Research in Geology and Geophysics

Research in the Department of Geology and Geophysics addresses fundamental questions about the processes and history of the solid Earth and applies this knowledge for the benefit of society. The research programs of many of our faculty are broadly interdisciplinary, blurring the boundaries between classical geological disciplines and also between fundamental and applied research. You can learn more about the research that individual faculty members do by visiting their websites through our faculty directory. Alternatively, you can learn more about the major research themes in the department here.

Applied Research

Environmental Change – Ongoing environmental change, both natural and human induced, poses serious social and economic challenges. Research conducted at Texas A&M aims to mitigate and remediate the effects of such change at both local and global scales as well as predict the nature and extent of future change.

Associated Faculty: R. Giardino; E. Grossman; B. Herbert; F. Marcantonio; C. Mathewson; J. McGuire; T. Olszewski; A. Raymond; H. Zhan

Petroleum Studies – Hydrocarbons are a critical global resource. Texas A&M has a long history of cooperation with the petroleum industry to develop and improve understanding of all aspects of petroleum systems from seismic imaging and interpretation of the subsurface to prediction of reservoir occurrence and properties.

Associated Faculty: W. Ahr; T. Blasingame; A. Bouma; F. Chester; J. Chester;R. Gibson; J. Hopper; L. Ikelle; J. Jensen; A. Kronenberg; T. Olszewski; J. Russell; J. Spang; Y. Sun

Water Resources – Continued economic and population growth – regionally, nationally, and globally – will require careful management of limited water resources. Research in the Department of Geology and Geophysics includes modeling of groundwater flow, monitoring and remediation of pollution, and measuring the effects of change in water budgets on coastal ecosystems.

Associated Faculty: B. Herbert; C. Mathewson; J. McGuire; H. Zhan

Geological Hazards – Geologic phenomena such as floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides can destroy economic infrastructure, cause numerous deaths, and displace large populations. Application of research conducted at Texas A&M is aimed at preparing for such events and minimizing their destructive consequences.

Associated Faculty: J. Chester; B. Duan; R. Giardino; C. Mathewson; D. Wiltschko

Applied Geophysics – Studies of the Earth’s seismic and electromagnetic properties have been applied by Texas A&M geophysicists to explore for hydrocarbons, remediate areas of groundwater and soil pollution, and map archaeological sites.

Associated Faculty: R. Carlson; M. Everett; R. Gibson; J. Hopper; L. Ikelle; P. Rabinowitz; W. Sager; Y. Sun

Fundamental Research

Sedimentary History of Earth and Life - Sedimentary rocks provide the only direct record of past conditions at the surface of the Earth and how they have changed through time. Research in this area includes study of past climates, sea level, sedimentary environments, and ancient life.

Associated Faculty: W. Ahr; A. Bouma; R. Giardino; E. Grossman; F. Marcantonio; T. Olszewski; A. Raymond; V. Tchakerian; T. Yancey

Geochemical and Biogeochemical Cycles – Earth materials change as they are moved and altered by various large and small-scale processes. Research in this area focuses on chemical evolution of rock due to changing conditions deep within the Earth, alteration at Earth’s surface, and the influence of life.

Associated Faculty: E. Grossman; R. Guillemette; A. Hajash; B. Herbert; W. Lamb; F. Marcantonio; J. McGuire; B. Miller; B. Popp

Fluids In and On the Earth – Fluids of many sorts interact physically and chemically with the solid Earth at its surface and at depth. Research in this area focuses on the generation and movement of liquids and gases of all kinds including water, hydrocarbons, and magma in relation to the solid Earth.

Associated Faculty: W. Ahr; T. Blasingame; R. Giardino; R. Gibson; A. Hajash; B. Herbert; J. Jensen; F. Marcantonio; C. Mathewson; J. McGuire; Y. Sun; H. Zhan

Tectonophysics – Both natural and man-induced processes at all scales can result in the deformation of solid Earth materials. Research in this area investigates the origin of geologic structures, using experiments and models to understand the processes of deformation, and understanding the nature of deformation under a variety of conditions.

Associated Faculty: R. Carlson; F. Chester; J. Chester; B. Duan; A. Hajash; J. Hopper; J. Jensen; A. Kronenberg; J. Newman; J. Spang; D. Sparks; D. Wiltschko

Deep Crust and Mantle Dynamics – The Earth’s interior is a dynamic and complex system that results in the evolution and deformation of rock from the core to the surface. Research in this area focuses on characterizing the physical and chemical nature of the deep Earth.

Associated Faculty: R. Carlson; B. Duan; M. Everett; R. Gibson; R. Guillemette; J. Hopper; A. Kronenberg; W. Lamb; B. Miller; J. Miller; J. Newman; B. Popp; P. Rabinowitz; W. Sager; D. Sparks

Geobiology Living organisms are critical components of many geological systems. Research in this area explores biological/geological interactions from the Paleoarchean (>3,200 million years ago) to the Modern, in marine and terrestrial environments, and across all three domains of life.

Associated Faculty: E. Grossman; B. Herbert; J. McGuire; T. Olszewski; A. Raymond; M. Tice; B. Wade; T. Yancey