Research & Projects

Main research interests

• Episodic deformation at transient stress conditions below hypocentral depths and the implications on the rheology of the lithosphere
• Interplay between deformation and mineral reactions
• Deformation and mineral reactions in subduction zones and the implications on the burial and exhumation processes
• Impact geology: shock effects and how do rocks and minerals react on extreme loading rates
• Quantitative microfabric analysis using polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission microscopy and related analytical techniques

Open Student Projects

• Subduction and Exhumation of (U)HP-metamorphic rocks: Dora Maira, Western Alps, Crete, WGC Norway
• High-temperature metamorphism during crustal contraction: Migmatitic metapelite xenolithes of the El Hoyazo, SE-Spain
• Retrograde metamorphism and deformation: Seconda Zona Kinzigitica: Sesia Zone, Western Alps
• Crystal growth during deformation: Quartz vein formation related to extensional shear bands in creeping metapelites, Crete, Greece
• Shear zone rocks: Bavarian Pfahl, Bavarian forest, Crete/Talea Ori, Silvretta basal thrust
• Impact geology and shock effects: Ries impact structure/Germany, Vredefort impact structure/S-Africa, Rochechouart/France
• Decoupling of crystalline nappes - Pseudotachylytes from the Silvretta basal thrust, Central Alps

Methods:

• Field work
• Polarized light microscopy
• Electron microscopy (EMP, SEM/EDS/EBSD/CL, FIB, TEM)
• Raman spectroscopy (in cooperation with Dr. Melanie Kaliwoda)

Requirements:

• Interest in the rheological behaviour of rocks at depths
• Interest in tectonics
• Interest in electron microscopy, EBSD-technique

• Basic knowledge of polarized light microscopy
• Basic knowledge in tectonics, structural geology, petrography