Neoproterozoic global geodynamic and climatic events: were they linked? This project will study a unique cluster of global geodynamic and climatic events 850-700 million years ago that will help us to understand the interactions between the Earth's deep mantle, its crust, and its atmospheric climate. Academic values aside, the work will bring direct benefit to the Australian industry. Knowledge on the distribution of the Neoproterozoic plume events will provide new exploration targets for Ni-Cu- ....Neoproterozoic global geodynamic and climatic events: were they linked? This project will study a unique cluster of global geodynamic and climatic events 850-700 million years ago that will help us to understand the interactions between the Earth's deep mantle, its crust, and its atmospheric climate. Academic values aside, the work will bring direct benefit to the Australian industry. Knowledge on the distribution of the Neoproterozoic plume events will provide new exploration targets for Ni-Cu-PGE and V-Ti deposits. Better constrained palaeogeography will help to locate mineral-rich crustal provinces that were once connected. Understanding climatic consequences of global geodynamic events will help to better understand and respond to climate changes. Read moreRead less
DYNAMICS OF EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS. Space weather is produced by rapid variations in wave fields and particle populations in near-Earth space, and has many effects. These include damage to spacecraft (causing operational anomalies and loss of service), degrading the performance of GPS, space-ground, HF radio and cable-based networks, and affecting surveillance radars. The core aim of this project is to improve knowledge of the waves and particles causing these effects. While being important to ....DYNAMICS OF EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS. Space weather is produced by rapid variations in wave fields and particle populations in near-Earth space, and has many effects. These include damage to spacecraft (causing operational anomalies and loss of service), degrading the performance of GPS, space-ground, HF radio and cable-based networks, and affecting surveillance radars. The core aim of this project is to improve knowledge of the waves and particles causing these effects. While being important to aerospace engineers, this work also consolidates Australia's international space profile and provides excellent training in this field. Since space weather causes significant radiation exposure to aircraft crew and passengers this work also has broader ramifications.Read moreRead less
Tectonic versus biological processes: What controls the long-term global carbon cycle? A major debate in Earth system analysis concerns two competing hypotheses on the driving forces behind dramatic changes in atmospheric CO2 over geological time. One hypothesis considers tectonic/geological processes to be the major driving force. The other argues that it is the competition between plants and animals that drives the long-term CO2 cycle. We propose to test these hypotheses using a novel set of g ....Tectonic versus biological processes: What controls the long-term global carbon cycle? A major debate in Earth system analysis concerns two competing hypotheses on the driving forces behind dramatic changes in atmospheric CO2 over geological time. One hypothesis considers tectonic/geological processes to be the major driving force. The other argues that it is the competition between plants and animals that drives the long-term CO2 cycle. We propose to test these hypotheses using a novel set of global oceanic palaeo-age grids and subduction models for the last 180 million years. This will allow us to appraise key tectonic carbon cycle components such as mantle degassing, seafloor weathering and sediment subduction.Read moreRead less
Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Magnetosphere Plasma Dynamics. Space weather, manifest as magnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere, can severely disrupt and damage advanced technological systems operating in space and on the ground. Spacecraft may experience operational anomalies, pipeline corrosion may eventuate in the long term, and the performance of GPS navigation systems, HF communication systems, mobile phone networks, and surveillance radars, may be degraded. Knowledge of the ....Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Magnetosphere Plasma Dynamics. Space weather, manifest as magnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere, can severely disrupt and damage advanced technological systems operating in space and on the ground. Spacecraft may experience operational anomalies, pipeline corrosion may eventuate in the long term, and the performance of GPS navigation systems, HF communication systems, mobile phone networks, and surveillance radars, may be degraded. Knowledge of the near-Earth space environment under which these problems occur is extremely important. This project identifies relevant mechanisms. The research consolidates Australia's international space profile, provides excellent postgraduate training in the field, and contributes to Australia's future technological development.Read moreRead less