The ERU has developed impressive computer capabilities in remote sensing, geological, geochemical, and geophysical data analysis and modelling. Currently there are research programs active with major mining and petroleum companies in South America, New Zealand, and eastern Australia. Research in carbonate systems includes studies of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Proterozoic depositional environments of North America and Australia, palaeoceanography using materials recovered by the international Ocean Drilling Program, and carbonate diagenesis. Studies in sedimentary geology and palaeobiology integrate modern trace element and isotope geochemical techniques to interpret ancient climates, environments, and diagenetic processes. Research within the Exploration Geophysics Program generally reflects the interests of staff members.
Topics are often of industrial relevance, so that logistical support from outside bodies is common.
Specialist programs are being undertaken in electrical, magnetic, and potential field techniques and their application to mining, groundwater and environmental geophysics and in exploration seismology and geophysical data processing and their application to the oil and gas, coal, mining and engineering industries. The latter is largely cross- disciplinary and thus enhances the interaction of various disciplines, sub disciplines and fields and provides the means for interaction and collaboration with diverse groups of researchers. The Department has operated two international seismograph stations since their installation in 1937 and 1957. The Centre is recognised to be at the cutting edge of research in simulation of the physics of earthquakes using latest technology parallel supercomputers - an approach termed a paradigm shift in earthquake science that may yield major breakthroughs. ACES aims to simulate the entire earthquake generation process and earthquake cycles in the Asia-Pacific.