Professor Greg Yaxley

Contacts

Contact email:greg.yaxley@anu.edu.au
Contact phone:+61 2 61258334
Contact phone:+61 4 3438 9340
Location:Jaeger 1, room 122
Link:ANU Researchers profile
Twitter
PhD
Professor of Experimental Petrology
Head of the Geochemistry Research Area
  • 1993-1996 Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Petrology at RSES, ANU
  • 1997-1999: ARC Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Petrology at RSES, ANU
  • 1999: Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, Institute of Mineralogy, Frankfurt University
  • 2001-2009: Research Fellow in PRISE, RSES, ANU
  • 2010-2013: ARC Future Fellow in Earth Materials and Processes group, RSES, ANU
  • 2014-present: Professor in Experimental Petrology, RSES, ANU
  • 2021: Fellow of the Geological Society of Australia
  • 2021-present: Head of Geochemistry Research Area, RSES, ANU

Research interests

In my research I use techniques of high pressure experimentation at pressures up to 25 GPa and temperatures up to 2000°C (piston-cylinder and multi-anvil apparatuses), coupled with synchrotron spectroscopy and quantitative microbeam analysis of experimental run products and natural samples, to investigate processes in the deep mantle and crust. Current major research interests include:

  • the formation and evolution of carbonatites and their associated igneous and metasomatic rocks
  • the fomation of critical metals deposits, including rare earth elements (REE) and niobium in carbonatites or tantalum in cassiterite associated with granitoid rocks
  • the roles of volatiles components in the deep mantle in partial melting, leading to formation of large igneous provinces and other volcanism
  • the petrology and geochemistry of the mantle lithosphere, including cratonic mantle lithosphere
  • experimental calibration of diamond indicator minerals as geothermobarometers and oxybarometers for use in exploration for, and assessment of, the diamond potential of kimberlites
  • the earth's deep carbon cycle including the fate of deeply subducted carbonate-bearing oceanic crust

Potential Masters and PhD students or post-docs are welcome to contact me if you are interested in undertaking research in any of these broad areas. Because I am a member of the Alexander von Humboldt Network, researchers including post-docs from Germany, could consider applying to the AvH's Feodor Lynen program for funding for a post-doc with me at RSES. Please contact me if you are interested.

 

Groups

Projects

  • Berkesi, M, L. Myovela, J, Yaxley, G et al. 2023, 'Carbonatite formation in continental settings via high pressure � high temperature liquid immiscibility', Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 349, pp. 41-54.
  • Sudholz, Z, Jaques, A, Yaxley, G et al. 2023, 'Mapping the Structure and Metasomatic Enrichment of the Lithospheric Mantle Beneath the Kimberley Craton, Western Australia', Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, vol. 24, no. 9.
  • Yaxley, G, Anenburg, M, Tappe, S et al. 2022, 'Carbonatites: Classification, Sources, Evolution, and Emplacement', Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, vol. 50, pp. 261-293.
  • Sudholz, Z, Green, D, Yaxley, G et al. 2022, 'Mantle geothermometry: experimental evaluation and recalibration of Fe–Mg geothermometers for garnet-clinopyroxene and garnet-orthopyroxene in peridotite, pyroxenite and eclogite systems', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 177, no. 8.
  • Pinter, Z, Foley, S & Yaxley, G 2022, 'Diamonds, dunites, and metasomatic rocks formed by melt/rock reaction in craton roots', Communications Earth & Environment, vol. 3, no. 1.
  • Sieber, M, Yaxley, G & Hermann, J 2022, 'COH-fluid induced metasomatism of peridotites in the forearc mantle', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 177, no. 44, pp. 1-22.
  • Sudholz, Z, Yaxley, G, Jaques, A et al. 2021, 'Experimental recalibration of the Cr-in-clinopyroxene geobarometer: improved precision and reliability above 4.5 GPa', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 176, no. 2.
  • Pinter, Z, Foley, S, Yaxley, G et al. 2021, 'Experimental investigation of the composition of incipient melts in upper mantle peridotites in the presence of CO2 and H2O', Lithos, vol. 396-397.
  • Yaxley, G, Kjarsgaard, B & Jaques, A 2021, 'Evolution of Carbonatite Magmas in the Upper Mantle and Crust', Elements, vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 315-320.
  • Sudholz, Z, Yaxley, G, Jaques, A et al. 2021, 'Ni-in-garnet geothermometry in mantle rocks: a high pressure experimental recalibration between 1100 and 1325°C', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 176, no. 5.
  • Sieber, M, Yaxley, G & Hermann, J 2020, 'Investigation of fluid-driven carbonation of a hydrated, forearc mantle wedge using serpentinite cores in high-pressure experiments', Journal of Petrology, vol. 61, no. 3.
  • Aulbach, S, Lin, A, Weiss, Y et al. 2020, 'Wehrlites from continental mantle monitor the passage and degassing of carbonated melts', Geochemical Perspectives Letters, vol. 15, pp. 30-34.
  • Matjuschkin, V, Woodland, A, Frost, D et al. 2020, 'Reduced methane-bearing fluids as a source for diamond', Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. -.
  • Nambaje, C, Yaxley, G, Eggins, S et al. 2020, 'Micro-characterisation of cassiterite by geology, texture and zonation: A case study of the Karagwe Ankole Belt, Rwanda', Ore Geology Reviews, vol. 124.
  • Nebel, O, Sossi, P, Benard, A et al 2019, 'Reconciling petrological and isotopic mixing mechanisms in the Pitcairn mantle plume using stable Fe isotopes', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 521, pp. 60-67.
  • Foley, S, Yaxley, G & Kjarsgaard, B 2019, 'Kimberlites from Source to Surface: Insights from Experiments', Elements, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 393-398.
  • Matjuschkin, V, Woodland, A & Yaxley, G 2019, 'Methane-bearing fluids in the upper mantle: an experimental approach', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 174, no. 1, pp. 1-14.
  • Duan, X, Fan, H, Zhang, H et al 2019, 'Melt inclusions in phenocrysts track enriched upper mantle source for Cenozoic Tengchong volcanic field, Yunnan Province, SW China', Lithos, vol. 324, no. -, pp. 180-201.
  • Jollands, M, Hanger, B, Yaxley, G et al 2018, 'Timescales between mantle metasomatism and kimberlite ascent indicated by diffusion profiles in garnet crystals from peridotite xenoliths', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 481, pp. 143-153pp.
  • Golovin, A, Sharygin, I, Kamenetsky, V et al 2018, 'Alkali-carbonate melts from the base of cratonic lithospheric mantle: Links to kimberlites', Chemical Geology, vol. 483, pp. 261-274.
  • Sieber, M, Hermann, J & Yaxley, G 2018, 'An experimental investigation of C-O-H fluid-driven carbonation of serpentinites under forearc conditions', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 496, pp. 178-188pp.
  • Jaques, AL, Luguet, A, Smith, CB, Pearson, DG, Yaxley, GM & Kobussen, AF 2018, 'Nature of the Mantle Beneath the Argyle AK1 Lamproite Pipe: Constraints from Mantle Xenoliths, Diamonds, and Lamproite Geochemistry', in A.T. Davy, C.B. Smith, H. Helmstaedt, A.L. Jaques, J.J. Gurney (ed.), Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits, Society of Economic Geologists, USA, pp. 119-143.
  • Rosenthal, A., Yaxley, G.M., Green, D.H., Crichton, W.A., Kovacs, I., Spandler, C., Hermann, J., Sandorne, J.K., Rose-Koga, E., Pelleter, A.-A. (2018). Phase relations and melting of nominally ‘dry’ residual eclogites with variable CaO/Na2O from 3 to 5 GPa and 1250 to 1500°C; implications for refertilisation of upwelling heterogeneous mantle. Lithos 314-315, 506-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2018.05.025
  • Rielli, A, Tomkins, A, Nebel, O et al 2017, 'Evidence of sub-arc mantle oxidation by sulphur and carbon', Geochemical Perspectives Letters, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 124-132.
  • Giuliani, A, Tappe, S, Rooney, T et al 2017, 'Editorial: The role of intraplate magmas and their inclusions in Earth's mantle evolution', Chemical Geology, vol. 455, pp. 1-5pp.
  • Kamenetsky, V, Maas, R, Kamenetsky, M et al 2017, 'Multiple mantle sources of continental magmatism: Insights from "high-Ti" picrites of Karoo and other large igneous provinces', Chemical Geology, vol. 455, pp. 22-31.
  • Kiseeva, E, Kamenetsky, V, Yaxley, G et al 2017, 'Mantle melting versus mantle metasomatism - The chicken or the egg dilemma', Chemical Geology, vol. 455, pp. 120-130pp.
  • Yaxley, G, Berry, A, Rosenthal, A et al 2017, 'Redox preconditioning deep cratonic lithosphere for kimberlite genesis - evidence from the central Slave Craton', Scientific Reports, vol. 7, no. 30, pp. 1-10pp.
  • Jones, T, Davies, R, Campbell, I et al. 2017, 'The concurrent emergence and causes of double volcanic hotspot tracks on the Pacific plate', Nature, vol. 545, no. 7655, pp. 472-476pp.
  • Spandler, C, Hammerli, J & Yaxley, G 2017, 'An experimental study of trace element distribution during partial melting of mantle heterogeneities', Chemical Geology, vol. 462, pp. 74-87pp.
  • Yaxley, G.M., Berry, A.J., Rosenthal, A., Woodland, A.B., Paterson, D. (2017). Redox preconditioning deep cratonic lithosphere for kimberlite genesis – evidence from the central Slave Craton. Scientific Reports 7, 30.
    https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00049-3
  • White, L, Graham, I, Tanner, D et al 2016, 'The provenance of Borneo's enigmatic alluvial diamonds: A case study from Cempaka, SE Kalimantan', Gondwana Research, vol. 38, no. -, pp. 251-272.
  • Sutherland, L, Graham, I, Yaxley, G et al 2016, 'Major zircon megacryst suites of the Indo-Pacific lithospheric margin (ZIP) and their petrogenetic and regional implications', Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 110, no. 2-3, pp. 399-420.
  • Hanger, B, Yaxley, G, Berry, A et al. 2015, 'Relationships between oxygen fugacity and metasomatism in the Kaapvaal subcratonic mantle, represented by garnet peridotite xenoliths in the Wesselton kimberlite, South Africa', Lithos, vol. 212, pp. 443-452.
  • Kamenetsky, V & Yaxley, G 2015, 'Carbonate-silicate liquid immiscibility in the mantle propels kimberlite magma ascent', Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 158, pp. 48-56.
  • Kamenetsky, V, Park, J, Mungall, J et al. 2015, 'Crystallization of platinum-group minerals from silicate melts: Evidence from Cr-spinel-hosted inclusions in volcanic rocks', Geology, vol. 43, no. 10, pp. 903-906.
  • Hollis, J, Carson, C, Glass, L et al 2014, 'Detrital zircon U-Pb-Hf and O isotope character of the Cahill Formation and Nourlangie Schist, Pine Creek Orogen: Implications for the tectonic correlation and evolution of the North Australian Craton', Precambrian Research, vol. 246, pp. 35-53.
  • Nebel, O, Rapp, R & Yaxley, G 2014, 'The role of detrital zircons in Hadean crustal research', Lithos, vol. 190, pp. 313-327.
  • Green, D.H., Hibberson, W.O., Rosenthal, A., Kovács, I., Yaxley, G.M., Falloon, T., Brink, F. (2014). Experimental Study of the Influence of Water on Melting and Phase Assemblages in the Upper Mantle. Journal of Petrology 55, 10, 2067-2096.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egu050
  • Rosenthal, A., Yaxley, G.M., Green, D.H., Hermann, J., Kovacs, I., Spandler, C. (2014). Continuous eclogite melting and variable refertilisation in upwelling heterogeneous mantle. Scientific Reports 4, 6099. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep06099
  • Berry, A, Yaxley, G, Hanger, B et al 2013, 'Quantitative mapping of the oxidative effects of mantle metasomatism', Geology, vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 683-686.
  • Litasov, K, Shatskiy, A, Ohtani, E et al 2013, 'Solidus of alkaline carbonatite in the deep mantle', Geology, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 79-82.
  • Jenner, F, Bennett, V, Yaxley, G et al. 2013, 'Eoarchean within-plate basalts from southwest Greenland', Geology, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 327-330.
  • Kiseeva, E, Konstantin, L, Yaxley, G et al 2013, 'Melting and Phase Relations of Carbonated Eclogite at 9-21 GPa and the Petrogenesis of Alkali-Rich Melts in the Deep Mantle', Journal of Petrology, vol. 54, no. 8, pp. 1555-1583.
  • Berry, A, Yaxley, G, Hanger, B et al 2013, 'Quantitative mapping of the oxidative effects of mantle metasomatism', Geology, vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 683-686.
  • Kiseeva, E, Yaxley, G, Stepanov, A et al 2013, 'Metapyroxenite in the mantle transition zone revealed from majorite inclusions in diamonds', Geology, vol. 41, no. 8, pp. 883-886.
  • Yaxley, G.M., Kamenetsky, V.S., Nichols, F.T., Maas, R., Belousova, E., Rosenthal, A., Norman, A. (2013). The discovery of kimberlites in Antarctica extends the vast Gondwanan Cretaceous province. Nature Communications 4, 2921. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms3921
  • Yaxley, G, Berry, A, Kamenetsky, V et al 2012, 'An oxygen fugacity profile through the Siberian Craton - Fe K-edge XANES determinations of Fe3+∑Fe in garnets in peridotite xenoliths from the Udachnaya East kimberlite', Lithos, vol. 140, pp. 142-151.
  • Yaxley, G, Berry, A, Kamenetsky, V et al 2012, 'An oxygen fugacity profile through the Siberian Craton - Fe K-edge XANES determinations of Fe3+∑Fe in garnets in peridotite xenoliths from the Udachnaya East kimberlite', Lithos, vol. 140, pp. 142-151pp.
  • Grew ES, Carson CJ, Christy AG, Maas R, Yaxley GM, Boger SD, Fanning CM, 2012 New constraints from U-Pb, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic data on the timing of sedimentation and felsic magmatism in the Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. Precambrian Research vol 206-207, pp 87-108.
  • Kiseeva, E.S., Yaxley, G.M., Hermann, J., Litasov, K., Rosenthal, A., Kamenetsky, V. (2012). An Experimental Study of Carbonated Eclogite at 3.5-5.5 GPa – Implications for Silicate and Carbonate Metasomatism in the Cratonic Mantle. Journal of Petrology 53, 4, 727-759. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egr078
  • Fanning, C, Herve, F, Pankhurst, R et al. 2011, 'Lu-Hf isotope evidence for the provenance of Permian detritus in accretionary complexes of western Patagonia and the northern Antarctic Peninsula region', Journal of South American Earth Sciences, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 485-496.
  • Berry, A, Yaxley, G, Woodland, A et al 2010, 'A XANES calibration for determining the oxidation state of iron in mantle garnet', Chemical Geology, vol. 278, no. 1-2, pp. 31-37.
  • Foley, SF, Yaxley, GM, Rosenthal, A, Buhre, S, Kiseeva, ES, Rapp, RP, Jacob, DE 2009, 'The composition of near-solidus melts of peridotite in the presence of CO2 and H2O between 40 and 60 kbar', Lithos, vol. 112, pp. 274-283.
  • Spandler, C, Yaxley, G, Green, D et al 2010, 'Experimental phase and melting relations of metapelite in the upper mantle: implications for the petrogenesis of intraplate magmas', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 160, no. 4, pp. 569-589.
  • Rapp, R, Norman, M, Laporte, D et al 2010, 'Continent Formation in the Archean and Chemical Evolution of the Cratonic Lithosphere: Melt-Rock Reaction Experiments at 3-4 GPa and Petrogenesis of Archean Mg-Diorites (Sanukitoids)', Journal of Petrology, vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 1237-1266.
  • Berry, A, Yaxley, G, Woodland, A et al 2010, 'A XANES calibration for determining the oxidation state of iron in mantle garnet', Chemical Geology, vol. 278, no. 1-2, pp. 31-37.
  • Jenner, F, Bennett, V, Nutman, A et al. 2009, 'Evidence for subduction at 3.8 Ga: Geochemistry of arc-like metabasalts from the southern edge of the Isua Supracrustal Belt', Chemical Geology, vol. 261, no. 1-2, pp. 82-97.
  • Handler, M, Baker, J, Schiller, M et al. 2009, 'Magnesium stable isotope composition of Earth's upper mantle', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 282, pp. 306-313.
  • Campbell, G, Curran, J, Miskelly, G et al 2009, 'Compositional data analysis for elemental data in forensic science', Forensic Science International, vol. 188, pp. 81-90.
  • Morton, A, Hitchen, K, Fanning, C et al. 2009, 'Detrital zircon age constraints on the provenance of sandstones on Hatton Bank and Edoras Bank, NE Atlantic', Journal of the Geological Society, vol. 166, pp. 137-146.
  • Yaxley, G & Brey, G 2008, 'Foreword: The roles of Petrology and Experimental Petrology in understanding global tectonics', Journal of Petrology, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 587-589.
  • Munizaga, F, Maksaev, V, Fanning, C et al. 2008, 'Late Paleozoic-Early Triassic magmatism on the western margin of Gondwana: Collahuasi area, Northern Chile', Gondwana Research, vol. 13, pp. 407-427.
  • Suda, Y, Kawano, Y, Yaxley, G et al 2008, 'Magmatic evolution and tectonic setting of metabasites from Lützow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica', Geological Society of London Special Publication, vol. 308, pp. 211-233.
  • Stroup, C, Link, P, Janecke, S et al. 2008, 'Eocene to Oligocene provenance and drainage in extensional basins of southwest Montana and east-central Idaho: Evidence from detrital zircon populations in the Renova Formation and equivalent strata', Arizona Geological Society Digest, vol. 22, pp. 529-546.
  • Rapp, R.P., Irifune, T., Shimizu, N., Nishiyama, N., Norman, M., and T. Inoue (2008). Subduction recycling of continental sediments and the origin of geochemically enriched reservoirs in the deep mantle. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 271, 14-23. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2008.02.028
  • Spandler, C, Yaxley, G.M., Green, D.H., Rosenthal, A. (2008). Phase relations and melting of anhydrous K-bearing eclogite from 1200 to 1600ºC, 3 to 5 GPa. Journal of Petrology 49, 4, 771-795. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egm039
  • Herve, F, Pankhurst, R, Fanning, C et al. 2007, 'The South Patagonian batholith: 150 my of granite magmatism on a plate margin', Lithos, vol. 97, no. 3-4, pp. 373-394.
  • Yaxley, G & Sobolev, A 2007, 'High-pressure partial melting of gabbro and its role in the Hawaiian magma source', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 154, pp. 371-383.
  • Sobolev, A, Hofmann, A, Kuzmin, D et al. 2007, 'The amount of Recycled Crust in Sources of Mantle-Derived Melts', Science, vol. 316, no. 5823, pp. 412-417.
  • Morton, A & Yaxley, G 2007, 'Detrital apatite geochemistry and its application in provenance studies', in Jose Arribas, Mark Johnsson & Salvatore Critelli (ed.), Sedimentary Provenance and Petrogenesis: Perspectives from Petrography and Geochemistry, Geological Society of America Inc, Boulder USA, pp. 319-344.
  • Norman, M, Yaxley, G, Bennett, V et al. 2006, 'Magnesium isotopic composition of olivine from the Earth, Mars, Moon, and pallasite parent body', Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 33, pp. L15202.
  • Norman, M, McCulloch, M, O'Neill, H et al 2006, 'Magnesium isotopic analysis of olivine by laser-ablation multi-collector ICP-MS: composition dependent matrix effects and a comparison of the Earth and Moon', Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, vol. 21, pp. 50-54.
  • Woodland, A, Seitz, H & Yaxley, G 2004, 'Varying behaviour of Li in metasomatised spinel peridotite xenoliths from western Victoria, Australia', Lithos, vol. 75, pp. 55-66.
  • Yaxley, G & Brey, G 2004, 'Phase relations of carbonate-bearing eclogite assemblages from 2.5 to 5.5 GPa: implications for petrogenesis of carbonatites', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 146, pp. 606-619.
  • Yaxley, G, Kamenetsky, V, Kaminska, M et al 2004, 'Origins of compositional heterogeneity in olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Baffin Island picrites', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 148, pp. 426-442.
  • Green, D, Falloon, T, Eggins, S et al 2001, 'Primary magmas and mantle temperatures', European Journal of Mineralogy, vol. 13, pp. 437-451.
  • Matsumoto, T, Honda, M, McDougall, I et al 2000, 'Noble gases in pyroxenites and metasomatised peridotites from the Newer Volcanics, southeastern Australia: implications for mantle metasomatism', Chemical Geology, vol. 168, no. 1-2, pp. 49-73.
  • Yaxley, G 2000, 'Experimental study of the phase and melting relations of homogeneous basalt + peridotite mixtures and implications for the petrogenesis of flood basalts', Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 139, pp. 326-338.
  • Green, T, Blundy, J, Adam, J et al 2000, 'SIMS determination of trace element partition coefficients between garnet, clinopyroxene and hydrous basaltic liquids at 2-7.5 GPa and 1080-1200 degrees C.', Lithos, vol. 53, no. 3-4, pp. 165-187.
  • Yaxley, G & Kamenetsky, V 1999, 'In situ origin for glass in mantle xenoliths from southeastern Australia: insights from trace element compositions of glasses and metasomatic phases', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 172, pp. 97-109.

Undergraduate teaching

Supervised students