News Field Trip to Crete: Geosciences in an Active Subduction Zone As part of the fourth edition of the course “Geology and Geohazards in an active subduction zone”, students from the Institute of Geosciences traveled to western Crete to investigate the geological processes of an active subduction zone directly in the field. At the start of the field trip, Spyros Bellas from the Institute of Geoenergy (FORTH/IG) joined us and provided valuable insights into Neogene sedimentation in western Crete. In the following days, students engaged intensively with metamorphic tectonic units as well as active tectonics. In the field, they investigated the exhumed phyllite–quartzite (PQ) unit and its brittle and ductile deformation structures. Additional stops led to various outcrops where fracture systems, faults, uplift processes, and so-called “damage zones” were analyzed. A particular highlight was the visit to the “geological playground” near Livadia, where different fracture types and structures in aragonitic marble were mapped and measured. The students also examined the Spili graben system, normal faults, and kinematic indicators. At one of the final stops, well-formed Mg-carpholite crystals were discovered, indicating high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphism within the PQ unit. Despite sometimes challenging weather conditions, the field trip provided impressive insights into the complex geological evolution of Crete. Overall, the excursion combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on fieldwork and offered students valuable experiences that will continue to benefit them in their future studies and professional careers. Previous Next