The role of supercontinents in Earth's dynamic evolution. By better understanding the dynamic and volcanic evolution of continents, the project will contribute to our understanding of the long-term evolution and construction of the Australian plate, leading to better models for Australia's deep-Earth resources(NRP 1.6), and the impact of large-scale dynamics on ore-deposit formation. The geodynamic modelling capabilities implemented in this project will keep Australian at the cutting edge of Ge ....The role of supercontinents in Earth's dynamic evolution. By better understanding the dynamic and volcanic evolution of continents, the project will contribute to our understanding of the long-term evolution and construction of the Australian plate, leading to better models for Australia's deep-Earth resources(NRP 1.6), and the impact of large-scale dynamics on ore-deposit formation. The geodynamic modelling capabilities implemented in this project will keep Australian at the cutting edge of Geoinformatics (NRP 3.2). The project will strengthen ties between the mantle convection modelling and lithospheric dating communities, enhancing our understanding of complex Earth-system interactions, and promote international collaboration between Australia and the USA.Read moreRead less
Application of the multichannel self-potential method to detection of seepage from mine tailings impoundments. This project will use a modern multichannel geophysical data acquisition system to study short and long-term variations in self-potential measurements at a tailings dam. The project will use the self-potential method to detect fluid seepage paths through the dam wall, and will use numerical models to make quantitative estimates of seepage rates. The major outcomes of the project will ....Application of the multichannel self-potential method to detection of seepage from mine tailings impoundments. This project will use a modern multichannel geophysical data acquisition system to study short and long-term variations in self-potential measurements at a tailings dam. The project will use the self-potential method to detect fluid seepage paths through the dam wall, and will use numerical models to make quantitative estimates of seepage rates. The major outcomes of the project will be a rigorous appraisal of the utility of the self-potential method for mapping seepage in an operating mine environment, and construction of fluid flow paths through the dam which can be used to guide future remediation work.Read moreRead less
Seismic tomography using signal and noise: A new window into deep Earth. This project will combine traditional imaging techniques based on earthquake records, and state of the art ambient noise tomography, which exploits oceanic and atmospheric disturbances, to construct detailed models of the crust and upper mantle beneath southeast Australia. The national benefits of this research include: a vastly improved understanding of the deep architecture of the Australian Plate, and how it has evolved ....Seismic tomography using signal and noise: A new window into deep Earth. This project will combine traditional imaging techniques based on earthquake records, and state of the art ambient noise tomography, which exploits oceanic and atmospheric disturbances, to construct detailed models of the crust and upper mantle beneath southeast Australia. The national benefits of this research include: a vastly improved understanding of the deep architecture of the Australian Plate, and how it has evolved over time; a paradigm shift in the interpretation of seismic data, which will enhance Australia's reputation in the international scientific community; and important new constraints on the broad scale geology of prospective regions that host world class mineral deposits.Read moreRead less
Three-dimensional evolution of the Banda Arc: effects of the collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the active Banda volcanic arc. National benefits are associated with the advance of basic science by addressing fundamental tectonic problems on the geodynamics of convergent plate boundaries. In particular, the specific study area would provide a better understanding on the tectonic environment of Australia in the context of the Asia-Pacific region. In the future, outcomes of this research ....Three-dimensional evolution of the Banda Arc: effects of the collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the active Banda volcanic arc. National benefits are associated with the advance of basic science by addressing fundamental tectonic problems on the geodynamics of convergent plate boundaries. In particular, the specific study area would provide a better understanding on the tectonic environment of Australia in the context of the Asia-Pacific region. In the future, outcomes of this research could potentially be used to reconstruct the tectonic history of Australia using the Banda region as a modern analogue.Read moreRead less
Planetary Pulsations: Exploring Links between Superplumes, Supercontinents, and Superchrons with 3-D Spherical Mantle Convection Models. This project advances the tools and knowledge base regarding historic motions of tectonic plates (including the Australian continent). This furthers understanding of the current and past state of stress in the Earth's surface, ultimately improving ways of characterizing earthquake hazard and mineral exploration. This project also benefits researchers interpre ....Planetary Pulsations: Exploring Links between Superplumes, Supercontinents, and Superchrons with 3-D Spherical Mantle Convection Models. This project advances the tools and knowledge base regarding historic motions of tectonic plates (including the Australian continent). This furthers understanding of the current and past state of stress in the Earth's surface, ultimately improving ways of characterizing earthquake hazard and mineral exploration. This project also benefits researchers interpreting the climate record as two processes which effected the ancient climate are investigated: major outbursts of greenhouse gases during periods of major volcanism and the reorientation of the planet with respect to its spin axis. The results are obtained with these computer simulations highlight Australia's emerging strength in supercomputing on the international scene.
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Dynamics and Chemical Evolution of the Earth's Early Mantle. Preliminary numerical results demonstrate that the Earth's mantle may have been compositionally stratified early in its history through a novel interaction between compositional buoyancies and viscosity stratification. This result has important implications for the evolution of the crust and for the chemical and isotopic evolution of the mantle. It also complements recent geochemical evidence for the extraction of a basaltic componen ....Dynamics and Chemical Evolution of the Earth's Early Mantle. Preliminary numerical results demonstrate that the Earth's mantle may have been compositionally stratified early in its history through a novel interaction between compositional buoyancies and viscosity stratification. This result has important implications for the evolution of the crust and for the chemical and isotopic evolution of the mantle. It also complements recent geochemical evidence for the extraction of a basaltic component from the early upper mantle. It is proposed to explore the robustness of this phenomenon in two and three dimensions, its longer-term behaviour, and the evolution of the stratification as the mantle cools to its present condition.Read moreRead less
Micromechanical modelling of fault gouge dynamics: towards an improved fault constitutive relation. The human and economic costs of geological and other particulate media related problems in Australia are staggering. These include geological hazards (e.g. landslides and earthquakes; the Newcastle earthquake cost around $4 billion and 13 lives), to particulate processes prevalent in Australia's major export industries (e.g. coal export valued at $9.3 billion, iron ore at $3.8 billion, and wheat ....Micromechanical modelling of fault gouge dynamics: towards an improved fault constitutive relation. The human and economic costs of geological and other particulate media related problems in Australia are staggering. These include geological hazards (e.g. landslides and earthquakes; the Newcastle earthquake cost around $4 billion and 13 lives), to particulate processes prevalent in Australia's major export industries (e.g. coal export valued at $9.3 billion, iron ore at $3.8 billion, and wheat at $3.4 billion), to Australia's 810,000 km granular paved road network that costs around $5.5 million per day to maintain. The program will deliver new knowledge and advanced analytical and predictive modelling tools capable of fuelling breakthroughs in earthquake forecasting research and industrial innovations.
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Crustal fault system dynamics and earthquake prediction. The greatest challenge in earthquake science is prediction. Yet this possibility remains elusive. However, recent advances using an innovative numerical simulation model provided the first clear evidence for an underlying physical mechanism for earthquake forecasting, and observational studies have recently identified two independent precursors suggesting that this mechanism operates in the crust. The proposed project will use advanced sim ....Crustal fault system dynamics and earthquake prediction. The greatest challenge in earthquake science is prediction. Yet this possibility remains elusive. However, recent advances using an innovative numerical simulation model provided the first clear evidence for an underlying physical mechanism for earthquake forecasting, and observational studies have recently identified two independent precursors suggesting that this mechanism operates in the crust. The proposed project will use advanced simulation models and an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to obtain an improved understanding of crustal fault system dynamics with the aim of resolving the earthquake prediction question and progressing towards the scientific underpinning needed for intermediate-term earthquake forecasting.Read moreRead less
Archaeological Geophysics at Port Arthur. This project will apply geophysical technology for rapid non-invasive archaeological investigations at Port Arthur, Australia's premier convict era historical site.
It will be the first comprehensive integrated geophysical study of a major European archaeological site in Australia and will provide a framework for future geophysical archaeological investigations at other Australian historic sites.
The main direct outcomes from this project will be ....Archaeological Geophysics at Port Arthur. This project will apply geophysical technology for rapid non-invasive archaeological investigations at Port Arthur, Australia's premier convict era historical site.
It will be the first comprehensive integrated geophysical study of a major European archaeological site in Australia and will provide a framework for future geophysical archaeological investigations at other Australian historic sites.
The main direct outcomes from this project will be an improved understanding of the location and nature of obscured cultural features at Port Arthur and a significant improvement in the efficiency of archaeological investigations.
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The seismic signature of crustal fluids. Fluids are expected to profoundly modify the seismic properties of the cracked rocks of Earth's upper crust (to depths of about 15 km) but there are so far few relevant laboratory measurements. Through the development and application of novel experimental techniques we plan to build a better laboratory-based understanding of the seismic properties of fluid-saturated crustal rocks. The outcome will be an improved capacity to monitor the presence of fluid ....The seismic signature of crustal fluids. Fluids are expected to profoundly modify the seismic properties of the cracked rocks of Earth's upper crust (to depths of about 15 km) but there are so far few relevant laboratory measurements. Through the development and application of novel experimental techniques we plan to build a better laboratory-based understanding of the seismic properties of fluid-saturated crustal rocks. The outcome will be an improved capacity to monitor the presence of fluids in diverse situations ranging from geothermal power generation and waste disposal to earthquake fault zones. Read moreRead less