Welcome to the Sedimentary Geology & Palaeontology Research Group (the Gravelmonkeys) at James Cook University! We have a dynamic research program with a strong group of students and many productive collaborations between staff members and students in the Department of Geociences at JCU. The research group is led by Associate Professor Eric Roberts, but also draws on the considerable knowledge and expertise of Prof. Paul Dirks, Assoc. Prof. Carl Spandler, Dr. James Daniell, Dr. Espen Knutsen and Dr. Rob Holm, who play important roles in the supervision of students within the group. Additional collaborations exist with other JCU staff, including: Professor Bob Henderson, Dr. Maree Corkeron, Dr. Christa Placzek, Dr. Jan Marten Huizenga,  Assoc. Prof. Zhaoshan Chang, and Dr. Ioan Sanislov. 

We are actively engaged in research across the globe on topics in sedimentology, tectonics, hydrocarbon exploration and palaeontology. Our research is focused on the tropics of Australasia and Africa, with active research projects going on in north Queensland, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mali, and Papua New Guinea. However, we also have exciting projects in less tropical parts of the World, including: in South Australia, Antarctica, Southern Utah (USA), and China. 

OUR RESEARCH

Clastic Sedimentology
Tectonics and Basin Analysis
U-Pb Detrital Zircon Geochronology
U-Pb Dating of Continental Strata & Faunas
Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction
Vertebrate Taphonomy & Palaeoecology
Hydrocarbon Exploration in Conventional & Unconventional Settings
Continental Ichnology