Geohistory Laboratory

Nodes - Lead nodes University of Melbourne and JdL Centre Curtin University

Contacts

Brett McInness – Curtin University
Andrew Gleadow – University of Melbourne

EIF funding - A$ 1.5 million

Project duration - January 2011 to December 2014

Summary

Geohistory analysis via low-temperature thermochronology of minerals and chronology of in-situ fluids will help unravel the thermal structure of the upper few kilometers of the crust. Almost all processes that disturb the temperature field of the upper crust in discernable ways are amenable to thermochronology. Low temperature thermochronological facilities will be augmented by new capability to deliver this analysis.

Infrastructure

• Automated AFTA analysis
  • automated analysis for uranium and other trace element concentrations in apatite and zircon mineral targets via expansion of existing Inductively–coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry facilities and mineral processing facilities.
• Automated U-Th-Pb-He analysis
  • augmentation of in situ microanalytical capabilities of rapid automated double-dating U-Th-Pb-He analysis of multiple grains (e.g., zircon, rutile, titanite, monazite, apatite) using double dating techniques.
• New instrument platforms to increase productivity in geoscience data collection
• New capabilities for understanding the 4D thermal evolution of the Australian continent
• Enhanced national cooperation, knowledge generation and teaching capabilities
• Innovative applications for the geothermal, mineral and petroleum exploration industries

Last updated 3 April 2012