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
Submarine explosive eruptions of silicic magma: constraints on products and processes from modern sea-floor examples, ancient successions and experiments. Volcanoes are common on the sea-floor. Many have been the sites of devastating explosive eruptions throughout Earth history, producing thick layers of pumice and volcanic ash in both modern and ancient ocean basins. None of these events has been witnessed, hence, little is known about submarine explosive eruptions and the associated volcanoes. ....Submarine explosive eruptions of silicic magma: constraints on products and processes from modern sea-floor examples, ancient successions and experiments. Volcanoes are common on the sea-floor. Many have been the sites of devastating explosive eruptions throughout Earth history, producing thick layers of pumice and volcanic ash in both modern and ancient ocean basins. None of these events has been witnessed, hence, little is known about submarine explosive eruptions and the associated volcanoes. This detailed, multidisciplinary study will link exploration of modern explosive sea-floor volcanoes (western Pacific Ocean), field-work on older, submarine volcanic formations (Japan, Greece) and experiments that simulate explosive eruptions and their products. The results will elucidate sea-floor explosive volcanism and its contribution to the geology of ocean basins.Read moreRead less
Palaeobiology of hydrothermal mineral deposits. Mineral deposits that formed at up to 150 degrees C record the history of micro-organisms referred to as hyperthermophiles. Current biological studies predict that such organisms are the most primitive known. Thus by studying these deposits we have the opportunity to uncover the earliest history of life on Earth, and to improve our understanding of ore deposition. Such deposits are also prime targets for the search for life and former life elsewher ....Palaeobiology of hydrothermal mineral deposits. Mineral deposits that formed at up to 150 degrees C record the history of micro-organisms referred to as hyperthermophiles. Current biological studies predict that such organisms are the most primitive known. Thus by studying these deposits we have the opportunity to uncover the earliest history of life on Earth, and to improve our understanding of ore deposition. Such deposits are also prime targets for the search for life and former life elsewhere in the Solar System, and the proposed research will contribute to that search.Read moreRead less
Organic geochemistry of the McArthur River hydrothermal deposit. Exploration for hydrothermal ore deposits in sedimentary basins has many problems because of the lack of any general agreement on the mechanisms of formation of major deposits. This proposed research will focus on the fundamental issue of the interaction of organic matter and mineralizing fluids in contributing to ore mineral deposition. Given that the McArthur River orebody is an exquisitely preserved example of a hydrothermal dep ....Organic geochemistry of the McArthur River hydrothermal deposit. Exploration for hydrothermal ore deposits in sedimentary basins has many problems because of the lack of any general agreement on the mechanisms of formation of major deposits. This proposed research will focus on the fundamental issue of the interaction of organic matter and mineralizing fluids in contributing to ore mineral deposition. Given that the McArthur River orebody is an exquisitely preserved example of a hydrothermal deposit it will thus enable a comprehensive organic geochemical investigation to elucidate the role of organic matter in ore formation. The outcomes will benefit the Australian mineral exploration industry by refining current ore genesis models.Read moreRead less
Oxygenation history of the Earth and the evolution of complex life. This project will investigate how and when the atmosphere became oxygen-rich by analyzing ancient barrier reefs and other rocks that formed between 1000 to 300 million years ago, spanning the appearance and diversification of animals and plants. The project is significant because the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere was arguably the most important chemical process ever to have occurred on Earth and controlled the evolution of ....Oxygenation history of the Earth and the evolution of complex life. This project will investigate how and when the atmosphere became oxygen-rich by analyzing ancient barrier reefs and other rocks that formed between 1000 to 300 million years ago, spanning the appearance and diversification of animals and plants. The project is significant because the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere was arguably the most important chemical process ever to have occurred on Earth and controlled the evolution of environments, climate and life. A major outcome will be an improved understanding of how the Earth's atmosphere and climate are regulated by geological processes. This project will generate new knowledge about how sedimentary zinc, lead and copper ore deposits form, which may guide exploration for these commodities.Read moreRead less