Tectonic reconstruction of the Ormiston Gorge area

Project researchers

Doctor Guilaume Backe

Doctor Alan Collins (CERG)

Project Details

Tectonic reconstruction of deformed terranes has been routinely performed uisng geometirc and kinematics model for the past twenty years. However, the recent development of mechanical modelling tool is offering a brand new understanding of areas previously studied. In addition, development of laboratory techniques using Electron Probe MicroAnalysis (EPMA) and Secondary Ionization Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)/Ion Micrroprobe open new ways of constrasinng P and T paths, age of deformation, sediment origin and depositional environnment.

Using state of the art reconstruction and laboratory techniques, this project aims to better constrain the tectonic evolution of the northern edge of the Amadeus basin, particulary in the Ormiston Gorge area.

It is anticipated that this work will be used as a case-study validating these techniques, which have huge implications in terms of structural modelling, tectonic reconstruction, petroleum and mining exploration and the general understanding of the evolution of deformed terranes. The final aim in this project will be to publish the result of this study.