Magmatic evolution of rifted continental margins

This project is fundamental research into the nature of magmatism during continental breakup during ultra-slow spreading, as exemplified by the evolution of the southern continental margin of Australia . The project aims to gain a better understanding of the nature of mantle sources and magmas derived there from during continental rifting. Knowledge of the temperatures and depths of melt generation during continental rifting and subsequent evolution are of critical importance in testing models of continental breakup.

Research Interests

Basaltic magmatism of the ocean floors, especially the nature of primary mantle derived magmas in mid-ocean ridge and convergent margin settings. Partial melting of upper mantle peridotite and the roles of variable source peridotite and variable C-H-O fluid compositions in determining magma compositions.

Marine geoscience sea-going experience

I have been a participant on ten research voyages involving the research vessels Natsushima , Japan (1984 Northern Tonga - Lau Basin), RV Franklin , Australia (1985 Tasmantid Seamounts; 1987 NE Indian Ocean; 1988 Tasmantid Seamounts), Rapuhia , New Zealand (1988 Hikurangi Plateau, 2 cruises), Akademik Mstislav Keldysh/Mir , Russia (1990 Lau Basin), JOIDES Resolution SEDCO/BP 471 (Ocean Drilling Program, Leg 147 1992-93, Eastern equatorial Pacific), R/V Melville , United States (1996 Tongan Forearc, Boomerang Leg 8), RV Southern Surveyor , Australia (2004, North Fiji Basin – Hunter Ridge)

Selected Publications

Green, D. H., and Falloon, T. J., 2005. Primary magmas at mid-ocean ridges, “hotspots” and other intraplate settings: constraints on mantle potential temperature. In: Foulger, G. R., Natland, J. H., Presnall, D. C., and Anderson, D. L. (eds). Plates, Plumes and Paradigms , Geological Society of America , Special Paper 388, 217-248.

Falloon, T. J., Danyushevsky, L. V., and Green, D. H., 2001 . Peridotite melting at 1GPa: reversal experiments on partial melt compositions produced by peridotite-basalt sandwich experiments. Journal of Petrology, 42, 2363-2390.

Falloon, T. J., Danyushevsky, L. V., 2000 . Melting of refractory mantle at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5GPa under H 2 O-undersaturated conditions: implications for the petrogenesis of high-Ca boninites and the influence of subduction components on mantle melting. Journal of Petrology, 41, 257-283.

Falloon, T. J., Green, D.H., Danyushevsky, L.V., and Faul, U.H., 1999 . Peridotite melting at 1 and 1.5 GPa: an experimental evaluation of techniques using diamond aggregates and natural mineral mixes for determination of near-solidus melts. Journal of Petrology, 40, 1343-1375.

Green, D. H., and Falloon, T. J., 1998 . Pyrolite : A Ringwood concept and its Current Expression. In: Jackson , I. (ed) The Earth's Mantle: Structure, Composition and Evolution . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge , 311-378.

Falloon, T. J., Green, D. H., and O' Neil l, H. St. C. , and Hibberson, W. O., 1997 . Experimental tests of low degree peridotite partial melt compositions: implications for the nature of anhydrous near-solidus peridotite melts at 1GPa. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 152, 149-162.

Falloon, T. J., Malahoff, A., Zonenshain, L. P., and Bogdanov Yu. A., 1992 . Petrology and geochemistry of back-arc basin basalts from Lau Basin spreading ridges at 15, 18 and 19 o S. Mineralogy and Petrology, 46, 1-35.

Falloon, T. J., and Crawford, A. J., 1991 . The petrogenesis of high-calcium boninite lavas dredged from the north Tonga ridge. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 102, 375-394.

Falloon, T. J., and Green, D. H., 1990 . The solidus of carbonated fertile peridotite under fluid-saturated conditions. Geology, 18, 195-199.

Falloon, T. J., Green, D. H., Hatton, C. J., and Harris, K. L., 1988 . Anhydrous partial melting of a fertile and depleted peridotite from 2 to 30kbars and application to basalt petrogenesis. Journal of Petrology, 29, 1257-1282.