Research

The Structural Geology and Tectonics Group works on three main research themes.

Structural Geology and Tectonics

The main focus of our tectonics research is field-based studies of processes of orogenesis and lithosphere extension, which currently focus on the Mediterrean area, in Turkey.

Principal investigator:  Reinoud Vissers

Electron Microscopy and Nanostructures

We use electron microscopy to understand the small scale processes that govern the dynamics and history of the Earth. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to study microstructures and defects in minerals and rocks with the goal of understanding the relationships between material microstructure and physical properties such as mechanical strength and magnetic behaviour. Studies of microstructures are also used to unravel the geological history of mineral growth and transformation.

A major research focus is on the application of automatic microstructure mapping using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) in the SEM. Recently, the application of the dual-beam focused ion beam SEM (FFIB) in Geosciences has become another research focus for our group. The FIB enables us to serial section the specimens for 3D analyses of the microstructures. The Structural Geology group participates in EMU the Utrecht University Centre for Electron Microscopy, housed in the faculty of Sience of Utrecht University.  

Principal investigators:   Martyn Drury and Gill Pennock

Metamorphism in extreme environments

The transformation of rocks and minerals at extremely high pressure and temperature is a fundamental process in the dynamic Earth. Our research in metamorphism concentrates on mineral transformations in extreme high-pressure environments, produced deep in the Earth, or during impacts of extraterrestrial bodies with the Earth.

Ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks exposed at the Earth’s surface provide key data on crustal subduction process, the nature of deep fluids in the Earth, and crust-mantle interactions during subduction and continental collisions. Work on impact metamorphism will involve the development of new microscopy techniques for the fast identification of shocked minerals, enabling an improved understanding of the role and rate of extraterrestrial impacts in Earth history. Such impacts are a very special type of hazard, which occur infrequently but with devastating effects.

Principal investigators: 
UHP Research - Herman van Roermund    
Shock metamorphism - Martyn Drury