Australia 1:250,000 geological map series

by | posted in: Big Picture | 4
Goondiwindi 1:250,000 geological map
Goondiwindi 1:250,000 geological map.
Click image to enlarge.
When I started developing the geological model based on biblical history I wanted to apply it to some real geology to see how it worked. One helpful resource I found was the 1:250,000 scale geological maps prepared in the 1960s and 70s as part of a remarkable government program for mapping Australia. These maps are now available free from Geoscience Australia, and I’ve downloaded them all.

The sheet for Goondiwindi, Queensland, labelled Sheet SH-56-01, is typical (by the Bureau of Mineral Resources Geology and Geophysics, Department of National Development, Australia, first edition 1972). Like each map, Goondiwindi has a detailed geological map that covers an area of about 150 km wide by 100 km high. It also has an interpreted geological cross section and a wealth of other geological information, including the locations of quarries, mines, fossil finds and gravity anomalies.

These maps are excellent for giving a good overview of any area that you are interested in. You can scan across the map and study the cross section and see what has happened geologically in the area. Even better you can jump onto adjoining maps and see how the geology extends across the continent. This is exactly what is needed to understand the connection with Noah’s Flood because the Flood was a global event and we can only understand what it did by seeing the big picture.

4 Responses

  2. Tas Walker
    |

    Hi Philip,
    You are right. A geological map should include a section because that is standard geological practice. I suspect the 1:100,000 scale maps do but we have to buy these.

  3. Bill Morris
    |

    I just wanted to make a comment about BMR and NatMap maps.

    I worked for BMR from 1973 to 1975 in several sections including Geophysical (mapping) and was involved in marking core sections in the Core and Cuttings Laboratory (again for mapping purposes). Fascinating work. Geology still holds a fascination for me.

    I was disappointed to miss your tour here in the Illawarra in Sept as it clashed with another event I needed to attend.