Geoscience Research

[Research] > [Centers and Facilities]  [Research Focus Areas]

As geoscientists, our research spans immense temporal and spatial scales and we are increasingly reaching across a spectrum of scientific disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics) to find answers to applied and fundamental questions in the Earth Sciences. Our faculty utilizes a variety of tools in pursuit of these questions, extending from field-oriented projects to laboratory experimentation and numerical methods.

Our department is organized into three broadly defined research umbrellas: Geological Sciences, Geophysics, and Surficial Processes; the descriptions of these groups provide a good overview of our department. Individual faculty‑or smaller groups of faculty‑engage in focused research activities as described in the Research Focus Areas. Our department is also the home to a number of formal Research Facilities with a range of functions.

Research Umbrellas

Geological Sciences Group
The Geological Sciences Group seeks to understand the processes of planetary evolution through the application of petrologic, structural, geochemical, stratigraphic and paleontological methods to the geological record.  Our current research and graduate program strengths include volcanology and igneous petrology, orogenic systems science, and time-series analysis of the stratigraphic record.

Geophysics Group
The Geophysics Group applies high-resolution geophysical methods to
better understand the geologic processes of the near surface. We have
developed a strong research interest in hydrogeophysics, geophysical
inversion, physical properties of soil, earthquake hazard studies, and
paleoclimate studies. Our students work on geophysical applications to
problems of water flow in the shallow subsurface using electrical,
electromagnetic, and seismic techniques, or using seismic methods to
determine the sediment distribution in ocean basins.

Surficial Processes Group

The Surficial Processes Group is primarily focused on questions related to modern earth processes. Our graduate program has a strong emphasis in the broadly defined field of Hydrologic Sciences and our faculty are engaged in research that extends from geomorphology and sediment transport to surface and groundwater flow and quality and modern climate change.