DoctorTrevor Falloon

Project Total: $83,831; Mantle plumes are cylinders of hot rock that rise from the deep Earth. The Kerguelen plume, thought to be the magma source of Australia's active hot spot volcanoes, Heard and McDonald Islands in the Southern Ocean, is also likely responsible for newly discovered fields of hundreds of young seamounts on the adjacent seafloor. This project will test controversial models of plume dynamics to explain the complex spatial, temporal and geochemical patterns of volcanism in this unique geological setting. The outcomes will be a reassessment of plume volcanism with global implications for both active and ancient mantle plumes. This research attracts strong international interest and will boost Australia's international reputation for frontier science. Funded by: Department of Environment and Energy (Cwth) - Grant-Australian Antarctic Science ($83,831); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $19,434; Our objectives are to: 1. Determine the absolute age of 15 strategically selected lava flow samples on Heard Island using Ar-Ar dating techniques, permitting the recent volcanism of Heard Island temporally constrained. 2. Integrate the Ar-Ar dating data from this project with historical and remote sensing data to construct a temporal sequence of lava producing events on Heard Island. 3. Place the timing and magnitude of volcanic activity on Heard Island in the context of volcanism on the Kerguelen Plateau. Methodology The technique used to determine the ages of lavas will be Argon-Argon dating, a method that has been used successfully to date young lava flows in Hawaii. The samples used in this study will be analysed using a combination of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), petrography at the University of Tasmania and 40Ar/39Ar dating at Oregon State University, USA. The 40Ar/39Ar dating method is suitable for the study of relatively young (<Xxx ka) lava flow samples, as shown by recent research results from Prof. Duncan's research group. The 40Ar/39Ar method involves sample irradiation in a nuclear reactor. This converts a small number of 39K atoms to 39Ar atoms (McDougall & Harrison, 1999). Following irradiation, the sample is fused in a vacuum system. The sample is heated in a series of steps starting below the temperature of fusion (McDougall & Harrison, 1999). For each step the argon is analysed isotopically in a mass spectrometer. The relative abundance of 40Ar, 39Ar, 37Ar, 36Ar +/- 38Ar are measured. The mass spectrometer used for the Argon dating is a Thermo Scientific Model Argus VI mass spectrometer. This spectrometer is the leading technology in the Ar-Ar dating method providing a larger range of data, improved accuracy and the capacity to analyse smaller samples than previous mass spectrometers Outcomes We will produce: a) A geological map of Heard Island using the Ar-Ar age dates determined during this study. b) Publications to international peer-reviewed journals. c) Geological information pertinent to fundamental understanding of Australia's only active volcano. Further, the outcomes of this study will inform the research mission voyage and dredging plans on the IMAS/UTAS Marine National Facility Cruise (R/V Investigator) to Heard Island in 2015/2016. Funded by: Department of Environment and Energy (Cwth) - Grant-Australian Antarctic Science ($19,434); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $39,986; Funded by: Australian and New Zealand International Ocean Drilling Program Consortium - Grant ($39,986); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $245,000; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Infrastructure ($245,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $6,000,000; Membership of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) will provide high-leverage access to the largest, and most effective international geoscience program. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Infrastructure; University of Tasmania ($130,000).

Project Total: $6,500; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Institutional Research Scheme; University of Tasmania ($6,500).

Project Total: $44,620,846; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-ARC Centres of Excellence ($24,450,000); AMIRA International Ltd ($10,504,870); ARC C of E Industry Partner $ to be allocated ($3,156,478); Newcrest Mining Limited ($779,998); CSIRO Earth Science & Resource Engineering ($770,000); BHP Billiton Ltd ($530,000); Mineral Resources Tasmania ($512,000); Minerals Council of Australia ($445,000); Anglo American Exploration Philippines Inc ($445,000); Australian National University ($435,000); University of Melbourne ($410,000); Newmont Australia Ltd ($385,000); University of Queensland ($360,000); Rio Tinto Exploration ($295,000); AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited ($235,000); Teck Cominco Limited ($235,000); Barrick (Australia Pacific) PTY Limited ($235,000); St Barbara Limited ($197,500); MMG Australia LImited ($135,000); Oz Minerals Limited ($105,000); University of Tasmania ($16,640,540).

Project Total: $15,000; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Small ($15,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $12,000; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Small ($12,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $0; Funded by: Australian National University - Grant-Aus. Unis Research Collaboration Scheme; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $129,309; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Large ($129,309); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $9,200; Funded by: Antarctic Science Advisory Committee - Grant-Research:Antarctic ($9,200); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $55,639; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Fellowship-Postdoctoral ($55,639); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $120,234; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Fellowship-Research ($120,234); University of Tasmania.