The eruption, emplacement and characteristics of extremely large volume pyroclastic flow deposits (ignimbrites). Pyroclastic flows are hot, turbulent, flows of volcanic gas, pumice, rock debris and fine ash often produced during major explosive volcanic eruptions. Most historic and researched events have been mostly small volume examples. In this research we propose to investigate the characteristics of 3 extremely large volume (>1,000 km3) pyroclastic flow deposits in the Andes of South America ....The eruption, emplacement and characteristics of extremely large volume pyroclastic flow deposits (ignimbrites). Pyroclastic flows are hot, turbulent, flows of volcanic gas, pumice, rock debris and fine ash often produced during major explosive volcanic eruptions. Most historic and researched events have been mostly small volume examples. In this research we propose to investigate the characteristics of 3 extremely large volume (>1,000 km3) pyroclastic flow deposits in the Andes of South America, to understand the eruption origins and the flow dynamics of such large volume and potentially far flowing (up to 200 km from the vent) pyroclastic flows. These are potentially more destructive than the Indian Ocean tsunami event, and eruptions of this magnitude could occur in Indonesia, PNG and New Zealand.Read moreRead less
The Cosmogenic 21Ne Exposure Dating Method: Calibration for Application to Volcanic Chronology, Landscape Evolution and Palaeo-Climate Change. Accurate calibration of the Neon 21 cosmogenic dating method will provide a powerful tool for dating young volcanic rocks, eroded or buried surfaces and glacier/ice retreat. This research will have considerable social, national and economic benefits for volcanic hazard assessment, studies of ore systems buried beneath thick soil cover, landscape evolution ....The Cosmogenic 21Ne Exposure Dating Method: Calibration for Application to Volcanic Chronology, Landscape Evolution and Palaeo-Climate Change. Accurate calibration of the Neon 21 cosmogenic dating method will provide a powerful tool for dating young volcanic rocks, eroded or buried surfaces and glacier/ice retreat. This research will have considerable social, national and economic benefits for volcanic hazard assessment, studies of ore systems buried beneath thick soil cover, landscape evolution, soil erosion, and paleo-climate change. In addition, this research will position Australian science at the forefront of cosmogenic dating research and provide essential training for the next generation of Earth Scientists.Read moreRead less
Understanding the stratigraphic and structural architecture of late Archean basins and the context of their gold deposits. Gold mined from Archean rocks contributed $4.0 billion to Australia's export income in 2006 and provided the backbone of support for many remote communities. However, production has fallen 40% since 1997 and will be exhausted within 15 years unless major new discoveries are made. The potential to find additional gold deposits remains high, but urgently requires new data and ....Understanding the stratigraphic and structural architecture of late Archean basins and the context of their gold deposits. Gold mined from Archean rocks contributed $4.0 billion to Australia's export income in 2006 and provided the backbone of support for many remote communities. However, production has fallen 40% since 1997 and will be exhausted within 15 years unless major new discoveries are made. The potential to find additional gold deposits remains high, but urgently requires new data and improved exploration techniques to assist in their discovery. The results of this integrated multidisciplinary project will help to arrest the declining discovery rate and thereby sustain this important Australian industry.Read moreRead less
The propagation of gravity currents over complex terrain. Dust storms, volcanic eruptions, rivers rushing sediment into lakes and seas, and spillages of toxic liquids and gases, are all examples of environmental problems that can occur, and when they do, they threaten both wild life and human communities. This project involves research that will provide quantitative understanding of key processes in these problems from which reliable software will be built to predict their consequences. The soft ....The propagation of gravity currents over complex terrain. Dust storms, volcanic eruptions, rivers rushing sediment into lakes and seas, and spillages of toxic liquids and gases, are all examples of environmental problems that can occur, and when they do, they threaten both wild life and human communities. This project involves research that will provide quantitative understanding of key processes in these problems from which reliable software will be built to predict their consequences. The software will produce an animation of dust containing fluids moving over a landscape of arbitrary complexity.Read moreRead less