Academic expertise. Research prowess. Student success.
There’s a whole world of discovery in the ground beneath your feet. From the shifting of tectonic plates to the eruption of volcanoes, learn about the Earth and all of the natural processes that have shaped it over time.
Department faculty, researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students pursue field, laboratory, experimental, and modeling studies of geological and environmental problems around the world. The department's excellent facilities and technical personnel support a range of methods and the department's ideal location also provides ready access to the many natural laboratories of Nevada, California and the western United States. Research specialties include Earth and planetary surface processes, geodynamics, volcanology, geochemistry, petrology, earthquakes and seismology, mineral and energy resources, hydrology and hydrogeology.
Recent news from the Department
Ask the Professor: Could an earthquake cause the Yellowstone supervolcano to erupt?
Volcanologist Philipp Ruprecht explains the connections between two geophysical hazards
The plan will be delivered to Congress with a request for build out funds in FY28
Workshop explores a broader vision for lithium: fusion and fission energy applications
The interdisciplinary workshop brought scientists, businesspeople and government officials to the University campus