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
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toronto
Works
Search Professor Renjie Zhou’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Renjie Zhou is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Continental exhumation of Northeast Queensland: Implications on the exposure and preservation of critical minerals systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianxin Zhao
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Advanced microCT application in radiolarian studies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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Doctor Philosophy
Diamonds in Ophiolites: recycling deep mantle into supra-subduction zones
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding New Zealand and New Caledonia forearc ophiolites using rare accessory minerals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Renjie Zhou directly for media enquiries about:
- earthquake
- geological hazard
- geological resource
- geology
- mountain building
- plate tectonics
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