A multidisciplinary study of the Karoo Basin: chronology of a mass extinction, configuration of a supercontinent. Development plans for Australia's North-West (NW) shelf will expand the existing supply of natural gas and help manage greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative carbon sequestration project. A better understanding of well-exposed geology of the Karoo Basin will help evaluate the submarine deposits of Australia's NW shelf, essential for both improving yield from the new Gorgon ga ....A multidisciplinary study of the Karoo Basin: chronology of a mass extinction, configuration of a supercontinent. Development plans for Australia's North-West (NW) shelf will expand the existing supply of natural gas and help manage greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative carbon sequestration project. A better understanding of well-exposed geology of the Karoo Basin will help evaluate the submarine deposits of Australia's NW shelf, essential for both improving yield from the new Gorgon gas fields and understanding subterranean reservoir capabilities for carbon dioxide injection This study will also improve our scientific understanding of the timing and mechanisms of the end-Paleozoic mass extinction, the most significant event in the history of life on Earth.Read moreRead less
Enhanced 3-D seismic structure for Southwest Australia. The ancient cratonic lithosphere of Southwest Australia appears to have a distinct contrast in geophysical properties and complex geologic structure, while having some of the highest levels of earthquakes on the continent. The project aims to produce novel 3-D models of this region that combine new seismic data collected over two years with previously collected geophysical datasets from the partner investigators. A compilation of 3-D models ....Enhanced 3-D seismic structure for Southwest Australia. The ancient cratonic lithosphere of Southwest Australia appears to have a distinct contrast in geophysical properties and complex geologic structure, while having some of the highest levels of earthquakes on the continent. The project aims to produce novel 3-D models of this region that combine new seismic data collected over two years with previously collected geophysical datasets from the partner investigators. A compilation of 3-D models will subsequently be developed, to form an effective characterisation of the geologic structure of the craton and its margins. These models will provide enhanced assessment of seismic ground shaking from regional earthquakes and facilitate an improved understanding of mineral resource potential. Read moreRead less
Craton modification and growth: the east Albany-Fraser Orogen in three-dimensions. The objective of this work is to achieve new, synergistic techniques for delineating the three-dimensional structure of the east Albany-Fraser Orogen in Western Australia, and the lithospheric structure below it. These methods will guide understanding of the potential for mineral resources in this region with little surface geological exposure.
New digital deep-time exploration tools for a low-emissions economy. Demand for critical minerals will soar as renewable energy generation increases, but exploration companies currently cannot take full advantage of available exploration data in an Earth evolution context. This project will generate new knowledge in big and complex geodata analysis using an innovative data mining approach. It will enable Lithodat, a small enterprise, to perform cloud-based plate tectonic reconstruction, visualis ....New digital deep-time exploration tools for a low-emissions economy. Demand for critical minerals will soar as renewable energy generation increases, but exploration companies currently cannot take full advantage of available exploration data in an Earth evolution context. This project will generate new knowledge in big and complex geodata analysis using an innovative data mining approach. It will enable Lithodat, a small enterprise, to perform cloud-based plate tectonic reconstruction, visualisation and spatio-temporal analysis of geodata for resource exploration. The outcomes include an enhanced capacity to generate ore prospectivity maps and an improved understanding of their tectonic, geochemical, and geophysical signatures, benefiting Lithodat and their clients in the search for new mineral deposits.Read moreRead less
Thermodynamics inversion for mineral systems. This project aims to provide a newly developed science approach to the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP). AusLAMP provides unparalleled geophysical information aimed at unravelling the tectonic history of the Australian continent and its mineral potential. The project will use thermodynamically based geodynamic simulators to jointly analyse and quantify intraplate deformation. This will illuminate the cause of dri ....Thermodynamics inversion for mineral systems. This project aims to provide a newly developed science approach to the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP). AusLAMP provides unparalleled geophysical information aimed at unravelling the tectonic history of the Australian continent and its mineral potential. The project will use thermodynamically based geodynamic simulators to jointly analyse and quantify intraplate deformation. This will illuminate the cause of driving fluid flow thorough the lithosphere, mineralisation phenomena, their datasets and geometries, and dynamic aspects of the processes driving mineral systems.Read moreRead less
Advanced gravity and electromagnetic methods for uncovering the deep Earth. Advanced gravity and electromagnetic methods for uncovering the deep Earth. This project aims to improve the sensitivity of airborne gravity gradiometers and electromagnetic sensors so airborne surveys can detect underground structures at greater depths. Aircraft motion and turbulence limit the effectiveness of existing instruments. Advanced vibration isolation and noise reduction algorithms will allow instruments to ima ....Advanced gravity and electromagnetic methods for uncovering the deep Earth. Advanced gravity and electromagnetic methods for uncovering the deep Earth. This project aims to improve the sensitivity of airborne gravity gradiometers and electromagnetic sensors so airborne surveys can detect underground structures at greater depths. Aircraft motion and turbulence limit the effectiveness of existing instruments. Advanced vibration isolation and noise reduction algorithms will allow instruments to image to significantly greater depths, to map geology more accurately. This is expected to contribute to the discovery of new economic mineral and hydrocarbon resources.Read moreRead less
Chronostratigraphic Framework for the Devonian Canning Basin - A Multidisciplinary Record of Environmental Change. Our detailed chronostratigraphic framework for Canning Basin and the biomarker data on source rock history provides an increased understanding of the resource potential of the basin and similar settings worldwide. Furthermore this high-fidelity data will be used by companies to develop the 'next' generation of hydrocarbon industry modelling workflows. Our research program also has i ....Chronostratigraphic Framework for the Devonian Canning Basin - A Multidisciplinary Record of Environmental Change. Our detailed chronostratigraphic framework for Canning Basin and the biomarker data on source rock history provides an increased understanding of the resource potential of the basin and similar settings worldwide. Furthermore this high-fidelity data will be used by companies to develop the 'next' generation of hydrocarbon industry modelling workflows. Our research program also has important environmental implications; providing insight into drivers for Devonian mass extinctions and as periods of past biotic crises become increasingly understood they can provide critical insights into determining the thresholds of environmental change, which may potentially serve as analogues for present-day global climate change scenarios.Read moreRead less