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Dr Laura Morrissey

  • Research Fellow Future Industries Institute
  • City East Campus (BJ3-32)
  • email Laura.Morrissey@unisa.edu.au
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About me

About me

Dr Laura Morrissey
  • Geology
  • Tectonics
  • Mineral systems

I am a geologist who applies principles of metamorphic petrology to understand a variety of larger questions relating to tectonics, high temperature processes and ore deposit genesis. Metamorphic petrology involves determining the pressures and temperatures that rocks experienced, based on their mineral assemblages and chemistry. Metamorphic rocks can be used to understand the processes that have shaped the Earth over billions of years.

I was awarded my PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2017. I commenced work at UniSA in 2017 as a post doctoral researcher on an ARC Linkage Project. I now work as a post doctoral researcher in the MinEX CRC.

 

My current research interests include:

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About me

I am a geologist who applies principles of metamorphic petrology to understand a variety of larger questions relating to tectonics, high temperature processes and ore deposit genesis. Metamorphic petrology involves determining the pressures and temperatures that rocks experienced, based on their mineral assemblages and chemistry. Metamorphic rocks can be used to understand the processes that have shaped the Earth over billions of years.

I was awarded my PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2017. I commenced work at UniSA in 2017 as a post doctoral researcher on an ARC Linkage Project. I now work as a post doctoral researcher in the MinEX CRC.

 

My current research interests include:

-          Tectonics and continental reconstructions of Australia and Antarctica over a billion years ago, including implications for the location of mineral deposits.

-          The generation of highly saline fluids and their role in ore deposit genesis

-          The role of melting and melt loss in the generation of high temperatures in the crust, crustal strength and the ability of rocks to record metamorphic events

-          The role of melting in chemically differentiating the crust, and the role of this in the formation of ore deposits

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Professional Associations

Member of the Geological Society of Australia

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Experience

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy University of Adelaide

  • Diploma in Languages University of Adelaide

  • Bachelor of Science the University of Adelaide

  • Bachelor of Laws the University of Adelaide

  • Bachelor of Science (Jurisprudence) the University of Adelaide

Work history

I graduated from my PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Adelaide in May 2017. Prior to that, I completed a combined Law/Science degree from the University of Adelaide in 2011 and a Diploma of Language in Spanish from the University of Adelaide in 2009.

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Research

Research themes

  • Scarce resources

Research focus

  • Geology
  • Earth Sciences
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Geochemistry

Highlights

My current research interest is in combining metamorphic petrology with economic geology to understand the generation of ore deposits. One example of this combination is the use of phase equilibria modelling to highlight the importance of high temperature (>850 °C) metamorphism and melt loss on the formation of Iron Road's magnetite iron ore deposit on Eyre Peninsula. 

Current research interests:

- Tectonic evolution of Australia and Antarctica during the Proterozoic

- The effects of melt and melt loss on the composition and reactivity of the crust, including the enrichment of economic elements such as iron

- The generation of highly saline fluids and their role in ore deposit genesis

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Research

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Projects

Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.

  • MinEx CRC Project 8 Geological Architecture and Evolution, MinEx CRC, 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2021

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Research

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Outputs

Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Highlights

Year Output
2017

Morrissey, LJ, Payne, JL, Hand, M, Clark, C, Taylor, R, Kirkland, CL & Kylander-Clark, A 2017, 'Linking the Windmill Islands, east Antarctica and the Albany-Fraser Orogen: insights from U-Pb zircon geochronology and Hf isotopes', Precambrian Research, vol. 293, pp. 131-149.

20 19
2016

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M, Kelsey, DE & Wade, BP 2016, 'Cambrian high-temperature reworking of the Rayner-Eastern ghats terrane: constraints from the Northern Prince Charles Mountains region, East Antarctica', Journal of Petrology, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 53-91.

Open access 16 15
2016

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M, Lane, K, Kelsey, DE & Dutch, RA 2016, 'Upgrading iron-ore deposits by melt loss during granulite facies metamorphism', Ore Geology Reviews, vol. 74, pp. 101-121.

11 11 1
2015

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M & Kelsey, DE 2015, 'Multi-stage metamorphism in the Rayner-Eastern Ghats Terrane: P-T-t constraints from the northern Prince Charles Mountains, east Antarctica', Precambrian Research, vol. 267, pp. 137-163.

27 25
2014

Morrissey, L, Hand, M, Raimondo, T & Kelsey, D 2014, 'Long-lived high-T, low-P granulite facies metamorphism in the Arunta region, central Australia', Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 25-47.

Open access 40 37

Journal Articles

Year Output
2020

Alessio, KL, Hand, M, Hasterok, D, Morrissey, LJ, Kelsey, DE & Raimondo, T 2020, 'Thermal modelling of very long-lived (>140 Myr) high thermal gradient metamorphism as a result of radiogenic heating in the Reynolds Range, central Australia', Lithos, vol. 352-353, article no. 105280, pp. 1-14.

2019

Morrissey, LJ, Barovich, KM, Hand, M, Howard, KE & Payne, JL 2019, 'Magmatism and metamorphism at ca. 1.45 Ga in the northern Gawler Craton: the Australian record of rifting within Nuna (Columbia)', Geoscience Frontiers, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 175-194.

Open access 5 4
2019

Mulder, JA, Halpin, JA, Daczko, NR, Orth, K, Meffre, S, Thompson, JM & Morrissey, LJ 2019, 'A multiproxy provenance approach to uncovering the assembly of East Gondwana in Antarctica', Geology (Boulder), vol. 47, no. 7, pp. 645-649.

2
2019

Prent, AM, Beinlich, A, Morrissey, LJ, Raimondo, T, Clark, C & Putnis, A 2019, 'Monazite as a monitor for melt-rock interaction during cooling and exhumation', Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 415-438.

4
2019

Tamblyn, R, Zack, T, Schmitt, A, Hand, M, Kelsey, D, Morrissey, L, Pabst, S & Savov, I 2019, 'Blueschist from the Mariana forearc records long-lived residence of material in the subduction channel', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 519, pp. 171-181.

1 2 1
2019

de Vries van Leeuwen, AT, Morrissey, LJ, Kelsey, DE & Raimondo, T 2019, 'Recognition of Pan-African-aged metamorphism in the Fisher Terrane, central Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica', Journal of the Geological Society, vol. 176, no. 4, pp. 785-798.

Open access
2018

Alessio, KL, Hand, M, Kelsey, DE, Williams, MA, Morrissey, LJ & Barovich, K 2018, 'Conservation of deep crustal heat production', Geology (Boulder), vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 335-338.

12 9
2018

Bhowany, K, Hand, M, Clark, C, Kelsey, D, Reddy, S, Pearce, M, Tucker, N & Morrissey, L 2018, 'Phase equilibria modelling constraints on P-T conditions during fluid catalysed conversion of granulite to eclogite in the Bergen Arcs, Norway', Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 315-342.

Open access 8 7 4
2018

He, X-F, Hand, M, Santosh, M, Kelsey, DE, Morrissey, LJ & Tsunogae, T 2018, 'Long-lived metamorphic P-T-t evolution of the Highland complex, Sri Lanka: Insights from mafic granulites', Precambrian Research, vol. 316, pp. 227-243.

1 1
2018

Payne, J, Raimondo, T, Morrissey, L, Hand, M, Lilly, R, Tomkins, A, Reid, A, Dutch, R, Wade, C, Hamisi, J, Bockmann, M & Janicki, M 2018, 'Source to spectrum: project update', MESA Journal, vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 12-14.

2018

Tucker, N, Morrissey, L, Payne, J & Szpunar, M 2018, 'Genesis of the Archean-paleoproterozoic tabletop domain, Rudall Province, and its endemic relationship to the West Australian Craton', Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 65, no. 6, pp. 739-768.

2 2 2
2018

Williams, MA, Kelsey, DE, Hand, M, Raimondo, T, Morrissey, LJ, Tucker, NM & Dutch, RA 2018, 'Further evidence for two metamorphical events in the Mawson Continent', Antarctic Science, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 44-65.

Open access 1 1 2
2017

Alessio, KL, Hand, M, Morrissey, LJ, Kelsey, DE & Payne, JL 2017, 'Melt reintegration modelling: Testing against a subsolidus reference assemblage', Geosciences, vol. 7, no. 3, article no. 75, pp. 1-21.

Open access 1 1 1
2017

Kelsey, DE, Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M, Clark, C, Tamblyn, R, Gaehl, AA & Marshall, S 2017, 'Significance of post-peak metamorphic reaction microstructures in the ultrahigh temperature Eastern Ghats Province, India', Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 1081-1109.

Open access 7 6 1
2017

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M & Kelsey, DL 2017, 'A curious case of agreement between conventional thermobarometry and phase equilibria modelling in granulites: New constraints on P-T estimates in the Antarctica segment of the Musgrave-Albany-Fraser-Wilkes Orogen', Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 1023-1050.

8 6 3
2017

Morrissey, LJ, Payne, JL, Hand, M, Clark, C, Taylor, R, Kirkland, CL & Kylander-Clark, A 2017, 'Linking the Windmill Islands, east Antarctica and the Albany-Fraser Orogen: insights from U-Pb zircon geochronology and Hf isotopes', Precambrian Research, vol. 293, pp. 131-149.

20 19
2017

Payne, J, Raimondo, T, Morrissey, L, Hand, M, Lilly, R, Tomkins, A, Reid, A, Dutch, R & Wade, C 2017, 'Source to Spectrum: a new project investigating the range of mineral deposits in the Gawler Craton', MESA Journal, vol. 83, no. 2, pp. 8-10.

Open access
2016

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M, Kelsey, DE & Wade, BP 2016, 'Cambrian high-temperature reworking of the Rayner-Eastern ghats terrane: constraints from the Northern Prince Charles Mountains region, East Antarctica', Journal of Petrology, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 53-91.

Open access 16 15
2016

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M, Lane, K, Kelsey, DE & Dutch, RA 2016, 'Upgrading iron-ore deposits by melt loss during granulite facies metamorphism', Ore Geology Reviews, vol. 74, pp. 101-121.

11 11 1
2015

Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M & Kelsey, DE 2015, 'Multi-stage metamorphism in the Rayner-Eastern Ghats Terrane: P-T-t constraints from the northern Prince Charles Mountains, east Antarctica', Precambrian Research, vol. 267, pp. 137-163.

27 25
2015

Wong, BL, Morrissey, LJ, Hand, M, Fields, CE & Kelsey, DE 2015, 'Grenvillian-aged reworking of late Paleoproterozoic crust of the southern North Australian Craton, central Australia: implications for the assembly of Mesoproterozoic Australia', Precambrian Research, vol. 270, pp. 100-123.

7 7
2014

Morrissey, L, Hand, M, Raimondo, T & Kelsey, D 2014, 'Long-lived high-T, low-P granulite facies metamorphism in the Arunta region, central Australia', Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 25-47.

Open access 40 37
2013

Morrissey, L, Hand, M, Wade, B & Szpunar, M 2013, 'Early Mesoproterozoic metamorphism in the Barossa Complex, South Australia: links with the eastern margin of Proterozoic Australia', Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 60, no. 8, pp. 769-795.

11 9
2011

Morrissey, L, Payne, JL, Kelsey, DE & Hand, M 2011, 'Grenvillian-aged reworking in the North Australian Craton, central Australia: constraints from geochronology and modelled phase equilibria', Precambrian Research, vol. 191, no. 3-4, pp. 141-165.

24 22
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Current research & highlights

My current research interest is in combining metamorphic petrology with economic geology to understand the generation of ore deposits. One example of this combination is the use of phase equilibria modelling to highlight the importance of high temperature (>850 °C) metamorphism and melt loss on the formation of Iron Road's magnetite iron ore deposit on Eyre Peninsula. 

Current research interests:

- Tectonic evolution of Australia and Antarctica during the Proterozoic

- The effects of melt and melt loss on the composition and reactivity of the crust, including the enrichment of economic elements such as iron

- The generation of highly saline fluids and their role in ore deposit genesis

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External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Highlights

In 2018 I was awarded the Walter Howchin Medal by the Geological Society of Australia. This award recognises an early career researcher who is distinguished by their significant published research work within the earth sciences in South Australia.

I actively contribute to the geological community within Australia, including as a committee member for the South Australian Division of Geological Society of Australia and as part of the organising committee for the 2019 meeting of the Specialist Group in Structural Geology and Tectonics (SGTSG).

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External engagement & recognition

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Collaborations

Organisation Country
BHP Billiton Iron Ore AUSTRALIA
China University Of Geosciences (Beijing) CHINA
CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) AUSTRALIA
Curtin University AUSTRALIA
Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Adelaide AUSTRALIA
Fortescue Metals Group AUSTRALIA
Geological Survey of South Australia AUSTRALIA
Geological Survey of Western Australia AUSTRALIA
Heidelberg University GERMANY
Macquarie University AUSTRALIA
Monash University AUSTRALIA
University of Adelaide AUSTRALIA
University of California, Berkeley UNITED STATES
University of Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA
University of Leeds UNITED KINGDOM
University of South Australia AUSTRALIA
University of Tasmania AUSTRALIA
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External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition Year

The Walter Howchin Medal

Geological Society of Australia

2018

Other

I run an honours level course on mineral equilibria modelling at the University of Adelaide, and I was invited to co-teach a similar course on mineral equilibria modelling at Northwest University in Xi'an, China (2016). I also taught on the 2018 University of Adelaide study tour to Oman for second year geology students.

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Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title Student status
Heat-production driven and maintained crustal metamorphism Current
Integrated framework for the magmatic evolution of the greater Delamerian Orogen Current
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Dr Laura Morrissey
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