Dr. Peter Betts

Supervisors: Peter Betts and Laurent Ailleres

 Laurent Ailleres and Pete Betts will offer up to 4 projects in the discipline of “Structural Geophysics”.  Most of the projects will use combination of field data (structural and petrophysical data), interpretation of regional gravity and magnetic data, forward and inverse modeling to solve problems pertaining to crustal architecture.  We will also consider students interested in projects combining geophysics with volcanology in collaboration with Professor Ray Cas.   We can cater the project to suit your interests, with projects varying from geologically dominated to inversion theory and software development.  Likely study areas will include several along the eastern margin of Gondwana, one in the Curnamona Province (Weekeroo Inlier), and potentially one in the northern Gawler Craton.
 

Supervisors: Peter Betts and Laurent Ailleres
Field of study: Structural Geophysics
Support Offered: Field expenses
Collaborating organisation/s: Geoscience Victoria
Preferred Program: Honours

High resolution geophysical data throughout western Victoria reveal a complex structural and magmatic pattern related to the onset of the evolution of the margin of Gondwana.  This project will involve geophysical mapping of the Lachlan Fold Belt structure beneath the Murray Basin to constrain the structural architecture of the belt.  Seismic data will be available to constrain the interpretation.  The methodologies to be utilised in the project will include geophysical interpretation, forward and inverse modelling of gravity and magnetic data.  There may be a minor field component to collect rock property data and samples.
For further information, contact Pete Betts or Laurent Ailleres.
 

Supervisors: Peter Betts and Laurent Ailleres
Field of study: Structural Geophysics
Collaborating organisation: PIRSA
Preferred Program: Honours

This project is the continuation of a MSc project which involved high resolution mapping of the Weekeroo Inlier.  This project will utilise this mapping to construct a 3D map of the area utilising high resolution magnetic and gravity datasets.  The methodologies to be utilised in the project will include geophysical interpretation, forward and inverse modelling of gravity and magnetic data, construction of a 3D model based on mapping constraints. For further information, contact Pete Betts or Laurent Ailleres.
 

Supervisors:  Laurent Ailleres & Peter Betts

Field of study: Structural Geophysics
Collaborating organisation/s: Intrepid Geophysics
Preferred Program: Honours

Implicit modelling techniques allow the construction of geological models in a reproducible way. However, these are based on the interpolation of structural data and only one model is produced. This “a-priori” model can then be refined during inversion of potential field data. Eventually one most likely model (based on millions of geophysically satisfying models) is produced. This project will investigate the sensibility of the model building algorithm by introducing variations in the input structural data (both location and values of strike and dip will be varied within reasonable levels of error). Each model will be then utilised as a-priori models for inversion. Statistical methods will be used to analyse the differences between the resulting inverted models. A most probable model should be proposed from the set of geologically & geophysically acceptable models. Basic programming skills (in C or C++ or Java) would be a bonus but are not necessary. For further information, contact Laurent Ailleres.
 

Supervisors: Louis Moresi & Peter Betts

Field of study: Tectonics and Geodynamics
Support Offered: Project costs
Preferred Program: Honours

In this project you will explore the conditions in which strike slips systems evolve using numerical simulations and compare these with natural systems in either geological or geophysical data.  The project will involve the use of existing numerical models to determine the influence of crustal rheology and strength on the behaviour of strike-slip faults, in particular determining the conditions favourable for partitioning of strain versus conditions favourable for distribution of strain.  Examples of these systems occur in nature.  Geophysical data will be utilised to assess the architecture and geometry of natural fault systems further constrain and provide feedback for numerical models.