The lost ocean of eastern Australia and its critical metals endowment

该项目旨在揭示超镁铁质岩石（镍、钴、铬和铂族元素含量较高的岩石）的构造起源和经济潜力。这种岩石在澳大利亚东部沿着一条长达1500公里的扭曲带露出地面，这条带可能记录了古代海洋的遗迹。通过详细的测绘和尖端的分析技术，该项目有望填补澳大利亚构造学的关键知识空白，同时提供有关矿石化的信息。预期的结果，包括揭示超镁铁质体规模、几何形状和经济潜力的新构造模型，可能有利于关键的矿产勘探、碳储存解决方案和地质生态保护。

This project aims to unravel the tectonic origin and economic potential of ultramafic rocks (rocks which host elevated concentrations of nickel, cobalt, chromium, and platinum-group elements). Such rocks are outcropping in eastern Australia along a contorted ~1500 km long belt that may record relics of an ancient ocean. Through detailed mapping and cutting-edge analytical techniques, the project is expected to fill a crucial knowledge gap in Australian tectonics, while providing information on ore mineralisation. The expected outcomes, including new tectonic models unveiling the scale, geometry, and economic potential of the ultramafic bodies, could benefit critical mineral exploration, carbon storage solutions, and geoecology conservation.