Exploring the structure, composition and resources of the New Caledonia peridotite ophiolite (SW Pacific): Contributions of geophysics and land-to-sea drilling

Title: Exploring the structure, composition and resources of the New Caledonia peridotite ophiolite (SW Pacific): Contributions of geophysics and land-to-sea drilling

Presenter: Marguerite Godard

Date: Monday 13th February 2023

Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm AEDT

Registartion: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FUG7jMeQQXeiBg-uae2xvA

Abstract:

The New Caledonia (NC) ophiolite extends over more than 900 km at the northeastern limits of the Zealandia submerged continent, along the Australia – Pacific convergent plate boundary. It comprises large peridotite massifs forming the Island of Grande Terre (GT) and its recently discovered off-shore extension to the south. The subaerial NC ophiolite is of strategic importance for mineral resources (mainly Ni, Cr and Co from peridotites). Several subaerial and submarine alkaline, and H2-rich hydrothermal vents are observed along the NC ophiolite, the most famous being the Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field. The New Caledonia Ophiolite Land-to-Sea Drilling Project (NCDP), submitted to the International Continental Scientific Program (ICDP) and the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), aims at (1) sampling the peridotites and associated lithologies on-land, in coastal waters, and the deep oceanic sub-seafloor, and (2) developing borehole observatories to measure in situ the hydrogeological and (bio-)geochemical processes controlling serpentinization driven hydrothermal systems from continental to marine environments. NCDP will provide a unique sampling to quantify interplays between serpentinization, H2 production, CO2 mineralization and ore mobilization over the different stages of obduction.

Bio:

Dr. Marguerite Godard is Senior Researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research. She is a geochemist, specialist of the study of magma- and fluid-peridotite interactions in the oceanic and ophiolitic lithosphere; she (co-)authored more than 100 publications in international scientific reviews and books. She coordinated and participated to several European and French academic and industrial projects on serpentinization and carbon trapping in peridotite basements and their impact on resources, environment and life (e.g., TotalEnergies 2017-2021; ANR LISZT 2018-2023). M. Godard is one of the main PIs of the New Caledonia Ophiolite Land-to-Sea Drilling Project.