Thesis work
Thesis title: The rise and demise of Australia's massive reef systems over geological timescales
Supervisors: Sabin Zahirovic, Claire Mallard, Tristan Salles
Thesis abstract:
Currently, Australia posseses a major reef system in the Great Barrier Reef along our North-East continental shelf. However, the GBR isn't Australia's only reef system. Throughout the Cenozoic, carbonate platforms have existed along both Australia's north-west and southern margins. The exact causes of these platforms' rise and demise is unclear. We seek to better understand how these systems come to life and then disappear through the use of landscape evolution numerical modelling. These models will be constrained with the use of paleoclimate modelling, tectonic plate reconstructions and dynamic topography modelling. By having estimates of key platform parameters such as sediment input, we can use fuzzy logic to estimate the timing and propogation of warm-water and cool-water carbonates. By better understanding the lifecycles of ancient carbonate systems, we can improve understanding of our current systems.
Publications
Journals
- Williams, C., Paumard, V., Webster, J., Leonard, J., Salles, T., O'Leary, M., Lang, S. (2023). Environmental controls on the resilience of Scott Reefs since the Miocene (North West Shelf, Australia): Insights from 3D seismic data. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 151. [More Information]
- Muller, D., Zahirovic, S., Williams, S., Cannon, J., Seton, M., Bower, D., Tetley, M., Heine, C., Le Breton, E., Liu, S., Russell, S., Leonard, J., et al (2019). A Global Plate Model Including Lithospheric Deformation Along Major Rifts and Orogens Since the Triassic. Tectonics, 38(6), 1884-1907. [More Information]
2023
- Williams, C., Paumard, V., Webster, J., Leonard, J., Salles, T., O'Leary, M., Lang, S. (2023). Environmental controls on the resilience of Scott Reefs since the Miocene (North West Shelf, Australia): Insights from 3D seismic data. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 151. [More Information]
2019
- Muller, D., Zahirovic, S., Williams, S., Cannon, J., Seton, M., Bower, D., Tetley, M., Heine, C., Le Breton, E., Liu, S., Russell, S., Leonard, J., et al (2019). A Global Plate Model Including Lithospheric Deformation Along Major Rifts and Orogens Since the Triassic. Tectonics, 38(6), 1884-1907. [More Information]