Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Understanding Planet Earth and its interrelated processes is complex. How has it evolved? Why are there earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain chains, continents and oceans? What can we learn about climate variability? And most important, what can we do with this knowledge?
The study of Earth sciences combines experiential learning, interdisciplinary study and a culture of innovation and discovery.
Coursework will provide you the basis for:
- Understanding natural hazards.
- Assessing climate variability and global change.
- Predicting the migration of man-made pollutants.
- Exploring the energy and mineral resources upon which society depends.
- The nature of our planet and insights into some of humanity’s deepest questions.
In addition to coursework, you can take advantage of extensive field and extracurricular opportunities and gain hands-on experience. Work with a faculty member on a research project, participate in an intensive field study or join the Geology Club.
Faculty have diverse interests in the nature of our planet and are heavily committed to research and education in these fields:
- Solid earth sciences
- Paleoclimatology
- Water resources
Field-based research brings faculty and students to every continent on the planet to collect observational data. State-of-the art laboratory and computing facilities allow for sophisticated analytical and numerical study of Earth systems. You’ll be broadly trained in field work, geochemical and geophysical methods, quantitative analysis and professional skills.
As a scholar-scientist, you’ll be prepared and sought-after by employers. Graduates are well placed in academic, government and private sector positions. They are prepared for careers in:
- Geology
- Hydrology
- Paleontology
- Oceanography
- Climate and environmental sciences.
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Upcoming Events
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Books by Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty
Recent News
New Committee Will Further Efforts on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
This past summer, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences formed a new committee to continue departmental progress towards addressing issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences 2020 Lab Updates
As we close out 2020, we wanted to share with you lab updates from all of our faculty members.
EES Professors Contribute to Study on Future Climate Prediction
Climate experts make the case for including ancient data in future models.
EES Professor Christa Kelleher Wins SU’s First Francis A. Kohout Award for Outstanding Achievement
The award honors early-career scientists for outstanding achievements in the hydrogeologic profession.
Latest Publications
Woda, J., Wen, T., Lemon, J., Marcon, V., Keeports, C.M., Zelt, F., Steffy, L.Y. and Brantley, S.L., 2020. Methane concentrations in streams reveal gas leak discharges in regions of oil, gas, and coal development. Science of The Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140105
Ana C. Lossada, Julieta Suriano, Laura Giambiagi, Paul G. Fitzgerald, Greg Hoke, José Mescua, Ana Tedesco, Guadalupe Arzadún, Sofía Bordese, (2020), Cenozoic exhumation history at the core of the Andes at 31.5°S revealed by apatite fission track thermochronology, Journal of South American Earth Sciences, Volume 103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102751
Hopper, E., Gaherty, J. B., Shillington, D. J., Accardo, N. J., Nyblade, A. A., Holtzman, B. K., Havlin, C., Scholz, C. A., Chindandali, P. R. N., Ferdinand, R. W., Mulibo, G. D. & Mbogoni, G., Preferential localized thinning of lithospheric mantle in the melt-poor Malawi Rift. Aug 1 2020, In : Nature Geoscience. 13, 8, p. 584-589 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-020-0609-y
Judd, E.J., Bhattacharya, T., Ivany, L.C. (2020) A dynamical framework for interpreting ancient sea surface temperatures. Geophysical Research Letters, v. 47, e2020GL089044, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089044.
Christopher A. Scholz, Donna J. Shillington, Lachlan J.M. Wright, Natalie Accardo, James B. Gaherty, Patrick Chindandali; Intrarift fault fabric, segmentation, and basin evolution of the Lake Malawi (Nyasa) Rift, East Africa. Geosphere doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02228.1
Agarwal, A., Wen, T., Chen, A., Zhang, A.Y., Niu, X., Zhan, X., Xue, L., Brantley, S.L., 2020. Assessing Contamination of Stream Networks Near Shale Gas Development Using a New Geospatial Tool. Environmental Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b06761