Papua New Guinea – University of Ballart Field trip

Most people react with surprise and awe when you tell them you are going to Papua New Guinea . It has barely been touched by tourism, has known its share of political and sometimes violent struggles and receives very bad press in the Australian media. So why would a group of students and staff from the University of Ballarat brave the wilds of PNG as part of our biennial overseas fieldtrip program? We wanted to experience difference and we wanted to visit one of the most beautiful and geologically inspiring countries on the planet.

PNG is an amazing last frontier with 2100 species of higher plants, 243 mammals, 762 birds and 750 human languages. It is defined by smoldering volcanoes, giant spiders, some of the richest gold deposits in the world, and a culture very different from the regional Victorian city of Ballarat . So where did we visit in this most diverse of countries?

We started in Lihir. Lihir Gold produces over 600,000 ounces of gold annually and has reserves of more than 15 million ounces. It is a world-class deposit and a seriously big hole in the ground (most impressive). We were amazed at their use of thermal energy and how hot some parts of the mine were just to walk upon. Lihir Gold Limited were wonderful hosts and we spent time examining core, walking around the pits and examining the landscape (Fig1).

We then move on to Rabaul. A major eruption occurred in 1994 and forced the evacuation of Rabaul city, the largest city in New Britain . Part of the city is now encased in lava and ash. We walked around the buried town but the real experience involved the climb of Tavurvur. We started the day early with a boat ride out to the volcano and, together with Ima Itikarai, director of the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory, we climbed through the sulphur and heat to a spectacular view of the bay (Fig 2).

We flew to Goroka ( Eastern Highands ) to examine the Mesozoic succession (including the Wahgi Gorge), and to attempt an assent of Mt Wilhelm (4,509 metres). We used Kegsugl as our base and walked to Pinda and Aunde Lakes on the first day. We reached 4000 m but the weather was poor and our guide had no shoes, which made climbing in dark and cold conditions (we started the walk at 1 a.m.) rather difficult. Obviously we were there to study the glaciated landforms but the view of the lakes at dawn is certainly the best way to appreciate their detail. Before driving down to Madang we visited the Asaro Mud men and drank some truly excellent Highlands coffee.

Madang is a wonderful place to experience the geology of a limestone coast. To investigate an active tropical reef system we were forced to spend time snorkelling in the clear warm water. We also stayed a few days in a small village to get a taste of village life. Very educational, but a diet of kaukau quickly looses its appeal.

The last few days of the trip were spent in Port Moresby where we spent time with staff and students from the University of Papua New Guinea . We learned about the 1998 Aitape tsunami and 2002 Aitape earthquake from Professor Davies, insight that was more pertinent than we could have realized at the time. We described sedimentary structures to determine the history of a Eocene landslide, relaxed on the research island – walked the geology trail, got in a bit more snorkelling – and finally headed for home.

We wish to acknowledge the support of the AusIMM and thank all the wonderful P thank all the wonderful PNG people who made this trip possible. A trip to such an exotic locality is difficult without local support and we were very fortunate to have excellent guides and supporters (thank you UPNG). It is often said that PNG is an unsafe place to travel, but I have to say we met the most friendly, helpful and open people in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.