Geological Survey of Tasmania (1859 - )

Summary

The Geological Survey Branch focusses on the collection, curation, interpretation and presentation of geoscience data in Tasmania., with the aim of making his data available to other agencies and the public. It can trace its origins to 1859 when Charles Gould was appointed Geological Surveyor: his contract was not renewed in 1869. Gustav Thureau, who had extensive experience in Victoria, was appointed Inspector of Mines (later also Geological Surveyor) in 1882: he retired in 1889. The Geological Survey formally became a branch of the Tasmanian Mines Branch in 1883. With the Appointment of William Twelvetrees in 1899 as Government Geologist and Inspector of Mines, the Geological Survey became an active, well organised Survey. Over the next 20 years Twelvetrees commenced the mapping of mineral districts, and introduced an extensive publications program. Like many government department, the Survey suffered contraction of staff and funding during the 1930s and 1940s. In the post-war period the Survey was revitalised, with a systematic geological mapping programme, resumption of the publication of research, and the commencement of geophysical work in 1963. The survey has been placed administratively under a number of departments, including the Tasmanian Mines Department and the Department of State Growth.

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