The Collaborative Research Center at the University Bonn investigates continental geo-systems in terms of their interactions between the troposphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. A main aim is to focus on the prediction potential of complex geosystems. This approach should provide new insights into the understanding and representation of complex geosystems by means of multiscale analyses. To identify the dynamic quality of natural phenomena, system representation by observations and multiscale modeling have to be complementary. Ranking of system predictability and the proper design of multiscale models are goals.
System analysis involves modeling the observations through an object-related data base.
A major challenge concerns the upscaling of system behavior from small to large scales. The scientific program requires a multidisciplinary group in order to link ideas and techniques across mathematics, physics, atmospheric sciences and geosciences. In 1999 three legs of ODP were dedicated to the investigation of the oceanic lithosphere. This boundary has oscillated during the past 25 million years, a fact that can be used to investigate the mantle dynamics of the region. Geochemical differences between two island arcs are probably caused by different inputs of volcanic sedimentary sequences overlying the subducted Jurassic crust.