Thermal structure and evolution of the Australian continent. Australia contains 40% of the world's known uranium resources. Uranium, with thorium and potassium, are heat-producing elements which affect the way temperature varies within the Earth. Outcomes from this project will lead to a better understanding of the potential for geothermal energy in Australia and provide a framework for assessing Australia's uranium resource. Understanding the crustal thermal regime is also fundamental to our kn ....Thermal structure and evolution of the Australian continent. Australia contains 40% of the world's known uranium resources. Uranium, with thorium and potassium, are heat-producing elements which affect the way temperature varies within the Earth. Outcomes from this project will lead to a better understanding of the potential for geothermal energy in Australia and provide a framework for assessing Australia's uranium resource. Understanding the crustal thermal regime is also fundamental to our knowledge of many earth processes. The project will enhance Australia's international research standing, provide training for an early career researcher and contribute to the development of an environmentally sustainable Australia, a National research priority.Read moreRead less
Role of Crustal Processes in Archaean Cratonisation: A Case Study from the East Pilbara Granite-Greenstone Terrain, W.A. The formation of stable cratons is a fundamental aspect of continental evolution, and often follows a protracted, episodic history of crustal reworking. This project will examine the geology of the Early Archaean (>3200 million years) East Pilbara Granite-Greenstone Terrain, in order to evaluate the extent to which the uniquely Early Archaean, large-scale 'dome-and-keel' crust ....Role of Crustal Processes in Archaean Cratonisation: A Case Study from the East Pilbara Granite-Greenstone Terrain, W.A. The formation of stable cratons is a fundamental aspect of continental evolution, and often follows a protracted, episodic history of crustal reworking. This project will examine the geology of the Early Archaean (>3200 million years) East Pilbara Granite-Greenstone Terrain, in order to evaluate the extent to which the uniquely Early Archaean, large-scale 'dome-and-keel' crustal architecture contributed to the thermal and mechanical stabilisation of the Earth's oldest craton. The results will have important implications for the influence of radiogenic heat production redistribution on the intensity, style and duration of tectonic activity predating cratonisation of continental lithosphere throughout the Earth's history.Read moreRead less