Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200012
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,748,358.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). This Research Hub aims to undertake simultaneous modelling of deep Earth and surface processes, spanning basin scales to individual sediment grains. The Hub will develop and apply cutting-edge basin simulation approaches to transform the seeding and testing of basin exploration models, extending their viability to complex, ....ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). This Research Hub aims to undertake simultaneous modelling of deep Earth and surface processes, spanning basin scales to individual sediment grains. The Hub will develop and apply cutting-edge basin simulation approaches to transform the seeding and testing of basin exploration models, extending their viability to complex, inaccessible remote and deep exploration targets. The Hub will fuse multidimensional data into five dimensional basin models (space and time, with uncertainty estimates) by coupling the evolution of mantle flow, crustal deformation, erosion and sedimentary processes, achieving a quantum leap in basin modelling and petroleum systems analysis.Read moreRead less
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100907
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,107.00
Summary
Tracking groundwater variations via 4-dimensional seismic imaging. This project aims to develop an advanced seismic framework to sense subtle subsurface changes related to groundwater variations beneath the Great Artesian Basin. Groundwater storage is subject to climatic and anthropogenic forcing, but modern monitoring tools are not sufficient to capture its detailed response in both time and space. Using novel techniques and extensive seismic recordings, this project expects to generate time-la ....Tracking groundwater variations via 4-dimensional seismic imaging. This project aims to develop an advanced seismic framework to sense subtle subsurface changes related to groundwater variations beneath the Great Artesian Basin. Groundwater storage is subject to climatic and anthropogenic forcing, but modern monitoring tools are not sufficient to capture its detailed response in both time and space. Using novel techniques and extensive seismic recordings, this project expects to generate time-lapse images across the basin in unprecedented resolution to reveal the system's dynamic evolution and a static basin model to aid the interpretation. Potential benefits include improved geophysical techniques for groundwater tracking and enhanced scientific understandings to underpin future groundwater management.Read moreRead less
How the Earth moves: Developing a novel seismological approach to map the small-scale dynamics of the upper mantle. The concept of small-scale convection currents from about 100-400 km below the Earth’s surface is a model proposed to explain the origins of intraplate volcanoes and mountains. However, direct evidence for the physical reality of small-scale convection cells is generally weak. This project will develop a novel seismological approach combining both ambient noise and earthquake data ....How the Earth moves: Developing a novel seismological approach to map the small-scale dynamics of the upper mantle. The concept of small-scale convection currents from about 100-400 km below the Earth’s surface is a model proposed to explain the origins of intraplate volcanoes and mountains. However, direct evidence for the physical reality of small-scale convection cells is generally weak. This project will develop a novel seismological approach combining both ambient noise and earthquake data that can image such small-scale upper mantle convection. The outcomes of this project will help to fill the gap left in the Plate Tectonic paradigm by its inability to explain intraplate geological activity (volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains), which would be a significant step towards unifying conceptual models about how the Earth works.Read moreRead less
Seismic wavespeeds and attenuation in upper-mantle rocks: a laboratory study of the effect of partial melting. The influence of partial melting on the seismic properties of the Earth's upper mantle will be explored through a laboratory study. Synthetic rock specimens consisting of the upper-mantle mineral olivine and a small proportion of basaltic magma will be prepared and their grain-scale melt distribution will be characterised. The seismic properties of these materials will be measured at ....Seismic wavespeeds and attenuation in upper-mantle rocks: a laboratory study of the effect of partial melting. The influence of partial melting on the seismic properties of the Earth's upper mantle will be explored through a laboratory study. Synthetic rock specimens consisting of the upper-mantle mineral olivine and a small proportion of basaltic magma will be prepared and their grain-scale melt distribution will be characterised. The seismic properties of these materials will be measured at high temperatures and seismic frequencies with novel locally developed equipment. Comparison with melt-free equivalents will allow the influence of the added magma to be quantified, allowing robust interpretation of seismological models of Earth structure with implications for its chemical and dynamical evolution.Read moreRead less
A new Journey to the Earth's Inner Core: a Planet Within a Planet. This project aims to address critical unsolved problems in global geophysics by probing the structure and dynamics of the inner core, the Earth’s time capsule. It focuses on elucidating the inner core’s nature with the improved tomographic images, critically testing our current understanding of how the inner core is assembled and grows, its thermodynamic state, crystallographic structure, and connection with the Earth’s upper lay ....A new Journey to the Earth's Inner Core: a Planet Within a Planet. This project aims to address critical unsolved problems in global geophysics by probing the structure and dynamics of the inner core, the Earth’s time capsule. It focuses on elucidating the inner core’s nature with the improved tomographic images, critically testing our current understanding of how the inner core is assembled and grows, its thermodynamic state, crystallographic structure, and connection with the Earth’s upper layers and geomagnetic field. Answering these questions can have far-reaching consequences for the current knowledge of fundamental geophysics. Expected benefits include training students and researchers in geophysics and data processing, contributing to a skilled STEM workforce and creating leadership for Australia.Read moreRead less