It Takes Two to Tango Fluid-Rock Interactions in the Earth's Interior

Abstract

The processes taking place inside rocks of the Earth’s crust are characterised by a complex interplay of reacting solids and fluids. Mineral reactions and phase transitions within the Earth’s interior are responsible for geological events like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and mountain building. Studying rock microstructures reveals how the Earth could have evolved. Combining field studies and innovative laboratory experiments with numerical modelling, researchers at the Institute of Earth Sciences of Heidelberg University aim to advance our understanding of the chemical transport, mechanical properties and behaviour of rocks by studying the physico-chemical processes that govern fluid-rock interactions.