Geological Survey of Western Australia - GSWA

04/11/2026

Western Australia has one of the most magnificent geological stories on Earth and now you can explore it for yourself.

Purchase your copy of Magnificent WA through the DMPE eBookshop: https://ow.ly/iuY65102kpZ

This new publication will take you on a journey through more than four billion years of Earth history, connecting ancient oceans, volcanoes, supercontinents, mineral deposits, coastlines, forests and deserts to the landscapes we know today.

Combining stunning photography, illustrations and accessible storytelling, Magnificent WA was designed to make geology engaging and approachable for everyone, from curious readers and travellers to educators, students and science enthusiasts.

Discover the story beneath your feet.

02/11/2026

💎Come and say hello to our team at the PGMS Perth Gem & Mineral Show 2026

You’ll find our geoscientists on hand to talk all things WA rocks and minerals and help you explore our maps, publications and data.

Collectors, families and rock lovers are all welcome. Drop by our stand and have a chat with us. We’re always happy to talk geology!

📅 6–8 November 2026
📍 Pavilion 6, PCEC

https://www.perthgemmineralshow.com/

19/10/2026

25/09/2026

⛰️ Deep time in Western Australia: the Proterozoic Eon (2.5 billion to 541 million years ago)

The name ‘Proterozoic’ comes from Greek words meaning ‘earlier life’. During this immense stretch of time, continents continued to grow, oxygen levels increased, and more complex forms of life began to emerge.

In Western Australia, this history is recorded in the spectacular Osmond Ranges of the East Kimberley. Their ancient sedimentary rocks were deposited in the Paleoproterozoic, before being shaped by tectonic activity and, much later, weathering and erosion.

The landscape we see today is therefore the product of geological processes operating over an almost unimaginable span of time, a visible record of Western Australia’s evolving ancient crust.

How magnificent is Western Australia?

Explore our range of publications and maps:
https://ow.ly/ugav50ZH52M

23/09/2026

🦠 Deep time in Western Australia: the Archean Eon (4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago)

The word ‘Archean’ is derived from the Greek meaning ‘beginning’ or ‘origin’. The Archean was a time when Earth’s first stable continents were forming, and early life was beginning to leave its mark.

The Pilbara contains rocks that preserve some of the world’s oldest life on Earth, including the stromatolites of the Strelley Pool Formation, which are around 3.4 billion years old. The image accompanying this post shows a section of these stromatolites measuring 25cm across – a small window into life on our planet billions of years ago.

How magnificent is Western Australia?

Explore our range of publications and maps:
https://ow.ly/ByMI50ZH52y

31/08/2026

🌏 Deep time in Western Australia: the Hadean Eon (4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago)

The Hadean is named after Hades, the ancient Greek god of the dead.

During this eon, Earth was still in its infancy. Very little material has survived from that time, but Western Australia holds some remarkable exceptions.

We’ve previously shared the story of the ancient zircons found in the Jack Hills. The image accompanying this post shows what these extraordinary crystals actually look like.

Known as the ‘Time Lords’, each zircon crystal is only about a tenth of a millimetre long. Using specialist imaging and analysis, geoscientists can uncover the information preserved within these tiny crystals, including a record of conditions on Earth more than 4 billion years ago.
How magnificent is Western Australia?

Explore our range of publications and maps:
https://ow.ly/z3Qp50ZH51B

17/08/2026

The towering red tingle tree canopy near Walpole exists because of millions of years of geological and environmental change.

Ancient landscapes, deep soils and a stable climate helped create one of Western Australia’s most unique forest ecosystems.

Explore our range of publications and maps: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps



Image description: Aerial photograph of the towering red tingle forest canopy near Walpole, showing a dense expanse of tall trees.

03/08/2026

Some beaches near Kalbarri can appear pink because of tiny garnet-rich mineral sands mixed through the shoreline.

These minerals formed deep within ancient rocks before being released by weathering and slowly transported by rivers, wind and waves over millions of years. Even the colours along Western Australia’s coastline tell a geological story.

Soon you'll be able to explore many more stories like this.
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps



Image descriptions: 1. Close-up photograph of garnet and heavy mineral sand, showing deep red garnet grains mixed with darker heavy minerals against lighter sand, taken at Red Bluff, Kalbarri. 2. Aerial photograph of Hutt Lagoon, showing the natural pink lake bordered by a narrow strip of land separating it from the coastline at Port Gregory.

22/07/2026

These striking blue and green minerals from DeGrussa formed through chemical reactions involving copper-rich rocks and groundwater over long periods of time.

Azurite and chrysocolla are both secondary copper minerals, created as older copper deposits slowly weather near Earth’s surface.

Their vivid colours are a reminder that some of Western Australia’s most remarkable geological stories are hidden at the microscopic and mineral scale.

We’re sharing remarkable geological features from across Western Australia.
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps



Image description: Close-up photograph of a rock specimen showing vivid blue azurite and turquoise green chrysocolla within rusty brown gossan from the DeGrussa deposit.

13/07/2026

These incredible striped rocks near Marble Bar formed billions of years ago when Earth was a very different place with ancient oceans, volcanic activity and no complex life.

Today, these rocks preserve part of the story of our planet’s earliest history right here in Western Australia.

These landscapes are just one chapter in Western Australia's geological story.

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/geological-survey-of-western-australia/geoscience-publications-and-maps



Image description: Photograph of striped chert showing distinct alternating light and dark bands, taken near Marble Bar in the Pilbara.