Since the discovery of the diamond-rich Argyle volcanic pipe in 1979, Western Australia has risen to world prominence as a diamond producer.
As part of the Western Australian Museum’s second year of the Harry Butler Lecture Series: In the Wild West, Vulcanologist and WA Museum curator of minerals and meteorites Dr Peter Downes will present a fascinating lecture on the formation and mining of diamonds in Western Australia.
Dr Downes’ lecture will explore how WA's diamonds formed deep within the Earth, their explosive volcanic ride to the surface, how they were found, and how the composition and structure of the diamonds affects their colour.
“Most of WA’s diamonds formed around 1500 million years ago, crystallizing naturally more than 150 kilometres below the Earth’s surface,” Dr Downes said.
“They were rapidly transported from their source rocks in the Earth’s mantle to the surface by some unusual volcanic rocks called kimberlite and lamproite, two of the deepest-sourced volcanic rocks that occur at the Earth’s surface.
“The mining of ancient lamproite volcanoes at Argyle and Ellendale in the Kimberley has revealed a treasure trove of coloured diamonds. The Argyle mine has become famous for its pink diamonds and the Ellendale mine for its yellows,” Dr Downes said.
Vulcanologist Dr Peter Downes is a curator in the area of Minerals and Meteorites at the Western Australian Museum. He has spent some time investigating diamond-bearing volcanic rocks in the central Kimberley region of Western Australia, as well as other WA deposits of gems such as alexandrite and emerald. He is always looking to expand the museum’s gem collection.
The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West is proudly presented by the WA Museum in partnership with Chevron Australia. The series showcases the work of Museum scientists, curators and associates in the areas of natural and social sciences.
LECTURE: In the pink: The story of diamonds in WA
WHEN: 5.30pm Thursday 21 July, 2011, 10.30am Friday 22 July, 2011
WHERE: WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 17 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest
COST: By gold coin donation.
Teresa Belcher, Western Australian Museum: T: 9212 3856
