Research Interests
The focus of my research is on the microstructures of deformed rocks from the lower crust and upper mantle. Based on field work, I use optical, geophysical, geochemical, and crystallographic tools to decipher the relationship between deformation and reactions that are reflected by the rock’s microstructures and its physical properties. Departing from the microscale, my research leads to a fundamental understanding of lithospheric strength distribution, geophysical properties and active deformation mechanisms within the lower crust and upper mantle.
Academic background
| Since 2023 | Postdoc, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Tectonics and Structural Geology Group ICDP project “Drilling the Ivrea-Verbano Zone (DIVE)”: Linking electrical conductivity to the microstructures and minerology of the major lithologies. Prof. Dr. Virginia Toy |
| 2018 - 2023 | PhD, Goethe University of Frankfurt Tectonics and Structural Geology Group Title: “Microstructural evolution of upper mantle shear zones. Deformation, reactions and phase mixing in peridotites of Lanzo, Erro-Tobbio and Ronda.“ Dr. Jolien Linckens Prof. Dr. Gernold Zulauf |
| 2022 - 2023 | Goethe University of Frankfurt Geological Preparation Shared direction of the geological preparation laboratory of the Geozentrum Frankfurt as parental leave replacement. |
| 2015 - 2018 | Engineering geologist of Sakosta CAU, Düsseldorf Working field: Contamination management, HSE management, pollutant identification, project coordination, subsoil geology and hydrogeology. |
| 2012 - 2015 | MSc Geosciences, University of Cologne Structural Geology and Petrology Group Title: “The influence of dynamic recrystallization on the Titanium-in-Quartz geothermometer: a case study on different quartz microstructures in metapelites of the Val Cannobina, northern Ivrea-Verbano zone.” Prof. Dr. Reiner Kleinschrodt |
| 2008 - 2012 | BSc Geosciences, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen Terrestrial Paleoclimatology Title: “Investigative studies on the Eocene fish fauna of Vietnam based on fossil teeth (Cyprinidae) of the Na Duong sediment basin.” Prof. Dr. Madelaine Böhme |
Publications
Mansouri, H., Toy, V., Klimm, K., et al. (2025). Quantifying the influence of the type and arrangement of conductive phases on the electrical properties of rocks using impedance spectroscopy . In Copernicus GmbH. DOI
Tholen, S., Toy, V., Hawemann, F., Mansouri, H. (2025). Resisting the unknown: Enhancing resistivity imaging of the crust through a multidisciplinary approach from µ- to km-scale at the DIVE DT-1B drill site. In Copernicus GmbH. DOI
Tholen, S., Linckens, J., Zulauf, G. (2023). Melt-enhanced strain localization and phase mixing in a large-scale mantle shear zone (Ronda peridotite, Spain). In Copernicus GmbH. DOI
Tholen, S., Linckens, J., Zulauf, G. (2023). Supplementary material to "Melt-enhanced strain localization and phase mixing in a large-scale mantle shear zone (Ronda peridotite, Spain)". In Copernicus GmbH. DOI
Tholen, S., Linckens, J., Zulauf, G. (2023). Melt-enhanced strain localization and phase mixing in a large-scale mantle shear zone (Ronda peridotite, Spain). SOLID EARTH, 14(10), 1123-1154. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Tholen, S., Linckens, J., Heckel, C., Kemperle, M. (2022). Reaction-induced phase mixing and the formation of ultramylonitic bands. TECTONOPHYSICS, 827. DOI Author/Publisher URL
Linckens, J., Tholen, S. (2021). Formation of Ultramylonites in an Upper Mantle Shear Zone, Erro-Tobbio, Italy. MINERALS, 11(10). DOI Author/Publisher URL