Earth Dynamics Logo Earth Dynamics Research Group

We study the dynamic distribution and evolution of tectonic plates on Earth through time, geodynamic driving mechanisms and tectonic processes, and their relevance to Earth resources and environments. We have a particular focus on supercontinent cycles, global plume records, and 4D geodynamic modelling. Our research involves palaeomagnetism, all aspects of field-based studies, geochemical, petrological, and geochronological analyses, data-mining, numerical modelling, and regional to global syntheses.

IGCP 648: Supercontinent Cycles & Global Geodynamics


This project brings together a diverse range of geoscience expertise to harness recent breakthroughs in order to explore the occurrence and evolution history of supercontinents through time along with the underlying geodynamic processes. This work is supported by:


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Research Highlights
Supercontinents break up along old scars

Recent geodynamic modelling published in the new Nature journal Communications Earth and Environment shows that while the break-up of a supercontinent is triggered by mantle plumes, the locations for the development of continental rifts is largely guided by the orogens.

Adapted from Dang et al., 2020.

Structural and metamorphic evolution of the final Nuna assembly in northeast Australia

Three recent contributions from Ms Silvia Volante show the distinct stages of evolution of the c. 1.6 billion-year orogenic belt in NE Australia and supports the previously published continental collision between the Laurentian and Australian blocks during the final assembly of the Supercontinent Nuna.

Photo credit: Zheng-Xiang Li

News

  • New article in Nature Geoscience!

    A recently published Nature Geoscience article outlines the critical importance of water in the melting that occurs in subduction zones.
    This work, lead by Prof. Bill Collins, also discusses how this fluid-fluxed melting influences the mineralogical and geochemical signatures of the continental crust.

  • Dr Sergei Pisarevsky awarded Russian Megagrant

    Dr Sergei Pisarevsky was recently awarded a Russian "megagrant" for the project "Orogenesis: Assembly and Growth of Continents and Supercontinents". The grant will lead to the creation of a new facility at the Institute of the Earth's Crust, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Congratulations Sergei!

  • Daniel Brennan awarded best student geologic map

    PhD student Daniel Brennan was recently awarded the best student geologic map at the 2019 Geological Society of America's Annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Well done Dan!

  • Prof. Zheng-Xiang Li recognised in 2019 Class of AGU Fellows

    Professor Zheng-Xiang Li has been named in the list of 62 new AGU Fellows to be honored at the AGU Fall Meeting 2019 in San Francisco, California.

    Congratulations Prof. Li!

  • IGCP 648 2019 Field Symposium a success!

    The IGCP 648 2019 Field Symposium on the Precambrian evolution of Madagascar was well attended, with 31 geoscientists representing 11 countries. Read an entertaining account of the symposium written by Prof. Damian Nance.

More News and Events

Links

  • ACTER

    Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Tectonics and Earth Resources

  • CCFS

    ARC Center of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems

  • TIGeR

    The Institute for Geoscience Research

  • Applied Geology

    The Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University

  • WASM

    Western Australian School of Mines

Important upcoming events

  • The next seminar of the IGCP 648 VSS will be on 27th Nov. 2020 at 00:00 GMT, with Dr Daniel Pastor-Galán, an Assistant Professor from Tohoku University, Japan, presenting: What makes a continent "super"?

    Please take note of the time zone. The seminar will be Thursday PM Americas; Friday AM Aus/Asia.

    View more information about the seminar series and watch some of the recorded previous seminars.

    Please use the online form to sign up and participate in our future seminar series.

Community Feature Article

Understanding how supercontinents form and drift apart

Prof. Li was recently featured in an article discussing the work that we do in the Earth Dynamics Research Group. The article was produced by Futurum, a magazine and online platform aimed at inspiring young people to follow a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The article also includes a link to an activity sheet for students and teachers. For more information, teaching resources, and course and career guides, see www.futurumcareers.com.

CCFS Short Course on Snowball Earth by Professor Paul Hoffman

A CCFS-sponsored short course on the global climatic phenomenon known as Snowball Earth was held at Curtin University on 15 July, 2016.

Read More

Traveling Geologist

The work of Applied Geology’s research fellow and lecturer, Chris Spencer, has seen him visit many exotic and remote locations around the world, documented on his travel blog Traveling Geologist – check out some of the incredible photos.

Visit the website