecule
provides at least two reasonable electron-transfer pathways. The exterior of the molecule has
distinctive features which suggest that the protein interacts in specific ways with its redox
partners and/or its environment.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.63-69
A Reappraisal of the Late Devonian Bective Unconformity
T. G. Russell
Abstract. Re-investigation of the Bective Unconformity beneath the Late Devonian Keepit
Conglomerate reveals that there is insufficient conclusive evidence for the designation of this
unconformity as a significant angular discordance of regional extent.
The basal contact of the Keepit Conglomerate varies from, in the west of the Tamworth Belt
(the basin edge), a disconformable contact between predominantly terrestrial and underlying
marine sediments, passing eastwards (basinwards) to initially an abrupt, often disconformable
contact beneath coarse redeposited sediments, thence to a gradational and conformable contact
with the underlying mudstones. It is concluded that the Bective Unconformity is a basin edge
disconformity, which passes basinwards to a disconformable contact beneath coarse
resedimented deposits. The duration of the hiatus at the basin margin lies entirely within the
Famennian. Further towards the basin depocentre the unconformity is non-existent.
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Vol 112 parts 1-2, pp.71-78
Stratigraphic Palynology of the Mooki Valley, New South Wales
Helene A. Martin
Abstract. The palynology of over twenty bores in the Mooki Valley are reported. The bedrock
contains either (1), Stage 5 (or the Dulhuntyispora assemblage) which is Upper Permian and
equivalent to the 'Upper Coal Measures' or (2), the Protohaploxypinus reticulatus assemblage, which
is equivalent to the basal lithologic units of the Narrabeen Group. The Cainozoic valley fills
contain either Pliocene or Pleistocene assemblages with the exception of one anomolous sample
which may be late Miocene.
In two, possibly three bores, the Pliocene sediments directly overlie bedrock. This suggests that
deposition did not start until the Pliocene and that Tertiary uplift along the Mooki Thrust System
may be a late Miocene-Pliocene event.
The pollen assemblages and abundance of predominantly brown clays suggests a dry type of
closed forest and a climate with a marked seasonal drought.
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