ERC METAL Project – Understanding Terrestrial Planet Formation

The METAL project (Making tErresTriAl pLanets) aims to study the accretion and differentiation processes that shaped the current composition of Earth, the Moon, Mars, and other differentiated asteroids. We use advanced isotopic tools to understand the origin of volatile and siderophile elements in the solar system. This project, coordinated by Frédéric Moynier at IPGP, is a European partnership pushing the boundaries of cosmochemistry.

Scientific Publications

Access our scientific publications to discover the latest advances in cosmochemistry, isotopic analysis, and dynamic modeling.

Generation of carbonated peridotite melts via biogenic sediment recycling in modern subduction zones

Journal: Science Advances

2026

Heavy potassium isotopes in carbonatites reveal oceanic crust subduction as the driver of deep carbon cycling

Journal: Science Advances

2025

Heavy potassium isotopes in carbonatites reveal oceanic crust subduction as the driver of deep carbon cycling

Journal: Science Advances

2025

A whole-scale volatile-depleted lunar interior

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

2025

Carbonate metasomatism at mantle wedge conditions, evidence from trace element and stable isotope (Fe, Zn) signatures of orogenic peridotites

Journal: Chemical Geology

2025

Chemical compositions of Chang’e-6 lunar soil and substantial addition of noritic crust ejecta from Apollo basin

Journal: Geology

2025

Copper isotope evidence for recycled crustal sulfides in deep mantle plume source

Journal: Communications Earth and Environment

2025

Degasing of Phobos in a giant impact scenario: Implications for the MMX sample return mission

Journal: Icarus

2025

See Publications

Group dinner during the Goldschmidt meeting 2023

People

Meet the participants of the METAL project, experts in cosmochemistry and planetary sciences working together to uncover the secrets of terrestrial planet formation.

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Visual Highlights

Explore our Visual Highlights, featuring images of scientific instruments and analysis results illustrating the complex processes of planetary formation.

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News and Events

Stay updated with the latest news from the METAL project, including scientific honors, collaborations, and major events.

Congratulations to Haoxuan Sun for defending his PhD on planetary formation using a triple silicon isotope approach

Congratulations to Haoxuan Sun for defending his PhD on planetary formation using silicon isotope analysis. He is now moving to Washington, DC, for a postdoctoral fellowship at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

Frédéric Moynier répond aux lecteurs du Monde à propos de la mission Artemis-2

Lors d’un tchat en direct, Frédéric Moynier (cosmochimiste, spécialiste de la formation des planètes) a répondu avec Philippe Lognonné (expert des instruments d’exploration spatiale) aux lecteurs du journal Le Monde sur les enjeux scientifiques des missions Artemis et...

A medal for commitment to Frédéric Moynier from Université Paris Cité

In September, Frédéric was awarded a medal for commitment by Edouard Kaminski, president of Université Paris Cité. This ceremony was created also to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Université Paris Cité. Congratulations Fred!

Very honored to become an AGU fellow during the 2024 meeting in Washington DC attended by over 25000 people.

On stage at the 2024 AGU honor ceremony AGU fellowship

Lunar sleepless night at IPGP

Le samedi 9 novembre, de 14h à minuit, nous organisons à l’Institut de Physique un événement autour de la Lune.

First Twitch by the Institut de physique du globe de Paris about space missions and sample return missions in which we are deeply involved

https://youtu.be/x_MS-CxiduM?si=urQQTGaS9NG_6MNn

Wei Dai defended his PhD on Ca and K isotope cosmochemistry

Celebration of Wei's PhD thesis.

IPGP features our recent collection of a lunar sample returned by the Chang’e 5 mission.

https://www.ipgp.fr/en/news-and-agenda/news/the-institute-receives-a-precious-sample-of-lunar-basalt-from-the-chinese-change-5-mission/

A research highlight from the IPGP communication team on PhD student Linru Fang recent articly on the oldest Solar System lava, the meteorite Erg Chech 002.

https://www.ipgp.fr/en/news-and-agenda/news/the-study-of-a-meteorite-provides-insights-into-the-early-stages-of-solar-system-formation/

Collaboration between the ERC METAL Project and Nu Instruments for Advances in Cosmochemistry

The ERC METAL project collaborates with Nu Instruments to develop cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques, offering unique insights into the formation of terrestrial planets and celestial bodies.