Robert W. Nesbitt
Papers relating to the Giles Research Complex Project

MSS 0235

Biographical Information

Emeritus Professor Bob Nesbitt is a petrologist-geochemist. Over the last 50 years he has worked and published on layered ultra basic- basic intrusions of Central Australia , komatiites and Ni deposits in Western Australia, U-Pb dating of zircons in Zimbabwe and Spain, plus a range of analytical techniques, especially XRF and laser ablation ICPMS .

The Giles Complex is an iconic geological province covering the junction of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The site was explored by Regg Sprigg and his colleagues in the 1950s as part of a mining company (Southwestern Mining) evaluation of its mineral potential.

In 1963 the area, being a remote and scientifically challenging geological province, provided an exciting challenge to a small University of Adelaide group. Several years of field studies, petrological, mineralogical and geochemical research were undertaken by Bob Nesbitt, his colleagues and post-graduate students in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy. The results were summarized in post-graduate research theses, reported at National and International conferences, and published widely in scientific journals. The theses and rock samples collected over the many field seasons, together with the respective thin and polished sections for petrographic study, are archived in the Mawson Collection in the Mawson Building.

Transferred from the University of Adelaide Geology Department 20/3/2018

Biographical information and photograph of R. W. Nesbitt adapted from the University of Southampton webpage. Background on the Giles Complex Research Project from an article written by R. W. Nesbitt “The Giles Complex, Musgrave Ranges: Long-term Research Program initiated by Professor R. W. Nesbitt between 1963-1970 in the Department of Geology & Minerology, the University of Adelaide” November 2017.

Contents

Series 1 – Supporting Documentation

1.1   Summary of work conducted by Richard Facer, Wollongong.

1.2   BMR Research Newsletter Number 16, April 1922. Includes article “Evolution of the mafic/ultramafic Giles Complex, W.A.” and “Mapping in high-grade terrains”

1.3   Folder of Location maps for Giles

1.4   Letter addressed to R.W. Nesbitt dated 1992 with attached list of Project Reports/Publications.

Series 2 – Aerial Photographs

2.1 Cooper Run

• Run 2 – 25 photographs
• Run 3 – 27 photographs
• Run 4 – 27 photographs
• Run 5 – 31 photographs
• Run 6 – 20 photographs
• Run 7 – 12 photographs
• Run 8 – 5 photographs
• Run 9 – 6 photographs

2.2 Day Run

• Run 2 – 11 photographs
• Run 3 – 10 photographs
• Run 4 – 14 photographs

2.3 Mann Run

• Run 1 – 9 photographs
• Run 2 – 11 photographs
• Run 3 – 11 photographs
• Run 4 – 3 photographs
• Run 5 -  6 photographs

2.4 Mount Davies

• Mount Davies Old/Old Run 5 – 13 photographs
• Davies Old Run – 2 photographs
• Davies Old Run – 4 photographs
• Davies Run 2 – 16 photographs
• Davies Run 3 – 13 photographs
• Mt. Davies Run 4 – 17 photographs
• Mt. Davies Run 5 – 14 photographs

2.5 Musgraves

• Survey 110 – 5 photographs

2.6 Scott Run

• Run 12 – 5 photographs
• Run 13 – 5 photographs
• Run 14 – 12 photographs
• Run 15 – 10 photographs
• Run 16 – 14 photographs
• Run 17 – 24 photographs
• Run 18 – 17 photographs

2.7 Photomicrographs A25’/- Project. Taken on Zeiss Photomicroscope

Series 3 – Oversize Material

3.1 Enlarged aerial photographs for mapping

3.2 Offcuts of enlarged aerial photographs for mapping

3.3. Master rock sample location map

3.4 Large scale geological maps of the Giles Complex