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Developing and testing a new dating tool for Quaternary science. This project plans to use cutting-edge instrumentation to develop a novel method for dating geological materials formed in a critical time window for which no dating technique currently exists. The last million years of Earth’s history has seen dramatic changes in global climate and environment, with catastrophic volcanic eruptions and numerous other natural processes shaping landforms and ecosystems. A major challenge for studying ....Developing and testing a new dating tool for Quaternary science. This project plans to use cutting-edge instrumentation to develop a novel method for dating geological materials formed in a critical time window for which no dating technique currently exists. The last million years of Earth’s history has seen dramatic changes in global climate and environment, with catastrophic volcanic eruptions and numerous other natural processes shaping landforms and ecosystems. A major challenge for studying these phenomena and their impacts is the dating of geological archives in the time window between 50 000 and 1 000 000 years. This project aims to develop a method for dating young volcanic rocks that can close this critical gap. The result would be a new dating tool with broad implications for the Quaternary sciences globally, including paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstructions, natural hazards assessment, hominin evolution and archaeology.Read moreRead less
Intraplate volcanism near lateral slab edges: result of deep mantle plumes or slab rollback-induced mantle flow? This project investigates how the Earth's interior (the mantle) flows near edges of tectonic plates as these plates sink into the mantle. This is important because these flows have been crucial in shaping the Southwest Pacific region bordering Australia and might be responsible for the formation of some of the largest volcanoes on Earth.
Timescales of mixing and volatile transfer leading to volcanic eruptions. The short-lived lead isotope, 210Pb, has the unique ability to place timescale constraints on volcanic processes, such as the input, mixing and degassing of magma. These processes are believed to be of fundamental importance in the triggering of volcanic eruptions. This project will measure 210Pb isotopic compositions and elemental diffusion profiles in crystals of volcanic rocks that represent the end members of mixed ma ....Timescales of mixing and volatile transfer leading to volcanic eruptions. The short-lived lead isotope, 210Pb, has the unique ability to place timescale constraints on volcanic processes, such as the input, mixing and degassing of magma. These processes are believed to be of fundamental importance in the triggering of volcanic eruptions. This project will measure 210Pb isotopic compositions and elemental diffusion profiles in crystals of volcanic rocks that represent the end members of mixed magmas to constrain the volume and timescale of volatile transfer from magmatic recharge and also the time between magma mixing events and eruptions. The project aims to test the paradigm that magma recharge triggers volcanic eruptions and aims to yield significant outcomes for understanding eruption triggers at hazardous volcanoes.Read moreRead less
Impact of hot gas on volcanic rocks and ore-forming processes. High temperature gases move from Earth's interior to the atmosphere at volcanoes, but little is known about how they react. Recent work shows that exceptionally rapid reactions occur between hot gases and the surfaces of solids. These reactions are instrumental in forming ore deposits. The proposed work aims to apply state-of-the-art chemical analysis of natural samples and investigate gas-solid reactions experimentally to determine ....Impact of hot gas on volcanic rocks and ore-forming processes. High temperature gases move from Earth's interior to the atmosphere at volcanoes, but little is known about how they react. Recent work shows that exceptionally rapid reactions occur between hot gases and the surfaces of solids. These reactions are instrumental in forming ore deposits. The proposed work aims to apply state-of-the-art chemical analysis of natural samples and investigate gas-solid reactions experimentally to determine how chemical elements, including metals, are distributed in these reactions. The study seeks to create robust geochenmical models for understanding geochemical and ore-forming processes. Improved understanding of ore deposition will enhance the long-term viability of Australia's metals sector.Read moreRead less
Earth's intra-plate volcanic engine. This project aims to understand the mechanisms underpinning intra-plate volcanism. Australia hosts one of the world’s most extensive intra-plate volcanic regions. However, the mechanisms driving intra-plate volcanic provinces on Earth remain poorly understood. This project will use geodynamical models and observational data-sets from geology, geochemistry and seismology, whilst using the Australian continent as a natural laboratory. The project is expected to ....Earth's intra-plate volcanic engine. This project aims to understand the mechanisms underpinning intra-plate volcanism. Australia hosts one of the world’s most extensive intra-plate volcanic regions. However, the mechanisms driving intra-plate volcanic provinces on Earth remain poorly understood. This project will use geodynamical models and observational data-sets from geology, geochemistry and seismology, whilst using the Australian continent as a natural laboratory. The project is expected to provide understanding about the constraints on Australia's volcanic hazard; reconcile geophysical and geochemical constraints on mantle melting; and improve understanding of mass extinctions, continental breakup and the genesis of metals, diamonds and hydrocarbons.Read moreRead less
Kuwae 1452 AD: multi-disciplinary perspectives on a Pacific super-eruption. This project seeks to resolve the question of whether the mid-15th century eruption of Kuwae in Vanuatu can be confirmed as one of the largest global volcanic and climatic events of the last 2000 years. Through archival, field and laboratory research, an experienced transdisciplinary team from archaeology, volcanology and history aims to conduct collaborative research over three seasons in central Vanuatu. Project goals ....Kuwae 1452 AD: multi-disciplinary perspectives on a Pacific super-eruption. This project seeks to resolve the question of whether the mid-15th century eruption of Kuwae in Vanuatu can be confirmed as one of the largest global volcanic and climatic events of the last 2000 years. Through archival, field and laboratory research, an experienced transdisciplinary team from archaeology, volcanology and history aims to conduct collaborative research over three seasons in central Vanuatu. Project goals include dating the eruptive event, defining its scale, reconstructing Kuwae’s local social and environmental conditions prior to and after the eruption, and developing practical volcanic risk reduction strategies together with local communities and authorities in Vanuatu.Read moreRead less