Kate Kiseeva

Although I have a strong background in geology, my principal research interests lie in the application of experimental petrology to global petrological problems. Many geological processes, such as magma genesis, the formation of mineral deposits, or the metamorphism of rocks, cannot be observed directly because they occur deep within the Earth. Although we may have rock samples brought to the surface by geological processes we can use our experiments to confirm, or discredit, the hypothesis that have been made about their formation. Therefore, as an experimental petrologist, I am using lab-based methods.

My current project is aimed at understanding how a number of economically and geologically important chemical elements partition themselves between the silicates of the outer parts of the Earth and sulphides, minerals and liquids rich in sulphur. This research covers a wide range of applications. It helps us to shed light on Earth’s and Moon’s bulk compositions, mantle and core geochemistry, generation of basaltic lavas as well as to provide important information for metallurgy, polymetallic ore deposits and platinum group element (PGE) exploration.

In addition to my research on sulphides, I am involved in work on the composition of garnet in the upper mantle and transition zone. In my current project I work on reconstruction of the transition zone composition by comparing natural majorite garnet inclusions in diamonds with the compositions of experimentally crystallised majorites from pyroxenitic rocks of different composition.