Prof Tom Blenkinsop ~ Adjunct Professor

Prof Tom Blenkinsop's research interests include structural geology and tectonics, economic geology and surface process/tectonic interactions. He will be leaving JCU to a post at Cardiff University, UK, in August, with many regrets after 11 years at JCU.

Interests

Research

• I am fascinated by deformation processes in the Earth at all scales, especially in the upper crust, and their relation to the formation of hydrothermal mineral deposits. I am particularly interested fracturing, fluid flow, and breccias and brecciation, and the application of kinematic and dynamic fault slip analyses to mineral deposits and tectonic problems. Fractal geometry is key concept in several of these studies. The relationship between tectonics and surface processes is another facet of upper crustal deformation of special interest. I am currently working in rocks ranging from Archean to Tertiary in age, and in various parts of Australia, Southern Africa, Brazil and Papua New Guinea.

Experience

• 2011 to 2013 - Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2002 to 2011 - Lecturer-Ass. Prof., James Cook University (Townsville)
• 1989 to 2002 - Lecturer-Professor, University of Zimbabwe (Harare)
• 1988 to 1989 - Principal Investigator, University of California, Santa Barbara (California)
• 1987 - Research Assistant, Liverpool University (Liverpool)

Research Disciplines

• Geology (0403)
• Geochemistry (0402)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Expanding Knowledge (9701)
• Mineral Exploration (8401)
• Energy Exploration (8501)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Blenkinsop T, Tripp G and Gillen D (2018) The relationship between mineralization and tectonics at the Kainantu gold-copper deposit, Papua New Guinea. Geological Society Special Publication, 453 (1), pp. 269-288, DOI:10.1144/SP453.11.
• Jadoon Q, Roberts E, Henderson R, Blenkinsop T and Wust R (2018) Mineralogical variability of the Permian Roseneath and Murteree Shales from the Cooper Basin, Australia: implications for shale properties and hydrocarbon extraction. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 165, pp. 850-872, DOI:10.1016/j.petrol.2017.12.022.
• Kwelwa S, Dirks P, Sanislav I, Blenkinsop T and Kolling S (2018) Archaean gold mineralization in an extensional setting: the structural history of the Kukuluma and Matandani deposits, Geita Greenstone Belt, Tanzania. Minerals, 8 (4), Article: 171, DOI:10.3390/min8040171.
• Kwelwa S, Sanislav I, Dirks P, Blenkinsop T and Kolling S (2018) The petrogenesis of the Neoarchean Kukuluma Intrusive Complex, NW Tanzania. Precambrian Research, 305, pp. 64-78, DOI:10.1016/j.precamres.2017.12.021.
• Kwelwa S, Sanislav I, Dirks P, Blenkinsop T and Kolling S (2018) Zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope data from the Kukuluma Terrain of the Geita Greenstone Belt, Tanzania Craton: implications for stratigraphy, crustal growth and timing of gold mineralization. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 139, pp. 38-54, DOI:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.11.027.
• Sanislav I, Dirks P, Blenkinsop T and Kolling S (2018) The tectonic history of a crustal-scale shear zone in the Tanzania Craton from the Geita Greenstone Belt, NW-Tanzania Craton. Precambrian Research, 310, pp. 1-16, DOI:10.1016/j.precamres.2018.02.025.
• Sanislav I, Blenkinsop T and Dirks P (2018) Archaean crustal growth through successive partial melting events in an oceanic plateau-like setting in the Tanzania Craton. Terra Nova, 30 (3), pp. 169-178, DOI:10.1111/ter.12323.
• Case G, Blenkinsop T, Chang Z, Huizenga J, Lilly R and McLellan J (2017) Delineating the structural controls on the genesis of iron oxide–Cu–Au deposits through implicit modelling: a case study from the E1 Group, Cloncurry District, Australia. Geological Society, London, Special Publication, 453, DOI:10.1144/SP453.4.
• Jadoon Q, Roberts E, Henderson B, Blenkinsop T, Wüst R and Mtelela C (2017) Lithological and facies analysis of the Roseneath and Murteree shales, Cooper Basin, Australia. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 37, pp. 138-168, DOI:10.1016/j.jngse.2016.10.047.
• Cook Y, Sanislav I, Hammerli J, Blenkinsop T and Dirks P (2016) A primitive mantle source for the Neoarchean mafic rocks from the Tanzania Craton. Geoscience Frontiers, 7 (6), pp. 911-926, DOI:10.1016/j.gsf.2015.11.008.
• Darlington V, Blenkinsop T, Dirks P, Salisbury J and Tomkins A (2016) The Lawn Hill annulus: an Ordovician meteorite impact into water-saturated dolomite. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 51 (12), pp. 2416-2440, DOI:10.1111/maps.12734.

Book Chapters

• Blenkinsop T, Oliver N, Dirks P, Nugus M, Tripp G and Sanislav I (2020) Structural geology applied to the evaluation of hydrothermal gold deposits. In: Applied Structural Geology of Ore-forming Hydrothermal Systems. Reviews in Economic Geology, 21. Society of Economic Geologists, Inc, pp. 1-24

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 84+ research outputs authored by Prof Tom Blenkinsop from 2000 onwards.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Base Metal Genesis, Geology, and Structural Evolution of the Central Tommy Creek Domain, Mt Isa Inlier (PhD , External Advisor)

Completed

• Geological controls on gold mineralization in the Kukuluma Terrain, Geita Greenstone Belt, NW Tanzania (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Unconventional shale gas reservoir characterization and modelling of the Permian Roseneath and Murteree shales in the Cooper Basin, Australia (2016, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Genesis of the E1 group of iron oxide-copper-gold deposits, Cloncurry district, North West Queensland (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

• Blenkinsop, T. (2011) Economic Geology Research Unit Publications, School of Earth and Environmental Science, James Cook University. None
• Blenkinsop, T. (2011) Chi Chi Earthquake Kinematic and Dynamic Analyses. James Cook University
• Blenkinsop, T. (2011) Gold deposits of the Zimbabwe craton. James Cook University
• Oliver, N. (2011) Explosive release of gases and rocks from the top of molten rock bodies (magma). James Cook University

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.