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Dr Renjie Zhou
Dr

Renjie Zhou

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 31437

Overview

Background

I am a Senior Lecturer in Geochronology and Tectonics. I am also an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow working on using geochronology (and thermochronology) and micro-analysis to improve knowledge in geoscience related to critical minerals. This Fellowship project is a key activity in my research group and I am always looking for motivated students and ECRs to join this research. It is sponsored by Queensland State Government and in collaboration with leading companies in the critical minerals industry.

Here's my recent seminar on some of the work in my group: https://youtu.be/twNcLECCqPg?si=501qcfSA2mJdHxUh

Broadly speaking, my research advances fundamentals of Plate Tectonics, the unique and unifying theory for our home planet. My group uses a set of field, laboratory, and computational approaches to reveal the geologic history of modern and ancient plate boundaries, focusing on reconstructing the evolution of plate-margin mountains and basins. Such regions are among the most dynamic in the Earth system: their development alters regional and global climate, impacts biogeographic evolution, triggers earthquakes and other geologic hazards, and determines formation and distribution of natural resources such as critical minerals. I have been fortunate to work in some of the most rewarding areas for geologists, including the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau, Central Andes, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. Check out some of my field photos here. I am the lead of UQ Thermochronology Lab. As an in-depth user of UQ RIF (Radiogenic Isotope Facility), I also work with laser ablation ICP-MS with recent work around laser ablation geochronology and geochemistry.

---- New projects in 2024 ----

Recruiting new research students: I am always looking for highly motivated PhD and MPhil students to join my group to work on a range of research topics around geochronology and its applications to critical minerals, global tectonics, and past environmental changes. Please email me for details on projects, funding, and application timelines.

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Editorial activities: I am a Subject Editor for Journal of the Geological Society and a member of the Editorial Board for Results in Earth Sciences. I am the lead Editor for issue 'Geochronology and Critical Minerals Systems' at Ore Geology Reviews. More information could be found here.

Teaching activities: My teaching duties range from delivering introductory courses, upper-year disciplinary courses, to research training courses. Here's a YouTube video of one of my courses: https://youtu.be/31TV3wUOv1Q

Availability

Dr Renjie Zhou is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toronto

Works

Search Professor Renjie Zhou’s works on UQ eSpace

137 works between 2011 and 2024

1 - 20 of 137 works

2024

Journal Article

Spatio-temporal evolution of the Paleo-Tethys in western Yunnan: insights from mafic rocks in the Lancang tectonic belt

Cui, Ya, Wang, Yuejun, Zhou, Renjie, Wang, Yang, Ubide, Teresa, Qian, Xin, Wang, Cheng and Wang, Xin (2024). Spatio-temporal evolution of the Paleo-Tethys in western Yunnan: insights from mafic rocks in the Lancang tectonic belt. Lithos, 488-489 107830. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2024.107830

Spatio-temporal evolution of the Paleo-Tethys in western Yunnan: insights from mafic rocks in the Lancang tectonic belt

2024

Journal Article

Geophysical constraints on continental rejuvenation in central China: implications for outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau

Zhang, Yi-Peng, Zhang, Pei-Zhen, Lease, Richard O., Li, Min-Juan, Zhou, Renjie, Xu, Bin-Bin, Cheng, Si-Yuan, Shen, Xu-Zhang, Zheng, Wen-Jun, He, Xiao-Hui, Wang, Wei-Tao and Wang, Yue-Jun (2024). Geophysical constraints on continental rejuvenation in central China: implications for outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 136 (9-10), 3690-3704. doi: 10.1130/b37220.1

Geophysical constraints on continental rejuvenation in central China: implications for outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau

2024

Journal Article

Detrital zircon REE and tectonic settings

Hu, Pei-yuan, Zhai, Qing-guo, Cawood, Peter A., Weinberg, Roberto F., Zhao, Guo-chun, Zhou, Ren-jie, Tang, Yue and Liu, Yi-ming (2024). Detrital zircon REE and tectonic settings. Lithos, 480-481 107661, 107661. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2024.107661

Detrital zircon REE and tectonic settings

2024

Journal Article

Cenozoic faulting leading to petroleum escape in SW Ordos Basin, China: evidence from fault-related calcite in situ U-Pb dating, rare earth elements and fluid inclusions

Yang, Peng, Ren, Zhanli, Nuriel, Perach, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhou, Renjie and Zhao, Jian-xin (2024). Cenozoic faulting leading to petroleum escape in SW Ordos Basin, China: evidence from fault-related calcite in situ U-Pb dating, rare earth elements and fluid inclusions. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 170 107071, 107071. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2024.107071

Cenozoic faulting leading to petroleum escape in SW Ordos Basin, China: evidence from fault-related calcite in situ U-Pb dating, rare earth elements and fluid inclusions

2024

Journal Article

Zircon coupled dissolution-precipitation textures distinguish xenocrystic cargo from rare magmatic zircon in the Paleoarchean Bacuri Mafic-Ultramafic layered Complex, Brazil

Spier, Carlos Alberto, Daczko, Nathan R. and Zhou, Renjie (2024). Zircon coupled dissolution-precipitation textures distinguish xenocrystic cargo from rare magmatic zircon in the Paleoarchean Bacuri Mafic-Ultramafic layered Complex, Brazil. Precambrian Research, 404 107342, 107342. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2024.107342

Zircon coupled dissolution-precipitation textures distinguish xenocrystic cargo from rare magmatic zircon in the Paleoarchean Bacuri Mafic-Ultramafic layered Complex, Brazil

2024

Conference Publication

Timing of deformation in the Moravosilesian Foreland Basin – new insights from detrital zircon U-Pb dating

Yao, Xiao, Rembe, Johannes, Čopjaková, Renata and Zhou, Renjie (2024). Timing of deformation in the Moravosilesian Foreland Basin – new insights from detrital zircon U-Pb dating. EGU (European Geosciences Union) General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14-19 April 2024.

Timing of deformation in the Moravosilesian Foreland Basin – new insights from detrital zircon U-Pb dating

2024

Journal Article

Origins of the Upper Permian reef-dolostone and reservoir evolution in northern South China

Zheng, Binsong, Zhou, Renjie, Mou, Chuanlong, Ge, Xiangying, Hou, Qian, Zhao, Jianxin and Howard, Daryl (2024). Origins of the Upper Permian reef-dolostone and reservoir evolution in northern South China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 162 106748, 106748. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2024.106748

Origins of the Upper Permian reef-dolostone and reservoir evolution in northern South China

2024

Journal Article

Sedimentary record of Variscan unroofing of the Bohemian Massif

Xiao, Yao, Rembe, Johannes, Čopjaková, Renata, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Chen, Yichao and Zhou, Renjie (2024). Sedimentary record of Variscan unroofing of the Bohemian Massif. Gondwana Research, 128, 141-160. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2023.11.003

Sedimentary record of Variscan unroofing of the Bohemian Massif

2024

Journal Article

Provenance and deformation style of lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in Huangcheng basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Jia, Jiabao, Zheng, Wenjun, Zhou, Renjie, Wang, Weitao, Feng, Changhuan and Qin, Yigen (2024). Provenance and deformation style of lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in Huangcheng basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 263 106046, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2024.106046

Provenance and deformation style of lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in Huangcheng basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

2024

Journal Article

Mineralization processes of the Mount Garnet Zinc deposit, NE Queensland (Australia): insights from garnet geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology

Wang, Xin, Zhou, Renjie, Belousova, Elena, Dhnaram, Courteney, Zhao, Jianxin, He, Xiheng, Patias, Daniel, von Gnielinski, Friedrich and Lisitsin, Vladimir (2024). Mineralization processes of the Mount Garnet Zinc deposit, NE Queensland (Australia): insights from garnet geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology. Ore Geology Reviews, 166 105962, 105962. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.105962

Mineralization processes of the Mount Garnet Zinc deposit, NE Queensland (Australia): insights from garnet geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology

2024

Journal Article

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the magmatic evolution of the Dun Mountain ophiolite belt, New Zealand

Patias, Daniel, Zhou, Renjie and Aitchison, Jonathan C. (2024). Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the magmatic evolution of the Dun Mountain ophiolite belt, New Zealand. Lithosphere, 2024 (1) ARTN 283. doi: 10.2113/2024/lithosphere_2023_283

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the magmatic evolution of the Dun Mountain ophiolite belt, New Zealand

2024

Journal Article

Exhumation of the Qilian Shan and Miocene activity of the Haiyuan Fault: Insights from apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology in the Laolongwan basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Liu, Kang, Wang, Weitao, Jin, Ruizhi, Jing, Hulu and Zhou, Renjie (2024). Exhumation of the Qilian Shan and Miocene activity of the Haiyuan Fault: Insights from apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology in the Laolongwan basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Journal of the Geological Society, 181 (3) ARTN jgs2023111. doi: 10.1144/jgs2023-111

Exhumation of the Qilian Shan and Miocene activity of the Haiyuan Fault: Insights from apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology in the Laolongwan basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

2024

Journal Article

New geochemical and age constraints ( <sup>40</sup> Ar/ <sup>39</sup> Ar and U-Pb) on forearc intrusive rocks from New Caledonia Ophiolite (SW Pacific): diversity of melts generated at hot subduction inception

Cluzel, Dominique, Montanini, Alessandra, Secchiari, Arianna, Ferrari, Elisa, Heizler, Matt, Jourdan, Fred, Meffre, Sebastien, Zhou, Renjie and Teyssier, Christian (2024). New geochemical and age constraints ( 40 Ar/ 39 Ar and U-Pb) on forearc intrusive rocks from New Caledonia Ophiolite (SW Pacific): diversity of melts generated at hot subduction inception. Journal of the Geological Society, 181 (1) jgs2023145, 1-18. doi: 10.1144/jgs2023-145

New geochemical and age constraints ( <sup>40</sup> Ar/ <sup>39</sup> Ar and U-Pb) on forearc intrusive rocks from New Caledonia Ophiolite (SW Pacific): diversity of melts generated at hot subduction inception

2024

Conference Publication

The AusGeoChem platform: Caring for and sharing geochemical data

Ananuer, Halimulati, Ware, Bryant, Greau, Yoann, Alard, Olivier, Hodgekiss, Sally Ann, Boone, Samuel, Dalton, Hayden, McInnes, Brent I.A., Kohlmann, Fabian, Theile, Moritz, Noble, Wayne, Gleadow, Andrew, O'Reilly, Suzanne Y., Kohn, Barry P., Nixon, Angus, Zhou, Renjie and McMillan, Malcolm (2024). The AusGeoChem platform: Caring for and sharing geochemical data. The Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects 2024, Anaheim, CA United States, 22-25 September 2024.

The AusGeoChem platform: Caring for and sharing geochemical data

2024

Journal Article

Extremely low δ56Fe in arc tholeiites linked to ferrocarbonate recycling: Implications for Fe enrichment in the Awulale Arc, Central Asia

Yan, Shuang, Niu, He-Cai, Zhao, Zhenhua, Li, Ning-bo, Yang, Wu-bin, Zhou, Renjie, An, Yajun and Huang, Fang (2024). Extremely low δ56Fe in arc tholeiites linked to ferrocarbonate recycling: Implications for Fe enrichment in the Awulale Arc, Central Asia. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 136 (1-2), 184-200. doi: 10.1130/B36729.1

Extremely low δ56Fe in arc tholeiites linked to ferrocarbonate recycling: Implications for Fe enrichment in the Awulale Arc, Central Asia

2024

Conference Publication

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages indicate local sourcing for the Eocene Claron Formation, southwestern Utah: Implications for the Paleogene California River

Tye, Alex, Zhou, Renjie and Lamb, Andrew (2024). Detrital zircon U-Pb ages indicate local sourcing for the Eocene Claron Formation, southwestern Utah: Implications for the Paleogene California River. The Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects 2024, Anaheim, CA United States, 22-25 September 2024.

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages indicate local sourcing for the Eocene Claron Formation, southwestern Utah: Implications for the Paleogene California River

2024

Journal Article

Kinematics and geochronology of the Lancang metamorphic complex: implications for the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys region

Cui, Ya, Wang, Yang, Zhou, Renjie, Rimando, Jeremy, Qian, Xin, Zhang, Yipeng and Wang, Yuejun (2024). Kinematics and geochronology of the Lancang metamorphic complex: implications for the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys region. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 136 (3-4), 1251-1265. doi: 10.1130/b36812.1

Kinematics and geochronology of the Lancang metamorphic complex: implications for the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys region

2024

Journal Article

Oligocene-Miocene northward growth of the Tibetan Plateau: Insights from intermontane basins in the West Qinling Belt, NW China

Zhang, Yi-Peng, Zhang, Pei-Zhen, Lease, Richard O., Zhou, Renjie, Wang, Yue-Jun, Yan, Yong-Gang, Wang, Ying, Zheng, Wen-Jun, Liu, Bing-Xu, Li, Zhi-Gang, Liang, Hao, Hui, Ge-Ge, Sun, Chuang, Tian, Qing-Ying, Xu, Bin-Bin and Wang, Wei-Tao (2024). Oligocene-Miocene northward growth of the Tibetan Plateau: Insights from intermontane basins in the West Qinling Belt, NW China. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 136 (1-2), 131-157. doi: 10.1130/B36722.1

Oligocene-Miocene northward growth of the Tibetan Plateau: Insights from intermontane basins in the West Qinling Belt, NW China

2024

Conference Publication

Textural and compositional complexities of calcite: Impact on results of U-Pb geochronology by laser ablation ICP-MS

Zhou, Renjie, Zhao, Jianxin, Rembe, Johannes, Zheng, Binsong and Howard, Daryl (2024). Textural and compositional complexities of calcite: Impact on results of U-Pb geochronology by laser ablation ICP-MS. The sixteenth biennial symposium, The Australian Microbeam Analysis Society (AMAS) 2024, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-9 February 2024.

Textural and compositional complexities of calcite: Impact on results of U-Pb geochronology by laser ablation ICP-MS

2023

Journal Article

Beyond zircon fingerprinting: Zircon and TiO2 polymorphs constrain genealogy and evolution of the New Caledonian ophiolite

Patias, Daniel, Zhou, Renjie, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Cluzel, Dominique, Ireland, Trevor, Lian, Dongyang and Yang, Jingsui (2023). Beyond zircon fingerprinting: Zircon and TiO2 polymorphs constrain genealogy and evolution of the New Caledonian ophiolite. Chemical Geology, 644 121841, 121841. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121841

Beyond zircon fingerprinting: Zircon and TiO2 polymorphs constrain genealogy and evolution of the New Caledonian ophiolite

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Sediment Drilling Facility for environmental and genetic archives (ARC Linkage Project administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Geochronologic mapping towards net-zero: potentials of Queensland's critical minerals
    Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Establishing the uplift history of western New Guinea through low temperature thermochronology
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Diamonds in ophiolite: Recycling deep mantle into supra-subduction zones
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    The development of quartz LA-ICPMS in situ U-Pb isotope dating technique
    PetroChina Hangzhou Research Institute of Geology
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Fingerprinting mineralising fluids with in situ analysis of hydrothermal minerals
    Queensland Department of Resources
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Radiometric age constraints on the Cretaceous/Cenozoic boundary in East Asia: a proof-of-concept study
    Shenyang Normal University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    AuScope Geochemistry Laboratory Network (AuScope project administered by Curtin University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Fluid evolution of Mt Garnet critical mineral systems: a feasibility study of multi-system geochronology
    Geological Survey of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Provenance of the Claron and Grapevine Wash Formations, southwestern US
    Dixie State University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Cenozoic Tectonism and Climatic Changes: Linking the Northern and Southern Hemispheres by Case Studies of China and Australia
    Yunnan University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Analysis of rare diamonds from ancient oceanic lithosphere using synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Uranium (U) and Lead (Pb) mapping in calcite for an improved understanding of calcite U-Pb geochronology
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    How continents grow through the accretion of arcs: exemplars from the eastern margin of the Australian Plate
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Geochronological constraints on the formation of fore-arc tectonic slices in the northern West Junggar
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Resolving questions about continental convergence using the double and triple dating method
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Renjie Zhou is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Research Projects

    I have projects available for Honours and PhD students. Please email me for details.

    UQ offers a competitive scholarship package, including full tuition support, stipends, and additional opportunities for tutoring or teaching assistantship. PhD students could commence their studies at UQ in January, April, July, or October. Get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about possible projects with our team.

  • Research Projects

    I have projects available for Honours, MPhil, and PhD students. Please email me for details.

    UQ offers a competitive scholarship package, including full tuition support, stipends, and additional opportunities for tutoring or teaching assistantship. PhD students could commence their studies at UQ in January, April, July, or October. Get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about possible projects with our team.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Structural architecture of South DAguilar-Beenleigh Subprovinces: Implications for development of critical infrastructure in Southeast Queensland

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mojtaba Rajabi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Continental exhumation of Northeast Queensland: Implications on the exposure and preservation of critical minerals systems

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jianxin Zhao

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cenozoic deformation in the South Tienshan and Tarim basin: constraints from geochronologhy and low-temperature thermochronology

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advanced microCT application in radiolarian studies

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Diamonds in Ophiolites: recycling deep mantle into supra-subduction zones

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Renjie Zhou directly for media enquiries about:

  • earthquake
  • geological hazard
  • geological resource
  • geology
  • mountain building
  • plate tectonics

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au