Microscale evolution of deformed rocks and glaciers. Scientific outcomes from this research have significant implications for predictions on material properties and are applicable to rock behaviour in mineralised systems, a focus of Australia's minerals industry, and the development of new materials for the Australian manufacturing industries. It will help maintain Australia's excellent international research reputation in the fields of microstructural geology and glaciology.
How responsive are continental interiors to the geodynamic evolution of plate margins? An Australian case study. The outcomes of this project will advance our understanding of the evolution and dynamics of the Australian plate by improving knowledge of the way plate driving forces shaped the continental interior. This will lead to a refinement of existing geological models describing the history of the Australian continent, and will provide a valuable backdrop for the current focus on the cont ....How responsive are continental interiors to the geodynamic evolution of plate margins? An Australian case study. The outcomes of this project will advance our understanding of the evolution and dynamics of the Australian plate by improving knowledge of the way plate driving forces shaped the continental interior. This will lead to a refinement of existing geological models describing the history of the Australian continent, and will provide a valuable backdrop for the current focus on the contemporary state of the Australian plate. The study will also provide a framework for petroleum exploration models in the central Australian basins, since they rely crucially on the thermal and structural datasets that will be produced in this project.Read moreRead less
Thermal structure and evolution of the Australian continent. Australia contains 40% of the world's known uranium resources. Uranium, with thorium and potassium, are heat-producing elements which affect the way temperature varies within the Earth. Outcomes from this project will lead to a better understanding of the potential for geothermal energy in Australia and provide a framework for assessing Australia's uranium resource. Understanding the crustal thermal regime is also fundamental to our kn ....Thermal structure and evolution of the Australian continent. Australia contains 40% of the world's known uranium resources. Uranium, with thorium and potassium, are heat-producing elements which affect the way temperature varies within the Earth. Outcomes from this project will lead to a better understanding of the potential for geothermal energy in Australia and provide a framework for assessing Australia's uranium resource. Understanding the crustal thermal regime is also fundamental to our knowledge of many earth processes. The project will enhance Australia's international research standing, provide training for an early career researcher and contribute to the development of an environmentally sustainable Australia, a National research priority.Read moreRead less
Coupled subduction dynamics and continent deformations: understanding the Asian and Red Sea tectonics. Modeling slab pull forces and lithospheric deformation provides a new insight in the dynamics of plate tectonics. Unraveling the self-consistent formation of faults, rifts, shear zones and up to passive margin will further the understanding of our planet. Furthermore the application of these models to specific geological contexts will support the exploration and assessment of inaccessible Ear ....Coupled subduction dynamics and continent deformations: understanding the Asian and Red Sea tectonics. Modeling slab pull forces and lithospheric deformation provides a new insight in the dynamics of plate tectonics. Unraveling the self-consistent formation of faults, rifts, shear zones and up to passive margin will further the understanding of our planet. Furthermore the application of these models to specific geological contexts will support the exploration and assessment of inaccessible Earth's resources, such as hydrocarbons pools, located along the deep Australian continent margins, and diamonds and ore deposits, associated with continental shear zones, which potential is still to be fully discovered.Read moreRead less
CRATON EDGES AND SUTURES IN THE AUSTRALIAN MANTLE. A major seismic experiment using recording of distant earthquakes will be used to provide images of 3-D structure in the Earth's crust and mantle along the length of the edge of the Precambrian Australian Shield and across the suture between the South and North Australian cratons within the Shield. Seismic structures derived from different classes of geodynamic models will be compared with seismic results derived from a variety of styles of dat ....CRATON EDGES AND SUTURES IN THE AUSTRALIAN MANTLE. A major seismic experiment using recording of distant earthquakes will be used to provide images of 3-D structure in the Earth's crust and mantle along the length of the edge of the Precambrian Australian Shield and across the suture between the South and North Australian cratons within the Shield. Seismic structures derived from different classes of geodynamic models will be compared with seismic results derived from a variety of styles of data interpretation, including seismic tomography. The experiment will improve understanding of the range of physical processes associated with rifting and building of continents.Read moreRead less
Microstructural analysis using integrated experiments and numerical modelling. Microstructures related to nano-materials and visible up to the scale of a thin section, are important tools for any material scientist, geologist or glaciologist. Microstructural evolution underpins how these disciplines unravel grain-scale structures, deformation conditions and mechanisms to estimate the intensity or amount of deformation. This project will allow us to better interpret microstructural evolution, in ....Microstructural analysis using integrated experiments and numerical modelling. Microstructures related to nano-materials and visible up to the scale of a thin section, are important tools for any material scientist, geologist or glaciologist. Microstructural evolution underpins how these disciplines unravel grain-scale structures, deformation conditions and mechanisms to estimate the intensity or amount of deformation. This project will allow us to better interpret microstructural evolution, in a range of natural, organic and composite materials, by using integrated laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. With these results we will model the conditions that prevail in composite materials, in glaciers and apply them to processes operating in of the Earth's crust.Read moreRead less
Thermal regimes, flexure and duration: establishing the framework for intracratonic orogeny in central Australia. Intracratonic orogeny is a confronting phenomena because it contradicts the plate tectonic paradigm, which highlights the apparently rigidity of the lithospheric plates. Central Australia contains an exceptional record of intracratonic orogeny, expressed by the formation of the Petermann and Alice Springs orogens. This project will quantify the duration, and thermal conditions assoc ....Thermal regimes, flexure and duration: establishing the framework for intracratonic orogeny in central Australia. Intracratonic orogeny is a confronting phenomena because it contradicts the plate tectonic paradigm, which highlights the apparently rigidity of the lithospheric plates. Central Australia contains an exceptional record of intracratonic orogeny, expressed by the formation of the Petermann and Alice Springs orogens. This project will quantify the duration, and thermal conditions associated with the comparatively poorly known Petermann Orogen. Given the importance of intracratonic deformation in shaping the lithospheric architecture of central Australia, understanding the history of the Petermann Orogeny is essential to developing models that describe the evolution of the Australian continent, and continental interiors in general.Read moreRead less
Seismic constraints on the assembly of cratons. Improved definition of the 3-D seismological structure and nature of the major lithospheric blocks in Australia and their assembly to form the present-day continent will be sought from seismological data. The inclusion of information on the depth extent and character of the lithosphere will improve geological understanding of the evolution of the continent, with relevance to the interaction of the crust and mantle and the placement of mineral res ....Seismic constraints on the assembly of cratons. Improved definition of the 3-D seismological structure and nature of the major lithospheric blocks in Australia and their assembly to form the present-day continent will be sought from seismological data. The inclusion of information on the depth extent and character of the lithosphere will improve geological understanding of the evolution of the continent, with relevance to the interaction of the crust and mantle and the placement of mineral resources.Read moreRead less
Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, ....Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, documenting the timing of mineralization with respect to the thermal evolution of the host rocks may help to predict the location of mineral deposits in these settings; and each new mineral discovery contributes to the future prosperity of Australia and its communities. Read moreRead less
Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors. The Australian community will benefit by the ownership of widely used high impact research in published earth science. This research defines the melting behaviour of silicate-rich materials (terrestrial planets, rocky-moons, meteorites) within the solar system. The research will be required for interpretation of Martian samples and will help to ensure that Australian laboratories participate in 21st Century investigations of the Sol ....Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors. The Australian community will benefit by the ownership of widely used high impact research in published earth science. This research defines the melting behaviour of silicate-rich materials (terrestrial planets, rocky-moons, meteorites) within the solar system. The research will be required for interpretation of Martian samples and will help to ensure that Australian laboratories participate in 21st Century investigations of the Solar System by virtue of their leading roles in understanding volcanism and melting behaviour at high pressures and under variable oxidation states. The research will address a national priority in sustainability of earth resources i.e. knowledge underpinning formation of Australian mineral resources.Read moreRead less