Spreading ridge sedimentation processes: a novel approach using Macquarie Island as a natural laboratory. This research will examine the south eastern tectonic plate boundary of Australia, providing analogues for seafloor spreading related crustal processes that relate to present plate boundaries and ancient examples now joined to the Australian continent. The scientific innovation represented by this project will help Australian scientists to better understand an important part of the plate tec ....Spreading ridge sedimentation processes: a novel approach using Macquarie Island as a natural laboratory. This research will examine the south eastern tectonic plate boundary of Australia, providing analogues for seafloor spreading related crustal processes that relate to present plate boundaries and ancient examples now joined to the Australian continent. The scientific innovation represented by this project will help Australian scientists to better understand an important part of the plate tectonic cycle. This project will be of direct relevance to the Australian minerals exploration industry and will provide better constraints on rift-related metallogenesis.Read moreRead less
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
The enigmatic link between crustal growth and supercontinent formation. This project links with major energy and resource initiatives from the Australian Government. It will provide detailed geological information that will help constrain our understanding of the deep structure of the Earth in northern and central Australia. This knowledge will assist in mineral and energy resource exploration of these highly prospective regions. The information will also link with other ARC-funded geological st ....The enigmatic link between crustal growth and supercontinent formation. This project links with major energy and resource initiatives from the Australian Government. It will provide detailed geological information that will help constrain our understanding of the deep structure of the Earth in northern and central Australia. This knowledge will assist in mineral and energy resource exploration of these highly prospective regions. The information will also link with other ARC-funded geological studies, to help understand how a large, but enigmatic, part of the Australian continental grew rapidly, almost 2 billion years ago.
Read moreRead less
A test for Pangean breakup models. This project addresses a core issue of planetary-geology, with project outcomes providing an unparalleled synthesis of global-scale Earth processes that highlight hitherto unsuspected links between peripheral orogenic systems and Pangean breakup. The project directly addresses the key problem 'How do the continents work?', outlined by the National Committee of Earth Sciences. It links internationally to [ERAS], a multi-national proposal to investigate accretion ....A test for Pangean breakup models. This project addresses a core issue of planetary-geology, with project outcomes providing an unparalleled synthesis of global-scale Earth processes that highlight hitherto unsuspected links between peripheral orogenic systems and Pangean breakup. The project directly addresses the key problem 'How do the continents work?', outlined by the National Committee of Earth Sciences. It links internationally to [ERAS], a multi-national proposal to investigate accretionary orogens through geologic time, and nationally via the seed-funded ARC Network (AEON) to ACcess, RSES (ANU) and with a National Key Centre, (GEMOC), with whom the University of Newcastle is a research partner. 2PhD projects are involved.Read moreRead less
A new approach to understanding the mechanisms and deep crustal controls of continental rifting. This research will directly examine the northern plate boundary of Australia, providing analogues for rift-related crustal processes that occurred throughout ancient Australia, consistent with Priority Goal 6 (Developing Deep Earth Resources) in the Designated National Research Priority Area: "An Environmentally Sustainable Australia". The scientific innovation represented by this project will help t ....A new approach to understanding the mechanisms and deep crustal controls of continental rifting. This research will directly examine the northern plate boundary of Australia, providing analogues for rift-related crustal processes that occurred throughout ancient Australia, consistent with Priority Goal 6 (Developing Deep Earth Resources) in the Designated National Research Priority Area: "An Environmentally Sustainable Australia". The scientific innovation represented by this project will help to maintain the leading position of Australian scientists in examining these issues. This project will be of direct relevance to energy exploration along Australia's passive margins (oil and gas) and will provide better constraints on the rifting process that will aid in our understanding of rift-related metallogenesis.Read moreRead less
Stochastic modelling for high precision GPS positioning applications. Realistic stochastic modelling for measurements is one of the fundamental and challenging issues in a wide range of scientific problems. This project aims to develop and test an innovative stochastic modelling methodology for high precision GPS positioning applications. The new stochastic modelling methodology will significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of satellite positioning results. The expected outcomes are ....Stochastic modelling for high precision GPS positioning applications. Realistic stochastic modelling for measurements is one of the fundamental and challenging issues in a wide range of scientific problems. This project aims to develop and test an innovative stochastic modelling methodology for high precision GPS positioning applications. The new stochastic modelling methodology will significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of satellite positioning results. The expected outcomes are: (1) new knowledge about the statistical characteristics of satellite measurements; (2) development of a new error analysis framework; and (3) development of computationally efficient data processing algorithms to support high precision GPS positioning applications.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
How has the continental lithosphere evolved? Processes of assembly, growth, transformation and destruction. We will use new in-situ analytical techniques, developed In-house, to date the formation and modification of specific volumes of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle, and to define the temporal and genetic relationships between mantle events and crustal formation. Quantitative modelling will investigate the geodynamic consequences of spatial and temporal variations in lithosphere composi ....How has the continental lithosphere evolved? Processes of assembly, growth, transformation and destruction. We will use new in-situ analytical techniques, developed In-house, to date the formation and modification of specific volumes of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle, and to define the temporal and genetic relationships between mantle events and crustal formation. Quantitative modelling will investigate the geodynamic consequences of spatial and temporal variations in lithosphere composition and thermal state. Magmatic products will be used to assess the roles of mantle plumes and delamination in construction of the lithosphere and xenolith studies will investigate the evolution of oceanic plateaus. The results will provide a framework for interpreting the architecture of lithospheric terranes and their boundaries.Read moreRead less
Crustal Evolution in Australia: Ancient and Young Terrains. The mechanisms of crustal growth and the processes of crust-mantle interaction will be studied in selected Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic terrains in Australia, using a newly developed approach: the integrated, in-situ microanalysis of Hf and Pb isotopic composition and trace-element patterns in zircons from sediments and selected igneous bodies. The results will provide new information on the evolution of the Australian crust, w ....Crustal Evolution in Australia: Ancient and Young Terrains. The mechanisms of crustal growth and the processes of crust-mantle interaction will be studied in selected Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic terrains in Australia, using a newly developed approach: the integrated, in-situ microanalysis of Hf and Pb isotopic composition and trace-element patterns in zircons from sediments and selected igneous bodies. The results will provide new information on the evolution of the Australian crust, with wider implications for the development of global crust and mantle reservoirs. The outcomes will define crustal evolution signatures related to regional-scale mineralisation, and thus will be highly relevant to mineral exploration in Australia and offshore.Read moreRead less
Tectonic versus biological processes: What controls the long-term global carbon cycle? A major debate in Earth system analysis concerns two competing hypotheses on the driving forces behind dramatic changes in atmospheric CO2 over geological time. One hypothesis considers tectonic/geological processes to be the major driving force. The other argues that it is the competition between plants and animals that drives the long-term CO2 cycle. We propose to test these hypotheses using a novel set of g ....Tectonic versus biological processes: What controls the long-term global carbon cycle? A major debate in Earth system analysis concerns two competing hypotheses on the driving forces behind dramatic changes in atmospheric CO2 over geological time. One hypothesis considers tectonic/geological processes to be the major driving force. The other argues that it is the competition between plants and animals that drives the long-term CO2 cycle. We propose to test these hypotheses using a novel set of global oceanic palaeo-age grids and subduction models for the last 180 million years. This will allow us to appraise key tectonic carbon cycle components such as mantle degassing, seafloor weathering and sediment subduction.Read moreRead less