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
Evolutionary dynamics in deep time: faunal turnover during the Ediacaran. This project aims to investigate the world’s oldest faunal succession in the fossil record by determining the presence and extent of a sedimentary gap and confirming the role of time in the control of fossil distribution. Significant breakthroughs and capacity building are expected in the areas of palaeontology, evolutionary biology and geology using a hitherto unrecognised hiatus in the rock succession. Project outcomes i ....Evolutionary dynamics in deep time: faunal turnover during the Ediacaran. This project aims to investigate the world’s oldest faunal succession in the fossil record by determining the presence and extent of a sedimentary gap and confirming the role of time in the control of fossil distribution. Significant breakthroughs and capacity building are expected in the areas of palaeontology, evolutionary biology and geology using a hitherto unrecognised hiatus in the rock succession. Project outcomes include enhanced understanding of the first animal communities on Earth – these should provide significant benefits, such as revealing Australia's unique record of oldest complex organisms, while bringing additional tourism to the region, and increasing the strength of the Flinders Ranges UNESCO World Heritage nomination.Read moreRead less
Integrated provenance analysis: towards better ways of interpreting the source of ancient sediments. Determining the provenance of sedimentary grains is a key element of testing competing geological hypotheses. Most provenance analyses are based on single-grain analytical techniques that may miss vital information. This project will develop an integrated, systematic approach to provenance analysis by applying a broad range of modal, geochemical and isotopic techniques to enable the effective i ....Integrated provenance analysis: towards better ways of interpreting the source of ancient sediments. Determining the provenance of sedimentary grains is a key element of testing competing geological hypotheses. Most provenance analyses are based on single-grain analytical techniques that may miss vital information. This project will develop an integrated, systematic approach to provenance analysis by applying a broad range of modal, geochemical and isotopic techniques to enable the effective identification of sources of grains in sedimentary rocks. The new system will be used to test hypotheses of when the Pilbara and Yilgarn cratons amalgamated to form the core of the Australian continent.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882854
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,000,000.00
Summary
Australian Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) will provide high-leverage access to the largest, and most effective international geoscience program.
Results from drilling within Australia's marine jurisdiction will give understanding of the oceans' state under past climates through high resolution records of the range of oceanographic and biological responses to climate change, the role of the deep biosphere in shapin ....Australian Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) will provide high-leverage access to the largest, and most effective international geoscience program.
Results from drilling within Australia's marine jurisdiction will give understanding of the oceans' state under past climates through high resolution records of the range of oceanographic and biological responses to climate change, the role of the deep biosphere in shaping oil and gas deposits, hydrothermal and igneous processes involved in ore genesis, and enhanced understanding of some of the world's largest earthquake- and tsunami-generating processes.
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Middle Age Earth: ocean chemistry and evolution in the Boring Billion. This project aims to investigate the role of ocean chemistry on the evolution of eukaryotes during the “Boring Billion” (1800-800 million years ago) and how sedimentary rocks record past ocean chemistry, by using innovative geochemical proxies. This project expects to generate new knowledge in geochemistry, sedimentology and paaleo-biology using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes include a quantitative understand ....Middle Age Earth: ocean chemistry and evolution in the Boring Billion. This project aims to investigate the role of ocean chemistry on the evolution of eukaryotes during the “Boring Billion” (1800-800 million years ago) and how sedimentary rocks record past ocean chemistry, by using innovative geochemical proxies. This project expects to generate new knowledge in geochemistry, sedimentology and paaleo-biology using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes include a quantitative understanding of the formation of sedimentary rocks, and of the links between evolution and marine nutrient and metal abundance. This should provide significant benefits, such as understanding the formation and alteration of ore-bearing sedimentary rocks and how life has evolved during Earth's Middle Age.Read moreRead less
Murray Basin: A unique archive of late Neogene global change. Salinization, soil erosion, groundwater depletion and surface water degradation are but a few of the inter-related environmental problems facing the Murray-Darling Basin. These problems require an understanding of the way in which shallow groundwater, salts and surface water interact with near-surface sediments. This project is aimed at a better understanding the nature of those near-surface sediments in the Murray Basin and how th ....Murray Basin: A unique archive of late Neogene global change. Salinization, soil erosion, groundwater depletion and surface water degradation are but a few of the inter-related environmental problems facing the Murray-Darling Basin. These problems require an understanding of the way in which shallow groundwater, salts and surface water interact with near-surface sediments. This project is aimed at a better understanding the nature of those near-surface sediments in the Murray Basin and how they were formed. If we can understand how the basin came to be the way it is (in the modern setting), we may better understand the way it might behave when subject to man-made changes like increased groundwater usage, etc.Read moreRead less
Application of Double and Triple Dating of Zircons to Sediment Provenance Studies and to Quantifying Recycling in Sedimentary Rocks. Double and triple dating are exciting new ANU-Yale breakthroughs that can be used to more accurately identify the source of sediment in rivers and sedimentary rocks than is possible using existing techniques. They have fundamental applications in the study of erosion, tracing the source of heavy minerals in titanium deposits and in determining the source of sedi ....Application of Double and Triple Dating of Zircons to Sediment Provenance Studies and to Quantifying Recycling in Sedimentary Rocks. Double and triple dating are exciting new ANU-Yale breakthroughs that can be used to more accurately identify the source of sediment in rivers and sedimentary rocks than is possible using existing techniques. They have fundamental applications in the study of erosion, tracing the source of heavy minerals in titanium deposits and in determining the source of sedimentary sequences that host oil. Under favourable circumstances double dating can be used also to date sediments that are devoid of fossils, which has direct application in oil exploration.Read moreRead less
Seismic velocity problems associated with Cretaceous-Tertiary carbonate sediments that overlie oil and gas fields of the North West Shelf. The major aim of this collaborative study between Partner Oil Companies and The University of Melbourne is to understand seismic velocity problems associated with tropical carbonate sediments on Australias? North West Shelf. These problems can hinder the hydrocarbon exploration efforts below these carbonates. The project is a multi faceted study and will invo ....Seismic velocity problems associated with Cretaceous-Tertiary carbonate sediments that overlie oil and gas fields of the North West Shelf. The major aim of this collaborative study between Partner Oil Companies and The University of Melbourne is to understand seismic velocity problems associated with tropical carbonate sediments on Australias? North West Shelf. These problems can hinder the hydrocarbon exploration efforts below these carbonates. The project is a multi faceted study and will involve integration of seismic stratigraphy with sedimentological, micropaleontological, and geophysical data. The methods outlined below would underpin any seismic depth migration applications, thereby assisting with the delineation of new gas and oil fields, and help with the estimation of reserves in existing fields.
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Developing a new tectonothermal and mineralization history for the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia: Assisting mineral exploration in greenfields terrains. Successful exploration models rely on the development of a reliable geological framework through which to understand the specific processes responsible for the formation of economic ore deposits. A framework cannot be constructed without robust age data. This Project will apply advanced geochronology, combined with regional- and deposit-sc ....Developing a new tectonothermal and mineralization history for the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia: Assisting mineral exploration in greenfields terrains. Successful exploration models rely on the development of a reliable geological framework through which to understand the specific processes responsible for the formation of economic ore deposits. A framework cannot be constructed without robust age data. This Project will apply advanced geochronology, combined with regional- and deposit-scale field mapping, to formulate a new and improved stratigraphic and tectonic framework for a prospective greenfields region in Western Australia. Outcomes from this Project will lead to more effective exploration models and thereby better exploration targeting. Reducing uncertainty and risk in exploration is key to the discovery and development of deep Earth resources. Read moreRead less
Oxygenation of the oceans and the origin of animals. This research project will investigate newly discovered ancient reefs and fossils from the Flinders Ranges that may represent the oldest known animals on Earth. Results from the project will help understand the early evolution of animal life on Earth and will contribute to a greater appreciation of Australia's geological heritage.