Wed 17th January @ noon, Rm 312.222

Abstract:

The physical and chemical properties of the Earth depend on the atomic to nanoscale structure of their constituent rocks, minerals and fluids. During my talk I will focus on two examples to show how nanoscale processes may control geological processes. The first example focuses on nanoscale transport processes during fluid-rock interaction. Using multi-dimensional nano-imaging and (non-equilibrium) molecular dynamics simulations, I demonstrate that in feldspar, the most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, electrokinetic transport through reaction-induced nanopores (10-100 nm) can be highly effective. This suggests that metamorphic fluid flow and fluid-mediated mineral replacement reactions can be considerably influenced by nanofluidic transport phenomena and are not solely reliant on tectonic forcing and fluid pressure gradients. In a second example I focus on the deformation of nanogranular media in earthquake-prone fault zones. Using a combination of natural samples from the seismically active Gulf of Corinth (Greece) and rock mechanics experiments I will discuss formation and deformation mechanisms of nanograins within carbonate faults and their impact on crustal fault zone stability and earthquake nucleation.

Short bio:

Oli attended the University of Münster for his BSc and MSc. He then completed his PhD at the University of Oslo. He is now assistant professor at the Department of earth Sciences, Utrecht University (the Netherlands).