The Geology of Papua

Post-WWI efforts to document the geology of the Territory of Papua.

“No detailed geological work can, at present, be undertaken in the areas represented by blanks on the map; but with a fully equipped, efficiently organized Geological Survey Department, most of the great unknown could rapidly be explored and its mysteries unfolded.” – pg. 53.

This uncommon scientific report was compiled by Australian government geologist Evan R. Stanley and printed in Adelaide in 1924 by Albert J. Mullett. It represents an early and comprehensive effort to geologically map the Territory of Papua, the southeastern quarter of the island of New Guinea that was then under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia (now part of an independent Papua New Guinea). A fifty-six-page report provides a brief historical review, text regarding descriptive and economic geology, and an exhaustive list of references. Fifty photographic plates are interspersed throughout – useful for visualizing different landmarks and geologic structures.

The volume concludes with a large folding map titled Geological Map of the “Territory” of Papua that credits geologists of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company for a subset of the data. The image uses vibrant colors to highlight various geologic deposits and notes the locations of petroleum indications, gold areas, thermal regions, and Boioro limestone. Geographic features (mountains, lakes, islands, etc.) are also labeled.

Source. Example at State Library of New South Wales