The Thermochronology research group has broad interests in the development and application of low-temperature thermochronology methods to reconstruct the thermal history of the continental crust.
The group primarily uses the techniques of fission track analysis and (U-Th-Sm)/He dating in the common phosphate accessory mineral apatite, and also other uranium-enriched minerals including zircon, titanite and monazite. The group also has strong collaborative links with other groups in the School, especially into higher temperature thermochronology systems using 40Ar/39Ar techniques with the Noble Gas Geochronology group.
The Thermochronology group conducts research across all aspects of the development of laboratory techniques, as well as their application to understanding the low-temperature history of the continental crust. Applications include continental extension tectonics, the origin and evolution of rifted continental margins, the evolution of convergent orogenic belts, sedimentary basin analysis, long-term landscape evolution, and the long-term stability of cratonic regions of the crust. We work all over the world.
Our laboratories
The Group currently operates four comprehensively equipped laboratories for Fission Track analysis, (U-Th)/He analysis, Laser-Ablation Quadrupole ICP-Mass Spectrometry, and Cosmogenic Isotope Target preparation.
Current research projects
- Development of automated methods of digital fission track analysis
- The integration of fission track methods with Laser-Ablation ICP-Mass Spectrometry
- Development of monazite fission track thermochronology
- Ongoing development of (U-Th-Sm)/He methods
- Assessment of mineral reference materials for geothermochronology
- Development of sintered apatite standards for Laser-Ablation ICP-Mass Spectrometry
- Developing the AusGeochem geochemistry data platform as a member of the AuScope Geochemistry laboratory Network (AGN)
- Reporting and interpretation of fission track data
- Continental-scale thermo-tectonic imaging of Australia and the Afro-Arabian Rift System
- The dynamic evolution of sheared continental margins in Baja California and Tasmania
- Geodynamics and continental extension in the East African and Red Sea-Dead Sea Rift Systems, and Eastern Brazil
- Geodynamics of convergent continental settings in New Zealand, Andes, Japan, China and Canadian Cordillera
- Near-surface processes and the long-term evolution of the ancient continental nuclei in Australia, Canada and Fennoscandia
- Exhumation and preservation history of ore deposits - Australia and China
- Effects of fluid flow on low-temperature systematics
- Dating of Quaternary volcanism
Our researchers
- Mr Abaz Alimanovic
abaza@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 8344 3898 - Dr Samuel C Boone
samuel.boone@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 8344 4950 - Dr Ling Chung
ling.chung@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 8344 9699 - Professor Andrew Gleadow
gleadow@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 8344 5700 - Professor Barry Kohn
b.kohn@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 8344 7217 - Mr Sean Jones
seanj1@student.unimelb.edu.au - Mr Malcolm McMillan
mmcmillan1@student.unimelb.edu.au