Proterozoic tectonic evolution of Australia and India. Recent studies cast doubt on reconstructions of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia, and on the tectonic coherence of East Gondwanaland (Australia, Antarctica and India). Within Australia, the relative positions of the major crustal blocks during most of the Proterozoic era remain largely unverified. Fossil magnetism in rocks of different ages from the major crustal blocks of Australia and India will be used to determine whether the ....Proterozoic tectonic evolution of Australia and India. Recent studies cast doubt on reconstructions of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia, and on the tectonic coherence of East Gondwanaland (Australia, Antarctica and India). Within Australia, the relative positions of the major crustal blocks during most of the Proterozoic era remain largely unverified. Fossil magnetism in rocks of different ages from the major crustal blocks of Australia and India will be used to determine whether the blocks were together or were separated by large oceans during Proterozoic time. The results will place fundamental constraints on the geological, palaeogeographic, and palaeobiological evolution of Australia, Rodinia, and the early Earth as a whole.Read moreRead less
Reducing 3D geological uncertainty via improved data interpretation methods. The integrity of 3D geological models heavily relies on robust and consistent data interpretation. This project proposes an innovative workflow for 3D modelling to minimise geological uncertainty. Advanced visualisation and intelligent decision support methods will be combined to assist geological interpretation. Feedback on interpretation will be provided based on data evidence and consistency with expert knowledge and ....Reducing 3D geological uncertainty via improved data interpretation methods. The integrity of 3D geological models heavily relies on robust and consistent data interpretation. This project proposes an innovative workflow for 3D modelling to minimise geological uncertainty. Advanced visualisation and intelligent decision support methods will be combined to assist geological interpretation. Feedback on interpretation will be provided based on data evidence and consistency with expert knowledge and previous interpretations. The process can be considered as a spelling and grammar checker for geological interpretation. The outcome of this study aims to achieve an improved workflow that reduces model uncertainty, resulting in a broad and significant impact on the management of Australian mineral, energy and water resources.Read moreRead less
Present-Day Crustal Stress Field of North-Eastern Australia. The key project benefit is to advance fundamental understanding of crustal dynamics in NE Australia and thus Australia as a whole. The project will improve our knowledge of both the nature and sources of the present-day crustal stresses in NE Australia. The project has implications for seismicity and neotectonics in NE Australia. Furthermore, the project has significant implications for both hydrocarbon and hot dry rock geothermal ener ....Present-Day Crustal Stress Field of North-Eastern Australia. The key project benefit is to advance fundamental understanding of crustal dynamics in NE Australia and thus Australia as a whole. The project will improve our knowledge of both the nature and sources of the present-day crustal stresses in NE Australia. The project has implications for seismicity and neotectonics in NE Australia. Furthermore, the project has significant implications for both hydrocarbon and hot dry rock geothermal energy exploration and development.Read moreRead less
Earth's Internal System: deep processes and crustal consequences. Outcomes will include significant new information about the structure and formation of the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle. An improved framework for interpreting the architecture of Australia and other continents will be directly relevant to exploration for world-class economic deposits, the Earth resources on which society depends. Innovations in geochemical technology and in the integration of information from geochemi ....Earth's Internal System: deep processes and crustal consequences. Outcomes will include significant new information about the structure and formation of the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle. An improved framework for interpreting the architecture of Australia and other continents will be directly relevant to exploration for world-class economic deposits, the Earth resources on which society depends. Innovations in geochemical technology and in the integration of information from geochemistry, geophysics and geodynamics will maintain our high international profile in research relevant to National Priority 1.6 (Developing Deep Earth Resources). The project and its interaction with the minerals industry will provide advanced Postgraduate training in a field critical to Australia's future.Read moreRead less
The behaviour of geochemical tracers during differentiation of the Earth. This project is aimed at providing fundamental data which Earth Scientists will use to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. It will provide training in modern high temperature-high pressure materials- ....The behaviour of geochemical tracers during differentiation of the Earth. This project is aimed at providing fundamental data which Earth Scientists will use to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. It will provide training in modern high temperature-high pressure materials-science techniques for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers. This will provide Australia with Earth Scientists who have both traditional skills and the ability to work with Materials Scientists on the synthesis of novel materials under extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
Origin and Evolution of the Earth's Chemical Reservoirs. The scientific aims of this project are to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. Experimental study of these processes will involve establishment of a world-class facility for materials synthesis at high pressures and ....Origin and Evolution of the Earth's Chemical Reservoirs. The scientific aims of this project are to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. Experimental study of these processes will involve establishment of a world-class facility for materials synthesis at high pressures and temperatures. This facility will provide the means to simulate the processes occurring within the Earth and will enable synthesis of new high density materials of technological interest.Read moreRead less
Coupled subduction dynamics and continent deformations: understanding the Asian and Red Sea tectonics. Modeling slab pull forces and lithospheric deformation provides a new insight in the dynamics of plate tectonics. Unraveling the self-consistent formation of faults, rifts, shear zones and up to passive margin will further the understanding of our planet. Furthermore the application of these models to specific geological contexts will support the exploration and assessment of inaccessible Ear ....Coupled subduction dynamics and continent deformations: understanding the Asian and Red Sea tectonics. Modeling slab pull forces and lithospheric deformation provides a new insight in the dynamics of plate tectonics. Unraveling the self-consistent formation of faults, rifts, shear zones and up to passive margin will further the understanding of our planet. Furthermore the application of these models to specific geological contexts will support the exploration and assessment of inaccessible Earth's resources, such as hydrocarbons pools, located along the deep Australian continent margins, and diamonds and ore deposits, associated with continental shear zones, which potential is still to be fully discovered.Read moreRead less
Enabling three dimensional stochastic geological modelling. This project aims to develop technologies to mitigate three dimensional (3D) geological risk in resources management. This project expects to create new knowledge and methods in the field of 3D geological modelling through the innovative application of mathematical methods, structural geology concepts and probabilistic programming. The expected outcomes are an enhanced capability to model the subsurface, characterise model uncertainty a ....Enabling three dimensional stochastic geological modelling. This project aims to develop technologies to mitigate three dimensional (3D) geological risk in resources management. This project expects to create new knowledge and methods in the field of 3D geological modelling through the innovative application of mathematical methods, structural geology concepts and probabilistic programming. The expected outcomes are an enhanced capability to model the subsurface, characterise model uncertainty and test multiple geological scenarios. This enhanced capability is important for the future of Australia's subsurface management, including urban geology and our continuously growing sustainable resources industry.Read moreRead less
Present-Day Stress and Tectonics of Deltas and Deepwater Fold-Thrust Belts. The key benefit of the project will be to advance our understanding of the geological processes that control the development of deltas, and of the fold-thrust belts located in deepwater adjacent to deltas, by analysis of five examples worldwide. Global hydrocarbon exploration is successfully moving to deepwater fold-thrust belts. One of Australia's key under-explored frontier petroleum provinces is the Australian Bight B ....Present-Day Stress and Tectonics of Deltas and Deepwater Fold-Thrust Belts. The key benefit of the project will be to advance our understanding of the geological processes that control the development of deltas, and of the fold-thrust belts located in deepwater adjacent to deltas, by analysis of five examples worldwide. Global hydrocarbon exploration is successfully moving to deepwater fold-thrust belts. One of Australia's key under-explored frontier petroleum provinces is the Australian Bight Basin. The prospective parts of this basin comprise delta/deepwater fold-thrust belt systems and analysis of more data-rich systems worldwide will help provide the geological knowledge required to help re-invigorate exploration in the Bight Basin.Read moreRead less
Crustal Stress Field of SE Asia. The key project benefit is to advance our fundamental understanding of tectonic processes such as sedimentary basin development and continental collision. It has major implications for natural hazard assessment and resources exploration in SE Asia, consistent with Australia's participation in the APEC Energy Working Group. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, SE Asia, the UK, USA and Germany. It will ....Crustal Stress Field of SE Asia. The key project benefit is to advance our fundamental understanding of tectonic processes such as sedimentary basin development and continental collision. It has major implications for natural hazard assessment and resources exploration in SE Asia, consistent with Australia's participation in the APEC Energy Working Group. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, SE Asia, the UK, USA and Germany. It will provide high-quality research and training experience for the APD and PhD student involved, whom will spend time with research groups and oil companies in Australia, UK, USA and SE Asia. Finally, the project will increase the institutional capacity for contract research in SE Asia.Read moreRead less