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
Andrew Siciliano receives National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Siciliano will continue to study geochemistry at the University of Utah
Undergraduate students prepare fossils found during class field trip
Alumnus and department chair provide unique opportunity to prepare fossils as part of paleobiology course
Researchers call for increased collaboration around domino effect of natural hazards
Early identification of risks can mitigate future harm