The central research theme of our section is the understanding of the physical and physico-chemical processes that determine the dynamics and mechanical properties of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. The topics range from geomechanics and rock physics to the deformation behavior of the lithosphere, covering scales from the laboratory (micrometer to centimeter) to mines and boreholes (decimeter to dekameter), geo-reservoirs, and those of tectonic processes (kilometer scale and beyond). Our goal is to develop a quantitative, scale-bridging understanding of the mechanics of deformation and material transport processes in the lithosphere, their changes in time and space, and from brittle to ductile behavior. 

Scientific drilling is an important method in this context, as it provides undisturbed material in the form of core samples and formation fluids, enabling geophysical measurements and various long-term studies under in-situ conditions across scales. In our laboratories, we conduct experiments on deformation and transport processes in reservoir and surrounding rock. We study seismic and aseismic deformation processes under high pressures and temperatures, deriving principles that we apply under natural conditions in geological reservoirs or along tectonic plate boundaries. Additionally, we measure processes before, during, and after earthquakes of varying magnitudes in tectonically active regions, both on the Earth's surface and underground. Our research provides the physical foundations for assessing geohazards and addressing geomechanical questions related to the exploration and utilization of the subsurface.