Small scale tectonics

• Effect of water on the mechanical behaviour of rocks
• Microfracturing, Stress-Corrosion
• Pressure solution
• Force of crystallisation (e.g. gypsum)
• Experimental deformation of quartz plus water in-situ in diamond anvil press
• Texture and fabric development
• Deformation driven by chemical reactions

Selected experimental projects until November 2004

Large-scale tectonics

• Alpine thrust and nappe tectonics (complex histories; driving force issues, e.g.. gravity)
• Glarus Thrust (complex tectonic history, mapping)
• Mechanical effect of large-scale mass removal by solution transfer
• Extensional core complexes: extensional detachment enigma, role of unconformities
• Major impacts and plate tectonics – impacts driving tectonic processes?
• Intrusion mechanics – solid versus liquid state intrusion.

Research methods include literature study and compilation of existing data, numerical modeling, experimental modeling, field work, interpretation of small-, meso- and large-scale structures, optical microscopy, SEM- and EBSD-analysis, c-axes analysis, cooperation with colleagues from other disciplines.

Last updated April 4, 2009