L-R Dr Yan, Dr Ed Saudners, Prof Ian Metcalfe and Tianyu.

Two Chinese researchers, Dr Quanshu Yan and Tianyu Zhao, have visited Earth Science UNE to collaborate with Prof Ian Metcalfe, Dr Luke Milan and Dr Ed Saunders on their respective research projects.

Tianyu Zhao is a PhD candidate from the China University of Geosciences, Wuhan and is investigating the tectonic reconstruction of the building blocks that made part of the Gondwanan super continent. His field area is located in Yunnan province, and he is exploring the provenance of rocks to aid in his tectonic reconstruction. Tianyu said he is enjoying his time down under and has learnt the joys of the Australian BBQ.  Tianyu will be with Earth Science UNE until early November.

L-R Dr Yan, Dr Luke Milan (Lion t-shirt), Prof Ian Metcalfe and Tianyu.

Dr Yan is from the First Institute of Oceanography, Qingdao and has recently left to return home after an intensive month of working on his research projects. He is investigating the geochemical character and petrogenesis of igneous rocks (including basalts and granites) from the South China Sea region, West Pacific Seamount Province and Cocos Ridge.

To date there has been a long history of tectonic research in Asia at UNE under Prof Ian Metcalf and this is set to continue with researchers Tianyu and Dr Yan returning to collaborate with the team.

Tianyu enjoying cooking a BBQ