Geosciences Rennes

Géosciences Rennes is a joint research unit in Earth and Environmental Sciences with the CNRS and the University of Rennes 1 as trustees. This multidisciplinary unit focuses on geological processes and the evolution of continental surfaces at long time scales, as well as the functioning and dynamics of our natural environment (the critical zone) on human time scales. In addition to this diversity of time scales, the work ranges from microscopic to nanoscale to continental. One of the particularities of the unit is also to take a strong interest in societal issues through the establishment of resources (water, energy, minerals), the potential impact of man on environments (e.g., emerging pollutants) and natural hazards. The approaches developed revolve around observation, numerical modelling and laboratory experimentation, relying on a remarkable instrumental and analytical park, highly efficient and in perpetual innovation.

The lab is organized into 2 scientific departments and a technical department

• Department Continental and Environmental Dynamics
• Department water, resources and fluid interactions
• Technical Department

Geosciences Rennes is one of the founding and driving units of the Earth Sciences and Astronomy Observatory in Rennes (OSUR). For this reason, it actively takes part in the environmental policy for the Rennes site in partnership with the local authorities (Rennes Métropole, the Region of Brittany).

The evolution of the research topics is based on strong disciplinary expertise in historical disciplines such as tectonics, deep geochemistry, geochronology, paleontology, petrology, paleomagnetism and geophysics, and new disciplines: geomorphology, physical and chemical hydrology, biogeochemistry, low-temperature thermochronology.

This evolution is only possible with significant and high-performance technical support which is based on technical and human potential. These technical skills are grouped within 6 technical workshops in a technical department so as to provide greater efficiency for the benefit of the research programs. These workshops manage the analytical resources, in situ and laboratory experimental devices and resources for field observations.
The technical resources are managed within 3 technical departments:


* Geomaterials, Sedimentology and Petrophysics
* Field Hydrology and Geophysical Imaging
* Measurement of the magnetization

To which are added platforms certified by the University of Rennes where Géosciences Rennes participates

• Condate-Eau
• GeOHeLiS
• Lidar
• ImaGéo