Large-scale three dimensional deformation of the lithosphere by subduction and mantle flow. We will be modelling of the dynamics of the Earth's crust and shallow lithosphere in response to the huge stresses created by plate motions. For Australia these stresses are transmitted from the distant plate boundaries, but they have a direct controlling influence on the evolution of the petroleum rich basins of Australia. These basins have reached maturity; further exploration will be in deep water wher ....Large-scale three dimensional deformation of the lithosphere by subduction and mantle flow. We will be modelling of the dynamics of the Earth's crust and shallow lithosphere in response to the huge stresses created by plate motions. For Australia these stresses are transmitted from the distant plate boundaries, but they have a direct controlling influence on the evolution of the petroleum rich basins of Australia. These basins have reached maturity; further exploration will be in deep water where geophysical prospecting methods are unreliable. Model-driven "exploration geodynamics" methods such as those we are developing will be needed to support traditional exploration techniques in these areas.Read moreRead less
Three dimensional computational models of geological basin and hinterland evolution incorporating lithospheric mantle and surface processes. Petroleum exploration in deepwater areas offshore Australia is becoming increasingly important as more accessible, shallow water oil reserves near exhaustion. Geological simulation is an important tool for understanding deep water basins where geophysical imaging techniques are less effective. This project will develop 3D computational models relevant to un ....Three dimensional computational models of geological basin and hinterland evolution incorporating lithospheric mantle and surface processes. Petroleum exploration in deepwater areas offshore Australia is becoming increasingly important as more accessible, shallow water oil reserves near exhaustion. Geological simulation is an important tool for understanding deep water basins where geophysical imaging techniques are less effective. This project will develop 3D computational models relevant to understanding the development and evolution of geological basins and the sediments that fill them. The models will be integrated with available offshore data for potentially prospective Australian basins in the Northwest Shelf and the Southern Australian margin.Read moreRead less
The Initiation and 3D Evolution of Instabilities in the Deep Continental Lithosphere. This project is part of a new international initiative in the Geodynamics of the Australian Plate bringing together studies of the active tectonics of the boundary regions of our plate and the ancient analogues of these processes which are locked into the stable interior of the Australian continent. The proposed research is a good fit to the Identification and Extraction of Deep Earth Resources priority goal. D ....The Initiation and 3D Evolution of Instabilities in the Deep Continental Lithosphere. This project is part of a new international initiative in the Geodynamics of the Australian Plate bringing together studies of the active tectonics of the boundary regions of our plate and the ancient analogues of these processes which are locked into the stable interior of the Australian continent. The proposed research is a good fit to the Identification and Extraction of Deep Earth Resources priority goal. Detachment of the lithosphere is associated with fertile mantle being emplaced at shallow depth below the crust; an important precursory event for mineralization. The project builds upon AuScope (NCRIS 5.13) to create infrastructure for a new, smart resource exploration and extraction industry based on modelling and simulation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346878
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
GeoWulf: An Inference Engine for Complex Earth Systems. The project is to build a `Beowulf' cluster as a platform for solving
complex data inference problems in the Earth sciences, and in
particular the fields of thermochronology, seismology, crustal and
mantle dynamics, and landform evolution. A Beowulf cluster is a
network-linked set of commonly available `off-the-shelf' PC-computers
configured to give unprecedented performance/cost ratio. Projects
using the Beowulf facility will combine ....GeoWulf: An Inference Engine for Complex Earth Systems. The project is to build a `Beowulf' cluster as a platform for solving
complex data inference problems in the Earth sciences, and in
particular the fields of thermochronology, seismology, crustal and
mantle dynamics, and landform evolution. A Beowulf cluster is a
network-linked set of commonly available `off-the-shelf' PC-computers
configured to give unprecedented performance/cost ratio. Projects
using the Beowulf facility will combine state-of-the-art computational
techniques recently developed at ANU, and high quality data sets
collected over the past decade to address fundamental questions in
the Geosciences.Read moreRead less
Theory and Applications of Computer-Intensive Statistical Methods. The availability of powerful computing equipment has had a dramatic impact on statistical methods and thinking. It has motivated development of novel approaches to data analysis, whose conception
and appreciation, even their application, often demand sophisticated and complex theoretical methods. In this context, the project will develop new approaches to solving non-standard statistical problems. These techniques will eithe ....Theory and Applications of Computer-Intensive Statistical Methods. The availability of powerful computing equipment has had a dramatic impact on statistical methods and thinking. It has motivated development of novel approaches to data analysis, whose conception
and appreciation, even their application, often demand sophisticated and complex theoretical methods. In this context, the project will develop new approaches to solving non-standard statistical problems. These techniques will either have direct application to solving practical problems of national or community concern, or provide a better understanding of the nature of such problems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100054
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Next-generation robotic observatories for the remote Antarctic plateau. Australia's astronomers are exceptionally well placed to lead and to partner with major international programs in Antarctic astronomy. These bring Australian industry increased access to cutting-edge technology, and create business opportunities in the infrastructure and support of Antarctic research. This project aims to maintain Australia's lead in Antarctic astronomy and, with the inclusion of a new partnership with Jap ....Next-generation robotic observatories for the remote Antarctic plateau. Australia's astronomers are exceptionally well placed to lead and to partner with major international programs in Antarctic astronomy. These bring Australian industry increased access to cutting-edge technology, and create business opportunities in the infrastructure and support of Antarctic research. This project aims to maintain Australia's lead in Antarctic astronomy and, with the inclusion of a new partnership with Japan, to build upon our existing strong collaboration with China and the USA. Australia's participation in this program also ensures continued technology exchange, and builds our knowledge base in robotics, harsh-environment engineering and computational fluid dynamics, while creating important new astronomical opportunities.Read moreRead less
The geochemical role of iron in basaltic magmatism and planetary differentiation: an experimental study. The amount of Fe in primitive terrestrial basalts is surprisingly variable. The reasons for this are poorly understood, but could include melting of Fe-enriched refertilized mantle sources, increasing partitioning of FeO into the melt with depth of melting, or oxidation of some FeO to Fe2O3. An experimental investigation of the effects of Fe both as 2+ and 3+ on the partial melting of model ....The geochemical role of iron in basaltic magmatism and planetary differentiation: an experimental study. The amount of Fe in primitive terrestrial basalts is surprisingly variable. The reasons for this are poorly understood, but could include melting of Fe-enriched refertilized mantle sources, increasing partitioning of FeO into the melt with depth of melting, or oxidation of some FeO to Fe2O3. An experimental investigation of the effects of Fe both as 2+ and 3+ on the partial melting of model mantle material should help resolve this problem, while also providing the fundamental thermodynamic data needed to calibrate a general model for upper mantle phase relations.Read moreRead less
Metamorphism, fluid flow, anatexis and the petrogenesis of peraluminous magmas: constraints from boron and lithium elemental and isotopic geochemistry. Boron (B) and lithium (Li) elemental and isotopic variations are sensitive monitors of metamorphism, fluid flow and melting; the generation of granites; and hydrothermal alteration. However, in detail B- and Li- geochemistry are poorly understood. This project uses field-based, analytical and experimental techniques to constrain B and Li elementa ....Metamorphism, fluid flow, anatexis and the petrogenesis of peraluminous magmas: constraints from boron and lithium elemental and isotopic geochemistry. Boron (B) and lithium (Li) elemental and isotopic variations are sensitive monitors of metamorphism, fluid flow and melting; the generation of granites; and hydrothermal alteration. However, in detail B- and Li- geochemistry are poorly understood. This project uses field-based, analytical and experimental techniques to constrain B and Li elemental and stable isotope variations in order to better understand high-temperature metamorphism, fluid flow, melting and the generation of granites and pegmatites. The results of this project will greatly increase our understanding of B and Li systematics in high-temperature crustal environments, and have implications for a range of metamorphic and igneous processes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0451713
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,605.00
Summary
Completion of the Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER). TIGER is part of an international high frequency radar consortium (SuperDARN) studying the coupling of space weather processes to the ionosphere. This is critical for radio, navigation and surveillance networks. TIGER provides important new information because it extends the global radar coverage significantly equatorward, and it can be combined with other radars in Antarctica and Alaska. However, only one of the two T ....Completion of the Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER). TIGER is part of an international high frequency radar consortium (SuperDARN) studying the coupling of space weather processes to the ionosphere. This is critical for radio, navigation and surveillance networks. TIGER provides important new information because it extends the global radar coverage significantly equatorward, and it can be combined with other radars in Antarctica and Alaska. However, only one of the two TIGER radars necessary to carry out these studies has been built. This proposal is for completion of the second radar, to be located in New Zealand. The US Air Force has already granted A$443k toward this project.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