Research Group Trieloff Geo- and Cosmochemistry
About 4.6 billion years ago, our Earth formed from the accumulation of cosmic dust and asteroid-sized small bodies, some of which can still impact the Earth today. Using state-of-the-art isotopic methods, we investigate extraterrestrial and terrestrial rocks to better understand the formation and development of the Earth.
Cosmochemistry
Meteorites are the main source of extraterrestrial materials for laboratory studies. They provide us with insights into how our solar system and the Earth formed from cosmic gas and dust about 4.6 billion years ago.
Geochemistry and Geochronology
Modern isotopic analysis provides insights into the formation processes of rocks and geochemical reservoirs, such as the origin and development of the earliest terrestrial atmosphere. High-sensitivity multi-collector mass spectrometry is used for the measurement of rare isotopes like xenon.
Dust in the Solar System
Dust detectors on space probes such as 'Destiny+' and 'Cassini' study cosmic dust in the solar system. Cosmic particles can also be found in deep-sea sediments.
Cosmic Collisions
When kilometer-sized asteroids or comets collide with the Earth, the consequences can be catastrophic. One of the best-studied impact craters on Earth is the 14.8 million-year-old Nördlinger Ries. Even smaller meteorites, such as the Chelyabinsk impact in 2013, can cause serious damage.