Journal and Proceedings of
The Royal Society of New South Wales
Volume 104 Parts 1 and 2 [Issued June 6, 1972]
CONTENTS
AUTHORS & TITLES
PAGES
Burman R. On the Metric of an Astronomical Object in the Lyttleton-Bondi Theory
1-4
Robertson, W.H. Precise Observations of Minor Planets at Sydney Observatory during
1969 and 1970
5-10
Ashley, P. M., B.E. Chenhall, P.L. Cremer and A.J. Irving , The Geology of the Coolac
Serpentinite and Adjacent Rocks East of Tumut, New South Wales
11-29
Cane R.F. and P. R. Albion, The Phytochemical History of Torbanites
31-37
Dulhunty J.A. Potassium-Argon Basalt Dates and Their Significance in the IlfordMudgee-Gulgong Region
Facer, R.A. Magnetic Properties of Rocks from the Giles Complex, Central Australia
Korsch, R.J. Palaeozoic Sedimentology and Igneous Geology of the Woolgoolga
District, North Coast, New South Wales
Ward, C.R. Mineralogical Changes as Marker Horizons for Stratigraphic Correlation in
the Narrabeen Group of the Sydney Basin, N.S.W.
Clarke, D.J. Longitudinal Free Oscillations in Jervis Bay, New South Wales
39-44
45-61
63-75
77-88
89-93
Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.1-4
On the Metric of an Astronomical Object in the Lyttleton-Bondi Theory
R. Burman
Abstract. Lyttleton and Bondi developed a cosmological model in which there is net imbalance
of charge, with matter and hence charge being continuously created. Here, the equations of that
theory, namely the Proca equations combined with Einstein's field equations of general relativity,
are used to investigate the space-time outside a static spherically symmetric object, with a radial
outflow sufficient to keep the matter and charge densities constant. The situation with zero
electromagnetic fields but non-zero potentials is investigated. An expansion of the metric is
obtained which shows that there is no detectable departure from the predictions of the
Schwarzschild metric.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.5-10
Precise Observations of Minor Planets at Sydney Observatory during 1969 and
1970
W. H. Robertson
Abstract. Positions of 1 Ceres, 3 Juno, 11 Parthenope, 18 Melpomene, 39 Laetitia, 40 Harmonia
and 433 Eros obtained with the 23 cm. camera are given.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.11-29
The Geology of the Coolac Serpentinite and Adjacent Rocks East of Tumut,
New South Wales
P. M. Ashley, B. E. Chenhall, P. L. Cremer and A. J. Irving
Abstract. The Coolac Serpentinite, east of Tumut in southern New South Wales, is a complex,
steeply inclined ultrabasic belt 54 km. long and up to 3-5 km. wide occupying a tectonic zone
between the Lower Devonian Burrinjuck Granite to the east and low-grade regionally
metamorphosed sediments and volcanics of possible Ordovician to basal Devonian age to the
west. The sedimentary-volcanic sequence and the Coolac Serpentinite are intruded by the Middle
Devonian Bogong Granite and Killimicat Adamellite. (?) Middle Devonian rhyodacitic
ignimbrites overlie the sedimentary-volcanic sequence in places, and areas of Tertiary sediments
and basaltic rocks occur upon an erosional surface on the Coolac Serpentinite and Burrinjuck
Granite.
New and revised data are presented on the stratigraphy and petrology of the area east of Tumut,
emphasizing the ultrabasic belt, which comprises variably serpentinized ultrabasic rocks,
numerous deformed and metasomatized tectonic inclusions of crustal rocks, and local
occurrences of sulphide-rich rocks.
It is suggested that the process of serpentinization of the primary ultrabasic rocks has been
concomitant with the metasomatic changes observed within the tectonic inclusions and at the
margins of the belt, and has been characterized by a large relative loss of Ca from the ultrabasic
rocks to the metasomatic products. Basic, ultrabasic and calc-silicate hornfelses within the
aureole of the Bogong Granite are interpreted as being isochemically derived from rocks which
had undergone prior metasomatic alteration within the serpentinite environment.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.31-37
The Phytochemical History of Torbanites
R. F. Cane and P. R. Albion
Communicated by Professor D. P. Mellor
Abstract. Recently, considerable advances have been made to an understanding of the chemistry
of torbanite kerogen. Phytochemical research has shown that the present-day equivalent of the
algal source of torbanite produces, not fats, but hydrocarbons of peculiar structure. This paper
discusses the nature and chemistry of this alga in relation to the inadequacies of previous
hypotheses of the origin of torbanite kerogen. Experimental work using coorongite and model
compounds as kerogen precursors has demonstrated that the conception of an exclusively
hydrocarbon source for kerogen is untenable, and that, after deposition, microbial action has had
an important secondary effect on the character of the original deposit. The hypothesis is here put
forward that coorongite, and hence torbanite, has had a dual origin. It is believed that the
primary source was the botryococcenes, but that there has been considerable later modification,
and additions, arising from microbiological action. High pressure experiments on coorongite and
models have shown that overburden pressure has not been a major factor in the diagenesis of
the polymeric material.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.39-44
Potassium-Argon Basalt Dates and Their Significance in the Ilford-MudgeeGulgong Region
J. A. Dulhunty
Abstract. Three different topographical environmerts occur in separate areas of the IlfordMudgee-Gulgong Region. Tertiary basalts varying in mode of occurrence were selected from
each area for potassium-argon (K-Ar) dating. Results revealed flows of upper Eocene-lower
Oligocene and middle Miocene ages, resting on two different erosion surfaces regarded as
Eocene and upper Miocene, respectively. An intermediate and prominent erosion level forming
undissected upland surfaces along the Main Divide, and extending across deeply dissected
country to the west, is believed to be of lower Miocene age. The auriferous gravels of the
Gulgong deep leads were probably deposited between late-lower and early-middle Miocene time
and buried beneath middle Miocene basalt flows.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.45-61
Magnetic Properties of Rocks from the Giles Complex, Central Australia
R. A. Facer
Abstract. The Giles Complex is a series of coarse-grained layered mafic and ultramafic
intrusions about 1,100 m.y. old. Densities of the samples from the Complex (2-8 gm. cm-3 to 3.3
gm. cm-3) span the range for rocks of this kindred.
The measured N.R.M. directions were widely scattered, and hence partial A.F. demagnetization
was carried out. Since the magnetic susceptibility anisotropy ellipsoid was, on the average,
triaxial, anisotropy effects on magnetization direction were ignored.
The partial A.F. demagnetization results correlated strongly with other stability tests such as the
Koenigsberger ratio. After these stability tests 47% of the samples were shown to possess stable
magnetization and gave a mean direction of magnetization which is statistically non-random at
the 99% level, and which diverges from the present geomagnetic field direction. The results
established that the Giles Complex was in its present position at the time of acquisition of its
T.R.M. The magnetic properties tended to correlate with the state of exsolution and oxidation of
the iron-titanium oxides.
Assuming the stable T.R.M. direction to correspond to that of a dipole, the position of the
Earth's North Magnetic Pole 1,100 to 1,000 m.y. before the present, relative to Australia, was
latitude 68°N., longitude 343° E. (semi-axes of the ellipse of 95% confidence: 23° and 29°).
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.63-75
Palaeozoic Sedimentology and Igneous Geology of the Woolgoolga District,
North Coast, New South Wales
R. J. Korsch
Abstract. The sedimentary rock units in the Woolgoolga District are the Coffs Harbour Beds,
probably upper Palaeozoic in age, and the Redbank River Beds, possibly Silurian in age.
The Redbank River Beds consist of cherts, jaspers with some biogenic contribution of
radiolaria,, and a submarine basic lava flow.
The Coffs Harbour Beds are a thick sequence of turbidites. Greywackes consist of lithic
fragments, quartz, feldspar, opaques and secondary minerals such as chlorite, epidote and
carbonate. Younger rocks of the northern half of the sequence are hornblende-bearing
lithofeldspathic greywackes. In the lower half of the sequence hornblende detritus is lacking. A
megabreccia occurs in the sequence at Mullaway. The geometrical style of slump folds as a facing
indicator, and stratal thicknesses to determine source clirection have been used.
A stock of leuco-adamellite occurs to the north of Signal Hill, where the quickly cooled
comparatively low-temperature magma was intruded into the highest levels of the crust by
permitted emplacement. Orientation of the xenoliths indicates a vertical flow direction.
Metamorphic grade in the contact aureole of. the stock only reached the albite-epidote-hornfels
facies.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.77-88
Mineralogical Changes as Marker Horizons for Stratigraphic Correlation in the
Narrabeen Group of the Sydney Basin, N.S.W.
Colin R. Ward
Abstract. Detailed petrological analysis of arenites and lutites of the Lower Triassic Narrabeen
Group in the southern part of the Sydney Basin has provided additional marker horizons for
stratigraphic correlation. Up to three such horizons can be recognized in various parts of the
basin, corresponding to short stratigraphic intervals over which the composition of the
sediments undergoes a sudden and significant change. These changes are best illustrated by
following the variation, throughout the vertical succession, of the ratio between quartz grains
and rock fragments in the sandstones, so that borehole and outcrop sections can be represented
diagrammatically by petrological prohles. Comparison of such profiles for sections across the
basin suggests a number of modifications to previously published correlation schemes,
particularly those put forward for the coastal regions.
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Vol. 104 Pts 1-2, pp.89-93
Longitudinal Free Oscillations in Jervis Bay, New South Wales
D.J. Clarke
Abstract. The longitudinal free oscillations in Jervis Bay are calculated theoretically by the
Galerkin method applied to a one-dimensional flow model. The periods of the first six modes of
the model are given together with the corresponding horizontal transports. Two power spectra
of wave heights measured at one end of the Bay during southerly storms have been compared
with the theory. Excellent agreement is obtained for the fundamewntal mode with a theoretical
period of 33.6 minutes. The possible existence of transverse oscillations in the Bay during the
time of measuring the wave height obscures the matching the the other theoretical harmonics,
but, since the excitation is caused by strong winds along the main axis of the Bay, some
comparisons are speculated.
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