Petrogenesis of mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Giles Complex,
WA
Supervisor
Research Affiliations
Degree Type/Name
Pre-requisites
Student Support
Collaboration
Dr Wolf Maier
Centre for Exploration Targeting
Ph.D, Honours projects could also be organised
Degree in Geology, Geochemistry or Mineralogy
All research costs associated with this project will be covered by
supervisor's research funds.
This project is a collaboration with Dr. H Smithies (Geological
Survey of Western Australia).
Skills
The project provides the opportunity to obtain skills in petrography, geochemistry, and
economic geology, particularly related to the origin of Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits.
Project Description
The Mesoproterozoic Musgrave block remains one of the least studied areas of Australia. It
consists mainly of granulite facies quartzofeldspathic metasedimentary and metaigneous
rocks. It also contains a suite of layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions (collectively referred to as
the Giles Complex), comprising peridotites (e.g. Wingellina Hills, Murray intrusions),
pyroxenites (e.g. Kalka intrusion), gabbronorites (e.g. Cavenaugh intrusion), and troctolites
(e.g. Blacktone, Jameson, and Bell Rock intrusions). This represents one of the largest suites
of this type on Earth. Their composition and petrogenesis remain mostly poorly known, but
have received renewed interest after the discovery of economically important Ni-Cu-PGE
sulfide ores in what appears to be a feeder conduit to the Giles Complex, at Nebo-Babel.
The Centre for Exploration Targeting at UWA has recently started to investigate the intrusions
in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western Australia who is presently mapping the
area. GSWA has established good working relationships with the Ngaanjatjarra Aboriginal
Council, providing access to field areas that have never been studied in detail. GSWA also
provides logistic support and accommodation in their field camps.
Fig.1. (A) Landing at Uluru,
from where the field area is
reached via a 350 km dirt
track. (B) The Olgas along
the road to the Musgraves.
(C) The Blackstone Range
troctolites. (D) Field camp in
the
Musgraves.
(E)
Blackstone
Range.
(D)
Thorny Devil.
The present project involves mapping in the Murray, Blackstone and Cavenaugh Ranges (in
July-August 2007) and the Jameson Range (in 2008), and analytical work (comprising
petrographical examination of thin sections, lithophile and chalcophile element analysis,
microprobe analysis of minerals, and isotopic work including SHRIMP dating and Oxygen and
Sm-Nd isotope analysis. The analytical costs and travel expenses are fully covered. The aim
of the project is to constrain the petrogenesis of the intrusions, and to evaluate its potential for
hosting PGE and Ni deposits.
Recommended Reading
Glikson, A. (1995) The Giles mafic-ultramafic complex and environs, western Musgrave
Block, central Australia. AGSO Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics, Vol. 16 (1-2).