Revolution in Earth Science: Plümper Reveals Earth's Secrets!

Revolution in Earth Science: Plümper Reveals Earth's Secrets!

Oliver Plümper will be Professor of Mineralogy in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Bremen from the summer semester of 2025. In his new role, he will focus on the changes in minerals throughout Earth's history and the influence of fluids, such as water and carbon dioxide, on rocks in the Earth. The relevant processes in his research include volcanism, earthquakes and the formation of raw materials, as well as the long-term storage of CO₂. The aim of his research work is to gain a deeper understanding of the earth through knowledge of its smallest building blocks and to combine basic research with questions of sustainability. Plümper attaches particular importance to gaining new scientific knowledge about the responsible use of resources and environmental protection.

Plümper is ideally qualified for these tasks. He worked abroad for over 16 years and has taught, among others, at the University of Utrecht and at the Center for Physics of Geological Processes at the University of Oslo. He completed his studies in geosciences at the University of Münster. In his working group he will use modern analysis methods such as 3D X-ray imaging, interferometry and electron microscopy. In addition, Plümper promotes open, transparent and future-oriented science by having his working group work according to the principles of open science and making their findings publicly accessible. The aim of his commitment is to provide impetus for innovative, sustainable and interdisciplinary geosciences.

CO2 emissions of volcanic origin

A recent international team of geologists from the universities of Florence and Cologne have been studying CO2 emissions from volcanoes, particularly those from Mount Etna in Sicily. The study, published in the journal Geology, shows that magma transports carbon dioxide from depths of 50 to 150 kilometers in the Earth's mantle and is responsible for Mount Etna emitting 9,000 tons of CO2 every day. This accounts for 10% of the world's volcanic CO2 emissions and shows that Etna emits three times more CO2 than Kilauea in Hawaii, despite its four times higher magma output.

The research team analyzed the magmas of four volcanoes: Etna, Monte Vulture, Stromboli and Pantelleria. It was found that the high niobium to tantalum ratios at Etna and Monte Vulture are higher than at other active intraplate volcanoes. The researchers also identified carbon-rich areas in the Earth's mantle beneath the Hyblean Plateau in southern Italy that are “tapped” when the magma melts. In addition, geodynamic conditions, such as the backward movement of the subducting plate in the Ionian Sea, contribute to the transport of carbon beneath Etna.

The role of volcanoes in the carbon cycle

Another relevant research from Cambridge University has shown that the formation and separation of supercontinents over hundreds of millions of years controls natural volcanic carbon emissions. These findings, published in the journal Science, could lead to a reassessment of the carbon cycle and the evolution of Earth's habitability. The study found that the majority of carbon released from volcanoes is recycled near the surface, challenging the previous assumption that it comes from the Earth's interior.

Volcanoes that form on island or continental arcs play a crucial role in the carbon cycle. They return carbon to the Earth's surface but emit less than 1% of the carbon emissions caused by human activities. There have been significant changes in volcanic activity in different geological periods, which also illustrates the climatic influence. Researchers have also found that volcanoes' chemical fingerprints vary and that the carbon isotope ratio in limestone increases at times, which has been interpreted as an increase in atmospheric oxygen.

In summary, research in the field of geosciences is significantly enriched by the contributions of scientists such as Oliver Plümper and recent findings on volcanology and its influence on the carbon cycle. These studies are not only of academic interest, but also contribute to the sustainable use of the earth and its resources.

University of Bremen, University of Cologne, GeoHorizon.