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Half a century of research on WA’s spectacular Devonian reef revealed

Thursday, 6 August 2009

A publication featuring more than 50 years of research and mapping of one of the world’s best preserved ancient barrier reef systems was launched on Thursday 6 August.

Devonian reef complexes of the Canning Basin, Western Australia provides an insight into a spectacular belt of rugged limestone ranges that extend for 350 kilometres along the northern edge of the State’s Canning Basin, from near Derby to the east of Fitzroy Crossing.

The publication has been created by three authors from the Geological Survey of Western Australia, a division of the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Department of Mines and Petroleum Director General, Richard Sellers, said the valuable publication captured some of Western Australia’s most remarkable geology.

“These magnificently exposed reef complexes have yielded some significant economic discoveries, hosting five zinc-lead mines and one producing oilfield,” Mr Sellers said.

“They are now known as the Devonian Great Barrier Reef, and are also regarded as a model for similar reefs that host prolific oilfields elsewhere in the world.”

The book’s authors which include principal author Phil Playford and co-authors Roger Hocking and Tony Cockbain, have collaborated in mapping and associated research on the Devonian reef complexes.

“Principal author Phil Playford, has been studying the geology of these Devonian reef complexes periodically for more than half a century,” Mr Sellers said.

“The work of these authors and the rest of our Geological Survey Division not only provide us with in-depth knowledge on our State’s geology, but encourage exploration investment by the word’s mining and petroleum industries.

“I am confident that the Devonian Great Barrier Reef will yield even more exciting economic discoveries in the future.”

Devonian Reef Complexes of the Canning Basin Western Australia can be purchased for $77 including GST from the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Information Centre by calling (08) 9222 3549, or online by visiting www.dmp.wa.gov.au/ebookshop

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