Exploring the Hadean Earth. This research spotlights a globally unique Australian natural resource that preserves the most detailed record of how our planet worked during its formative stages. The project showcases Australian scientific and technical leadership in a field of widespread interest, aids in capturing the imagination of young people considering a career in science and technology, provides training opportunities for young scientists, and enhances the international visibility and pres ....Exploring the Hadean Earth. This research spotlights a globally unique Australian natural resource that preserves the most detailed record of how our planet worked during its formative stages. The project showcases Australian scientific and technical leadership in a field of widespread interest, aids in capturing the imagination of young people considering a career in science and technology, provides training opportunities for young scientists, and enhances the international visibility and prestige of Australian science.Read moreRead less
From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channe ....From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channelled large volumes of mineralised hydrothermal solutions. Our objective is to understand the development of this plumbing system in relation to Archaean crustal geodynamics using a combination of structural geology, metamorphic petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and the analysis of single-fluid inclusion using synchrotron and other X-ray sources.Read moreRead less
Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, ....Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, documenting the timing of mineralization with respect to the thermal evolution of the host rocks may help to predict the location of mineral deposits in these settings; and each new mineral discovery contributes to the future prosperity of Australia and its communities. Read moreRead less
Impact of melt loss on crustal heat production and Earth geodynamics. This project plans to develop a thermodynamic tool set to calculate the amounts of rare earth elements, thorium and uranium in monazite and link its growth and radiogenic heat budget to rock evolution. Thorium (Th) and uranium (U) produce 83 per cent of the heat in Earth’s continental crust. Vast tracts of high-heat-producing rock from hot, deep parts of the crust defy the notion that such crust is depleted in Th and U. The ca ....Impact of melt loss on crustal heat production and Earth geodynamics. This project plans to develop a thermodynamic tool set to calculate the amounts of rare earth elements, thorium and uranium in monazite and link its growth and radiogenic heat budget to rock evolution. Thorium (Th) and uranium (U) produce 83 per cent of the heat in Earth’s continental crust. Vast tracts of high-heat-producing rock from hot, deep parts of the crust defy the notion that such crust is depleted in Th and U. The causes of high heat production in the deep crust remain unclear. This project will develop a tool set to calculate the Th and U concentration in minerals (eg monazite, zircon) and silicate melt as a function of depth, temperature and rock composition. This tool set would be of great benefit to the geoscience community for better understanding fundamental geodynamic processes.Read moreRead less
Fluid-induced creation and decay of porosity and permeability in minerals. This project aims to investigate the role of hydrothermal fluids in the creation and decay of porosity and permeability in minerals. By developing new experimental techniques and undertaking experimental studies mimicking natural conditions, this project expects to generate knowledge of the fundamental relationships between fluid-mineral reactions, pore creation and decay, pore geometry and connectivity, and the mechanism ....Fluid-induced creation and decay of porosity and permeability in minerals. This project aims to investigate the role of hydrothermal fluids in the creation and decay of porosity and permeability in minerals. By developing new experimental techniques and undertaking experimental studies mimicking natural conditions, this project expects to generate knowledge of the fundamental relationships between fluid-mineral reactions, pore creation and decay, pore geometry and connectivity, and the mechanism for the formation of fluid inclusions. This should provide significant benefits such as a deeper understanding of the hydrothermal fluids flowing through tight rocks in the Earth’s crust to form orebodies, and provide a scientific basis to underpin the development of greener technologies for recovering natural resources.Read moreRead less