Mantle Melting Dynamics and the Influence of Recycled Components. This proposal is directly concerned with the continuing aim of building a sustainable Australia through knowledge of deep earth resources. The more we know about the processes of melting and melt and fluid migration the better we will be able to inform models for resource exploration and volcanic hazard mitigation. Uranium series isotopes are relevant to the very recent history of the planet (< 350 000 years) - time scales which a ....Mantle Melting Dynamics and the Influence of Recycled Components. This proposal is directly concerned with the continuing aim of building a sustainable Australia through knowledge of deep earth resources. The more we know about the processes of melting and melt and fluid migration the better we will be able to inform models for resource exploration and volcanic hazard mitigation. Uranium series isotopes are relevant to the very recent history of the planet (< 350 000 years) - time scales which are often overlooked. Application to mantle melting as described in this proposal may also have direct application to gold exploration in the Manus basin and elsewhere. It is to these techniques we must look if we are to understand the immediate past as a clue to the immediate future of our planet.Read moreRead less
Solidification, Channel Formation and Thermal Erosion In Lava Flows. This project will elucidate the complex dynamics that control the cooling rates and advance rates of lava flows. It will result in improved hazard assessments for volcanic areas around the world affected by the advance of lava flows, including many Pacific islands and most countries around the Pacific Rim. The project will also provide a quantitative understanding of thermal erosion in lava channels, which will help explain th ....Solidification, Channel Formation and Thermal Erosion In Lava Flows. This project will elucidate the complex dynamics that control the cooling rates and advance rates of lava flows. It will result in improved hazard assessments for volcanic areas around the world affected by the advance of lava flows, including many Pacific islands and most countries around the Pacific Rim. The project will also provide a quantitative understanding of thermal erosion in lava channels, which will help explain the formation and location of major ore deposits of nickel, copper and platinum in Western Australia and elsewhere around the world.Read moreRead less
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
Computationally Modelling a Volcano: Flow and Stability. Mainland Australia is fortunate not to suffer directly from active volcanism. However, this does not mean volcanoes are of little importance. The products of ancient eruptions can define the wealth of a nation. But they are also highly destructive and there are currently 30 active volcanoes capable of generating a tsunami that could affect Australia. Understanding the physical processes using computational models is essential to save lives ....Computationally Modelling a Volcano: Flow and Stability. Mainland Australia is fortunate not to suffer directly from active volcanism. However, this does not mean volcanoes are of little importance. The products of ancient eruptions can define the wealth of a nation. But they are also highly destructive and there are currently 30 active volcanoes capable of generating a tsunami that could affect Australia. Understanding the physical processes using computational models is essential to save lives and help us benefit from their products. This is a relatively new research field and owing to the resources in Australia, our research team has the potential to be at the forefront. There is also the capability to build and impressive research team within the University of Queensland.Read moreRead less
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
Experimental and natural constraints on trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones. The results of this project will provide important constraints on the differentiation of Earth, which ultimately leads to the concentration of elements suitable for mining. Trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones is an integral part of the research theme 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' which has been identified as a key project (4.4) in the national strategic plan for geoscienc ....Experimental and natural constraints on trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones. The results of this project will provide important constraints on the differentiation of Earth, which ultimately leads to the concentration of elements suitable for mining. Trace element and volatile recycling in subduction zones is an integral part of the research theme 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' which has been identified as a key project (4.4) in the national strategic plan for geosciences. CO2 recycling in subduction zones is crucial for our understanding of the long-term greenhouse gas variations on Earth. The ANU is one of the world-leading research institutions in experimental petrology and geochemistry, and the outcomes of this project will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront in these disciplines.Read moreRead less
Tectonostratigraphic controls on the localization of Archaean komatiite-hosted nickel-sulphide deposits and camps in the Yilgarn Craton. Nickel contributes $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that comes from nickel sulphide deposits in regional Australia that are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Although discovery rates have been declining, as the 'easy' targets have been found, there remains considerable potential f ....Tectonostratigraphic controls on the localization of Archaean komatiite-hosted nickel-sulphide deposits and camps in the Yilgarn Craton. Nickel contributes $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that comes from nickel sulphide deposits in regional Australia that are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Although discovery rates have been declining, as the 'easy' targets have been found, there remains considerable potential for future major discoveries. This project addresses the pressing need for new data and improved exploration techniques to enable industry to target new discoveries. As our nickel mines are located in remote communities such discoveries also have major benefits for regional Australia.Read moreRead less
The Fluid Dynamics of Lava Flows: Silicic Domes and Basaltic Channels. Lava flows surface much of the Earth, Moon and terrestrial planets. This interdisciplinary program will combine laboratory experiments, mathematical analysis, numerical modelling and field observations to elucidate the complex dynamics of lava flows, including the nonlinear coupling of flow with surface solidification and basal melting. The focus will be on lava dome instability, and flow in open channels and tubes. Expected ....The Fluid Dynamics of Lava Flows: Silicic Domes and Basaltic Channels. Lava flows surface much of the Earth, Moon and terrestrial planets. This interdisciplinary program will combine laboratory experiments, mathematical analysis, numerical modelling and field observations to elucidate the complex dynamics of lava flows, including the nonlinear coupling of flow with surface solidification and basal melting. The focus will be on lava dome instability, and flow in open channels and tubes. Expected outcomes include: the ability to predict rates of lava flow cooling and advance, indicators of hazardous lava dome collapse, improved volcanic hazard assessments, explanations of the genesis of world-class magmatic ore deposits, and new interpretations of planetary surface morphologies.Read moreRead less