Quantitative analysis of a footwall‐scarp degradation complex and syn‐rift stratigraphic architecture, Exmouth Plateau, NW Shelf, offshore Australia

Interactions between footwall‐, hangingwall‐ and axial‐derived depositional systems make syn‐rift stratigraphic architecture difficult to predict, and preservation of net‐erosional source landscapes is limited. Distinguishing between deposits derived from fault‐scarp degradation (consequent systems) and those derived from long‐lived catchments beyond the fault block crest (antecedent systems) is also challenging, but important for hydrocarbon reservoir prospecting. We undertake geometric and volumetric analysis of a fault‐scarp degradation complex and adjacent hangingwall‐fill associated with the Thebe‐2 fault block on the Exmouth Plateau, NW Shelf, offshore Australia, using high resolution 3D seismic data. Vertical and headward erosion of the complex and fault throw are measured. Seismic‐stratigraphic and seismic facies mapping allow us to constrain the spatial and architectural variability of depositional systems in the hangingwall. Footwall‐derived systems interacted with hangingwall‐ and axial‐derived systems, through diversion around topography, interfingering or successive onlap. We calculate the volume of footwall‐sourced hangingwall fans (VHW) for nine quadrants along the fault block, and compare this to the volume of material eroded from the immediately up‐dip fault‐scarp (VFW). This analysis highlights areas of sediment bypass (VFW > VHW) and areas fed by sediment sources beyond the degraded fault scarp (VHW > VFW). Exposure of the border fault footwall and adjacent fault terraces produced small catchments located beyond the fault block crest that fed the hangingwall basin. One source persisted throughout the main syn‐rift episode, and its location coincided with: (a) an intra‐basin topographic high; (b) a local fault throw minimum; (c) increased vertical and headward erosion within the fault‐scarp degradation complex; and (d) sustained clinoform development in the immediate hangingwall. Our novel quantitative volumetric approach to identify through‐going sediment input points could be applied to other rift basin‐fills. We highlight implications for hydrocarbon exploration and emphasize the need to incorporate interaction of multiple sediment sources and their resultant architecture in tectono‐stratigraphic models for rift basins

Ideologies of religion and diversity in Australian public schools

In many multicultural democracies, education has a Christian history. However, teaching religion has ideological variation. Progressives teach about many religions, while conservatives favor (often exclusive) instruction into one tradition. Australian secular education controversially prioritizes faith-forming instruction (mostly Christian). In this exploratory study (N = 123) the author examines pedagogical preference and attitudes toward religious diversity

Exposing drying patterns: Using electrical resistivity tomography to monitor capillary rise in sandstone under varying drying conditions

Rising damp and other moisture movements through porous stone and rock are known to cause weathering and deterioration, as noted in a range of recent field and laboratory studies. However, relatively little is known about the behaviour of moisture within a porous stone under realistic conditions because of lack of suitable monitoring methods. This paper has two main aims: firstly, to evaluate different electrical (resistivity and capacitance) methods to monitor subsurface and surface moisture regimes and, secondly, to use these methods to monitor the movement of water by capillary rise in a sandstone block under (a) conditions of constant moisture ingress at the base and (b) an enhanced drying regime with and without constant moisture ingress at the base. Our results indicate that, for electrical resistance tomography (ERT) measurements on a sandstone block, medical electrodes provide more reliable contact with the stone than spring-loaded pointed metal electrodes, and that the combination of ERT and handheld moisture meters gives a realistic picture of moisture movements within the block. The capillary rise and drying experiments reveal complex moisture movement over time and space. Under conditions of constant moisture supply, accelerated drying results in maintained or enhanced capillary rise. These findings are presented to further our understanding of the behaviour of moisture within porous sandstone. © 2012 Springer-Verlag