Earth & Planetary History
This cross-departmental research theme focuses on everything from the evolution of the solar system and planetary bodies down to the metabolic pathways and associated isotopic fractionation of different microbes on Earth. Affiliated faculty address a wide variety of research topics, including, but not limited to, the geological history of Earth and Mars, the co-evolution of life and environment over Earth's history, linkages between the solid and fluid Earth, mantle and core processes, and the interior evolution of Earth and other terrestrial planets. In addition, these research groups employ a wide array of techniques to address fundamental research questions, from computational techniques and remote sensing to laboratory experiments and field-based research.
South Fork Matanuska, Alaska. Photo by Brenhin Keller
Department and Affiliated Faculty
Research areas currently include low- and high-temperature geochemistry (Feng, Keller, Hicks Pries, Sharma, Slotznick, Strauss), geobiology and paleontology (Peterson, Slotznick, Strauss), geophysics/geodynamics and structural geology (Al Asad, Keller, Meyer, Slotznick, Sonder, Strauss), geoinformatics (Keller), planetary sciences (Al Asad, Palucis, Sharma, Hawley), and sedimentary geology and surface processes (Keller, Meyer, Palucis, Slotznick, Strauss).
DEPARTMENT FACULTY AND STAFF
- Geodynamics and Planetary Evolution
Xiahong Feng (Emerita)
- Hydrochemistry and Solute Transport; Low-Temperature Geochemistry
- Glaciology, Geophysics, and Remote sensing
- Igneous Petrology, Geochronology, and Computational Geoscience
- Earth History and Tectonics
- Surficial Processes and Geomorphology of Earth and Mars
- Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry
- Magnetism, Mineralogy, and Earth History
Leslie Sonder (Emerita)
- Geodynamics and Modelling
- Sedimentary Geology, Tectonics, and Historical Geobiology
AFFILIATED FACULTY
- Terrestrial Carbon Cycle and Soil Biogeochemistry
- Paleontology, macroevolution, molecular biology
Groups and Facilities
The Department has excellent facilities and instrumentation in this area. Please see detailed information in the links below or in the Labs and Facilities tab.
A facility led by Dr. Slotznick for characterizing the composition and magnetism of Earth materials.
A facility led by Dr. Strauss for rock characterization and mineral separation.
Planetary Data Analysis and Visualization Lab
A facility led by Dr. Palucis for performing analyses of planetary surface processes using advanced computing.
Planetary Surface Dynamics Lab
A facility led by Dr. Palucis for the examination of sediment transport.
A facility led by Dr. Sharma for radiogenic isotopes.
A facility led by Dr. Feng for stable isotope geochemistry.
A multi-user facility maintained by Edward Meyer and Josh Landis.
Grand Canyon from the South Rim. Laura Hutchenson '19