Most of our planet is inaccessible to direct observation. Even the deepest borehole ever drilled penetrated only ~ 0.2 % of our planet’s radius. However, geologic processes deep within the interior of Earth profoundly influence its surface environments and landscapes, tectonic activity, and the formation and distribution of critical mineral resources.
A key focus area for our research group are processes occuring at high pressures within the Earth. Natural samples are critical for this work, but are often limited due to extremely low to impossible chances of reaching the surface. Such samples may also be altered or lost through weathering processes. For (relatively fresh) samples we can acquire, they may record only snapshots of temporary processes.
Experiments and computer simulations help us to complement and fill gaps in the rock record. The constraints from these efforts also help us to understand observations from the available natural samples, as well remote sensing using geophysics.
For prospective students, this will be interesting if you are drawn to the deep (and inaccessible) Earth or planetary science, want to better understand the factors that influence or create natural samples, or want to better understand the controls on geophysical observations from deep below.