Structural Geology and Tectonics

Rock deformation experiments are performed to increase the understanding of numerous aspects in Earth Sciences. Studies of brittle deformation and friction increase our knowledge of earthquake and faulting processes, as well as of how these affect fluid flow in the brittle crust (upper 15 km). Studies of plastic deformation help us to define flow properties of crustal rocks that are involved in mountain building.

To evaluate whether the deformation processes that are activated in the lab are representative of processes in the Earth, microstructures are compared to natural geological phenomena (see pictures below).

We investigate geological processes that operate under enormous forces. Deformation structures like folds, faults and textures in minerals reveal information about the formation of the lithosphere (outer, solid sphere of the Earth).