Skip to main content

Homepage

Cliffs above New River

Earth & Environmental Sciences

The integration of chemistry, biology, and physics applied to Earth and planetary systems

Our Goals
Professor and students on a boat on Lake Ontario

Taking Part in a First-of-its-kind Study

Read More
Cerdas Formation

Studying Earth Structure, Formation, Climate, and Dynamics

Read More
Icesheet

Exploring Global Environmental Issues

Read More
Petrenko Ice Lab

Leading Faculty and Researchers

Read More

Majors & Minors

Choose from geology, environmental science, environmental studies, and geomechanics.

Learn More

Graduate Studies

A variety of research choices allows students to specialize in one area, or explore a vast array of interdisciplinary studies.

Learn More

Research

We specialize in geochemistry, environmental sciences, palaeomagnetism, geodynamics, geological structure and tectonics.

Learn More

Professor Tarduno posing with equipment in a lab.

Feature Story

Mysterious underground blobs are reshaping Earth—and their impact may be bigger than we thought

One of the most intriguing implications of superplumes—enormous blobs of material hidden near the Earth’s core—is their potential role in Earth’s magnetic field reversals. “It has long been thought that reversals start at random locations, but our study suggests this may not be the case,” says lead author John Tarduno, the William Kenan, Jr. Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Continue Reading

Seminars

Interested in geology and environmental sciences?

The department sponsors several seminars throughout the year, bringing notable speakers from around the country. Check out the seminar schedule for this year’s presentations.

Seminar Schedule

News

New Mineral Named After University Alumnus

Dave Mao, '66 MS and '68 PhD had a new mineral named in his honor.

Learn More

Spotlight

Mariya Cyriac

What do you enjoy most about U of R?

I really enjoy the facilities in U of R, especially the libraries (Rush Rhees Library). 

Read More

Seismograph recording an earthquakeEarthquakes andVolcanoes
Ice Sampling at the Pakitsoq site, West GreenlandClimate andOcean Science
Students doing field workPlate Tectonics andPaleomagnetism

Have a question or need more information? Contact us.