A new rheological model for Australia to improve seismic hazard estimates and study the region's recent tectonic history and landform evolution

We propose to develop a state-of-the-art three-dimensional rheological model of the Australian continent that integrates geological and geophysical data to constrain the way in which the continent is currently deforming under compression. The model will be used to determine areas that are more likely to have a high seismic hazard and investigate the record of recent deformation of the Australian continent. We will also study the nature of long-range tectonic interactions related to rapid changes in relative plate motion around Australia in the recent geological past, and their effect on the evolution of our landscape.