Commission for Research into High Pressures in the Geological Sciences
The Commission oversees the scientific research of the Bayerisches Geoinstitut (Bavarian Research Institute for Experimental Geochemistry and Geophysics) at the University of Bayreuth. The Commission advises on the filling of scientific positions and on budgetary and organizational matters.
The Bayerisches Geoinstitut is involved in experimental investigations of processes that occur at the Earth's surface, the Earth's interior and in the solar system. Many geological processes that affect life at the Earth's surface have their origins in the deep interior of the planet. However, the interior is not accessible for direct observations. In addition, the early history of the Earth and the solar system that influenced subsequent planetary evolution can only be investigated by indirect methods. Consequently, in the last 20–30 years, experimental methods have been developed to complement the classical observation-based methods of geochemistry and geophysics. In this area, the Bayerisches Geoinstitut is playing a leading role both in Germany and world-wide. It can simulate processes that occur in regions ranging from the surface to the Earth’s core as well as in space. Although the main emphasis is on fundamental research, scientific projects also provide results that are important for the search for mineral resources and geothermal energy, the prediction of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and long-term climate change. Its new technical methods can often be used later for industrial applications, in particular for the development of new materials.
The Annual Report of the Institute can be requested from bayerisches.geoinstitut@uni-bayreuth.de
Detailed information about the Institute can also be found at www.bgi.uni-bayreuth.de.
The high-pressure laboratory at Bayerisches Geoinstitut with three multianvil presses. The largest press in the background generates a force equivalent to 5000 tons.