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Geological Survey of Western Australia - GSWA

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Geological Survey of Western Australia - GSWA

GSWA is responsible for the surveying and exploration of Western Australia's geological resources.

As a trusted, world-leading geological survey, the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) delivers objective and authoritative geoscientific data, information and services to support the responsible use of the State’s natural resources. Our core business function is to provide free pre-competitive geoscience data to reduce the financial risk to explorers, attract new investment, and to provide guidance to government in policy and land use decisions. GSWA is a division of the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE).

31/08/2026

🌏 Deep time in Western Australia: the Hadean Eon (4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago)

The Hadean is named after Hades, the ancient Greek god of the dead.

During this eon, Earth was still in its infancy. Very little material has survived from that time, but Western Australia holds some remarkable exceptions.

We’ve previously shared the story of the ancient zircons found in the Jack Hills. The image accompanying this post shows what these extraordinary crystals actually look like.

Known as the ‘Time Lords’, each zircon crystal is only about a tenth of a millimetre long. Using specialist imaging and analysis, geoscientists can uncover the information preserved within these tiny crystals, including a record of conditions on Earth more than 4 billion years ago.
How magnificent is Western Australia?

Explore our range of publications and maps:
https://ow.ly/z3Qp50ZH51B

17/08/2026

The towering red tingle tree canopy near Walpole exists because of millions of years of geological and environmental change.

Ancient landscapes, deep soils and a stable climate helped create one of Western Australia’s most unique forest ecosystems.

Explore our range of publications and maps: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps

Image description: Aerial photograph of the towering red tingle forest canopy near Walpole, showing a dense expanse of tall trees.

03/08/2026

Some beaches near Kalbarri can appear pink because of tiny garnet-rich mineral sands mixed through the shoreline.

These minerals formed deep within ancient rocks before being released by weathering and slowly transported by rivers, wind and waves over millions of years. Even the colours along Western Australia’s coastline tell a geological story.

Soon you'll be able to explore many more stories like this.
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps

Image descriptions: 1. Close-up photograph of garnet and heavy mineral sand, showing deep red garnet grains mixed with darker heavy minerals against lighter sand, taken at Red Bluff, Kalbarri. 2. Aerial photograph of Hutt Lagoon, showing the natural pink lake bordered by a narrow strip of land separating it from the coastline at Port Gregory.

22/07/2026

These striking blue and green minerals from DeGrussa formed through chemical reactions involving copper-rich rocks and groundwater over long periods of time.

Azurite and chrysocolla are both secondary copper minerals, created as older copper deposits slowly weather near Earth’s surface.

Their vivid colours are a reminder that some of Western Australia’s most remarkable geological stories are hidden at the microscopic and mineral scale.

We’re sharing remarkable geological features from across Western Australia.
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps

Image description: Close-up photograph of a rock specimen showing vivid blue azurite and turquoise green chrysocolla within rusty brown gossan from the DeGrussa deposit.

13/07/2026

These incredible striped rocks near Marble Bar formed billions of years ago when Earth was a very different place with ancient oceans, volcanic activity and no complex life.

Today, these rocks preserve part of the story of our planet’s earliest history right here in Western Australia.

These landscapes are just one chapter in Western Australia's geological story.

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps

Image description: Photograph of striped chert showing distinct alternating light and dark bands, taken near Marble Bar in the Pilbara.

22/04/2026

Fieldnotes issue 118 is out now: https://ow.ly/K9fB50YMn9R

Featured highlights:
✈️ A look back at our mission to PDAC 2026 with Invest and Trade Western Australia
🗺️ Collaborative geoscience with the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA)
🧂 Salt intervals in the Canning Basin
📑 A round-up of our latest publications, datasets, and maps

Subscribe to the GSWA eNewsletter to receive Fieldnotes in your inbox: https://ow.ly/HmTs50YMn9S

20/04/2026

Step into more than 4 billion years of Earth’s history without leaving home 🌏https://ow.ly/MV4B50YMmen

Our virtual geotrails transform Western Australia into a living field guide, from coastal cliffs and ancient reefs to city streets built from remarkable stone. Each trail is designed to be accessible, practical and genuinely engaging whether you’re a career geoscientist or simply curious about the rocks beneath your feet.

17/04/2026

The 2026 Major Resource Projects – Western Australia map is now available 👇
https://ow.ly/4Ico50YKg47

This annual map shows the projects that made the biggest economic impact in the 2024–25 financial year, with a clear, state-wide view of activity across the resources sector.

On the map you’ll find:
🔹 Major operating projects generating more than $5 million in sales
🔹 Projects under construction in FY2024-25
🔹 Proposed medium- to long-term projects (with completed pre-feasibility studies)
🔹 Projects recently placed on care and maintenance

A simple way to see where Western Australia’s resources industry is and where it’s heading.

08/04/2026

At GSWA, our Geoscience Data Integration Team is helping turn Western Australia’s world-class geoscience data into something people can actually use.

Working with some of the largest and highest quality datasets, the team is focused on making data easier to access, connect and understand - supporting better decisions across the resources sector.

It’s not just about tech, AI, and automation. It’s about bringing geoscientists and data specialists together in new ways to get more value from the data we already have.

Visit our GitHub to find a growing collection of open-source geoscientific software packages:
https://github.com/Geological-Survey-of-Western-Australia

Address

Mineral House, 100 Plain Street
Perth, WA
6004

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.dmpe.wa.gov.au/gswa

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