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The overall rationale of The Institute for Geoscience Research (TIGeR) is to study Earth's dynamic evolution as recorded in the geotectonic, geochronologic, geodetic and geochemical records. Our multi-scale, multi-disciplinary approach, integrating the latest technology with collection of basic field and laboratory data from many parts of the world (in association with our international collaborators), will allow synthesis of geological and geodetic information on a truly global scale.

TIGeR is focused on the origin, evolution and current configuration of planet Earth. It brings together key Curtin University members of the John de Laeter Centre for Mass Spectrometry (JdLCMS), the former Tectonics Special Research Centre (TSRC), the Western Australian Centre for Geodesy (WACG) and the Stable Isotope and Molecular (BioGeochemistry) Group with the common goal of advancing new and innovative geoscience research through exciting collaborative initiatives.

TIGeR research falls into two areas - 'Earth Past and Earth Present'.

Earth Past focuses on understanding the origin and evolution of planet Earth from both a purely scientific view and for more practical reasons including understanding the temporal and spatial distribution of ore bodies and petroleum reservoirs, and identifying the drivers of long-term climate change. Our research into the Solar System and Early Earth involves the study of meteorites and lunar material and the oldest known crustal remnants on Earth. We have considerable expertise in evaluating the changing configuration of Earth's continents over time, particularly in the Proterozoic. This time period is widely considered to have seen the onset of modern-style plate tectonics and is also when many of the world's mineral deposits formed.

Earth Present involves understanding the configuration of the Earth and its surface features and also provides an important benchmark for evaluating global changes. Our research in this area focuses on gravity field determinations, modern tectonic movements, lithospheric strength, and laser and radar scanning. Our expertise in measuring and modelling the contemporary Earth's shape and gravity field has led to an ongoing evaluation of spherical versus ellipsoidal Earth models. Stable isotopic compositions preserved in organic matter provide powerful insights into biochemistry, ecology, climate change, hydrologic and atmospheric processes. The stable isotope and molecular biogeochemistry group apply compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to determine the stable isotopic compositions of individual organic components in complex mixtures (e.g. petroleum, natural gases, sediments, soils, groundwater, potable waters and extracts from plants and other media). Emphasis is placed on paleoenvironmental change (including mass extinctions), biogeochemical cycling of carbon and hydrogen to resolve metabolic relationships between organic compounds in living and extinct organisms and their applications to petroleum exploration.

The team includes many of Curtin's top researchers with proven track-records of publishing in high-impact international journals, obtaining competitive Australian and International grants and producing graduate students of the highest quality. Research objectives comprise a mix of continuous development of existing key programs and new initiatives that have evolved from targeted collaborative projects that harness the joint talents of the Geology, Geodesy and Geochemistry teams.

TIGeR is one of Curtin's high-impact Tier 1 centres and we aim to remain at the forefront of the University's strategic research initiatives.