Geology is the study of the earth in all its aspects, including the modern environment and its ancient analogs. Geologists use physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, geography, and other fields to understand how the earth works. Geology addresses environmental problems as diverse as finding energy sources, tracing pollutants through soil and waterways, predicting and planning for sea level rise, and mitigating the human consequences of earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, and tsunamis. Environmental science is a common theme that ties together most of the faculty in the Department.

Research Faculty