Revisiting The Alpine Paradigm: The Role Of Inversion Cycles In The Evolution Of The European Alps. This project aims to evaluate a new theory that suggests mountain belts are repeatedly built and then destroyed, taking advantage of the youthful and classic natural laboratory offered by the European Alps. We will use geochronology, structural geology and metamorphic petrology to track individual rocks through time and space, and compare the results with predictions made by computer simulations. ....Revisiting The Alpine Paradigm: The Role Of Inversion Cycles In The Evolution Of The European Alps. This project aims to evaluate a new theory that suggests mountain belts are repeatedly built and then destroyed, taking advantage of the youthful and classic natural laboratory offered by the European Alps. We will use geochronology, structural geology and metamorphic petrology to track individual rocks through time and space, and compare the results with predictions made by computer simulations. The initiation of these episodes of immense destruction in mountain belts occurs at the same time as the creation of deep Earth resources. This project will, as its main outcome, provide the foundation for future theoretical understanding of these remarkable coincidences.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$905,654.00
Summary
Ultra-precise dating in Earth, planetary and archaeological science. An advanced facility incorporating next generation, multi-collector mass spectrometer and ultra-clean gas line systems, capable of ultra-precise dating of Earth, planetary and archaeological material. This joint Melbourne-Curtin facility seeks to generate ultra-precise age data from ever smaller and younger samples, such as minute particles from space return missions and tiny inclusions in diamonds. The facility is expected to ....Ultra-precise dating in Earth, planetary and archaeological science. An advanced facility incorporating next generation, multi-collector mass spectrometer and ultra-clean gas line systems, capable of ultra-precise dating of Earth, planetary and archaeological material. This joint Melbourne-Curtin facility seeks to generate ultra-precise age data from ever smaller and younger samples, such as minute particles from space return missions and tiny inclusions in diamonds. The facility is expected to revolutionise noble gas dating techniques, resulting in new knowledge on solar system genesis, hominid evolution, indigenous migrations, palaeo-climate change, natural hazards and ore deposit formation, while further enhancing Australia’s international leadership and competitive advantage in the discipline.
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The history of accretion in our Solar System. This project aims to determine precise timing of formation and primary melting of asteroids of various compositions, and to trace the stellar sources and mixing processes that caused the compositional diversity of asteroids and planets in our Solar System. This can be attained by comprehensive study of achondrites, meteorites derived from asteroids that were once partially melted. Using the world’s foremost facilities for cosmochemical research in Au ....The history of accretion in our Solar System. This project aims to determine precise timing of formation and primary melting of asteroids of various compositions, and to trace the stellar sources and mixing processes that caused the compositional diversity of asteroids and planets in our Solar System. This can be attained by comprehensive study of achondrites, meteorites derived from asteroids that were once partially melted. Using the world’s foremost facilities for cosmochemical research in Australia and the United States of America, the processes leading to the formation of planets will be explored. This project is intended to advance fundamental knowledge of the environment in which planets emerge and evolve, and the place of our Solar System among planetary systems in the Galaxy.Read moreRead less
Where to find giant porphyry and epithermal gold and copper deposits. This project will determine when and where giant gold or copper deposits should form, consolidating links with Indonesia, and using South East Asia as a vast natural laboratory in which to examine the effect of large-scale tectonic processes. The project will produce a four-dimensional virtual exploration toolkit to show how to apply the methods.
A unified model for the closure dynamics of ancient Tethys constrained by geodesy, structural geology, argon geochronology and tectonic reconstruction. The project will elucidate complex planetary dynamics involved in the interaction of the oceanic plates with the continental crust. Such aspects underpin the ability of geoscientists to effectively simulate and model, impacting on issues ranging from forecasting earthquakes to how to conduct greenfields exploration for energy and mineral resource ....A unified model for the closure dynamics of ancient Tethys constrained by geodesy, structural geology, argon geochronology and tectonic reconstruction. The project will elucidate complex planetary dynamics involved in the interaction of the oceanic plates with the continental crust. Such aspects underpin the ability of geoscientists to effectively simulate and model, impacting on issues ranging from forecasting earthquakes to how to conduct greenfields exploration for energy and mineral resources.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100064
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A facility for sensitive and precise isotopic dating of the earth's and extraterrestrial rocks. SPIDE2R will be a new generation mass spectrometer for very precise and sensitive dating and forensics applications in earth and planetary sciences, hydrology, climate studies, and nuclear and archaeological fingerprinting. The unprecedented sensitivity of this unique instrument will provide enhanced capabilities for solving long-standing problems requiring precise geological time resolution, as well ....A facility for sensitive and precise isotopic dating of the earth's and extraterrestrial rocks. SPIDE2R will be a new generation mass spectrometer for very precise and sensitive dating and forensics applications in earth and planetary sciences, hydrology, climate studies, and nuclear and archaeological fingerprinting. The unprecedented sensitivity of this unique instrument will provide enhanced capabilities for solving long-standing problems requiring precise geological time resolution, as well as opening new areas of research. It will be the instrument of choice for analysing small, rare samples such as those returned by space missions. The Australian-built high sensitivity source and ion detection systems can be retrofitted onto other mass spectrometers, opening a new area of commercialisation.Read moreRead less
Tectonic mode switches and the nature of orogenesis. Tectonic mode switches coincide with short periods of time during which base and precious metals, as well as diamond-bearing kimberlites are emplaced into the continental crust. Our research is aimed at uncovering why this should be so, thereby perhaps solving a riddle that is at the present little more than an oddity in respect to mineral exploration. If we can understand the underlying science we may be able to provide practical benefits t ....Tectonic mode switches and the nature of orogenesis. Tectonic mode switches coincide with short periods of time during which base and precious metals, as well as diamond-bearing kimberlites are emplaced into the continental crust. Our research is aimed at uncovering why this should be so, thereby perhaps solving a riddle that is at the present little more than an oddity in respect to mineral exploration. If we can understand the underlying science we may be able to provide practical benefits to mineral explorers. The project uses modelling and simulation research infrastructure provided by the AuScope NCRIS initiative, and benefits the community by returning data to this organization.Read moreRead less
Argon thermochronometers and the effects of recrystallization. Rocks exhumed from high temperatures in continental settings contain a record of cooling in potassium-bearing minerals, known as thermochronometers, due to the quantitative retention of radiogenic argon below some characteristic closure temperature. However, thermochronometers may be affected by recrystallization processes occurring below such temperatures, and in some cases argon data record the timing of crystallization rather tha ....Argon thermochronometers and the effects of recrystallization. Rocks exhumed from high temperatures in continental settings contain a record of cooling in potassium-bearing minerals, known as thermochronometers, due to the quantitative retention of radiogenic argon below some characteristic closure temperature. However, thermochronometers may be affected by recrystallization processes occurring below such temperatures, and in some cases argon data record the timing of crystallization rather than cooling. Field, microstructural and isotopic analysis will be used to evaluate the effects of recrystallization on the muscovite and potassium-feldspar thermochronometers, particularly in fault zones. Understanding the effects of recrystallization on thermochronometers is critical for studies of the assembly of the continental crust.Read moreRead less
Cosmogenic isotopes in glacial landscapes: climate change and production rates. By dating glacial deposits near Australia, we will provide new insights into climate change in our region. A better understanding of the factors that control climate change in our region will be of benefit to all Australians. We will use a tool called exposure dating that has become very important in understanding a variety of processes at the Earth's surface, many of which are poorly understood in the Australian reg ....Cosmogenic isotopes in glacial landscapes: climate change and production rates. By dating glacial deposits near Australia, we will provide new insights into climate change in our region. A better understanding of the factors that control climate change in our region will be of benefit to all Australians. We will use a tool called exposure dating that has become very important in understanding a variety of processes at the Earth's surface, many of which are poorly understood in the Australian region. Our research will ensure that Australia remains at the leading edge of the application of this technique and is included in future international research programs. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882818
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,000.00
Summary
Investigating the Structure and Evolution of the Continental Crust: A Virtual Facility for Thermochronology, Noble Gas Geochemistry and Geochronology. Australian research groups have been responsible for a number of leading technical developments in geological dating. This project will continue that track record and provide the core infrastructure to support a major collaborative research strength that can address both fundamental scientific questions about the evolution of the Earth's crust and ....Investigating the Structure and Evolution of the Continental Crust: A Virtual Facility for Thermochronology, Noble Gas Geochemistry and Geochronology. Australian research groups have been responsible for a number of leading technical developments in geological dating. This project will continue that track record and provide the core infrastructure to support a major collaborative research strength that can address both fundamental scientific questions about the evolution of the Earth's crust and surface environment, as well as important economic applications of that knowledge. These include the search for petroleum and mineral deposits, thereby addressing the National Priority Goal: Developing deep-earth resources. The project will strengthen links with other national and international researchers, and build Australia's research profile in an area of significant worldwide scientific interest.Read moreRead less