AuScope Limited

AuScope Programs

Earth Composition & Evolution

provides researchers with sophisticated tools to understand how the Australian continent has evolved…

National Virtual Core Library

is developing new, globally unique hardware and software infrastructure to help understand, map and locate our buried mineral deposits.

Simulation, Analysis & Modelling Platforms

provides a numerical toolkit for simulation, modelling, inversion and data mining.

Earth Imaging & Sounding

provides a suite of geophysical instruments that allows researchers to image the structure of the Earth more than 50 kilometres below its surface

AuScope GRID – Web Based Interface

for searching and accessing data, information, imagery, services and applications connected to the Grid.

Geospatial Framework & Earth Dynamics

involves VLBI systems, SLR facilities, GNSS ground stations and high-precision gravity meters that underpins national geodetic observation.

Subsurface Observatory

creates opportunities for monitoring natural & human induced changes in the physical state of Australian crust.

Geophysical Education Observatory

enables Australian secondary students in every State to participate in an international research experiment and learn about Earth Sciences and Geodesy.

Key Science Questions

Earth and geospatial science challenges of the next decade

Pressing social issues and critical economic drivers over the next decade will see unprecedented demands placed on the earth and geospatial science communities in Australia and on the research infrastructure that supports their endeavor. We will see a heightened need for new mineral discoveries in more difficult exploration environments and the development of nascent clean energy and geological waste storage technologies. Food, water and environmental security will become a more pressing issue as we place more demands on the geological services provided to us by the shallow crust and particularly in the context of accelerating climate and environmental changes.

The Key Science Questions that must be addressed in order to overcome these challenges will include:

Temporal Architecture

Changing architecture through deep time

How has Australia evolved in every dimension through deep time?
How have fluxes of mass and energy affected the Australian region through time, and in particular how did this impact the formation of significant mineral and energy deposits?
What is the past and present architecture of the Australian continent and territories at all scales?
What controls the “physical state” of the Australian plate through time?
What is the present “state” of the Australian continent and how has it changed? What is causing these changes?

Changes and Impacts

Changes and impacts on the earth and its environment

How and why is the Australian continent moving and deforming, in 3D?
How are the continents and climate changing, and what are the implications for society?
What are the past, present and future effects of climate variability?
How has human activity impacted our interface with the Earth?

Science Enablers

Technological enablers of science

What novel detection and analysis techniques are needed to enable science excellence?
What new tools will be required to support resource discovery in the future, particularly in the context of exploration under cover or in traditionally challenging environments?
How do we manage and work with vast data sets in relation to integration and interpretation methodologies and analytical tools to solve problems?

Future Directions

AuScope is constantly developing its strategic plan in order to best serve the needs of Australian Earth and Geospatial Science researchers over the next decade. Access our current strategic plan and associated documents or contact AuScope to provide your own input into the process.

Case Studies

Pinpointing the shifts in the ever changing Australian continent

November 18, 2014
Building a world-class capability to see deep into the Earth

November 18, 2015
Geochemistry set for new heights with AuScope Grid

November 18, 2015
Deep seismic points the way to major mineral discoveries

November 18, 2015
RESOchron shows Australia can innovate and sell to global market

November 19, 2015
Powering the next mining boom with data

November 19, 2015
Precise positioning gives Australia an independent, national capability

November 19, 2015
AuScope creates online access to our continent

November 19, 2015
Virtual labs set to deliver breakthrough exploration maps

November 19, 2015
AuScope virtual core library helps mineral discovery

November 19, 2015
New tectonic model for evolution of Australia

November 19, 2015
Australia leads in mapping our ancient world

November 19, 2015
Magnetotelluric data reveals what's below the western Gawler Craton

December 18, 2017
Using HyLogger to develop unconformity-related uranium exploration

December 18, 2017
Using HyLogger to identify uranium exploration targets in NT

December 21, 2017
Assessing geotechnical risk in geothermal areas using ESys computation

December 21, 2017
Using GNSS meteorology to improve prediction of severe storms

December 21, 2017

Current News & Resources

Geodesist Gary Johnston...

August 29, 2018

Recently, long-term AuScope collaborator, Gary Johnston of Geoscience Australia won a Queen’s Birthday award for outstanding public service in national and international satellite positioning...

READ MORE

AuScope Discovery Portal

A web Based Interface

For searching & accessing data, information, imagery, services & applications connected to the Grid. It allows users to discover, browse, save, & process geospatial information from Earth Science data sources around Australia. Hyperspectral, borehole, global navigation satellite, geodesy, mineral occurrence & geology data are all available.

Access

Collaboratively Answering Australia’s Geoscience Questions.