Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200012
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,748,358.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). This Research Hub aims to undertake simultaneous modelling of deep Earth and surface processes, spanning basin scales to individual sediment grains. The Hub will develop and apply cutting-edge basin simulation approaches to transform the seeding and testing of basin exploration models, extending their viability to complex, ....ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). ARC Research Hub for Basin GEodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems (GENESIS). This Research Hub aims to undertake simultaneous modelling of deep Earth and surface processes, spanning basin scales to individual sediment grains. The Hub will develop and apply cutting-edge basin simulation approaches to transform the seeding and testing of basin exploration models, extending their viability to complex, inaccessible remote and deep exploration targets. The Hub will fuse multidimensional data into five dimensional basin models (space and time, with uncertainty estimates) by coupling the evolution of mantle flow, crustal deformation, erosion and sedimentary processes, achieving a quantum leap in basin modelling and petroleum systems analysis.Read moreRead less
How the Earth moves: Developing a novel seismological approach to map the small-scale dynamics of the upper mantle. The concept of small-scale convection currents from about 100-400 km below the Earth’s surface is a model proposed to explain the origins of intraplate volcanoes and mountains. However, direct evidence for the physical reality of small-scale convection cells is generally weak. This project will develop a novel seismological approach combining both ambient noise and earthquake data ....How the Earth moves: Developing a novel seismological approach to map the small-scale dynamics of the upper mantle. The concept of small-scale convection currents from about 100-400 km below the Earth’s surface is a model proposed to explain the origins of intraplate volcanoes and mountains. However, direct evidence for the physical reality of small-scale convection cells is generally weak. This project will develop a novel seismological approach combining both ambient noise and earthquake data that can image such small-scale upper mantle convection. The outcomes of this project will help to fill the gap left in the Plate Tectonic paradigm by its inability to explain intraplate geological activity (volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains), which would be a significant step towards unifying conceptual models about how the Earth works.Read moreRead less
Understanding the deep driving forces of Earth’s large-scale topography through time. We propose to model the convection of Earth’s mantle linked to tectonic plate motions to unravel their combined influence on the evolution of topography over 550 million years. The project will lead to an understanding of the driving forces of large-scale topography in continental interiors and along their margins through geological time.
Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure l ....Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure laboratory to obtain such data. By defining the composition and mineralogy of Earth's core, it will place Australia in the forefront of this exciting research field, and will also represent a major national resource for the study of novel materials at extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
What lies beneath: unveiling the fine-scale 3D compositional and thermal structure of the sub continental lithosphere and upper mantle. We will produce the first high-resolution images of the thermal and mineralogical structure of the earth's mantle beneath Australia, western USA, and South Africa. This information represents the key to our understanding of society-relevant activities such as ore and energy exploration and natural hazard assessment.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100065
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
A fully automated, fully shielded palaeomagnetic system. A fully automated, fully shielded palaeomagnetic system: This project aims to establish the first fully automated and magnetically fully shielded superconducting palaeomagnetic data acquisition system in Australia. Palaeomagnetism is a key research field that has applications to a broad range of pure and applied geoscience disciplines. Australia has been a world leader in this field, including the application of palaeomagnetism to both glo ....A fully automated, fully shielded palaeomagnetic system. A fully automated, fully shielded palaeomagnetic system: This project aims to establish the first fully automated and magnetically fully shielded superconducting palaeomagnetic data acquisition system in Australia. Palaeomagnetism is a key research field that has applications to a broad range of pure and applied geoscience disciplines. Australia has been a world leader in this field, including the application of palaeomagnetism to both global and regional tectonic studies. Palaeomagnetic studies demand a labour-intensive process of treating and measuring a large number of samples. The system will significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of palaeomagnetic analysis, and thus enhance Australia's research capacity in this and related research fields.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102927
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Ingredients of the eddy soup in Southern Ocean dynamics: processes, climate impacts and parameterisation. This project aims to understand jet-topography-eddy interactions in the Southern Ocean, and to apply that understanding to improving the representation of ocean physics in models. It will provide the underpinning science needed to increase confidence in climate predictions that will allow Australia to more effectively respond to climate change.
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
Down under down under: using multi-scale seismic tomography to image beneath Australia's Great Artesian Basin. Seismic arrays will be deployed in the Great Artesian Basin to image the crust and mantle using distant earthquake and ambient noise sources. This will answer fundamental questions about the tectonic evolution of eastern Australia and elucidate the structure of a region containing significant deep Earth resources.
Strength and resistance along oceanic megathrust faults: implications for subduction initiation. Hjorta Trench, south of Macquarie Island, is a seismically active boundary of the Australian plate and a unique natural laboratory for study of the initiation of the processes which are currently driving Australia north at 7 millimetres per year. Sophisticated computer models will be used to understand the evolution of this oceanic megathrust system.