Submarine explosive eruptions of silicic magma: constraints on products and processes from modern sea-floor examples, ancient successions and experiments. Volcanoes are common on the sea-floor. Many have been the sites of devastating explosive eruptions throughout Earth history, producing thick layers of pumice and volcanic ash in both modern and ancient ocean basins. None of these events has been witnessed, hence, little is known about submarine explosive eruptions and the associated volcanoes. ....Submarine explosive eruptions of silicic magma: constraints on products and processes from modern sea-floor examples, ancient successions and experiments. Volcanoes are common on the sea-floor. Many have been the sites of devastating explosive eruptions throughout Earth history, producing thick layers of pumice and volcanic ash in both modern and ancient ocean basins. None of these events has been witnessed, hence, little is known about submarine explosive eruptions and the associated volcanoes. This detailed, multidisciplinary study will link exploration of modern explosive sea-floor volcanoes (western Pacific Ocean), field-work on older, submarine volcanic formations (Japan, Greece) and experiments that simulate explosive eruptions and their products. The results will elucidate sea-floor explosive volcanism and its contribution to the geology of ocean basins.Read moreRead less
Volcanology of voluminous felsic lavas. Eruptions of voluminous lavas (>100km3)have occurred throughout geological time but not in recorded human history. These lavas are a major part of very large volcanic areas that form the continents. Excellent examples have been identified in the Gawler Range Volcanics, South Australia. Little is known about the eruption mechanisms and yet these events are the key to understanding large-scale melting processes deep in the Earth and continent formation. This ....Volcanology of voluminous felsic lavas. Eruptions of voluminous lavas (>100km3)have occurred throughout geological time but not in recorded human history. These lavas are a major part of very large volcanic areas that form the continents. Excellent examples have been identified in the Gawler Range Volcanics, South Australia. Little is known about the eruption mechanisms and yet these events are the key to understanding large-scale melting processes deep in the Earth and continent formation. This research will use field data from one of the South Australian examples to constrain the nature and position of the source volcanic centre and to clarify outflow mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Unmixing in Magmas: Melt and Fluid Inclusion Constraints on Identity, Timing, and Evolution of Immiscible Fluids, Salt and Sulphide Melts. Much of the research proposed herein genuinely breaks new ground in both the fields of igneous petrology and ore deposit geology. It will contribute to Australia maintaining a leading role (as identified in "Towards 2005 - a prospectus for research and training in the Australian Earth sciences") in the burgeoning field of melt inclusion research, and serve as ....Unmixing in Magmas: Melt and Fluid Inclusion Constraints on Identity, Timing, and Evolution of Immiscible Fluids, Salt and Sulphide Melts. Much of the research proposed herein genuinely breaks new ground in both the fields of igneous petrology and ore deposit geology. It will contribute to Australia maintaining a leading role (as identified in "Towards 2005 - a prospectus for research and training in the Australian Earth sciences") in the burgeoning field of melt inclusion research, and serve as a training base for young researchers keen to learn the techniques and methodologies involved. The possible outcomes of the project are of wide interest to geoscientists, and may benefit the Australian economy in that they help to predict whether the magmas have experienced exsolution of a metal-rich fluid.Read moreRead less