earth sciences 6
E A R T H S C I E N C E S
phic petrologist and expert on the origin University of the Western Cape (UWC)
and evolution of the Limpopo belt, and Geological sciences at UWC were estab-
the latter is regarded as the founder of the lished in 1981. The department has taken
modern and rigorous practice of structural a different approach to most other larger
geology in South Africa. Chris Roering led departments in South Africa, by focusing
the department from 1984 -1994 and built strongly on applied subjects; they offer two
on the foundation laid by Willem van Biljon programmes, from BSc up to PhD levels, in
to place the UJ department amongst the applied geology and in environmental and
best in the country, particularly in terms of
water sciences. This strategy serves to dis-
highly acknowledged individuals and cer-
tinguish them from the two highly regarded
tain research focus areas.
departments in close proximity (UCT and
US) which have strong foci in fundamental
Over the past 20 years, with changes in petrological disciplines. There is coopera-
staff, the research focus areas branched out tion between all three departments in the
into broader economic geology, particu- presentation of postgraduate training with-
larly coal deposits (led by Bruce Cairncross,
in the petroleum geosciences.
current head), and more recently geometal-
lurgy. Research conducted at UJ has set an
6.3 Oceanography
international benchmark for the global un-
derstanding of the genesis and evolution-
ary importance of banded iron formations
per se, and of the large iron ore deposits of
the Northern Cape, and for the formation
T
he department of oceanography at
UCT has been in existence for nearly
50 years and is the only department
of terrestrial manganese deposits, notably
undertaking teaching and research in both
the Kalahari Manganese Field (through the
physical oceanography and atmosphere
Palaeoproterozoic Mineralisation research
science in sub-Saharan Africa. Other cen-
group led by Beukes). Globally acknow-
tres from which oceanographic work has
ledged research into the origin of Earth’s
been driven are UKZN (currently a single
early atmosphere and the evolution of
staff member) where there is direct coop-
oxygen therein was undertaken by inves-
eration with the Marine Geoscience Unit
tigating the Archaean Witwatersrand and
of the Council for Geoscience, and NMMU
Pongola Supergroups and the Transvaal
(where Eckart Schumann, now an emeritus
Supergroup rocks. More recently, investiga-
appointment, has been the single oceano-
tions are underway in the Bushveld Com- graphic scientist over a long period).
plex, trying to unravel the setting, origin
and mode of formation of the enigmatic The UCT department has grown steadily
platinum deposits. A specialisation which in size and stature, and has six permanent
is currently unique to UJ, is its status as the staff at present, including four professors:
only facility in Africa with a palaeomagnetic Chris Reason, George Philander, Johann
laboratory. Lutjeharms and Frank Shillington. Previ-
ous eminent oceanographers at UCT in-
177
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