Properties of Geomaterials

The understanding of geodynamic processes and the underlying mechanisms is one of the present challenges in geosciences. In this context, volcanic activities, magmatic and metamorphic evolutions, fluid-rock-interactions, and material cycles are of special interest. For the detailed interpretation of geophysical, geochemical, petrological and petrophysical observations, which should lead to the understanding of the driving forces behind plate tectonics, the thermodynamic, thermal transport and the material transfer properties are required. This leads to the task of determining the structural, physical, chemical, and physicochemical properties of geomaterials. Therefore, we perform in-situ-experiments and study the thermodynamic properties, structural variations, elastic properties, thermal transport and electrical properties of rock-forming minerals, phase assemblages, natural rocks and complex fluids. Besides advanced experimental equipment for synthesizing the geomaterials a large set of analytical and physical tools is used to characterize the phases and to measure their properties.