The Early Stages of Granite Evolution: Extraction and Transport Through Ductile Crust . This research is aimed at understanding how the continents develop through several stages of rock melting. Rock melts deep in the continents to form granite magmas which rise, transporting to the upper crust important metals, such as gold, copper and tin, and heat producing elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium. This research proposal seeks to understand how granite melts form and rise transporting ....The Early Stages of Granite Evolution: Extraction and Transport Through Ductile Crust . This research is aimed at understanding how the continents develop through several stages of rock melting. Rock melts deep in the continents to form granite magmas which rise, transporting to the upper crust important metals, such as gold, copper and tin, and heat producing elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium. This research proposal seeks to understand how granite melts form and rise transporting these all important elements, which control not only our wealth but also the stability of the continents we live in.Read moreRead less
Mapping Fluid Flow in the Earth's Crust: a Li and B micro-isotopic and thermodynamic study of serpentinisation. Interaction of fluids with magnesium-rich rocks creates new minerals and, on a global scale, affects the physical and chemical evolution of the Earth. On a more local scale, such fluid: rock interactions can lock up carbon dioxide via the formation of carbonate minerals. However, the extent to which such reactions may self-propagate is unclear. A primary benefit of this study will b ....Mapping Fluid Flow in the Earth's Crust: a Li and B micro-isotopic and thermodynamic study of serpentinisation. Interaction of fluids with magnesium-rich rocks creates new minerals and, on a global scale, affects the physical and chemical evolution of the Earth. On a more local scale, such fluid: rock interactions can lock up carbon dioxide via the formation of carbonate minerals. However, the extent to which such reactions may self-propagate is unclear. A primary benefit of this study will be new constraints on the viability of magnesium-rich rocks in geosequestration applications. Additional benefits will be provided by the development of advanced new analytical methodologies, and an increased level of understanding of the way that fluid flow can modify nickel sulphide ore bodies.Read moreRead less
The Role of Water in Precambrian Ultramafic Magmatism: Insights from an In-Situ Microbeam and Nanobeam Assessment of Hydromagmatic Amphibole. Hydromagmatic amphibole in some Precambrian (>600 million years old) komatiites and other ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada and Russia indicates >3% water in the parental magmas. This magmatic water could be crustal or mantle in origin. Constraints on the water source would profoundly impact concepts of Precambrian crustal evolution and water recycling ....The Role of Water in Precambrian Ultramafic Magmatism: Insights from an In-Situ Microbeam and Nanobeam Assessment of Hydromagmatic Amphibole. Hydromagmatic amphibole in some Precambrian (>600 million years old) komatiites and other ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada and Russia indicates >3% water in the parental magmas. This magmatic water could be crustal or mantle in origin. Constraints on the water source would profoundly impact concepts of Precambrian crustal evolution and water recycling. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide constraints on the role of water in early Earth magmatism, through in situ microbeam and nanobeam analysis of the amphibole to produce an integrated trace element and isotopic dataset for geologically and chemically diverse types of Precambrian ultramafic rocks.Read moreRead less