Prof. Dr. Karsten Haase

Prof. Dr. Karsten Haase

Chair of Endogenous Geodynamics

Tel: +49 (0)9131 8522616
Fax: +49 (0)9131 8529295
 karsten.haase@fau.de

1986 – 1992Studies of Geology at Kiel University and one year at Imperial College of Science and Technology in London
1992Diploma at the Geological-Paleontological Institute of Kiel University
1992 – 1995Doctoral thesis at the Geological-Paleontological Institute of Kiel University and at the Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry (Dept. Geochemistry) in Mainz in the DFG Research Training Group “Dynamics of Global Cycles in the Earth System “
1995Promotion at the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
1995 – 1996Postdoctoral fellowship of the Max-Planck-Society at the Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry (Dept. Geochemistry) in Mainz
1996 – 1998Research fellowship of the DFG at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University in Palisades, New York.
1998 –2004Scientific Assistant at the Institute of Geosciences (Dept. of Geology), Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
2002Habilitation at the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
2004 –2005Academic council at the Institute of Geosciences (Dept. of Geology), Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
2006- 2007Associate professor at the Department of Earth Sciences, Universität Aarhus, Dänemark
Since January 2008Professor for Endogeneous Geodynamics at the GeoCenter Northern Bavaria, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

1997

1996

1994


  • Continental rifting, volcanism, and its impact on the environment
  • Geodynamics and elment transport in subduction zones
  • Formation of SiO2-rich magmas and growth of the continental crust
  • Magma transport and interaction with litho- and hydrosphere

Read more

Research topics

Continental rifting, volcanism and their influence on the environment

Blick vom Erzgebirgsrand nach Süden in das Becken des Egergrabens. Die dunklen Kuppen im Graben sind Reste abgetragener tertiärer Vulkane.
View from the edge of the Erzgebirge southward into the basin of the Eger Graben. The dark hills within the graben are remnants of eroded Tertiary volcanoes.

The opening of oceans and the frequently associated eruptions of enormous volumes of lava (so-called flood basalts) have significantly influenced processes at the Earth’s surface. For example, global environmental changes and mass extinction events correlate with flood basalt eruptions. The composition of magmas in a continental rift varies depending on tectonic settings and plate movements, as well as processes within the Earth’s mantle (mantle plumes). The Chair of Endogenous Geodynamics investigates the formation and evolution of magmas in continental rifts and the associated geochemical transport processes.

 

Geodynamics and element transport in subduction zones

White Island vor der Küste Neuseelands: ein typischer Vulkan an einer Subduktionszone
White Island off the coast of New Zealand: a typical volcano in a subduction zone.

Subduction zones are of great importance to humanity due to their location along continental margins, their abundance of natural resources, and the occurrence of natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions). Subduction zones form interfaces between the Earth’s surface and its interior, where crustal material is transported into the deep mantle. Metamorphic processes in subduction zones generate large quantities of aqueous fluids and silicate melts, which significantly contribute to the growth of continental crust and also form economically important mineral deposits. Tectonic, metamorphic, and magmatic processes and the associated material cycles are studied at the Chair of Endogenous Geodynamics.

 

 

Magma transport and interaction with the litho- and hydrosphere

Schwarzer Raucher am Meeresgrund (Foto: MARUM)
Black smoker on the ocean floor (Photo: MARUM)

The ascent of magmas from the mantle or lower crust into the upper crust often leads to the formation of hydrothermal circulation systems, which cause intense alteration of rocks and, through the dissolution and precipitation of minerals, result in the formation of ore deposits. At the same time, the melts interact with the surrounding crust and assimilate large amounts of altered material, significantly changing their composition. The interplay of magmatic, metamorphic, and hydrothermal processes is investigated at the Chair of Endogenous Geodynamics from petrological and economic geology perspectives.

Formation of SiO2-rich magmas and growth of the continental crust

Andesitische bis rhyolitische Gesteine treten als helle Bereiche zwischen dunklen basaltischen Lavaströmen in der Kruste Islands auf.
Andesitic to rhyolitic rocks appear as light-colored zones between dark basaltic lava flows in the crust of Iceland.

The oceanic crust consists predominantly of basaltic rocks with an SiO₂ content of about 50 wt%, whereas the continental crust contains on average about 60 wt% SiO₂ (andesitic composition). At mid-ocean ridges, oceanic intraplate volcanoes, and intra-oceanic island arcs, silica-rich melts occasionally occur in addition to basalts (up to rhyolites with about 70 wt% SiO₂). These melts may form through extreme fractional crystallization processes or partial melting of the deep oceanic crust and likely represent an important building block in the growth of continental crust, for example through the accretion of island arcs onto continents. We investigate the formation of these silica-rich rocks particularly with regard to their contribution to the evolution of the Earth’s crust.