Earth sciences
Research in Earth sciences at Macquarie University received the highest possible rating in ERA 2010 - 'performance well above world standard'
| 5-rated discipline | Earth sciences research |
| 5-rated sub disciplines |
|
Earth sciences at Macquarie has two linked but distinctive research clusters: earth and planetary sciences and environmental science.
World-leaders in Earth and planetary sciences research
Earth and planetary sciences research is based predominantly within the ARC National Key Centre for Geochemical Evolution and Metallogeny of Continents (GEMOC). Employing an interdisciplinary approach to studying the solid earth by integrating geochemistry, petrology, geophysics and geodynamics, GEMOC launched Macquarie as a world leader in research on the evolution of the lithosphere, the timing of earth events, the nature of the deep earth, and its geodynamics.
GEMOC has now evolved into the new ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems. Led by Professor Sue O'Reilly, the centre will deliver a new framework for mineral exploration, linking ore deposits to tectonics, mantle structure and the transport of material and energy. It will also integrate previously disparate fields - geochemistry, petrophysics, geophysics, and numerical and thermodynamical modelling - to reach a new level of understanding of Earth's dynamics and the fluid cycle(s) through time.
Environmental science and national climate change
Environmental science research focuses on climate science, organic and inorganic contaminant geochemistry, fluvial systems, coastal dynamics, palaeo environmental reconstructions with studies of early earth evolution and environmental impacts of resource production and use.
Environmental science researchers play a major role in the National Climate Change Research Adaptation Facility, which was formed to lead the research community in a national interdisciplinary effort to generate information for decision-makers in government and in vulnerable sectors and communities to manage the risks of climate change impacts.
Informing management of natural hazards
This area also incorporates Risk Frontiers, which is a world leader in natural hazards risk assessment and provides insurers with sophisticated research-based solutions. Applications, which are used globally, include emergency management, land use planning and floodplain management.
World-leading researchers
- Professor Bill Griffin, within Earth and Planetary Sciences is the second most-cited Australian geoscientist and is ranked 11 in the world.
- Sue O'Reilly, within Earth and Planetary Sciences, is ranked third in Australia and 17 worldwide.
- ARC Professorial Fellow Ann Henderson-Sellers, from Environmental Sciences is ISI Highly-Cited.
National research centreARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems |
Macquarie University research centreRisk Frontiers |