Dr Tom Blenkinsop

Professor Tom G. Blenkinsop

Head of Discipline, Geology

B.A. (Hons) Geology, (Oxford University, UK)

M.Sc. Structural Geology & Rock Mechanics , (London University, UK )

Ph.D. Structural Geology (Keele University, UK )

Visit: Room DB034-151, Townsville campus

Call: (+61) 7 4781 4318

Fax (+61) 7 4781 4020

Email: Thomas.Blenkinsop

EA1110 Evolution of the Earth

EA2300 Crustal Processes

EA3510/3511/9001 Geological Mapping

EA5027 Advanced Field Training

EA5028 Advanced Techniques in Mining and Exploration Geology

Research Interests

My general research interests are in the field of structural geology and tectonics, with an emphasis on upper crustal deformation mechanisms and microstructures (I have published a book on this topic ). I am interested in applications of structural geology in ore deposit studies, and applications of fractal geometry in the Earth Sciences, and particularly in economic geology.

Some current research projects are:

  • Breccias and Brecciation mechanisms. Development of new and automated methods of breccia characterisation and their use to determine mechanisms of brecciation.

  • Kinematic and Dynamic Methods of Fault Slip Analysis.

  • Hydrothermal mineralization – especially gold and copper, throughout the geological record

  • Tectonics and landscape development, focussing on Southern Africa

  • Archean tectonics and intrusion mechanisms of Archean granites

Brief description of research impact:

  • The Total Systems Analysis of the Mt Isa Eastern Succession module of the pmdCRC (for which I was project leader) is stimulating and guiding exploration for base metals in the eastern part of Mt Isa. It has suggested a new model for the genesis of iron oxide copper gold ore deposits.

  • Research in hydrothermal gold mineralization, partly carried out in conjunction with PhD students, is being used in mine and regional scale exploration.

Selected Publications:

Blenkinsop, T. G., Huddlestone-Holmes, C. Foster, D. Edmiston, M. Lepong, P. Mark, G. Austin, J., Murphy, B., Ford. A. Insights into the 3D Crustal Architecture of the Mt Isa Eastern Succession. In press, Precambrian Research

Blenkinsop T.G. 2006. Kinematic and dynamic fault slip analyses: implications from the surface rupture on the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake. Journal of Structural Geology, 28, 1040 – 1050.

Blenkinsop T.G. & Kadzviti S. 2006. Fluid flow in shear zones: insights from the geometry and evolution of ore bodies at Renco gold mine, Zimbabwe.Geofluids, 6, 334 – 345.

Moore A. & Blenkinsop T.G. 2006. Scarp retreat versus pinned drainage divide in the formation of the Drakensberg escarpment, Southern Africa. South African Journal of Geology, 109, 599 – 610.

Blenkinsop, T.G. (Editor). 2005. Total Systems Analysis of the Mt Isa Eastern Succession: Project I2 final report, Predictive Mineral Discovery CRC. March 2005, pp. 504.

Blenkinsop, T. G. and Kisters, A. F. M.2005. Steep extrusion of late Archean granulites in the Northern Marginal Zone, Zimbabwe: Evidence for secular change in orogenic style. Special Publication of the Geological Society of London 243, 193-204.

Blenkinsop T. G.2004. Orebody geometry in lode gold deposits from Zimbabwe: implications for fluid flow, deformation andmineralization.Journal of Structural Geology, 26, 1293 – 1301.

Hanson, R.E., Crowley, J. L., Bowring, S. A., Ramezani, J., Gose, W. A., Dalziel, I.W.D., Pancake, J., Seidel, E. K.,Blenkinsop, T.G., and Mukwakwami, J.2004. Coeval large-scale magmatism in the Kalahari and Laurentian cratons during Rodinia assembly. Science, 304. 1061-1192

Blenkinsop, T. G. 2000. Deformation Microstructures and Mechanisms in Minerals and Rocks ISBN 0-412-73480-X, Springer, pp. 169.

For a full list of Publications browse ResearchOnline@JCU

Personal research web site

Judy Botting of 6630staff last updated this page on 3 Jul 2012.