Pallasite meteorite from the Museum collections
Investigating the fundamental geological processes that shape our planet and the solar system.
News from the group
-
NewsFireball meteorite that blazed across the UK recovered from a driveway in Gloucestershire
For the first time in 30 years, a meteorite has been recovered in the UK
9 March 2021 -
NewsVolcano study shows timeline of magma behaviour before eruption
A new approach for analysing minerals in volcanic rocks is helping scientists work out what happens inside a volcano before it erupts.
12 October 2016 -
News'Asteroid forensics' could reveal the origin of water
Meteorite impacts may have been key to life on Earth.
17 August 2018 -
SpaceHow did the Moon form?
Before the Earth and Moon, there was a proto-Earth and Theia. Museum planetary science researcher Prof Sara Russell explains the origins of Earth's closest companion.
Extraterrestrial materials research
Current research projects explore the origins and evolution of the Sun, planets, the Moon, asteroids and comets.
Asteroids
Studying chondrite meteorites in our collection to learn about conditions in the early solar system and the processes that formed the planets.
Comets
Studying cometary material collected by NASA's Stardust spacecraft to learn about the bodies' formation and evolution.
The changing Sun
Studying data from ground and satellite-based instruments to better understand current solar activity.
Micrometeorites
Using micrometeorites to explore atmospheric composition and climate change through geological time.
The Moon
Studying lunar meteorites and Apollo samples to learn more about the origin and early evolution of the Moon.
Mineral sciences research
The mineral sciences group manages one of the world's most significant mineral collections and researches the crystal chemistry and physical properties of natural inorganic structures.
Volcanology and petrology research
We are investigating active volcanoes and other volcanic areas to better understand the genesis and evolution of magmas and the timescales of pre-eruptive magmatic processes.
Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico
Understanding why Popocatépetl’s eruptions switch from moderate to large-scale.
Stromboli volcano, Italy
Investigating the dynamics of explosive eruptions at Stromboli volcano, Italy, with a particular focus on its last 5,000 years of activity.
Carbonatites from Calatrava in Spain
Using petrology and geochemistry to investigate the magma production processes taking place under Earth's surface in Calatrava, Spain.
Post-magmatic processes in carbonatitic systems
Investigating the mineralisation and fluid processes that occur in carbonatitic magmas in the Chilwa Alkaline Province of Malawi and the potential for extracting precious elements.
The origin of adakites
Investigating the occurrence of adakite rocks and their relationship to the melting of the subducted plate, a process known as slab melt.
Mafic and ultramafic rocks in southern Mexico
Exploring the geodynamics of mafic and ultramafic rock complexes in southern Mexico and the economic potential for their exploitation.
Meteorite collection
One of the finest meteorite collections in the world, with specimens from the Moon and Mars.
Mineral collection
One of the most important and comprehensive collections of its type in the world.
Rock collection
Our huge rock collection records the growing understanding of the geological processes that shape Earth.