Geology – the stable foundation of our existence
Our geology researchers study colliding continents and fossils that tell us about past worlds. We also reconstruct past environmental changes and study the Earth’s magnetic field. Other areas include the oxygen depletion of seabeds and sustainable management of natural resources. The research covers periods going back millions of years as well as today’s society.
Rocks and fossils have a story to tell
Among other things, our researchers are working to understand the growth of the Earth’s crust over time and the dynamic processes that occur when continents collide or drift apart. Researchers can also track how supercontinents formed hundreds of millions of years ago. The quest for knowledge involves, for example, studies of the palaeomagnetic nature of rocks and advanced chemical and geochronological analyses of minerals at the micrometre level.
Another area of research focuses on the evolution of life throughout Earth’s history. The aim is to reconstruct ancient marine and terrestrial environments and their temporal and spatial evolution. We are also researching different fossil groups to try to understand the factors that have influenced biodiversity over millions of years.
In molecular palaeobiology, we can study fossil soft tissues and biomarkers using state-of-the-art techniques, including those available at the MAX IV Laboratory. Our researchers are also investigating the correlation between the carbon cycle and biodiversity in the past.
From space geology to biogeochemistry and environmental archives
We also carry out studies of extraterrestrial material and impact sites to increase our knowledge about possible links between astronomical processes and the evolution of life. Our researchers are also studying impact craters to understand the collision history of the Earth, while also contributing pieces to the puzzle of the entire solar system’s history. We also conduct research projects using remote sensing data to study the geological history of Mars.
Biogeochemical cycles are another area of focus for several of our researchers. Knowing how the globally important nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon cycles interact with the carbon cycle is crucial to understanding what drives climate change over time. Our research in biogeochemistry also examines the human input of nutrients into aquatic environments, in particular the Baltic Sea. The aim here is to solve the problem of oxygen depletion on the seabed.
Our researchers are also conducting interdisciplinary studies of natural environmental archives to reconstruct recent environmental changes. In this context, biological, physical and geochemical data are used as indicators of environmental change. It allows the reconstruction of a wide range of environmental aspects, such as variations in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, land use, water quality and biodiversity.
Interdisciplinary problem-solving process
Applied geology is another area in which our researchers are involved. It brings together chemistry, geology, physics, biology and social sciences to explore how society can utilise natural resources sustainably. For example, how can we ensure access to clean drinking water? Where can carbon dioxide be stored in bedrock? Our researchers are also working on issues related to geoenergy and geothermal energy, as well as industrial minerals, crushed rock and natural stone.
Ice ages, solar flares and geomagnetism
In the field of glacial geology, we have research projects investigating how the Scandinavian landscape has been shaped by repeated ice ages. These research results are of value not only for understanding the history of ice ages, but also from a societal perspective in terms of, for example, agricultural and groundwater issues.
A completely different field of research deals with solar activity and geomagnetism. In this case, our researchers investigate solar flares and cosmic rays and how these factors affect, for example, the carbon cycle on our planet. The aim is also to reconstruct past solar activity and to investigate the relationship between solar activity and climate change.
This research can also contribute to the dating of sediments and other geological archives, for example in efforts to determine the age of the Greenland ice sheet. Our research on geomagnetic field changes at the Department’s Palaeomagnetic Laboratory is an important piece of the puzzle.