Post Conference Field Trip
Yarrabubba - Earth’s oldest impact structure, Western Australia
This five-day round trip will visit the deeply eroded remnants of the~70 km diameter Yarrabubba impact structure, situated in the iconic outback of Western Australia. The 2229 ± 5 Ma Yarrabubba impact is Earth’s oldest confirmed impact structure, and coincided with a significant shift in global climate. Glacial diamictite deposits do not appear again in the geological record for >400 million years after the Yarrabubba impact event. Extensive exposures of rocks in the central uplift of Yarrabubba comprise shocked granitoid target rocks with shatter cones and a variety of impact melt rocks. This trip provides an excellent opportunity to investigate impact melt processes in central uplifts of large impact craters and draw on the experience of the trip leaders on the geology of Yarrabubba. We also plan to visit a spectacular aboriginal rock art site and the 24 m Dalgaranga impact crater. This field trip is a fantastic opportunity to experience the Aussie outback with cultural heritage sites, kangaroos and other wildlife, red ochre landscape, and the stunning starry night sky from historic Yarrabubba Station.
Nick Timms and Aaron Cavosie, Curtin University – Trip Leaders.
Trip Dates & Provisional Itinerary
| Day | Date | Activity | Meals |
| 1 | Saturday 19 July | Travel day; overnight in Cue/Mount Magnet | Buy own lunch and dinner at roadhouses |
| 2 | Sunday 20 July | Travel, Yarrabubba outcrops; overnight at Yarrabubba Station | Three meals covered – breakfast, lunch, and dinner |
| 3 | Monday 21 July | Yarrabubba outcrops; overnight at Yarrabubba Station | Three meals covered – breakfast, lunch, and dinner |
| 4 | Tuesday 22 July | Return; two additional stops; overnight in Cue/Mount Magnet | Three meals covered – breakfast, lunch, and dinner |
| 5 | Wednesday 23 July | Travel day; arrive back in Perth by mid-afternoon / early evening. | Buy own breakfast and lunch at roadhouses, trip ends back in Perth before dinner |
Transport
Pick up (19 July) and drop off (23 July) will be from Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. We will be travelling via 4WD vehicles, all transport costs are included in registration fee.
Accommodation
A limited number of participants will be able to be accommodated in motel-style rooms for the entire trip. Preference for room accommodation will be given on a case-by-case basis.
Accommodation for all other trip participants will be a mixture of motel-style rooms or camping in tents (travel days) and camping in tents (Yarrabubba Station). The majority of trip participants will camp while at Yarrabubba Station (two nights). Campers at Yarrabubba Station will have access to amenities including bathroom facilities, shared kitchen and dining area. We will supply camping gear to participants (a new tent, new sleeping bag, new sleeping mat, and new pillow per person) inclusive in the registration fee. Participants can request to bring their own camping gear. However, this will not affect the registration fee. More accommodation details will be provided to participants closer to the time of departure.
Meals
Meals will be a combination of outback hotel dining options and roadhouses on travel days, where participants cover their own costs.
While at Yarrabubba Station, catering for the group will be provided by the trip organisers, including continental style breakfasts, packed lunches, and evening meals. These costs are included in the registration fee.
Participants will be requested to disclose any special dietary requirements prior to the trip. We will gladly accommodate requests within our abilities to do so.
Cost
Registration fee is anticipated to be ~AUD$1,250 per participant (final amount to be announced). The registration fee includes all transport, accommodation, meals on non-travel days, and provision of camping gear.
Geography, Terrain, Environment, and Physical Expectations
Field area is situated in light, semi-arid outback bush in remote Australia. Gentle, low relief terrain with maximum elevation in the field area ~30 m. Some steep rocky slopes, small (dry) sandy gulleys with steep slopes, loose rocks underfoot, main road through field area. The trip will involve a modest amount of light walking per day, ~2 km max. Participants are expected to have a moderate level of fitness. Prior to the trip, confirmed participants will be requested to disclose any known medical conditions and health issues, including allergies.
Weather & Climate
It will be winter in Western Australia. July weather, with an average high temperature of 19.3°C (66.7°F) and an average low temperature of 9.8°C (49.6°F), tends to be the coldest of the year. It may be quite windy and brisk, and there is a slight chance of rain. in July, it is raining for 3.6 days, with typically 5 mm (0.2″) of accumulated precipitation. The average daily maximum UV index is 5 in July, which represents a medium vulnerability from unprotected exposure to Sun’s UV rays for average individuals.
Risk Assessment
A full fieldwork risk assessment document for the field trip will be provided to all participants ahead of time. Participants will also be briefed on risks and trip logistics during a meeting at the conference, prior to departure. Trip leaders each have over 27 years of experience in running field excursions, and over 20 years in remote Western Australia.
Travel Insurance
Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange their own personal travel insurance.
Capacity
Space on this trip is limited to 30-38 participants. Respond with your expression of interest as soon as possible. The deadline for expression of interest mid-May.