Exploring the Hadean Earth. This research spotlights a globally unique Australian natural resource that preserves the most detailed record of how our planet worked during its formative stages. The project showcases Australian scientific and technical leadership in a field of widespread interest, aids in capturing the imagination of young people considering a career in science and technology, provides training opportunities for young scientists, and enhances the international visibility and pres ....Exploring the Hadean Earth. This research spotlights a globally unique Australian natural resource that preserves the most detailed record of how our planet worked during its formative stages. The project showcases Australian scientific and technical leadership in a field of widespread interest, aids in capturing the imagination of young people considering a career in science and technology, provides training opportunities for young scientists, and enhances the international visibility and prestige of Australian science.Read moreRead less
A Mission to Very Early Earth: When Did Conditions Suitable for Life Emerge on Earth? A uniquely Australian resource - 4.4-4.1 Ga detrital zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) - represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and potentially contain information regarding the origin of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, continental lithosphere, geodynamo, and perhaps even life, during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. Following age characterization of 100,000 zircons, experiments in ....A Mission to Very Early Earth: When Did Conditions Suitable for Life Emerge on Earth? A uniquely Australian resource - 4.4-4.1 Ga detrital zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) - represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and potentially contain information regarding the origin of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, continental lithosphere, geodynamo, and perhaps even life, during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. Following age characterization of 100,000 zircons, experiments involving short-lived nuclear chronometers and tracers of continental evolution (Hf and O isotopes) will be undertaken on the most ancient zircons that could both radically our paradigm for early planetary evolution and permit assessment of whether life emerged during the Hadean Eon.Read moreRead less
From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channe ....From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channelled large volumes of mineralised hydrothermal solutions. Our objective is to understand the development of this plumbing system in relation to Archaean crustal geodynamics using a combination of structural geology, metamorphic petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and the analysis of single-fluid inclusion using synchrotron and other X-ray sources.Read moreRead less
Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, ....Resolution of the Pb-diffusion in monazite paradox using a high-temperature contact aureole environment. This research will enhance our understanding of the thermal evolution of ancient mountain belts through time. Australian geoscientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to this field and the result from this study will further enhance our understanding of the evolution of Australia's crust. Because numerous ore deposits throughout Australia are hosted in ancient rocks, documenting the timing of mineralization with respect to the thermal evolution of the host rocks may help to predict the location of mineral deposits in these settings; and each new mineral discovery contributes to the future prosperity of Australia and its communities. Read moreRead less
An experimental study of trace element equilibria during metamorphism. The analytical methods and experimental data to be developed will enable an Australian team to become world leaders in determining pressures and temperatures of mineral growth that correspond to a range of depths and temperature gradients in the Earth tha t is wider than accessible previously. Obtaining this information from small zones within single grains will allow determination of rates of change, and give us a detailed p ....An experimental study of trace element equilibria during metamorphism. The analytical methods and experimental data to be developed will enable an Australian team to become world leaders in determining pressures and temperatures of mineral growth that correspond to a range of depths and temperature gradients in the Earth tha t is wider than accessible previously. Obtaining this information from small zones within single grains will allow determination of rates of change, and give us a detailed picture of how the host rock has evolved, even from very small samples. One application would be checking the origin of relatively common minerals for whether they could be associated with diamonds.Read moreRead less