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ABOUT ME

I am a planetary scientist and mineralogist interested in the interaction between gases, solids and melts at high temperature in predominantly volcanic processes on Earth and throughout the solar system. I conduct experiments and use thermochemical modeling to understand processes from ore formation to volcanic eruptions on the Moon and Mercury.

Image of planetary scientist Dr. Christian Renggli working in the laboratory melting a synthetic volcanic rock in a high-temperature furnace.

Research interests

Metal transport in volcanic gas

Volcanic degassing plays a major role in the global cycling of volatile elements. The volcanic gas emissions predominantly consist of the volatile species H2O, CO2, SO2, H2S, HCl and HF. In addition, volcanic gases can transport significant amounts of heavy metals at high temperatures, which are deposited at the surface as the gases cool. The gases are highly enriched in trace metals, by up to a factor of 105 relative to the magmatic source. At these degrees of enrichment, quiescently degassing volcanoes emit kilograms to tons of metals per day. Metals emitted in volcanic gases form fumarolic deposits at the surface, consisting of highly diverse mineral assemblages, including oxides, silicates, sulfides, sulfates, halides and native metals.

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I also work on questions relating to the behavior of metals degassing from magma oceans and the surfaces from airless bodies and in the early solar system.

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Gas-solid reactions in planetary volcanic systems

Determination of reaction mechanisms and reaction rates between SO2, and reduced S-gas species with silicate glasses, melts and minerals. These gas-solid reactions play a key role in the formation of volcanic ore deposits, scavenge S from the gas phase in explosive eruptions, and enrich planetary surfaces and crusts in sulfur.

Education

2014-2018

Australian National University

PhD

Supervisor: Prof. Penelope L. King
Advisors: Richard W. Henley, Marc Norman, Trevor Ireland, Richard Arculus
Thesis: "Volcanic gases and the reaction of sulfur dioxide with aluminosilicate glasses"

2011-2013

Ludwig Maximilian University & Technical University Munich, Germany

Master of Science in Geomaterials and Geochemistry

Thesis: "Experimental study on magma mixing processes with a special focus on processes at magma interfaces"

2007-2010

University of Bern, Switzerland

Bachelor of Science in Earth Science

Thesis: "Mineralogische Untersuchungen an Weinstein"

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