Gold is spread throughout Australia's rocks and soil but is mined principally in locations where there are higher concentrations. Gold mining takes place in all States and the Northern Territory. Australia is the world's third-largest producer of gold, with both open-cut and underground gold mines.
More information can be found in the Australian Atlas of Minerals Resources, Mines and Processing Centres' Gold Rock File or in the Australia's Identified Mineral Resources 2007 publication.
An earthquake is the sudden shaking caused by underground movement along a fault plane or by volcanic activity. Find out more about the phenomenon and their causes on Geoscience Australia's Natural Hazards web site dealing with earthquakes.
The term geomagnetism is used in reference to the Earth's magnetic field. Information gathered about the magnetic field is used as a basis for navigation, mapping, mineral exploration and developing an understanding of solar-terrestrial relationships. Geoscience Australia maintains a national network of geomagnetic observatories which contribute to a global network, which, in turn, contributes to a number of public safety initiatives. Activities on the sun can have serious effects on geomagnetism.