Theme: Deep Earth

Cratons and Diamonds

Convenors: Prof. Thomas Stachel; Dr. Graham Pearson; Prof. K.S. Viljoen

Description:
The proposed session covers the fields of
1. Deep lithosphere research (mantle xenolith/xenocryst and diamond studies),
2. Processes of diamond formation (ultra-trace, elements and stable isotopes in diamond; Diamond forming fluids/melts and redox reactions),
3. Advances in diamond exploration techniques (indicator mineral, chemistry, geothermobarometry, etc.).

 

Fluid in the Earth

Convenors: Prof. Pei Ni - IMA-WGIM; Prof. Ronald J. Bakker

Description:
When minerals crystallize from a melt or a fluid phase, relics are commonly trapped and preserved as fluid or melt inclusions. Such inclusions provide the best source of information concerning the occurrence of fluids in natural samples. By studying the fluid or melt inclusions, we can understand the fluid behaviour in different geological environments, such as late-stage magma crystallization, crustal fluid flow, hydrocarbon transport and petroleum accumulation, hydrothermal activity and ore formation, etc.

 

Mineralogy in the Deep Earth

Convenors: Dr. Catherine McCammon - IMA Subcommission on Physics of Minerals; Dr. Toru Inoue; Dr. Paola Comodi; Dr. Eiji Ohtani

Description:
The nature of minerals and related phases in the Earth's interior and their response to changes in pressure, temperature and composition is fundamental to our understanding of properties and processes within the Earth's interior, basically how the Earth's engine works and how it may evolve in the future. This session will present a snapshot of current research, particularly focusing on experimental results of both natural and analogue phases that shed new light on our understanding of the Earth's interior.

 

Theoretical and Computational Mineral Physics for Deep Earth

Convenors: Prof Taku Tsuchiya – Commission IMA Sub-commission on Physics of Minerals; Dr.Razvan Caracas; Mr. Jun Tsuchiya

Description:
Knowledge of crystallographic, physical and chemical properties of constituent minerals is crucial to advance our understanding of the structural and dynamical properties of Earth and planets. In the past decade, this has largely progressed based not only on experimental studies but also on theoretical and computational studies. The applications of various computational techniques, which range from first-principles to empirical, from static calculations to molecular dynamics, from atomistic to multi-scale models, etc. are now common in the study of minerals. This session will bring together latest contributions related to the computational studies of a wide range of relevant properties including, but not limited to, structure, phase equilibria, thermodynamics, elasticity, defects, deformation, diffusion, conductivity, viscosity, etc. The scope covers studies of crystalline and amorphous materials of broad compositional ranges of mineralogical relevance.

Keynote Presenter:  Ms. Bijaya Karki
Keynote Presentation: Defect, Grain boundary, and Atomic diffusion

 

Water and Hydrous Phases in the Earth's Interior: Geological, Geophysical and Geodynamic Implications

Convenors: Dr. Istvan Kovacs; Dr. Jannick Ingrin; Dr. Qunke Xia

Description:
This session aims to bring together researchers studying different aspect of 'water' incorporation in nominally anhydrous (NAMs) and the stability of hydrous minerals. The session may provide an excellent forum to discuss the progress that has been achieved in the recent years. Applications of new analytical techniques or methods for characterizing 'water' in NAMs and high pressure studies of hydrous phases are most welcome as these are fundamental for our understanding on physical and chemical properties of the Earth interior. 'Water' is a vital element in triggering melting and weakening of the deep crust and mantle, and as such, it may cause significant geophysical anomalies. It is an important interdisciplinary challenge to link/ or not geophysical anomalies to the influence of 'water' on rock and mineral properties. The session is expected to attract a broad range of specialists as being one of the most developing fields in earth sciences.

 

General Session - Deep Earth

Convenors: Prof. K.S. Viljoen

Description:
This is a General Session under the theme Deep Earth for submission of abstracts that do not conform with other sessions under this theme.