Ophiolites

Ophiolites form an unique opportunity to study the complexity of the oceanic lithosphere on land, because they were obducted due to plate tectonics on the continents. The mineralogical, geochemical and geological study of the rocks and minerals allows to better understand the genesis processes.

In addition to provide insights into the processes involved in the genesis of ophiolites, they are also important deposits of raw materials. Thus, a large part of our required chromium extraction comes from ophiolites. Besides chromium, which occurs in the form of the mineral chromite, platinum-group elements are also important ressources hosted in ophiolites.

Therefore, the research focus is on the formation of ophiolites (including mineralogy) and also the formation of raw materials.

Contact: PD Dr. Melanie Kaliwoda and Dr. Malte Junge