Dr. Penglei Liu

Associated Professor of Geology

School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan

388 Lumo Road, Hongshan District, 430074, Wuhan, China

Email: liupenglei@cug.edu.cn, liupengleiincug@gmail.com

Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=uKjrOg0AAAAJ&hl=zh-CN

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8560-5169

Summary of Main Research Expertise and Accomplishments

Dr. Penglei Liu is a metamorphic and experimental petrologist. He takes the Dabie-Sulu Orogen of China and Western Gneiss Region of Norway as his prime research areas and integrates natural observations and HT-HP experiments to explore fundamental questions on “formation and evolution of HP-UHP terranes, crustal anatexis, mass cycling in subduction zones, and fluid nature in deep Earth”. Some specific areas of current interest include:

1)        P-T-t path of HP-UHP metamorphic rocks and their significance to convergent plate boundary processes

2)        Crustal anatexis and the origin of carbonatites and SiO₂-undersaturated peralkaline magmatic rocks

3)        Fluid activities and their products in HP-UHP terranes

4)        C-H-F-Cl cycling in subduction zones

5)     High-Purity Quartz Deposits

Research Highlight I. Formation, Evolution, and Exhumation of HP–UHP Terranes

a)         First discovery of intergranular coesite between mechanically weak mineral grains in metasedimentary rocks, demonstrating that UHP metamorphism was governed by lithostatic rather than tectonic overpressure.

b)         Establishing complete anticlockwise P–T–t paths for HP–UHP rocks in the Western Gneiss Region, Norway and revealing repeated subduction of a single tectonic unit and the fastest exhumation (>75 mm/yr) and cooling (>400 °C/Myr) rates known for any HP–UHP terrane.

Research Highlight II. Anatexis of HP–UHP Rocks and Crust-Derived Alkaline–Carbonatitic Magmas

c)         Reporting in-situ textural evidence for zoisite dehydration melting in HP-UHP rocks and revealing the key role of epidote- and mica-group minerals in the dehydration melting of deeply subducted continental crust.

d)         Demonstration that crustal anatexis can produce phonolitic melts, challenging the traditional view that such alkaline magmas are exclusively mantle-derived.

e)         Experimental constraint on the water-saturated melting relations of the CaCO₃–CaMg(CO₃)₂–H₂O system at 1 GPa, proving that sedimentary carbonates can undergo hydrous melting under granulite-facies conditions and providing key evidence for the origin of crust-derived carbonatites.

f)          Discovery of evidence for hydrous carbonatitic melt formed by subducted carbonates under UHP conditions, identifying hydrous melting as an important mechanism for deep carbon recycling in subduction zones.

Research Highlight III. Fluid Nature and Activity in Deep Subduction Zones

g)         Clarification of supercritical phase relationships in multicomponent systems by distinguishing second critical endpoint and ordinary critical point and introducing a new related concept—critical pressure.

h)         Revelation of multi-stage pervasive eclogite-facies fluid metasomatism in the Dabie–Sulu UHP rocks, tracing metasomatic fluid sources and demonstrating significant mobilization of the high-field-strength element Hf by metamorphic fluids.

i)          New insights into the genesis of multiphase solid and oriented mineral inclusions in HP-UHP rocks, showing that they can form through fluid–mineral reaction rather than exsolution, thereby refining their use as tracers of fluid–rock interaction and UHP metamorphism.

Education & Employments

Since 2026: Associated Professor at School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China

2018-2025: Associated Professor (Ph.D. supervisor since 2024) at School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China

2016-2018: Postdoc (Supported by Prof. Hans-Joachim Massonne) at Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallchemie, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

2010-2015: Ph.D. in Structural Geology (Supervised by Prof. Zhenmin Jin) at School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China (Thesis “UHP Impure Marbles from Ganjialing, Dabie Mountains: Metamorphic Evolution and Carbon Cycling in Continental Subduction Zones”)

2006-2010: B.S., in Geology at School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China (Thesis “Petrogenesis and Significance of Late Jurassic Volcanic Rocks from the Tiaojishan Formation, Yanshan Collision Belt”)

Review Experience & Awards

1)         Reviewer of submitted papers from journals e.g. GSA Bulletin, Communications Earth & Environment, JGR-Solid Earth, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, Tectonics, Lithos, Precambrian Research, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, G-Cubed etc.; Reviewers of Master-Ph.D theses major in Geology from Chinese universities; Proposal Reviewer from National Natural Science Foundation of China.

2)         Selected twice (2024 and 2025) as an Exceptional Reviewer by the GSA Bulletin.

3)         Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation of Hubei Province, 2017.

Research Grants

1)        Sub-project P.I., Comprehensive project: An Experimental Study on the Role of Altered/Metasomatized Ultramafic Rocks in the F-Cl Cycling in Subduction Zones of the Project “The Yanshanian Volatile Cycling and Migration Mechanisms of Critical Metals in South China”, Deep Earth Major Program “Deep Dynamic Processes and the Cycling and Effects of Key Materials”, National Science and Technology Department of China, 2026.06-2030.05, Grant No.: 2026ZD1012103.

2)        P.I., A HP-HT Experimental Study on Carbon Release through Melt-Marble Interaction in Orogens, GPMR MOST Special Fund, 2024.06-2025.12, Grant No.: GPMR202428.

3)        Subject Co. P.I., Comprehensive project: The Hosts and Effects of Carbon in Subducting Slabs, the National Key Research and Development Project “Occurrence, Migration, and Release of Carbon in Deep Subduction Zones”, National Science and Technology Department of China, 2023.12-2028.11, Grant No.: 2023YFF0804101.

4)        Subject Co. P.I., Evolution of Carbonaceous Fluids in the Subduction Zone of Northwest Pacific Region and its Resource and Environmental Effects, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2021.01-2024.12, Grant No.: 92058208.

5)        P.I., Metamorphic Constraints on Multiple Subduction-Exhumation cycles of the Blåhø Nappe in the UHP Domains, Western Gneiss Region, Norway, National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2020.01-2023.12. Grant No.: 41972051.

6)        P.I., Metamorphic Evolution of the Blåhø Nappe in the UHP Domains, Western Gneiss Region, Norway, The Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, 2019.01-2021.12, Grant No.: CUG190627.

Teaching Activities

Students Supervision

Under supervision (12, 5 females)

1)        Ph.D students: Penghui Chen, Yang Li, Lianxin Lai, Hongtao Zhu, Tao Jiang

2)        Master students: Yan Cheng, Bingxing Zhang, Mengyuan Tan, Yali Wu

3)        Undergraduates: Hongjia Gao, Zhongjian Wu, Zitong Jiang,

Graduated (7)

1)        Master students: Penghui Chen (2023), Dian Zhang (2023), Yuejian Lv (2024).

2)        Undergraduates: Yang Li (2022), Peiyu Zhang (2022), Shaonan Yao (2022), Jinlei Zhou (2024)

Conference & Professional Service

1)         Member of the nominating group led by Prof. Simon Cuthbert, which successfully nominated “Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks of the Western Gneiss Region (Norway)” as a Third 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Site; approved in 2026.

2)         Session Convenor, The 4^th National Academic Conference on Gas Isotope Technology and Its Applications in Earth Science, Session 6: Tracing of Material Cycling Using Gas Isotopes at Convergent Plate Margins. May 7^th-10^th, 2026. Xi’an, China.

3)         Session Co-Chair, The 11^th Conference of National Committee of Metamorphic Rocks in 2026, Session 1: Metamorphism and Orogenic Evolution. May 15^th-19^th, 2026. Hohhot, China.

4)         Session Co-Chair, Annual Meeting of Chinese Geoscience Union (CGU), session 90: Observation and Modelling of Metamorphic Processes. October 18^th-22^nd, 2025. Chengdu, China.

5)         Session Co-Chair, Annual Meeting of Chinese Geoscience Union (CGU), session 80: Observation and Modelling of Metamorphic Processes. October 19^th-23^rd, 2024. Xiamen, China.

6)         Session Convenor, The 4^th Structural Geology and Geodynamics Forums, Session 17: Subduction, Accretion and Collisional Mountain Building Process and Their Geological Records. The 4^th Structural Geology and Geodynamics Academic Forum. March 29^th-31^st, 2024. Zhuhai, China.

7)         Serving for the Organization Committee, The 8^th Conference of National Committee of Metamorphic Rocks in 2023. April 8^th-13^th, 2023. Yichang, China.

Publications (Total publication 31, total citation 307, H-index=11)

Dr. Liu has published a total of 31 articles in the journals including Journal of Petrology, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, Lithos, American Mineralogist, etc., with an H-index of 11 and a total of 307 citations.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., Chen, R.-X., 2026. Closing of Fluid Miscibility Gaps and Emergence of Supercritical Phenomena: A Conceptual Framework Based on Phase Relationship Analysis in Geologically Relevant Ternary Systems. Journal of Petrology, 67, egag060. (*Communication authors; the same hereafter)

Zheng, J.Y., Chen, T.*, Zhang, J.F.*, Liu, P.L., Liu, W.L., Shi, F., Gong, M.M., Gong, Z., 2026. The Preservation of Intragranular and Intergranular Coesite in Metasedimentary Rocks: Insights From a TEM‐Based Structure Analysis. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 44, 493-509.

Zhang, J.F.*, Liu, P.L.*, Zeng, H.K., Liang, Z.Q., Liu, W.L., Jin, J.M., 2026. Jadeite quartzite in the Dabie ultra-high-pressure metamorphic belt: a novel high-grade high-purity quartz resource. Chinese Science Bulletin, 71, 2524-2534. (In Chinese: 章军锋*, 刘鹏雷*, 曾竑堃, 梁政强, 刘文龙, 金振民, 2026. 大别山硬玉石英岩: 一种高品质的新型高纯石英原料矿. 科学通报, 71, 2524-2534.)

Zhang, Y.F.*, Wang, C., Hao, X.S., Liu, P.L., Pan, F.B., Jin, Z.M., 2026. Deep carbon cycling in subduction zones constrained by partial melting of phengite-bearing carbonated eclogite. American Mineralogist, 111, 1247-1258.

Liu, P.L.*, Lu, W.J., Wang, C., 2026. Carbon mobilization via hydrous carbonatitic liquid in deep subduction zones evidence from natural and experimental observations. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 414, 75-88.

Massonne, H.-J.*, Liu, P.L., Li, Y., Zhang, J.F., 2025. Did jadeite-quartzite bodies experience the same P-T conditions as nearby UHP rock lenses? An example from the Dabie Shan, east-central China. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie – Abhandlungen (Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry), 199, 127-142.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., Wei, C.J., Lu, Y.J., Lu, W.J., 2025. Melting Relationships of Calcite-Dolomite-H₂O at 1 GPa and Implications for Partial Melting of Metacarbonate Rocks in Deeply Buried Crust. Journal of Petrology, 66, egaf061.

Li, Y., Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., 2025. Mineral Inclusions in Zircon and Monazite Do Not Support the UHP History of the “Diamondiferous” Gneiss on the Island of Fjørtoft, Western Gneiss Region, Norway. Terra Nova, 37, 287-296.

Chen, P.H., Liu, P.L.*, Jin, Z.M., 2024. Multistage pervasive fluid–rock interactions and Hf mobility in deeply subducted continental crust, Dabie terrane, eastern China. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 179, 79.

Tang, J.Z., Cao, Y.*, Xia, B., Liu, P.L., Du, J.X., Zhang, J.F., 2024. New P-T path of Huwan high-pressure unit from Hong'an orogen, Central China Orogenic Belt: Implications for oceanic to continental subduction and exhumation in the subduction zones. Lithos, 482-483, 107673.

Zhang, X.H., Su, Y.P.*, Zheng, J.P., Liu, P.L., Wang, J., 2024. Considerable heating during clockwise decompression of a long-lived Paleoproterozoic hot orogen: Evidence from the Xuanhua Complex, North China Craton. Precambrian Research, 400, 107251.

Zhang, X.H., Su, Y.P.&, Zheng, J.P., Liu, P.L., Zhou, L., 2023. Late Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal and metamorphic evolution recorded in high-pressure granulites: Evidence from the Xuanhua Complex, northern North China Craton. Precambrian Research, 399, 107246.

Liu, Q.*, Liu, P.L., Li, X., Zhang, J.F., 2023. The origin and compositions of melt inclusions in an Al₂SiO₅‐free paragneiss from the Namche Barwa Complex in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 41, 879-898.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., 2023. Repeated Caledonian burial and ultrafast cooling and exhumation of high-pressure granulite facies rocks from the Blåhø Nappe on the island of Fjørtoft, Western Gneiss Region, Norway. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 41, 603-638.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., 2022. High-pressure granulite-facies re-equilibration and zoisite-biotite-dehydration melting during decompression of an ultrahigh-pressure garnet clinopyroxenite from the island of Fjørtoft, Norway. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 40, 887-918.

Liu, P.L.*, Jin, Z.M., 2022. Metamorphic Evolution of a Tremolite Marble from the Dabie UHP Terrane, China: A Focus on Zircon. Journal of Earth Science, 33, 493-506.

Zhang, X.H., Su, Y.P.*, Zheng, J.P., Liu, P.L., Griffin, W.L., Ping, X.Q., Wang, J., Zhou, L., 2021. Metamorphic history and Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic crustal growth of the central Trans-North China Orogen: Evidence from granulite- to amphibolite-facies rocks of the Hengshan complex. Gondwana Research, 93, 162-183.

Lei, H.C., Xu, H.J.*, Liu, P.L., 2020. Decoupling between Ti-in-zircon and Zr-in-rutile thermometry during ultrahigh temperature metamorphism of the Dabie Orogen, China. Geological Journal, 55, 6442-6449.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., Daniel, E., Harlov, Jin, Z.M., 2019. High-Pressure Fluid-Rock Interaction and Mass Transfer during Exhumation of Deeply Subducted Rocks: Insights from an Eclogite-Vein System in the Ultrahigh-Pressure Terrane of the Dabie Shan, China. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 20, 5786-5817.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., 2019. Tectonic implications of P-T paths derived for garnet-bearing felsic gneisses from the Dabie and Sulu ultrahigh pressure terranes, East-Central China. American Journal of Science, 319, 788-817.

Lei, H.C., Xu, H.J.*, Zhang, J.F., Massonne, H.-J., Liu, P.L., 2019. A record of ultrahigh temperature metamorphism in the Dabie orogen during Triassic continental collision. Gondwana Research, 72, 54-64.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., 2019. An anticlockwise P-T-t path at high-pressure, high-temperature conditions for a migmatitic gneiss from the island of Fjørtoft, Western Gneiss Region, Norway, indicates two burial events during the Caledonian orogeny. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 37, 567-588.

Liu, P.L.*, Zhang, J.F., Jin, Z.M., 2019. Occurrences and Preservation Mechanisms of Coesite in Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Rocks. Earth Science, 44, 4028-4033. (In Chinese: 刘鹏雷*, 章军锋, 金振民, 2019. 超高压变质岩中柯石英的产出和保存机制. 地球科学, 44, 4028-4033.)

de Souza, Z.S., Wang, C.*, Jin, Z.M., Li, J.W., Yang, J.L.,Botelho, N.F.,Viana, R.R., dos Santos, L., Liu, P.L., Li, W., 2018. Pyrometamorphic aureoles of Cretaceous sandstones and shales by Cenozoic basic intrusions, NE Brazil: Petrograhic, textural, chemical and experimental approaches. Lithos, 326, 90-109.

Liu, P.L.*, Zhang, J.F., Massonne, H.-J., Jin, Z.M., 2018. Polyphase solid inclusions formed by interactions between infiltrating fluids and precursor minerals enclosed in garnet of UHP rocks from the Dabie Shan, China. American Mineralogist, 103, 1663-1673. (Highlighted paper)

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., Jin, Z.M., Wu, Y., Zhang, J.F., 2017. Diopside, apatite, and rutile in an ultrahigh pressure impure marble from the Dabie Shan, eastern China: A record of eclogite-facies metasomatism during exhumation. Chemical Geology, 466, 123-139.

Liu, P.L.*, Massonne, H.-J., Zhang, J.F., Wu, Y., Jin, Z.M., 2017. Intergranular coesite and coesite inclusions in dolomite from the Dabie Shan: constraints on the preservation of coesite in UHP rocks. Terra Nova, 29, 154-161. (Cover paper)

Liu, P.L., Wu, Y.*, Chen, Y., Zhang, J.F., Jin, Z.M., 2015. UHP impure marbles from the Dabie Mountains: Metamorphic evolution and carbon cycling in continental subduction zones. Lithos, 212-215, 280-297.

Liu, P.L., Wu, Y.*, Liu, Q., Zhang, J.F., Zhang, L., Jin, Z.M., 2014. Partial melting of UHP calc-gneiss from the Dabie Mountains. Lithos, 192-195, 86-101.

Liu, P.L., Wu, Y.*, Liu, Q., Jin, Z.M., 2014. Carbon Cycling in Subduction Zones and Its Significance for the Geodynamic Processes in Deep Earth. Geological Science and Technology Information, 33, 25-35. (In Chinese: 刘鹏雷, 吴耀*, 刘强, 金振民, 2014. 俯冲带的碳循环及其对地球深部动力学过程的启示. 地质科技情报, 33, 25-35.)

Zhang, Y.F., Wu, Y.*, Liu, P.L., Wang, Y.B., Wang, C., Jin, Z.M., 2012. Walker Type Multi-Anvil Apparatus and Its Applications in Geosciences. Earth Science, 37, 955-965. (In Chinese: 张艳飞, 吴耀*, 刘鹏雷, 王雁宾, 王超, 金振民, 2012. Walker型28 GPa多面砧压机及其在地球科学中的应用. 地球科学-中国地质大学学报, 37, 955-965.)

Selected Conference Presentation and Talks

1)        Liu, P.L., Argillaceous dolostones as an engine of deep carbon cycling in continental subduction zones. The 11^th Conference of National Committee of Metamorphic Rocks in 2026. April 15^th-19^th, 2026. Hohhot, China. Invited Talk.

2)        Liu, P.L., The closing of fluid miscible gaps and the emergence of critical points: a theoretical analysis of phase relationships. Annual Meeting of Chinese Geoscience Union (CGU), session 90: Observation and Modelling of Metamorphic Processes. October 18^th-22^nd, 2025. Chengdu, China. Invited Talk.

3)        Liu, P.L., Tracing external fluid metasomatism and Hf mobility using zircon Hf isotope: a case study of UHP eclogites from the Dabie Mountains. The 13^th National Conference on Isotope Geochronology and Isotope Geochemistry. June 7^th-9^th, 2024. Xi’an, China. Invited Talk.

4)        Liu, P.L., Repeated subduction and ultrafast exhumation and cooling of subducted slices during continental collision. The 4^th Structural Geology and Geodynamics Forums, Session 17: Subduction, Accretion and Collisional Mountain Building Process and Their Geological Records. March 29^th-31^st, 2024. Zhuhai, China. Invited Talk.

5)        Liu, P.L., Partial melting of garnet pyroxenite and marble: a crustal origin of alkaline and carbonatitic magmas. The 9^th Conference of National Committee of Metamorphic Rocks in 2024. April 12^th-17^th, 2024. Dunhuang, China. Oral Presentation.

6)        Liu, P.L., An experimental study on melting relationships in the calcite–dolomite–H₂O system: constraints on the origin of crust-derived igneous carbonatites. Joint Professional Committee Academic Conference of Chemical Geodynamics and Magmatic Rocks, Chinese Society for Mineralogy Petrology and Geochemistry, September 22^nd-27^th, 2023. Hangzhou, China. Oral Presentation.

7)        Liu, P.L., Silica-poor garnet pyroxenite and crust-derived silica-undersaturated alkaline magmas. The 18^th Annual Conference of Chinese Society for Mineralogy Petrology and Geochemistry, Session 10: Origin and Evolution of Magmas and Evolution of Earth Systems. April 16^th-22^th, 2023. Hefei, China. Oral Presentation.

8)        Liu, P.L., Formation mechanisms of oriented mineral inclusions in extremely metamorphosed rocks. The 8^th Conference of National Committee of Metamorphic Rocks in 2023. April 8^th-13^th, 2023. Yichang, China. Invited Talk.

9)        Liu, P.L., Massonne, H.-J., New constraints from forward thermodynamic modelling and monazite dating on a kyanite-garnet gneiss and a calc-silicate rock from the ultrahigh-pressure terrain of the island of Fjørtoft, Western Gneiss Region, Norway. EGU General Assembly 2018, Vol. 20, EGU2018-17427. Vienna, Austria. Poster.

10)     Liu, P.L., Massonne, H.-J., Jin, Z.M., Wu, Y., Zhang, J.F., Petrology and geochemistry of an eclogite-vein system from the Dabie Shan: insights into the fluid-rock interaction during exhumation of deeply-subducted crust. The 12^th International Eclogite Conference. August 20^th-29^th, 2017. Åre, Sweden. Poster.