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

A hand holding a phone. A notification on the screen with a yellow alert symbol reads, "Emergency Alert. Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On. Protect Yourself. - USGS ShakeAlert"

Nevada Seismological Laboratory and US Geological Survey planning ShakeAlert earthquake warning program for the state

The plan will be delivered to Congress with a request for build out funds in FY28

A large group of people, with one row sitting and another row standing behind, smile for a photo in the Joe Crowley Student Union.

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

A group of people smile for a photo on the lawn at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

Interdisciplinary conference explores branching structures

The conference was held at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe in memory of late math professor