The seismic significance of water and partial melting in planetary interiors. Novel laboratory techniques will be used to measure the influence of dissolved water on the seismic properties of the deep interiors of Earth and Moon. The outcome will be new insight into the crucial role of water in the formation and subsequent evolution of our dynamic planet and its more quiescent moon.
Chemical influences on the seismic structure of the Earth's upper mantle. This project aims to determine the sensitivity of the seismic properties of Earth’s upper mantle (to 400 km depth) to variations in the prevailing chemical environment. The unique capability of the ANU Rock Physics Laboratory for low-frequency measurement of wave speeds and attenuation will be exploited to clarify the newly discovered importance of redox conditions, and document the effect of varying proportions of the mos ....Chemical influences on the seismic structure of the Earth's upper mantle. This project aims to determine the sensitivity of the seismic properties of Earth’s upper mantle (to 400 km depth) to variations in the prevailing chemical environment. The unique capability of the ANU Rock Physics Laboratory for low-frequency measurement of wave speeds and attenuation will be exploited to clarify the newly discovered importance of redox conditions, and document the effect of varying proportions of the most abundant upper-mantle minerals olivine and pyroxene. The expected outcome will be a robust and comprehensive model to guide the interpretation of the complex architecture of the upper mantle, and thereby provide an improved understanding of the tectonic processes responsible for its evolution through geological time.Read moreRead less
Kinematica: Inference-Based Rapid Resource Exploration Scenario Testing. This project aims to build a new workflow for improving resource exploration evaluation by Australian companies and applied to three practical industry cases in frontier basins. The expected outcomes of this proposal are: detailed risk analysis of oil and gas prospectivity in frontier basins onshore and offshore Australia; a new strategic collaboration between Australian industry, government and universities; students train ....Kinematica: Inference-Based Rapid Resource Exploration Scenario Testing. This project aims to build a new workflow for improving resource exploration evaluation by Australian companies and applied to three practical industry cases in frontier basins. The expected outcomes of this proposal are: detailed risk analysis of oil and gas prospectivity in frontier basins onshore and offshore Australia; a new strategic collaboration between Australian industry, government and universities; students trained in advanced computational methods suitable for the evolving Australian oil and gas industry; and a software product that has high commericalisation potential. The project will transfer knowledge from European industry and universities to Australia and has applications for mineral prospectivity in sedimentary basins. Read moreRead less
Magma dynamics and ore deposits. This project aims to advance knowledge on magma transport mechanisms through the Earth’s lithosphere, and boost predictive capacity to discover new ore deposits. Using field surveys, three-dimensional reflection seismic data, laboratory experiments and rock fracture mechanics, this project will investigate where, how and why, narrow finger-like conduits form in lithosphere-scale magma plumbing systems. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the formatio ....Magma dynamics and ore deposits. This project aims to advance knowledge on magma transport mechanisms through the Earth’s lithosphere, and boost predictive capacity to discover new ore deposits. Using field surveys, three-dimensional reflection seismic data, laboratory experiments and rock fracture mechanics, this project will investigate where, how and why, narrow finger-like conduits form in lithosphere-scale magma plumbing systems. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the formation and location of highly valuable ore deposits of nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group elements, which are preferentially trapped in poorly understood, finger-like magma conduits. Anticipated outcomes of the project include fundamental insights into how magma transport dynamics control traps for magmatic sulfide ores as well as equipping mineral explorers in targeting their search for these important, but hard to find, ore deposits, benefitting society through future discoveries of economically strategic, new commodities.Read moreRead less