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2011 field trip to RiversleighBy Phil Creaser A wide range of individual projects were part of the 2011 annual field trip to Riversleigh. A major collecting site was Inabeyance Site on Godthelp’s Hill which was very productive in the 2010 field trip and further quality specimens were uncovered this year. Other sites collected from included Gillespie’s Wounded Knee, VIP, Encore, AL 90, Hiatus, Creaser’s Ramparts and Wang sites. Following controlled burning of the area by Queensland National Parks, there was more exploration of the fossiliferous limestones searching for new sites. This was successful with a major new deposit, Exstrata Site, being discovered and a representative sample collected. In addition, samples were also gathered for clumped isotope analysis which can provide information on palaeotemperatures. The research team also continued to work with Queensland authorities on a number of projects relating to the management of the Riversleigh World Heritage area. Work at Riversleigh is also enabled by the Xstrata North Queensland Community Support Program and a grant from the Australian Research Council. |
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Main research program: Cape York amberFragments of precious amber found on the remote beaches of Cape York contain the remains of plants and tiny animals millions of years old. Main research program: RiversleighThe rocks at Riversleigh are rich in well-preserved fossil remains of the ancestors of the modern Australian fauna and entirely new kinds of animals previously unknown to science. Main research program: Lightning RidgeDeposits at Lightning Ridge in northern New South Wales yield some of the rarest, most beautiful and valuable fossils in the world. |