Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101190
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,259.00
Summary
The role of hydrostatic pressure in modulating submarine silicic eruptions. Exploration on the modern seafloor reveals the deposits of deep (greater than 1 000 metres) silicic explosive eruptions, yet theory predicts that explosivity at these depths is largely suppressed. In 2012 the largest and deepest silicic submarine explosive eruption ever recorded took place at depths up to 1 600 metres, also challenging this theory. This project leverages a United States of America research expedition to ....The role of hydrostatic pressure in modulating submarine silicic eruptions. Exploration on the modern seafloor reveals the deposits of deep (greater than 1 000 metres) silicic explosive eruptions, yet theory predicts that explosivity at these depths is largely suppressed. In 2012 the largest and deepest silicic submarine explosive eruption ever recorded took place at depths up to 1 600 metres, also challenging this theory. This project leverages a United States of America research expedition to the eruption site. This project aims to constrain the physical and chemical factors that control explosivity using cutting-edge technologies. Australia's ancient submarine volcanoes host highly economic ore deposits. This project aims to enhance the ability to interpret ancient volcanic settings, thereby improving the potential for new ore deposit discoveries.Read moreRead less
Exploration targeting from next-generation volcanic facies reconstruction. The project aims to develop new innovative image analysis techniques to reconstruct the architecture of the volcanic host at four highly prospective hydrothermal-magmatic ore deposits, and investigate the properties of rocks that favour high-grade ore mineralisation. Expected outcomes of this project include next-generation automated techniques for volcanic facies analysis, and predictions of where hydrothermal alteration ....Exploration targeting from next-generation volcanic facies reconstruction. The project aims to develop new innovative image analysis techniques to reconstruct the architecture of the volcanic host at four highly prospective hydrothermal-magmatic ore deposits, and investigate the properties of rocks that favour high-grade ore mineralisation. Expected outcomes of this project include next-generation automated techniques for volcanic facies analysis, and predictions of where hydrothermal alteration is most prospective for mineralisation. Both outcomes are relevant to the discovery of volcanic-hosted mineralisation globally. This project will provide significant benefit to the Australian mining industry by diversifying ore exploration strategies in the Australian crust, and will train the next generation of explorers.Read moreRead less
Exploring volcanic arcs as factories of critical minerals. Volcanoes at destructive plate boundaries (magmatic arcs) host most global copper deposits, critical for renewable energy and in unprecedented rising demand. This project aims to use high-resolution geochemical zoning of erupted crystals to uncover how magmatic processes lead to copper mineralisation and explosive volcanic eruption in arc volcanoes. The expected outcome is new knowledge on the inner workings of volcanoes and their copper ....Exploring volcanic arcs as factories of critical minerals. Volcanoes at destructive plate boundaries (magmatic arcs) host most global copper deposits, critical for renewable energy and in unprecedented rising demand. This project aims to use high-resolution geochemical zoning of erupted crystals to uncover how magmatic processes lead to copper mineralisation and explosive volcanic eruption in arc volcanoes. The expected outcome is new knowledge on the inner workings of volcanoes and their copper enrichment potential. Anticipated applications are refined exploration targeting for copper and improved volcano hazard assessment. This will benefit the Asia-Pacific region and enhance the capacity of mining companies in the global race to produce metals of the future.Read moreRead less
Gas-Solid Reactions in Earth and Planetary Systems. High temperature gases circulate through Earth's interior and atmosphere, but little is known about how they react. Recent work shows that exceptionally rapid reactions occur between gases and solids at surfaces. These reactions are instrumental in forming ore deposits and transporting gases and salts to Earth's surface, atmosphere and oceans - affecting climate and biological productivity. This project aims to examine natural samples and inves ....Gas-Solid Reactions in Earth and Planetary Systems. High temperature gases circulate through Earth's interior and atmosphere, but little is known about how they react. Recent work shows that exceptionally rapid reactions occur between gases and solids at surfaces. These reactions are instrumental in forming ore deposits and transporting gases and salts to Earth's surface, atmosphere and oceans - affecting climate and biological productivity. This project aims to examine natural samples and investigate gas-solid reactions experimentally to constrain reaction mechanisms. It is expected that the project outcomes will open up a new field of geochemistry with novel experiments, state-of-the-art analysis and the development of innovative models that account for the role of gas-solid reactions in Earth and planetary processes.Read moreRead less