这些领域的研究重点是对地球的结构和组成，地球材料的地球物理特性以及地壳和地幔的力学行为进行研究。一个重要的重点是高压和高温相和组合的研究，特别是与地幔有关的相和组合。弹性特性，可压缩性的原位测量以及晶体结构的确定与对地幔约束模型和地幔相状态方程的高压相关系研究相辅相成。具体项目包括确定矿物的超声波速度，以及在地幔到500 km以上深度的压力和温度条件下，通过流变法确定矿物的强度。这些领域的研究计划与石溪矿产物理研究所和NSF地球科学材料特性研究联盟[COMPRES]的活动紧密相关。地质科学部和矿物物理研究
Research in these fields focuses on the investigation of the structure and composition of the Earth, geophysical properties of Earth materials, and the mechanical behavior of the crust and mantle. An important emphasis is the study of high-pressure and high-temperature phases and assemblages, particularly those of relevance to the mantle. In situ measurement of elastic properties, compressibility, and determination of crystal structure complement studies of high-pressure phase relations for constraining models for Earth's mantle and equations of state for mantle phases. Specific projects include determination of ultrasonic wave velocities of minerals and rheological determination of the strength of minerals at the pressure and temperature conditions of the Earth's mantle to depths greater than 500 km. Research initiatives in these areas are closely linked to the activities of the Mineral Physics Institute at Stony Brook and the NSF Consortium for Materials Properties Research in Earth Sciences [COMPRES]. Facilities available in the Department of Geosciences and the Mineral Physics Institute include equipment for ultrasonic interferometry, Brillouin spectroscopy, and multi-anvil apparatus for experiments at high pressure and temperature, these are all integrated with synchrotron X-ray sources at the NSLS. Complete single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction facilities and transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction are available. Another important area of study is rock physics, fluid flow and earthquake mechanics. Experimentally and theoretically based, this program focuses on brittle fracture, mechanical compaction of porous rock, strain localization, frictional instability, and hydromechanical behavior. The rock mechanics laboratory includes a triaxial press, an acoustic emission system, and permeameters.