This session explores the dynamic interplay between fluids and rocks, encompassing processes that drive serpentinization, deformation, and metamorphism, from the mantle to orogenic belts. Fluid-rock interactions are fundamental to understanding geochemical and mechanical transformations across diverse geological settings. From the serpentinization of mantle rocks to fluid-mediated metamorphic processes in orogenic systems, these interactions control the redistribution of elements, volatile cycling, and the temporal evolution of Earth's lithosphere.
Bringing together researchers at the forefront of geochemistry, petrology, and structural geology, this session offers a comprehensive perspective on the role of fluid-rock interaction in shaping Earth's lithosphere. By connecting localized processes, such as serpentinization, to broader tectonic phenomena, the session emphasizes the interconnected nature of these transformative events. Recent advances in geochemical and geochronological techniques have deepened our understanding of the mechanisms driving fluid-rock interaction and metamorphism across diverse environments. Topics include the role of fluids in serpentinization, crustal deformation, and metamorphism, as well as their impact on element cycling and rock weakening, which influence geodynamic processes such as subduction and orogenesis.
We welcome contributions highlighting novel analytical approaches, multidisciplinary methodologies, and insights into how fluid-mediated and metamorphic processes shape the evolution of Earth's lithosphere from the mantle to the surface. We also welcome contributions enhancing analytical techniques and their applications to investigate fluid-rock interaction, metamorphism and deformation, such as – but not limited to – isotopic measurements and advancements in geochronometers.

The operation of the terrestrial heat engine manifests geologically in ceaseless mass transfer between lithological reservoirs, under the action of tectonic and surface processes. Sedimentary Provenance Analysis is a broad and interdisciplinary field aiming to track these transfers and reconstruct Earth’s evolution on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales by studying detrital mineral grains. This encompasses the geodynamic evolution of mountain belts, paleogeographic reconstructions, changes in climatic conditions, and the tectono-magmatic-metamorphic evolution of planet Earth from the Hadean to present.

Tackling such topics requires disentanglement of inherently convoluted signals, calling for the application of multiple classical and novel methods of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology as well as the statistical treatment of large datasets. This includes, for instance, (i) novel developments in in-situ geo- and thermochronology including double- and triple-dating of single U-hosting grains, and β-decay systems accessed by reaction-gas mass spectrometry (e.g., Lu-Hf and Rb-Sr); (ii) multivariate discrimination of grains from the same mineral species by using flexible algorithms (including machine learning) applied to the major-element, trace-element, and isotopic composition of single grains; (iii) petrological methods such as inclusion assemblages in detrital single grains and elastic thermobarometry; and (iv) statistical methods disentangling differences and patterns in large datasets of multi-proxy provenance data like Generalized Procrustes Analysis or three-way Multidimensional Scaling.

This session welcomes contributions that highlight methodical advances applicable in the interdisciplinary field of Sedimentary Provenance Analysis as well as studies that rely on such methods to tackle problems and answer questions on any temporal and spatial scale, with particular emphasis on bridging micro to macro to planetary scales.

Minerals formed under surface and burial conditions serve as invaluable archives of Earth’s
environmental and geological history. This session explores the field of mineralization and
diagenesis, from surface conditions to deep burial, emphasizing the integration of biological,
chemical, and physical mechanisms. We invite contributions from a wide range of research topics,
including studies on the effects of diagenesis on mineralogy, fluid composition, and mechanical
properties, geochemical and isotopic records as environmental archives, and biotic and abiotic
mineral formation.

The quest to identify optimal methodologies for the observation of geological and environmental processes at the Earth's surface and for analyzing related data presents a significant challenge for numerous researchers. The spatial and temporal dimensions of a given process, along with the selected observational scale, can profoundly influence the comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon in question. Additionally, the unique structural characteristics of geochemical data, which detail the composition of the matrices employed, often obscure meaningful relationships among elements, leading to misleading correlations.
The primary objective of this session is to facilitate a comparative analysis of various methods, encompassing both cutting-edge monitoring and data processing techniques, to offer a real-time assessment of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the diverse approaches presented. Researchers utilizing geochemical data for the assessment of the impact of human activities on the environment or for exploration purposes are encouraged to participate in this session.
While studies focusing on individual matrices are welcomed, research that derives insights from integrated plans involving multiple matrices, including biological ones, is particularly sought after.
Contributions that emphasize data processing techniques utilizing multivariate analysis, machine learning, geostatistics, and other spatial or non-spatial analytical methods are especially encouraged, particularly when they address the compositional nature of geochemical data.

Sitting under a tree, you feel the spark of an idea, and suddenly everything falls into place. The following days and tests confirm: you have made a magnificent discovery — so the classical story of scientific genius goes…

But science as a human activity is error-prone, and might be more adequately described as "trial and error", or as a process of successful "tinkering" (Knorr, 1979). Thus we want to turn the story around, and ask you to share 1) those ideas that seemed magnificent but turned out not to be, and 2) the errors, bugs, and mistakes in your work that made the scientific road bumpy. What ideas were torn down or did not work, and what concepts survived in the ashes or were robust despite errors? We explicitly solicit Blunders, Unexpected Glitches, and Surprises (BUGS) from modeling and field or lab experiments and from all disciplines of the Geosciences.

Handling mistakes and setbacks is a key skill of scientists. Yet, we publish only those parts of our research that did work. That is also because a study may have better chances to be accepted for publication in the scientific literature if it confirms an accepted theory or if it reaches a positive result (publication bias). Conversely, the cases that fail in their test of a new method or idea often end up in a drawer (which is why publication bias is also sometimes called the "file drawer effect"). This is potentially a waste of time and resources within our community as other scientists may set about testing the same idea or model setup without being aware of previous failed attempts.

In the spirit of open science, we want to bring the BUGS out of the drawers and into the spotlight. In a friendly atmosphere, we will learn from each others' mistakes, understand the impact of errors and abandoned paths onto our work, and generate new insights for our science or scientific practice.

Here are some ideas for contributions that we would love to see:
- Ideas that sounded good at first, but turned out to not work.
- Results that presented themselves as great in the first place but turned out to be caused by a bug or measurement error.
- Errors and slip-ups that resulted in insights.
- Failed experiments and negative results.
- Obstacles and dead ends you found and would like to warn others about.

--
Knorr, Karin D. “Tinkering toward Success: Prelude to a Theory of Scientific Practice.” Theory and Society 8, no. 3 (1979): 347–76.

This session is open to all contributions in biogeochemistry and ecology where stable isotope techniques are used as analytical tools, with foci both on stable isotopes of light elements (C, H, O, N, S, …) and new systems (clumped and metal isotopes). We welcome studies from both terrestrial and aquatic (including marine) environments as well as methodological, experimental and theoretical studies that introduce new approaches or techniques (including natural abundance work, labelling studies, modeling).
Results from the successful EGU sessions on the ‘Application of Stable Isotopes in Biogeosciences’ that took place earlier have been published in several special issues of Organic Geochemistry and Isotopes in Environmental & Health Studies.

Mineralogy is the cornerstone of many disciplines and is used to solve a wide range of questions in geoscience. This broad session offers the opportunity to explore the diversity of methods and approaches used to study minerals and how minerals behave and evolve in their many contexts. Also, we will address issues that involve the use and development of spectroscopic techniques and the relevant ab initio simulations beyond current applications in metamorphic and magmatic petrology applied to the Earth and other planetary bodies.
We welcome contributions on all aspects of mineralogy, including environmental, soil science, metamorphic, plutonic, deep Earth, planetary, applied mineralogy, and so on. All approaches are welcome: analytical, experimental and theoretical.

Microstructural information is commonly underutilised in igneous and metamorphic petrology, yet often resolves decades-long debates in our disciplines. A rock’s texture (e.g., crystal numbers, sizes, shapes, zonation, orientation, and arrangement) preserves information about magmatic and/or metamorphic conditions acting on that rock during its geologic history. Conditions include cooling and heating rates, crystallisation regime, timing and duration, location and mechanisms of nucleation and crystal growth, fluid fluxes and speciation at depth and the extent and mechanisms of deformation. Studies of microstructural and textural features achieve even greater impact when multiple, spatially correlated datasets are integrated to extract petrological information. Microstructural and textural data sets are particularly informative when combined with in situ geochemical data (e.g., elemental maps) and field data (e.g., hyperspectral data).
In this session, we welcome contributions focusing on the application of microstructural analyses to solve problems in igneous and metamorphic petrology. We seek studies that showcase the development and integration of new microstructural and analytical techniques, such as studies combining traditional (e.g., universal stage) and modern (e.g., EBSD and/or numerical tools for quantitative petrology such as XMapTools) methods, studies focused on advances in 3D and 4D imaging, and numerical modeling involving microstructural and/or textural development. We also encourage contributions that combine microstructural analysis with results from other disciplines in order to better and more broadly solve petrological problems.

Dissolution, precipitation and chemical reactions between infiltrating fluid and the rock matrix alter the composition and structure of the rock, either creating or destroying flow paths. Strong, nonlinear couplings between the chemical reactions at mineral surfaces and fluid motion in the pores often lead to the formation of large-scale patterns: networks of caves and sinkholes in karst areas, wormholes induced by the acidization of petroleum wells, porous channels created as magma rises through peridotite rocks. Dissolution and precipitation processes are also relevant in many industrial applications: carbon storage or mineralization, oil and gas recovery, sustaining fluid circulation in geothermal systems, the long-term geochemical evolution of host rock in nuclear waste repositories or mitigating the spread of contaminants in groundwater.

With the advent of modern experimental techniques, these processes can now be studied at the microscale, with a direct visualization of the evolving pore geometry, allowing exploration of the coupling between the pore-scale processes and macroscopic patterns. On the other hand, increased computational power and algorithmic improvements now make it possible to simulate laboratory-scale flows while still resolving the flow and transport processes at the pore scale.

We invite contributions that seek a deeper understanding of reactive flow processes through interdisciplinary work combining experiments or field observations with theoretical or computational modeling. We seek submissions covering a wide range of spatial and temporal scales: from table-top experiments and pore-scale numerical models to the hydrological and geomorphological modelling at the field scale.

Fluid-rock interactions play a pivotal role in shaping crustal dynamics and influencing subsurface engineering processes. From the shallow sedimentary rocks down to the deep magmatic and metamorphic rocks, fluids govern aspects such as deformation localization, earthquake genesis, and the emergence of metamorphic reactions and rheological weakening. In most cases, there is a dynamic feedback between fluids, deformation and metamorphism at all scales. Fluids are critical not only for creating robust models of the solid Earth but also for advancing subsurface engineering endeavors like geothermal energy recovery, hydrogen storage and extraction as well as permanent carbon storage.
As we navigate through the ongoing energy transition, enhancing these interactions for maximum geo-resource efficacy is a vital priority. The legacy inscribed within rock records paints a vivid picture of intricate interplay between mineral reactions, fluid flow and deformation—testaments to the often-intense nature of fluid-rock interactions.
This session aims to draw the current picture of the advances and challenges, whether conceptual, methodological, or experimental when considering the role of fluid-rock interactions. We invite contributions that utilize an array of methodologies, ranging from natural observations, microstructural assessments, and geochemical analyses to rock mechanics, all intertwined with modelling techniques. This modelling can span from ab initio simulations to continuum scale simulations, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of fluid-rock/mineral interactions. Contributions that harness the power of artificial intelligence and its subsets are particularly encouraged.

Mid-oceanic ridges (MORs) provide the unique opportunity to study two of the three plate boundaries: divergent plate boundaries along and across the ridge axis and tectonically dominated movements (e.g., transform faults). Our understanding of the active processes building and modifying the oceanic lithosphere has increased over the past 20 years due to advances in deep-sea research technologies and analytical and numerical modeling techniques. Increasingly, the processes inferred from the present oceanic lithosphere are also transferred into those operating in the Proterozoic and Archean. Yet, the relative role of magmatic, tectonic, and hydrothermal processes and their interaction in the formation and accretion of the oceanic lithosphere at the ridge, especially at slow and ultra-slow spreading ridges and along transform faults, remains poorly constrained. Transform faults and their extension into fracture zones have previously been considered as relatively cold and magmatically inactive; however, evidence for magmatism has recently emerged. The complex network of faults associated provide ideal pathways for hydrothermal percolation into the Earth’s lithosphere and may therefore play a significant role in the chemical and the thermal budget of the planet, as well as in the chemical exchange with the ocean (e.g., nutrients). Yet, little is known about fluid circulation in the lithosphere in these ultraslow settings.
This session objective is to favor scientific exchange across all disciplines and to share recent knowledge acquired along mid-oceanic ridge axes, transform faults, and fracture zones. We particularly welcome studies using modern deep-sea high-resolution techniques. The session also welcome contributions dealing with recent discoveries in hydrothermal systems, and which integrate geophysical, geochemical, petrological and geological data with numerical modeling tools.

Unveiling the processes that occur in cratons, orogenic belts, subduction zones, and other geodynamic systems requires a diverse plethora of observations made at scales ranging from outcrops down to the nanometer. Metamorphic petrology can now make use of a wide range of
state-of-the-art techniques in microbeam analysis and mass spectrometry, as well as new approaches in thermodynamic modelling to image, and to constrain and model the processes that drive petrological, chemical and mechanical changes in metamorphic rocks. Further insight into such processes can now be obtained following recent developments in machine learning. These diverse approaches pave a new road for data-driven discovery.

This session celebrates new approaches and achievements in the study of metamorphic processes. We welcome presentations that use field, numerical and (micro-)analytical techniques to gain new insights into the timing, duration and rates of metamorphic processes across geological settings on Earth and other rocky planets.

Volatiles (e.g., H2O, CO2, Cl, F, S) play a fundamental role in Earth’s dynamic systems and profoundly contribute to the well-being and sustainability of life, making our planet unique. This is largely because volatiles influence planetary scale processes, including those that connect Earth’s deep and surface systems, such as melting, mineral stability and element mass transfer. These global cycles involve an efficient transfer of volatiles from our planet’s surface to its interior via subduction zones, mobilization by melts and fluids, and eventually emission to the atmosphere via volcanism. Volatiles may also be stored in the mantle, and possibly be re-mobilized.
The investigation of volatiles in melts and fluids through novel and multi-disciplinary approaches continues to yield important insights into the inner workings of our planet. This session aims to gather contributions from scientists involved in the broad spectrum of volatile cycles, with a focus on the principal carriers of these elements: melts and fluids. We welcome contributions from the different fields of petrology and geochemistry, via investigations of natural samples and experimental studies.
We particularly invite contributions on: i) deep volatile cycles of H2O, CO2, halogens and S; ii) volatile mobilization and transfer during subduction in COHNS fluids and silicate melts; iii) volatiles in metasomatic processes; iv) volatile properties in fluids and melts ; v) volatile storage in the lithospheric mantle; vi) volatile emissions and storage in volcanic systems.

The early Earth experienced significant transitions from magma oceans to proto-lithosphere and eventually to the formation of tectonic plates as we know them today. These transformative changes have shaped Earth into a habitable planet. However, tectonic modes, timing, and conditions of metamorphic crustal processes during the Archean remain poorly understood. Uncertainties largely stem from limited preservation of the ancient metamorphic rock record. Yet, Archean cratons worldwide serve as unique natural laboratories, offering researchers the opportunity to study these processes by integrating traditional fieldwork and high-precision drone imaging with both established and novel in-situ analytical techniques.

We invite contributions to this session that probe the secrets of Archean metamorphic rocks by integrating metamorphic petrology with structural and microstructural analysis, in-situ petrochronology, thermodynamic modelling, geochemistry, geophysics and geodynamic modelling. These approaches will help elucidate metamorphic and deformation histories and provide new insights into the processes governing the early Earth.

Classic models predicting a depth that separates brittle deformation in the upper crust from a region below in which deformation is dominated by ductile processes have long been outdated. In fact, the deformation behavior of Earth’s lithosphere is more complex and brittle and ductile processes may interact throughout the lithosphere. In the rock record, brittle deformation may be expressed as features ranging from micro-fracturing of mineral grains up to seismic ruptures (e.g., pseudotachylytes) or large-scale faults, and ductile deformation is typically expressed as shear zones ranging from millimeter to kilometer scales. Factors known to determine whether strain is accommodated by brittle and/or ductile processes include, but are not limited to: material properties (e.g., grain size, composition), strain rate, strain incompatibilities, pressure-temperature conditions, the availability of fluids, and rock modification by metamorphic reactions.
The multitude of possible factors determining the deformation style in the lithosphere make a comprehensive understanding of the deformation behavior of Earth’s lithosphere challenging. In this session we aim to tackle the complex topic of lithospheric deformation by combining observations from natural rocks with those from experimental and numerical studies.

Continental rifting is a complex process spanning from the inception of extension to continental rupture or the formation of a failed rift. This session aims at combining new data, concepts and techniques elucidating the structure and dynamics of rifts and rifted margins. We invite submissions highlighting the time-dependent evolution of processes such as: initiation and growth of faults and ductile shear zones, tectonic and sedimentary history, magma migration, storage and volcanism, lithospheric necking and rift strength loss, influence of the pre-rift lithospheric structure, rift kinematics and plate motion, mantle flow and dynamic topography, as well as break-up and the transition to sea-floor spreading. We encourage contributions using multi-disciplinary and innovative methods from field geology, geochronology, geochemistry, petrology, seismology, geodesy, marine geophysics, plate reconstruction, or numerical or analogue modelling. Special emphasis will be given to presentations that provide an integrated picture by combining results from active rifts, passive margins, failed rift arms or by bridging the temporal and spatial scales associated with rifting.

The goal of this session is to reconcile short-time/small-scale and long-time/large-scale observations, including geodynamic processes such as subduction, collision, rifting, or mantle lithosphere interactions. Despite the remarkable advances in experimental rock mechanics, the implications of rock-mechanics data for large temporal and spatial scale tectonic processes are still not straightforward, since the latter are strongly controlled by local lithological stratification of the lithosphere, its thermal structure, fluid content, tectonic heritage, metamorphic reactions, and deformation rates.

Mineral reactions have mechanical effects that may result in the development of pressure variations and thus are critical for interpreting microstructural and mineral composition observations. Such effects may fundamentally influence element transport properties and rheological behavior.
Here, we encourage presentations focused on the interplay between metamorphic processes and deformation on all scales, on the rheological behavior of crustal and mantle rocks, and time scales of metamorphic reactions in order to discuss
(1) how and when up to GPa-level differential stress and pressure variations can be built and maintained at geological timescales and modeling of such systems,
(2) deviations from lithostatic pressure during metamorphism: fact or fiction?
(3) the impact of deviations from lithostatic pressure on geodynamic reconstructions.
(4) the effect of porous fluid and partial melting on the long-term strength.
We, therefore, invite the researchers from different domains (rock mechanics, petrographic observations, geodynamic and thermo-mechanical modeling) to share their views on the way forward for improving our knowledge of the long-term rheology and chemo-thermo-mechanical behavior of the lithosphere and mantle.

The Alps are an orogen that offers an exceptional natural laboratory to study the evolution of mountain-building processes from short- to long-term and small- to large-scales, including the evolution of plate margins from rifting to subduction, inheritance from previous orogenic cycles, ophiolite emplacement, collision and (ultra)high-pressure rock exhumation, and upper-plate and foreland basin evolution.

Advances in a variety of geophysical, geochronological, geochemical and geological fields provide a rich and growing set of constraints on the crust-lithosphere and mantle structure, tectonics and geodynamics of the entire mountain belt.

We invite contributions from different and multi-disciplinary perspectives ranging from the Earth’s surface to the mantle, and based on geology (tectonics, petrology, stratigraphy, geo- and thermochronology, geochemistry, paleomagnetism and geomorphology), geophysics (seismotectonics, seismic tomography and anisotropy) and geodesy and modelling (numerical and analogue). The aim is for contributions to provide new insights and observations on the record of subduction/exhumation/collision; pre-Alpine orogenic stages; the influence of structural and palaeogeographic configuration; plate/mantle dynamics relationships; coupling between deep and surface processes.

The Caribbean region is an ideal natural laboratory for studying long- to short-term deformation processes along plate boundaries. Indeed, the Caribbean plate has been individualized since at least 140 Ma and its boundaries are still deforming today. Earthquakes in the Caribbean are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by active deformation along the densely populated boundaries of the Caribbean plate, where vulnerability is often extremely high. Over the past decades, these boundaries have been the focus of extensive international research, providing new insights into the geodynamics of the region and the broader geological processes occurring in subduction and strike-slip zones. This includes studies on fluids, seismicity, deformation partitioning, and mantle dynamics, as well as the reorganization of plate boundaries in response to changes in plate kinematics—such as suturing, the migration, extinction, or initiation of volcanic arcs, and deformation or vertical movement.

It is becoming clear that Wilson Cycle processes including rifting, drifting, inversion, and orogenesis are more complex than standard models suggest. In this session, we explore new understandings of Wilson Cycle processes, including the onset of extensional reactivation/rifting, breakup, ocean drifting, margin inversion, subduction initiation, and orogenesis. In rifted margins, oceans, subduction zones, and orogens, observations and models showcase the significance of inherited geological structures, lithospheric rheology, time-dependence, surface processes, magmatism, obliquity, and geometry in processes of rifting, drifting, and extensional reactivation. However, our understanding of the role and interaction of these factors remains far from complete. Unexpected observations such as continental material far offshore (e.g., at the Rio Grande Rise), wide-magmatic rifted margins (e.g., the Laxmi Basin), extensive subsidence and sedimentation during rift-basin inversion (e.g., in the Pannonian basin), and thermal imprinting from continental rifting affecting subsequent orogenesis (e.g., in the Pyrenees) continue to challenge conventional models and exemplify the need for further work on Wilson Cycle processes.

This session will bring together new observations, models, and ideas to help understand the complex factors influencing extensional reactivation, rifting, and drifting during the Wilson Cycle. Works investigating time-dependence, inheritance, plate kinematics, strain localisation, magmatism, obliquity, interior plate deformation, driving forces, sedimentation, surface processes, lithospheric/crustal structure, and the interaction/feedback between processes controlling the Wilson Cycle are therefore welcomed to this session.

Contributions from any geoscience discipline, including but not limited to geophysics, marine geosciences, seismology, ocean drilling, geochemistry, petrology, plate kinematics, tectonics, sedimentology, field and structural geology, numerical and analogue modelling, or thermo/geochronology etc., are sought. We particularly encourage cross-disciplinarity, innovative studies, spanning different spatio-temporal scales, and thought-provoking ideas that challenge conventions from any and all researchers, especially including students.

Crust forms as a consequence of planetary differentiation and recycling processes. On Earth, differentiation processes have led to the formation and modification of felsic, evolved crust over time and provide a window into the complexity of crust from the Archean to the present. Near-surface interaction with the biosphere, internal differentiation by tectonic, igneous and metamorphic processes, and recycling into the mantle constantly change the composition of Earth crust. However, we have a limited understanding of the formation, differentiation, and stabilization of the Earth's lower crust and the transition zone between that and the mantle. Recent studies on exposed deep crust, including ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) terrains and the crust–mantle transition, as well as drilling initiatives (such as ICDP-DIVE) are adding novel insights and a new dimension to our understanding of planetary crust evolution and its control on physical properties, redox conditions, volatile elements and georesources such as critical minerals and natural hydrogen. In addition, deep crustal environments may host a range of microbial life that interacts with the chemistry of the crust and influences biogeochemical cycles. We invite submissions aimed at understanding crust-forming and modification processes, using any geological, geophysical, geochemical, geochronological, microbiological datasets and/or geodynamic modelling with the aim of elucidating the 4D evolution of crust on Earth and beyond.

Subduction zones generate numerous natural hazards, including volcanism, earthquakes and tsunamis, and shape the landscape through a series of processes lasting from seconds to millions of years. Their dynamics are driven by complex feedbacks between stress, strain, rock transformation and fluid migration along and across the plate interface, from shallow to deep environments. Despite their utmost importance, the intricate time-sensitive thermo–hydro–mechanical–chemical (THMC-t) processes remain largely puzzling. This is essentially due to the complexity of integrating observations across multiple spatial, magnification and temporal scales (from the nanoscale and the grain boundary size to the plate interface, and from seconds to millions of years).

Our session aims, therefore, at gathering recent advancements in observatory techniques, monitoring and high-resolution imaging of i) the plate interface kinematics, ii) the accretionary wedge, iii) the subducting slab, and iv) the mantle wedge in active and fossil subduction interfaces. This includes studies from a wide range of disciplines, such as seismology and geodesy, geodynamics, marine geosciences, field-based petrology and geochemistry and microstructure, rock mechanics and numerical modelling. We particularly encourage initiatives that foster collaboration between communities to achieve a comprehensive understanding of subduction systems through space and time.

Mineral deposits represent principal sources of metallic and non-metallic raw materials for our society. The implementation of new climate policies and the rise of green energy production and use will trigger an unprecedented demand for such resources. Formation of economic commodities requires component sequestration from the source region, transport, and focusing to structural and/or chemical barriers. These enrichment processes typically involve magmatic, hydrothermal, weathering or metamorphic events, which operate in diverse geodynamic settings and over various time scales. The scope of this session is to collect insights from diverse areas of mineral exploration, field, analytical or experimental studies of mineral deposits as well as resource characterization and extraction. We invite contributions from fields of economic geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry to advance our understanding of ore-forming systems.

Fluid-rock interactions have a fundamental impact on the formation of ore minerals within ore deposits across a wide range of scales, particularly those of high economic value such as porphyry Cu-Au systems, orogenic Au deposits, volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, and alkaline and carbonatite REE-HFSE systems. Fluid-rock interaction also facilitates mobilization of metallic materials from the source zone to the deposit, leaving a significant footprint that aids in understanding how these metals are transported and concentrated to feed the deposit. At the nano- and microscales, these processes can be recorded by the formation of natural patterns in rocks, such as the dendritic patterns, banding patterns, crack patterns, mineralogical replacement, growth or deformation patterns. The regularity of these patterns elucidates the physio-chemical environment during fluid-rock interactions. At the meso- to macroscale, fluid-rock interactions are documented in alteration zones within rocks, where chemical reactions are evidenced by the distribution and character of mineral replacement, overgrowth, and hydrothermal alteration. These phenomena petrologically reflect the processes of elemental transfer and exchange during fluid-rock interactions that contribute to the formation of ore deposits. Such natural observations enable thermodynamic and dynamic simulations of the fluid-rock interaction processes associated with metal mobilization and responsible for ore formation, deepening our understanding of underlying mechanisms. Moreover, recent advances in machine-learning-assisted analytical techniques have significantly improved our ability to uncover hidden physiochemical relationships during spatial-temporal evolution of metal source rocks, ore minerals and deposit formation.
In this session, we invite multidisciplinary contributions that investigate fluid-rock interactions associated with ore formation and metal mobilization, using field work, microstructural and petrographic analyses, geochemistry and machine-learning techniques, thermodynamic modeling and numerical modeling.

Pyrite is the most common sulphide in the Earth’s crust and occurs in many different types of rock. Following many decades of research, the morphology, trace element and isotopic composition of pyrite can be used to reconstruct a range of bio- and geological processes across a broad spectrum of scales.
In the oceans, pyrite is the dominant sink for reduced sulphur and is intimately connected to biological pathways of sulphate reduction, meaning the formation and isotopic composition of pyrite can be used to reconstruct the redox architecture of ancient marine environments. As a major gangue mineral phase in hydrothermal ore deposits, the formation and geochemistry of pyrite can be used to investigate and potentially detect ore forming processes. At the other end of the life-cycle, the weathering of pyrite during acid mine drainage and subsurface geological storage is a major environmental concern.
This session will bring together scientists investigating pyrite across a range of physico-bio-geochemical conditions in various earth science disciplines e.g. nuclear waste, ore deposits or acid mine drainage. Our aim is to foster intradisciplinary knowledge transfer of experiences between different research areas. We invite contributions presenting geochemical field studies, in-situ and laboratory investigations of rocks and formations as well as numerical simulation studies within the given context.

Critical raw materials are fundamental to supply industrial value chains, strategic sectors and to support the rapidly increasing demand for metals associated with the energy transition. Mineral exploration usually relies on drilling geophysical and, to a lesser degree, geochemical anomalies to identify and delineate ore deposits. This approach results in significant environmental impact and thus high exploration costs. Increasing deposit discovery rates requires a continuous effort to improve our understanding of ore formation processes. Such understanding is fundamental to increase the efficiency of exploration methods and minimize their environmental and social impacts.
In this session we invite the submission of studies that provide advances in the study of mineral deposits of magmatic, hydrothermal or sedimentary origin, as well as application of mineral exploration techniques. We particularly welcome those studies that have employed holistic, knowledge-driven methods such as the Mineral System Approach and that envisage mineral deposits as the successful interplay between a source, a pathway and a sink for metals in difference geological and geodynamic contexts. We further welcome studies that provide advancements in tracing the footprints and fingerprints of mineral deposits, such as geochemical and geophysical methods that enable translating the source-pathway-sink into efficient exploration criteria, or their integration in prospectivity models.

The first half of Earth’s history (Hadean to Paleoproterozoic) laid the foundations for the planet we know today. But how and why it differed and how and why it evolved remain enduring questions.
In this session, we encourage the presentation of new approaches that improve our understanding on the formation, structure, and evolution of the early Earth ranging from the mantle and lithosphere to the atmosphere, oceans and biosphere, and interactions between these reservoirs.
This session aims to bring together scientists from a large range of disciplines to provide an interdisciplinary and comprehensive overview of the field. This includes, but is not limited to, fields such as early mantle dynamics, the formation, evolution and destruction of the early crust and lithosphere, early surface environments and the evolution of the early biosphere, mineral deposits, and how possible tectonic regimes impacted across the early Earth system.

EU remains almost completely dependent on external sources for many critical raw materials (CRM) and other raw materials (RM). To reduce this dependence, the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), has been enacted by EU, represents a strategic framework aimed at addressing the growing demand for CRM and reducing dependency on non-EU sources.
In this framework, adopting a circular economy model has become essential to ensure resource sustainability, and the research focused on waste reuse and recycling is critical to support this effort.
Waste generated by mining (both current and past), quarrying, and subsequent processing steps poses a variety of problems ranging from landscape and land use degradation to soil pollution and water, with repercussions on the biosphere. Therefore, in a circular economy context, it is essential to consider these materials not as waste but as potential resources, to help mitigate negative effects and also contribute to a sustainable supply of resources. Indeed, these types of wastes contain substantial quantities of residual minerals, including CRM, and have the potential to become valuable mineral resources. Advances in innovative and technological processes now allow us to reduce, reuse and recycle these residues, promoting more sustainable exploitation practices. Beyond this, there are additional challenges associated with the exploration, characterization, recovery, reprocessing and testing of these recovered materials. Furthermore, it is crucial to develop realistic models for extractive waste to accurately assess the prospects for sustainable use.
The present session welcomes contributions on the following topics:
- Characterization of extractive waste, their interaction with the environment, and degradation processes.
- Development of technologies for exploration, extraction, and reprocessing of minerals within the context of extractive waste.
- Solutions for valorising extractive waste, with a focus on critical raw materials supply.
- Strategies for sustainable management of extractive waste.
- Tools and methodologies for environmental monitoring and risk assessment in active and inactive sites.
- Certification and Eco-label for products arising from extractive waste exploitation and processing
- The role of economists, social scientists, legal experts and psychologists for a sustainable and accepted exploitation of extractive waste (and of mining activities at large)

Rising demand of critical raw materials in response to the global energy transition is pushing scientific research for exploration and sustainable exploitation of crustal ore deposits from which these commodities are extracted. Mineral targeting in many countries is progressively shifting the focus of exploration and research from brownfield (i.e., already surveyed districts) to greenfield (unexplored) sites, thus deriving an improved and broadened multidisciplinary understanding of the geological factors that lead to the formation and preservation of a metallogenic province. Multiple geologic processes operating over time and space predispose sectors of the Earth’s crust to develop metallogenic provinces through short-lived and transient mineralizing episodes, which usually constitute the final outcome of a dynamic system of mass and energy fluxes. Understanding each component of these mineral systems and linking them together through a holistic conceptual framework provides key understanding for predicting the locations of hidden mineral camps. This session welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that describe the geological and geochemical processes involved in the selective transfer of critical raw materials and their storage in the Earth’s crust, with special emphasis (but not limited to) in the European domain. Relevant disciplines may include, but are not limited to, mineral systems science and economic geology, mineral exploration, mineral chemistry, geochemistry and isotope geology, numerical modeling, and geometallurgy. Contributions related to empirical and experimental studies on metal transport in magmas and hydrothermal fluids are also welcome.

The growing demand for raw material, coupled with the need to reduce the environmental footprint of the resource sector, highlights the importance of accurately characterizing both primary (ore) and secondary (recycled) material streams.

Improved efficiency requires detailed resource data to (1) effectively concentrate and extract valuable materials, (2) minimize and manage waste, and (3) reduce the total energy consumption and CO2 footprint. Advances in digitalisation and automatisation offer solutions to these challenges, through robotic data-collection platforms, data-driven resource, and process modelling tools.

These technologies facilitate real-time, precise decision-making, improving the efficiency of exploration, mining, and recycling processes while contributing to a more sustainable circular economy.

This session will explore cutting-edge mineral exploration and resource characterisation tools, including techniques that integrate multi-scale, multi-source, and multidisciplinary approaches. These include, but are not limited to, X-ray sensors (e.g., XRF, XRT), spectroscopy and hyperspectral techniques, LIBS, electromagnetic, seismic, and potential-field geophysics, combined with machine learning, AI models, and efficient mechatronic solutions.

Topics of interest include:
- Field based and analytical approaches to understand and map resources at multiple scales (e.g. geophysical and/or geochemical mapping, isotopic characterization, digital outcrops and hyperspectral imaging);
- Non-destructive techniques, featuring core scanners, in-line sensor systems, and the use of ground-based and airborne sensors for precise and efficient resource identification and characterisation;
- Automated, real-time data processing that optimize ore sorting, processing, and recycling;
- Data-driven quantification and predictive modelling of mineral systems and contained resources;
- Innovative methods for data integration and visualization from diverse sources to enhance accuracy and efficiency of resource characterization.

By bringing together experts from various disciplines, this session aims to foster collaboration and inspire innovative approaches that will shape the future of sustainable resource exploration and management.

Petrophysics and geomechanics have been critical tools in the exploitation of naturally occurring fossil fuels. Now that the world is transitioning away from fossil fuels towards sustainable energy and material sources, these same methods still have critical roles to play. The methods remain the same – it is only their applications that have changed, helping to drive the globe towards net zero and beyond. Conventional petrophysics and geomechanics are being applied to new challenges, ensuring that the wheel does not need reinventing.

The aim of this session is to explore and foster the contribution of petrophysics and geomechanics to improve development of sustainable energy and material resources in the transition to low-carbon energy and net zero.

Papers should show research or deployment involving theory, concept, measurement, modelling, testing, validation the deployment of petrophysics and/or geomechanics, from/across angström to basin scales, that has the potential for driving us towards net zero, including pore-scale processes that link fluid flow, geochemistry and geomechanical properties, and studies linking petrophysical and geomechanical properties across multiple scales.

Applications include, but are not limited to, (i) carbon capture and storage, (ii) subsurface energy storage, (iii) geothermal energy, (iv) non-carbon gas exploitation (e.g. helium and white hydrogen), (v) wind energy, (vi) hydroelectric energy, (vi) solar energy, (vii) battery storage for smoothing of Intermittent Renewable Energy Sources (IRES). In each case including provision of critical minerals (e.g., lithium, cobalt, neodymium), engineering and groundwater flow are included.

Approaches may include laboratory measurement, field studies, multi-scale imaging, pore-scale and DRM modelling, reactive flow, reservoir modelling, 3D quantification and dynamic simulation, fracture modelling, heat flow quantification and modelling, reservoir integrity cap-rock studies, quantitative evaluation of porosity, permeability or any other properties or approach.

Critical raw materials are crucial for local and global economies in their pursuit of climate goals and societal and industrial needs. The high demand for these materials is set to boost mineral production by nearly 500% by 2050. Meeting these targets necessitates accessing more diffuse and lower-grade deposits, and sourcing materials from a wide variety of sources. To guarantee enough critical raw materials, there is a need for robust strategies for clean and smart exploration and extraction of primary and secondary resources (such as byproducts of other ores, and mine waste). Sourcing critical raw materials from primary ores, byproducts, and mining residues is an environmental subject but also an economic opportunity. Many techniques are developed to reduce the environmental footprint of metal sourcing and add value to mining wastes.
In this session, topics include:
• Exploration and extraction of critical raw materials as primary resources
• Sourcing of critical raw materials as byproducts (secondary resources) from common ores
• Revalorization of mine waste deposits (e.g., stockpiles & tailings) as secondary sources of critical raw materials
• Environmental aspects of extracting critical raw materials from primary resources
• Environmental and geotechnical innovations to address challenges related to mine waste facilities (revalorization and monitoring)
• Technological developments for sampling, characterization routines for ores and mine waste for enhanced resource and environmental assessment
• Innovative approaches for zero-waste mining and re-mining technologies, including geometallurgy and resource recovery
• The role of current regulations in shaping innovative solutions and promoting responsible extraction of critical materials from primary and secondary resources
• Multi-scale exploration of critical raw materials: innovative sensing techniques, automatization, and modeling of primary and secondary sources.
• Societal and economic challenges of opening new mines, and reactivating abandoned mines and waste facilities
• The role of AI and machine learning techniques across the mining life cycle