Dr. Rick Squire

Research Interests

  • Tectonic controls on generation of world-class Au deposits
  • Tectonic processes affecting the early evolution of animals
  • Structural and stratigraphic architecture of complex ancient volcanic terrane

 

Contact Rick

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e: Rick Squire

Research Fellow

Rick Squire

Research | Publications

Research

Rick is field geologist who dreams of winning a hill stage in the Tour de France. When not riding or sleeping, Rick enjoys investigating the structural stratigraphic and tectonic controls on generation of world-class Au deposits. To compliment the results from detailed field mapping, he uses a variety of geochemical and geochronological techniques to assess the timing and tectonic importance of major shifts in provenance of volcano-sedimentary successions. Of particular interest, is the application of U–Pb age dating of detrital zircons using the laser ablation ICP-MS, which represents a rapid (up to 10x faster) and considerably cheaper alternative to U–Pb age dating than using the SHRIMP. Recently, these pursuits have led Rick to consider broader issues in Earth’s history, such as possible tectonic triggers for the sudden appearance and explosive radiation of animals on Earth (i.e., the ‘Cambrian explosion’). Rick is currently working on the architecture and evolution the Archean 'late basins' in Western Australia that host numerous very big Au deposits. The principal aim of this research is to assist exploration geologists to find several more world-class and highly profitable Au deposits. Vive le Tour.

Current research grants / Projects

  • Structural & stratigraphic architecture of the Archaean St Ives Au camp, Western Australia Gold Fields Australia R.J. Squire and R.A.F. Cas
  • Provenance study of late Archean sediments using U-Pb geochronology
    pmd*CRC Y4 Yilgarn Project. R.J. Squire.