Student: Kenneth McCormack

Thesis: Integrated geochemical characterisation, stratigraphic and seismic interpretation of Permo–Triassic igneous rocks of East Timor and the North West Shelf of Australia

Summary

The North West Shelf (NWS) and the island of Timor reflect the interaction of a structurally complex, rifted volcanic margin with the Eurasian plate 500 km north of Australia.

The NWS volcanic passive margin (VPM) comprises the Phanerozoic Carnarvon, Canning, Browse and Bonaparte sedimentary basins developed in association with tectonic events that culminated in the Late Paleozoic opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and a series of Mesozoic abyssal plains containing Paleozoic-to-present marine and volcanic successions deposited unconformably on older crystalline igneous basement.

Timor reflects a distal continental promontory of the NWS that accreted to the Eurasian plate and probably caused the cessation of subduction in the Timor region.

Why my research is important

The purpose of this research is to characterise the igneous material related to the main extensional events affecting the northwest margin of Australia in Permo-Carboniferous to Triassic time by studying mineralogy, field relationships, geochemistry, Pb–U dating of zircon and stratigraphic analysis of wells and sections across the NWS and Timor.

The integration of data from the NWS and Timor will constrain the proximal and distal igneous evolution of the northern Australian margin and allow the rare chance to study an exposed portion of the distal NWS.

In addition, the documentation of Permo-Triassic igneous material in Timor may lead to a better understanding of Neogene tectonism and structure of the complex accretionary mélange.

Supervisors: Dr Mary Gee; A/Prof Myra Keep; A/Prof David Haig; Dr Neal McNaughton

Funding: Supported by ENI.

Contact: Kenneth McCormack

School of Earth and Geographical Sciences - North (M004)
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Hwy
Crawley, WA 6009

Phone: (+61 8) 6488 7152