Three-dimensional magnetotelluric imaging of lithospheric-scale mineral systems from source to deposit. Geochemical studies indicate that world-class mineral deposits are partly sourced from fluids emerging from Earth's mantle and lower crust. Finding major mineral deposits in the future will therefore require knowledge of which parts of the crust and mantle yield the most prospective locations. However, there are few methods that can image deep Earth resources, and these can be very expensive ....Three-dimensional magnetotelluric imaging of lithospheric-scale mineral systems from source to deposit. Geochemical studies indicate that world-class mineral deposits are partly sourced from fluids emerging from Earth's mantle and lower crust. Finding major mineral deposits in the future will therefore require knowledge of which parts of the crust and mantle yield the most prospective locations. However, there are few methods that can image deep Earth resources, and these can be very expensive. We propose to develop the magnetotelluric method as a low-cost and rapid approach for delineating 3D information on deep mineral systems beneath existing major deposits, and adapting this to explore in greenfield locations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668155
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Instrumentation for combined seismic and electromagnetic Earth sounding. The set of geophysical recorders will provide the means to enhance understanding of the structure of the Australian continent in 3-D. The interpretation of multiple images of Earth structure will help to link features in the crust and mantle beneath, and provide controls on the evolution and assembly of the present continent, with a major contribution to possible geotransects as recommended in the 2003 National Strategic Pl ....Instrumentation for combined seismic and electromagnetic Earth sounding. The set of geophysical recorders will provide the means to enhance understanding of the structure of the Australian continent in 3-D. The interpretation of multiple images of Earth structure will help to link features in the crust and mantle beneath, and provide controls on the evolution and assembly of the present continent, with a major contribution to possible geotransects as recommended in the 2003 National Strategic Plan for the Geosciences. Combining seismic and electromagnetic methods will provide both geochemeical and geophysical constaints, e.g., on zones of alteration and shear with the potential for deep mineralisation. Read moreRead less
Resistivity of typical rocks at crustal pressure and temperature conditions from combined laboratory and magnetotelluric measurements. Magnetotelluric surveys are playing an increasing role in Australian geoscience, including academic research, data collected by geological surveys (including a role in Geoscience Australia's $58.9 million Onshore Energy and Security Program), mineral exploration and geothermal exploration. This project will enable the results of these surveys to be interpreted mo ....Resistivity of typical rocks at crustal pressure and temperature conditions from combined laboratory and magnetotelluric measurements. Magnetotelluric surveys are playing an increasing role in Australian geoscience, including academic research, data collected by geological surveys (including a role in Geoscience Australia's $58.9 million Onshore Energy and Security Program), mineral exploration and geothermal exploration. This project will enable the results of these surveys to be interpreted more accurately and meaningfully by constraining the expected resistivities of crustal rocks at various pressures and temperatures. This research is vital if the investment currently being put into MT surveys is to be capitalized upon. Read moreRead less