A major research focus lies on the processes that formed the early continental crust with tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic (TTG) composition. This includes the identification of Earth’s early geodynamic processes, characterization of the mafic rocks that melted to produce TTGs and the investigation of the pressure/temperature conditions of partial melting.

In addition, we study mantle-derived basalts, komatiites and Archean peridotites to place constraints on crust-mantle recycling and incompatible element depletion in mantle contemporaneous with crust formation processes. We apply major, trace element and Hf-Nd-Os isotope as well as highly siderophile element (HSE) analyses. These methods are combined with thermodynamic and numerical modeling to better characterize the framework of early Earth’s mantle and crustal evolution.

Contact: Dr. Elis Hoffmann

Projects

 - Elucidating Eoarchean geodynamic processes by multiple sulfur isotopes DFG (2018-2021) J.E. Hoffmann, E.M. Schwarzenbach, H. Strauß, C. Münker, M.T. Rosing, M.J. Whitehouse SPP1833.

- Geochemistry of Eoarchean mantle peridotites from southern West Greenland DFG (2012-2018) J.E. Hoffmann, C. Münker, J. van de Löcht, H. Becker, H., Rosing, M.T., R. Kleinschrodt.

- Granitoid – greenstone relationships in the eastern Kaapvaal craton and implications for the early crustal evolution DFG (2014-2017) J.E. Hoffmann, K.P. Schneider, M. Boyet, D. Roerdink SPP1833.

- Siderophile and chalcophile elements in the Archean mantle-crust system CSC (2012-2016) C. Li, H. Becker, Z. Wang , I. Puchtel, E. Scherer, P. Sprung.

- Early Archaean crust-formation processes – constraints from the Ancient Gneiss Complex (Swaziland) and the Itsaq Gneiss Complex (West Greenland) DFG (2012-2014) J.E. Hoffmann, A. Kröner, J.-H. Yang, E. Hegner, C. Münker, E. Musese, L. Iiacceri, A. Hofmann, T.J. Nagel.