A multidisciplinary study of the Karoo Basin: chronology of a mass extinction, configuration of a supercontinent. Development plans for Australia's North-West (NW) shelf will expand the existing supply of natural gas and help manage greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative carbon sequestration project. A better understanding of well-exposed geology of the Karoo Basin will help evaluate the submarine deposits of Australia's NW shelf, essential for both improving yield from the new Gorgon ga ....A multidisciplinary study of the Karoo Basin: chronology of a mass extinction, configuration of a supercontinent. Development plans for Australia's North-West (NW) shelf will expand the existing supply of natural gas and help manage greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative carbon sequestration project. A better understanding of well-exposed geology of the Karoo Basin will help evaluate the submarine deposits of Australia's NW shelf, essential for both improving yield from the new Gorgon gas fields and understanding subterranean reservoir capabilities for carbon dioxide injection This study will also improve our scientific understanding of the timing and mechanisms of the end-Paleozoic mass extinction, the most significant event in the history of life on Earth.Read moreRead less
Enhanced 3-D seismic structure for Southwest Australia. The ancient cratonic lithosphere of Southwest Australia appears to have a distinct contrast in geophysical properties and complex geologic structure, while having some of the highest levels of earthquakes on the continent. The project aims to produce novel 3-D models of this region that combine new seismic data collected over two years with previously collected geophysical datasets from the partner investigators. A compilation of 3-D models ....Enhanced 3-D seismic structure for Southwest Australia. The ancient cratonic lithosphere of Southwest Australia appears to have a distinct contrast in geophysical properties and complex geologic structure, while having some of the highest levels of earthquakes on the continent. The project aims to produce novel 3-D models of this region that combine new seismic data collected over two years with previously collected geophysical datasets from the partner investigators. A compilation of 3-D models will subsequently be developed, to form an effective characterisation of the geologic structure of the craton and its margins. These models will provide enhanced assessment of seismic ground shaking from regional earthquakes and facilitate an improved understanding of mineral resource potential. Read moreRead less
Craton modification and growth: the east Albany-Fraser Orogen in three-dimensions. The objective of this work is to achieve new, synergistic techniques for delineating the three-dimensional structure of the east Albany-Fraser Orogen in Western Australia, and the lithospheric structure below it. These methods will guide understanding of the potential for mineral resources in this region with little surface geological exposure.
New digital deep-time exploration tools for a low-emissions economy. Demand for critical minerals will soar as renewable energy generation increases, but exploration companies currently cannot take full advantage of available exploration data in an Earth evolution context. This project will generate new knowledge in big and complex geodata analysis using an innovative data mining approach. It will enable Lithodat, a small enterprise, to perform cloud-based plate tectonic reconstruction, visualis ....New digital deep-time exploration tools for a low-emissions economy. Demand for critical minerals will soar as renewable energy generation increases, but exploration companies currently cannot take full advantage of available exploration data in an Earth evolution context. This project will generate new knowledge in big and complex geodata analysis using an innovative data mining approach. It will enable Lithodat, a small enterprise, to perform cloud-based plate tectonic reconstruction, visualisation and spatio-temporal analysis of geodata for resource exploration. The outcomes include an enhanced capacity to generate ore prospectivity maps and an improved understanding of their tectonic, geochemical, and geophysical signatures, benefiting Lithodat and their clients in the search for new mineral deposits.Read moreRead less
Quantification of current and future traffic emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter for application in transport and urban planning. The socio-economic benefits from the project include (i) novel transport emissions model, enabling assessment of the impact of transport proposals, applied in one of the most rapidly developing urban regions of Australia, SEQ; (ii) a matrix of particles, CO2, N2O and CH4 emission factors for vehicles operating in Australia, an essential input paramete ....Quantification of current and future traffic emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter for application in transport and urban planning. The socio-economic benefits from the project include (i) novel transport emissions model, enabling assessment of the impact of transport proposals, applied in one of the most rapidly developing urban regions of Australia, SEQ; (ii) a matrix of particles, CO2, N2O and CH4 emission factors for vehicles operating in Australia, an essential input parameter in vehicle emission inventories. The ultimate economic benefit of this research will be a reduction in transport related air pollution and greenhouse emissions, thus increasing the health and well-being of Australians, reducing health care costs and placing Australia in the forefront of international progress in the race toward better methods for achieving environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
Thermodynamics inversion for mineral systems. This project aims to provide a newly developed science approach to the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP). AusLAMP provides unparalleled geophysical information aimed at unravelling the tectonic history of the Australian continent and its mineral potential. The project will use thermodynamically based geodynamic simulators to jointly analyse and quantify intraplate deformation. This will illuminate the cause of dri ....Thermodynamics inversion for mineral systems. This project aims to provide a newly developed science approach to the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP). AusLAMP provides unparalleled geophysical information aimed at unravelling the tectonic history of the Australian continent and its mineral potential. The project will use thermodynamically based geodynamic simulators to jointly analyse and quantify intraplate deformation. This will illuminate the cause of driving fluid flow thorough the lithosphere, mineralisation phenomena, their datasets and geometries, and dynamic aspects of the processes driving mineral systems.Read moreRead less
Archaeological Geophysics at Port Arthur. This project will apply geophysical technology for rapid non-invasive archaeological investigations at Port Arthur, Australia's premier convict era historical site.
It will be the first comprehensive integrated geophysical study of a major European archaeological site in Australia and will provide a framework for future geophysical archaeological investigations at other Australian historic sites.
The main direct outcomes from this project will be ....Archaeological Geophysics at Port Arthur. This project will apply geophysical technology for rapid non-invasive archaeological investigations at Port Arthur, Australia's premier convict era historical site.
It will be the first comprehensive integrated geophysical study of a major European archaeological site in Australia and will provide a framework for future geophysical archaeological investigations at other Australian historic sites.
The main direct outcomes from this project will be an improved understanding of the location and nature of obscured cultural features at Port Arthur and a significant improvement in the efficiency of archaeological investigations.
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Time-lapse geophysical monitoring of acid mine drainage at Savage River Mine, North-western Tasmania. This project will apply geophysical methods to image and monitor the subsurface distribution, and short and long-term temporal variations in ground conductivity associated with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) at the Savage River Mine, Tasmania. AMD is a major environmental problem affecting mining operations across Australia. Geophysical techniques are inexpensive means of mapping variations in subsu ....Time-lapse geophysical monitoring of acid mine drainage at Savage River Mine, North-western Tasmania. This project will apply geophysical methods to image and monitor the subsurface distribution, and short and long-term temporal variations in ground conductivity associated with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) at the Savage River Mine, Tasmania. AMD is a major environmental problem affecting mining operations across Australia. Geophysical techniques are inexpensive means of mapping variations in subsurface electrical conductivity related to changes in groundwater levels and contaminant concentration. The major outcomes of this project will be development of appropriate geophysical methods and interpretation techniques for delineation and monitoring of AMD at sites characterised by high seasonal rainfall and significant topography.Read moreRead less
Application of the multichannel self-potential method to detection of seepage from mine tailings impoundments. This project will use a modern multichannel geophysical data acquisition system to study short and long-term variations in self-potential measurements at a tailings dam. The project will use the self-potential method to detect fluid seepage paths through the dam wall, and will use numerical models to make quantitative estimates of seepage rates. The major outcomes of the project will ....Application of the multichannel self-potential method to detection of seepage from mine tailings impoundments. This project will use a modern multichannel geophysical data acquisition system to study short and long-term variations in self-potential measurements at a tailings dam. The project will use the self-potential method to detect fluid seepage paths through the dam wall, and will use numerical models to make quantitative estimates of seepage rates. The major outcomes of the project will be a rigorous appraisal of the utility of the self-potential method for mapping seepage in an operating mine environment, and construction of fluid flow paths through the dam which can be used to guide future remediation work.Read moreRead less
Improving Signal Detection Range of Active Seismic Monitoring in Mines. This project will develop a new generation of sensors that will process incoming seismic waves from an active source to accurately estimate the properties of underground rock mass in real time. This will lead to safer mining operations that will decrease the number of injuries and deaths. A probability graph model will be used to fuse measurements from different sensors to produce more accurate estimates of the rock mass. A ....Improving Signal Detection Range of Active Seismic Monitoring in Mines. This project will develop a new generation of sensors that will process incoming seismic waves from an active source to accurately estimate the properties of underground rock mass in real time. This will lead to safer mining operations that will decrease the number of injuries and deaths. A probability graph model will be used to fuse measurements from different sensors to produce more accurate estimates of the rock mass. A new low-cost seismic source will excite large areas of rock mass for continuous monitoring of the changes in stress and fracture density caused by mining. This will lead to methodologies that will significantly improve mining operations and increase Australia’s productivity in the mining sector.Read moreRead less