Research output per year
Research output per year
Øster Voldgade 10
1350 København K
Research activity per year
2023 → Present: Associate Professor on the promotion programme, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2021 → 2023: Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2018 → 2021: Tenure-track Assistant Professor, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2017: Postdoc, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Denmark
2014 → 2016: Postdoc, Stanford University, California, USA
2012 → 2014: Postdoc, Columbia University, New York, USA
2003 → 2012: PhD, MSc, BSc, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
My research focuses on the petrology and geochemistry of Archaean (older than 2500 million years old) rocks from Greenland, where I have conducted fieldwork every summer for the past fifteen years. The research aims at modelling the relations between ultramafic and mafic-andesitic rock associations in order to better constrain the evolution of the North Atlantic Craton. You can find more information on my website: www.KristofferSzilas.com
I'm currently working on determining the petrogenesis of Archaean anorthosite complexes. The current model for such rocks implies the operation of subduction zones 3 billion years ago, but I will test an alternative hypothesis in which such rocks formed by decompression of dry magmas. This project is supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark through a "Sapere Aude Grant" that runs from 2021 to 2025, and is mentioned HERE.
A new research project that I have started in 2023 investigates the ca. 1.8-billion-year-old Nagssugtoqidian mountain chain of West Greenland. The area hosts unique rock units that record the most fundamental shift in the tectonic mode of Earth. By combining state-of-the-art thermodynamic modelling with detailed mineralogy, my team will shed new light on this pivotal time in Earth’s development, which had significant implications for the evolution of life. This project is supported by the Villum Foundation through a "Young Investigator Plus Grant" that runs from 2023 to 2026, and is mentioned HERE
Past research
A research project that I recently finished investigated enigmatic peridotite enclaves, which are found within TTG-suite orthogneiss in the Fiskefjord region. These refractory peridotite cumulates were likely co-magmatic with the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). This research project was supported by the Villum Foundation through a "Young Investigator Grant" that ran from 2018 to 2023, and is mentioned HERE.
I have also studied some of the oldest rocks on Earth, which are located in SW Greenland. The aim was to contribute with new insights into Earth's earliest crustal evolution. By applying a palette of isotope systems (including various non-traditional) on these ancient rocks, we tried to pin-point the specific class of meteorites that represents the building blocks of Earth. This project was supported by the Carlsberg Foundation through a "Distinguished Fellowship" that ran from 2019 to 2022, and is mentioned HERE.
A spin-off of my fundamental research on the early Earth and peridotites in particular has led to a project here we investigated the reactions between CO2 and the mineral olivine. Specifically, we tested the potential for mineral carbonation using olivine deposits in Greenland as the raw material in the industry in Denmark. This is a study that was supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark as part of their Green Transition Theme, and is mentioned HERE.
You can find various videos of me explaining my research here:
Here are some longer podcast interviews in Danish:
24 Spørgsmål til Professoren (about Earth's evolution)
Hjernekassen (mining and the green transition)
Geoland (carbon capture and storage using olivine)
Vildt Naturligt (early Earth geology)
Hjernekassen (about diamonds)
Science Stories (origin of water on Earth)
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The above projects typically involves data collection using some of the below instruments:
1. Bruker Tornado M4 micro-XRF scanner to produce element maps that can in turn be converted to mineral maps using the AMICS software.
2. Bruker Advance D8 powder-XRD for mineral identification of unusual or fine-grained minerals.
3. JEOL JXA 8200 electron microprobe analyser (EMPA) for precise mineral composition analysis.
4. Renishaw inVia Qontor Raman microscope with a 532 nm solid-state laser for mineral identification.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions.
I have taught courses in Economic Geology, Structural Geology, Arctic Geoscience, Isotope Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Metamorphic Petrology.
Postdoc, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
Jan 2017 → Dec 2017
Postdoc, Stanford University
Sep 2014 → Dec 2016
Postdoc, Columbia University
Sep 2012 → Aug 2014
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
20/12/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
12/08/2021
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
18/01/2021
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
13/01/2021
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
19/03/2020
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
12/03/2020
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 1 Sep 2012
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 1 Sep 2014
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Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 1 Jan 2017
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Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 11 Dec 2018
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Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 23 Jan 2018
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Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 1 Jan 2021
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 1 Oct 2021
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
Szilas, Kristoffer (Recipient), 23 Jan 2023
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions