HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Mark A. Lackie, BSc(Hons) Melb, PhD Macq. Geophysics. Palaeomagnetism and magnetism of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rocks of eastern Australia, seismic studies of Antarctic ice shelves, gravity studies of plutons..

PROFESSOR IN EARTH SCIENCES & DIRECTOR, NATIONAL KEY CENTRE FOR GEOCHEMICAL EVOLUTION AND METALLOGENY OF CONTINENTS (GEMOC)

Suzanne Y O'Reilly, BSc, PhD Syd. Fields of research include; the integration of geophysical, petrological and petrophysical data to construct realistic lithospheric models; the geochemistry and evolution of the mantle and lower crust; the geochemistry and origin of basaltic rocks and their high-pressure xenoliths; trace element dispersions, residence sites and mineral partitioning in the mantle; relationship between mantle geochemistry, volcanic activity, tectonic environment and economic deposits. Currently leader of international collaborative project with five institutions in China on "4D Lithosphere mapping, eastern China". Concurrent projects in
sue.oreilly@mq.edu.au

 

PROFESSORS

William L. Griffin, BSc, MSc (Stanford), PhD (Minnesota). Elected Fellow Norwegian Academy of Sciences, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO. Petrological and tectonic evolution of the deep crust, geological evolution of the upper mantle, fluids in magnetic and metamorphic systems, isotopic systems and their resetting, integration of petrological and geophysicsl data, geological applications of the proton microprobe and new applications of trace element analysis, development of new exploration techniques for the mineral industry, trace element fingerprinting of mineralized deposits, delineation of prospective terrains for the mineral industry.
Bill.Griffin@mq.edu.au

Simon Turner, Federation Fellow, Isotopic Geochemistry. I am a geochemist and geochronologist. My research concerns the processes of partial melting and magma formation within the Earth. I approach this through the analysis of elemental concentrations and isotope ratios in silicate rocks and minerals. My particular strength lies in having worked on a broad range of problems and having utilized a large range of techniques. These include orogenic and post-orogenic magma petrogenesis, sediment provenance, crustal growth and erosion, continental flood basalts, potassic lavas associated with high plateau formation, ocean island basalts and island arc lavas. For the last 10 years, my research has largely concentrated on the application of short-lived, U-series isotopes to constraining the time scales of magma formation, transport and differentiation. This relatively new approach requires demanding analytical techniques but has been at the forefront of a revolution in our understanding of the physical processes of magma petrogenesis.
Simon.Turner@mq.edu.au

 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

Kelsie Dadd, B App Sc (Hons) NSWIT, PhD Macq. Physical volcanology, geochemistry and tectonics of Palaeozoic volcanic rocks in the Lachlan Fold Belt, NSW. The physical volcanology includes aspects such as facies interpretation and analysis, and mapping of facies distribution. This is combined with analysis of the geochemistry of suitable volcanic rocks, and structural analysis to determine the likely tectonic setting and palaeogeography of the depositional environment. This information is then used to further constrain regional tectonic interpretations of the Lachlan Fold Belt and to place mineralisation into this context. Also involved in similar studies in the Canadian Appalachians in New Brunswick.

Simon George, BSc (Hons) (St Andrews, Scotland, 1985); PhD (Newcastle upon Tyne, England, 1990). I have more than 20 years experience in organic geochemistry, including 15 years specialising in petroleum geochemistry at CSIRO. Organic geochemistry involves the study of the chemical and isotopic signatures in rocks and sediments, which tell us information about the past. We can reconstruct the nature and timing of important events in the evolution of life. Biomarkers are hydrocarbons that retain the structural information from the original lipids from which they were derived. Biomarkers and other hydrocarbons in oils, rocks and sediments provide us the ability to understand source inputs, subsequent burial and heating history (thermal maturity) and alteration events (such as oil biodegradation). The chemistry of insoluble fractions of organic matter, such as kerogen and asphaltenes, provides further useful information.
Simon.George@mq.edu.au

Nathan R. Daczko, BSc (Hons, 1997) and PhD (2001) Sydney. Post-doctoral Fellow, Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas at Austin, USA (2001-2003). My research interests focus on tectonics and regional structural synthesis, including the generation, evolution and recycling of crust in the context of evolving plate boundaries and plate margin processes. I integrate the structural and petrologic analysis of rocks with field mapping to examine the interplay between deformation, metamorphism, partial melting and magmatism.
Nathan.Daczko@mq.edu.au

Norm J Pearson, BSc, PhD Syd, Nature of the lower continental crust and crustal evolution. Petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry of mafic igneous rocks and their high-grade metamorphic equivalents. Magnetic properties of lower crust and upper mantle rocks. Quantification of pressure-temperature conditions from mineral equilibria. Development and application of geochemical analytical techniques: electron microprobe microanalysis; XRF; Laser ablation ICP-MS.
norm.pearson@mq.edu.au

Tracy Rushmer, I am an experimentalist who works with both hydrostatic (piston-cylinders) and deformation (Griggs) equipment to investigate mineral interactions under pressure and temperature. My research interests include partial melting processes in zones of active plate convergence; the chemical and physical interplay between deformation and fluid flow; extraction and migration of partial melt in different tectonic environments; core formation (metal-silicate separation) and dynamics at the core – mantle boundary.
Tracy.Rushmer@mq.edu.au

SENIOR LECTURERS

Richard H Flood, BSc(Hons), PhD N.E. Earth Science. Research interests: Silicic-plutonism and volcanism in eastern Australia.
richard.flood@mq.edu.au

Bruce Schaefer, BSc (Hons) PhD Adel. I am an isotope geochemist who looks to apply high precision geochemical and isotopic analysis to a wide range of geological problems. Recent research interests have been focussed upon applying Re-Os isotopes to aspects of plume related magmatism, planetary differentiation, mantle convection and the growth and stabilisation of lithospheric mantle. I have also been involved with understanding processes involved in Precambrian Basin evolution, hydrocarbon mobility and weathering and erosion rates in ground and river water systems.I have extensive experience with Sr, Nd Hf and Os isotopic systems, and am increasingly involving in applying novel (U- series, O, Li, B) to solving problems related to Earth evolution.

Bruce.Schaefer@mq.edu.au

LECTURERS

Craig O'Neill, BSc (Hons, 2000) (The University of Sydney); PhD 2004 (The University of Sydney)

See personal web pages
Craig.Oneill@mq.edu.au

Juan Carlos Afonso, PhD (2006) Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

See personal web pages
Juan.Afonso@mq.edu.au

 

EMERITUS PROFESSORS

John A Talent, BA, MSc, PhD Melb. Palaeontology, palaeobiogeography. Victorian Department of Mines, 1955-1967; Research Fellow Institute Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Bruxelles, 1961-62; Visiting Professor, California Institute of Technology, 1967; UNESCO Professor of Geology, University of Dacca, (Bangladesh), 1968-69; Visiting Professor, University of Roorkee (India), 1980; Research Associate, USSR Academy of Science (Novosibirsk), intermittently 1981-present. Corresponding Member, Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft since 1992. Current research Middle Palaeozoic brachiopods, conodonts, global extinction events, transgression-regression patterns, and biogeography in relation to plate tectonics.
john.talent@.mq.edu.au

Trevor H Green, BSc(Hons) Tas., PhD A.N.U. Research Fellow, Harvard University, 1967-1969; ANU Post-doctoral Fellow, Mineralogisk-Geologisk Museum, Norway 1969-1970. Igneous and metamorphic petrology, particularly high pressure experimental studies on natural and synthetic rock systems. Presently working on trace element partitioning at high pressure with particular emphasis on ratios and fluid/melt and fluid/mineral partitioning. Related experimental studies on the nature of metasomatic melts in the earth's mantle are in progress. Publications mainly on high pressure experimental petrology and geochemistry.
trevor.green@mq.edu.au

John J Veevers, MSc Syd., PhD Lond,. DIC. Regional stratigraphical and tectonic history of the Australian Plate, other Gondwanaland fragments and Pangea. Global earth history of the Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic.
john.veevers@mq.edu.au

 

RESEARCH FELLOWS

John Adam, BSc(Hons) NEng, PhD Tas. The geochemistry and experimental petrology of igneous rocks. Recent work has focused on the partitioning of trace elements between igneous minerals and melts. Current studies are directed at fluid/melt and fluid/mineral partitioning and their role in the genesis of continental crust and volcanic are magmas.

Theresa M Winchester-Seeto, BSc(Hons) Dip Ed. Macq., PhD Macq. Palaeozoic biostratigraphy; with special emphasis on organic-walled microfossils, dominantly chitinozoans, the linings of agglutinated foraminfera , and scolecodonts. Other research interests include investigating Microproblematica (eg Cambrian melanosclerites), Tertiary foraminifera, and the theoretical basis of field-teaching. Recent work has centred on studies of Ordovician and Silurian chitinozoans in Australia, in order to establish their potential for interregional and global correlation.
theresa.winchesterseeto@mq.edu.au

HONORARY ASSOCIATES

Patrick Conaghan, BSc, PhD Q'ld. Broad interest in sedimentary geology, publications in the areas of sedimentology, palaeogeography and Himalayan geology.

David W Durney, MSc, PhD Lond., DIC. Structural geology and rock mechanics. Two years in base metals exploration industry. Visiting Lecturer and Visiting Scientist: RSM London, ETH Zurich, Universidad Complutense Madrid (1979), CSIRO Mineral Physics & Mineralogy and Monash University (1985), Invited Speaker, J G Ramsay Conf. Zurich (1991), Visiting Professor, Barcelona University (1992-1993), Visiting Lecturer, Barcelona University (1995). Current interests: relations between cleavage, strain and fabric (Spain, Australia and US); multiple deformation and structural mapping very-low grade metamorphic terrains (Eastern NSW); methods of strain analysis; GIS; microscopic image analysis; low-pressure petrophysics.
ddurney@els.mq.edu.au

Jing-Feng Guo, BSc Nanjing, MSc(Hons) PhD Macq. Experimental investigations of elements partitioning in silicate systems. Geochemistry and petrogenesis of magacrysts and their inclusions associated with basaltic volcanism, especially corundum (sapphire). Studies on the geochemistry of mantle sulphides and the evolution of the Earth's crust-mantle-core system.
jingfeng.guo@mq.edu.au

Ruth Mawson, BA(Hons), PhD Macq. Palaeontology. Teacher with the NSW Department of Education, 1955-71. Research principally on conodonts and refinement of Silurian-Carboniferous correlations, Middle Palaeozoic dacryoconarids and brachiopods, global extinction events, palaeocommunities, fusulinid foraminifers and Quaternary non-marine molluses.
ruth.mawson@mq.edu.au

Stirling E Shaw, BSc W.Aust, PhD N.E. Petrology, geochemistry. Research includes the geochemistry and Sr isotopes of some granites and associated volcanics in the New England Batholith and the relationship of metamorphism/deformation and plutonism in the northern part of the Lachlan Fold Belt. Joint research with the United States Geological Survey on granitoids of south western U.S.A. including the Peninsular Ranges batholith and Mojave Desert. Publications on the New England Batholith, the Lachlan Fold Belt, the Mojave Desert and Peninsular Ranges Batholith, California.
stirling.shaw@mq.edu.au

Malcolm R Walter, BSc(Hons), PhD Adel. Neoproterozoic history of Australia, palaeobiology of ancient thermal springs (as part of a NASA project directed to the exploration of Mars) and the petroleum prospectivity of Proterozoic and Palaeozoic basins.
malcolm.walter@unsw.edu.au

Ming Zhang, BSc Shanxi Min. Col, MSc China Univ. Geoscs, PhD Lond. Petrology and geochemistry of basaltic and potassic rocks, mantle and crust xenoliths in East China and East Australia and their tectonic implications. Chemical evolution of disintegrated Gondwana continent and its role in generating the Dupal anomaly and other large-scale mantle heterogeneities.
ming.zhang@mq.edu.au