Skip to content
EAPS
Research

Research Programs

Geology, Geochemistry, and Geobiology (PG3)

 

To trace our planet’s history and better predict its future, we are developing highly accurate means of monitoring material and chemical fluxes through the Earth system, describing and imaging the Earth’s crust, and measuring time in the geologic record. Numerous opportunities exist within PGGG for collaboration among scientists studying tectonics, geochronology, geodynamics, climate change, atmospheric dynamics, physical oceanography, and other related topics.


Although our scientists share many overlapping interests, we break ourselves into the following five categories:

  1. Tectonics – Research in tectonics is performed to understand how the Earth’s systems—from the atmosphere to the core—influence each other as matter and energy are transferred among them.
  2. Geochemistry and Petrology - Research in geochemistry and petrology is aimed at understanding the conditions, timing, and rates of igneous and metamorphic processes in the Earth and planets.
  3. Sedimentary Geology - Research in sedimentary geology is important both for understanding the complex interactions that shape modern Earth surface environments, and for interpreting the geologic history of the continents and the oceans.
  4. Geobiology – Our research involves the study of organic matter from microbes, environmental samples, and rocks in order to reconstruct ancient environments and understand how life evolved within them.
  5. Surface Processes and Landform Evolution - Our research emphasizes the quantitative, mechanistic study of sediment production, erosion, transport, and deposition. Research projects range in scale from single bedforms to mountain belts and continental margins.

Please see the "Collaborative Programs" page for a list of web sites for many of these groups.
Contact information