Our research focuses on the physics and chemistry of minerals with an emphasis on the deformation behavior of mantle rocks. We primarily do experiments at high pressures and temperatures in two gas medium pressure vessels, designed and built by Mervyn Paterson. We are working on a range of problems, including planetary core formation, diffusion in Earth materials, the interactions of deformation and melt migration, the roles of "water" in olivine deformation, and the structure and properties of grain boundaries. (For more information and articles, see "Research Themes".)

Prof. David L. Kohlstedt
Department of Geology and Geophysics,
University of Minnesota
310 Pillsbury Dr. SE
Minneapolis,MN 55455
Phone: (612) 626-1544
Fax: (612) 625-3819
dlkohl@umn.edu