WA invests in time machine to help map resources future
Enabling an exciting future for geoscience research (left – right): Curtin DVCR Prof Chris Moran, Curtin PVC Science & Engineering Prof Jeremy Kilburn, WA Mines & Energy Minister Bill Johnston and John de Laeter Centre Director Prof Brent McInnes. Image: Ezra Alcantra
The Government of Western Australia announced a $3.2M co-investment with AuScope and Curtin University today to enable the replacement of a 27-year old Sensitive High-Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) instrument at the John de Laeter Centre (JdLC). The new Geoscience Ion Probe will allow researchers to determine the age and composition of the Earth’s crust and will support the next generation of Australian researchers to unveil the secrets of the universe.
The SHRIMP instrument has been used by researchers to discover the oldest minerals on the Earth, Moon and Mars, and to generate over 860 scientific publications in the international literature that have been cited over 103,000 times. Significant milestones linked to this technology include the discovery of the Earth’s oldest known minerals (4,404 million years old) at Erawondoo Hill in the Pilbara and oldest meteorite impact crater (Yarrabubba) Crater in the Yilgarn. The Facility also provides the Geological Survey of Western Australia with the unique ability to conduct its own geochronology program which generates a competitive advantage in attracting resource exploration expenditure to Western Australia.
For the last twenty years has had great impact in both earth and planetary sciences. Prof Brent McInnes, Director of JdLC explains:
“The SHRIMP instrument has literally changed the geological understanding of Australia over the last quarter of a century. When you compare geology maps from the period before and after SHRIMP side-by-side, you can see the legend is much bigger and contains more detailed information. This reflects the scientific advances that have been made in understanding the age relationships between rock units.”
The SHRIMP has helped to advance our geological understanding of Western Australia, pictured here is the geological map of Australia in 1979 (left) and 2015 (right). Images: Prof Brent McInnes
Brent now looks to the importance of new discoveries enabled by SHRIMP in decades ahead:
“One of the many lessons we are learning through the COVID-19 crisis is the role of the minerals industry in underpinning a resilient Australian economy. Exploration is the lifeblood of our industry and geoscience research helps de-risk the exploration process.
This collaboration between government and academia will provide an innovative technology platform to support exploration geoscience in Australia for decades to come.”
Dr Imogen Fielding, a geochronologist with the Geological Survey of Western Australia, using the Curtin SHRIMP to measure the age of rocks recovered during geological mapping programs. Image: Prof Brent McInnes
AuScope CEO, Dr Tim Rawling is delighted to learn that the Western Australian Government is co-investing in the SHRIMP replacement project with AuScope and Curtin University:
“This will create a fantastic opportunity for the Australian geoscience research community and will have a marked impact on research activity related to mineral discovery in the west and right across Australia.”
The new SHRIMP will form a new element to AuScope’s expanding capability known conceptually as the Downward-Looking Telescope (DLT), allowing researchers to ‘see clearer and deeper’ into Earth to help address Australia’s decadal geoscience challenges. Tim explains:
“As a result of a two-year engagement with the Australian geoscience community AuScope has committed to build the DLT — a newly augmented and integrated capability including instruments, services, data and analytics.
This co-investment with Curtin and the Government of Western Australia represents one of the first large investments toward realising that vision to support geoscience research in Australia over the next decade.”
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