Research Themes
The DEEP group investigates the formation and modification of the Earth’s mantle, which is often coupled with continental crust-mantle recycling. The group is interested in melting processes within the Earth’s mantle, particularly the formation of alkaline and carbonate-rich magmas (e.g., kimberlites, lamproites and carbonatites), and their roles within the geochemical cycle. DEEP researchers have conducted petrologic and isotope geochemical studies of mantle rocks, xenoliths and xenocrysts in addition to both experimental and modelling studies of volatile-bearing mafic systems at mantle conditions.
The research activities led by our DEEP group can be arranged into the six themes below. Each scientific research question is unique and the projects are constantly evolving.
Nature and origin of global kimberlite magmatism
(e.g., Africa, Asia, North America)
Mineralogy (in particular trace element compositions) of diamond-bearing lamproites
Kimberlite pipe emplacement models and micro-/macrodiamond relationships
Geochemistry of diamonds with implications for ancient and deep volatile cycles
Alkaline and carbonatite melt generation in “hot” Archean subduction zones
