Recent news and blogs

Scientists from Cambridge University and NTU Singapore have found that carbon drawn into Earth’s interior by plate subduction tends to stay locked away at depth, rather than resurfacing in the form of volcanic emissions, as previously thought. Their findings, published in Nature Communications , suggest that only about a...

Many congratulations to Dr Sasha Turchyn who is the recipient of the 2021 R. Berner Lectureship . The Lectureship, which will be presented at the Goldschmidt 2021 conference, is awarded to scientists who show an 'exceptional ability to define globally important biogeochemical processes, develop new understanding, and...

Microscopic imperfections in rock crystals deep beneath Earth’s surface play a deciding factor in how the ground slowly moves and resets in the aftermath of major earthquakes, says new research involving the University of Cambridge. The stresses resulting from these defects – which are small enough to disrupt the atomic...

From February to April this year, in the midst of lockdown and halfway through the third year of my PhD, I took 3 months away from geochemistry to work with the Environmental Audit Committee, a House of Commons Select Committee. This opportunity was part of an amazing policy internship scheme run by UKRI, who oversee …

Continue reading "Carrie Soderman on interning with the Environmental Audit Committee"

Geologists at the University of Cambridge have revealed how changes in our Earth’s interior can cause massive upheaval of our planet’s surface over millions of years, profoundly influencing sea levels and the sensitivity of ice sheets to climate change. Their findings, published in Nature Communications earlier this month...

Dr Ed Tipper has been awarded the prestigious Pilkington Prize in recognition of his teaching excellence. Dr Tipper, who is Lecturer in Earth Sciences and Director of Studies at St John's, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award. There’s nothing more rewarding than managing to inspire the next generation...

Dr Helen Williams, Reader in Geochemistry, at Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences and Fellow of Jesus College, has been awarded a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant to investigate the role of magma oceans in defining Earth’s physical and chemical evolution. Over the next 5 years, Williams and an international team of...

Hassan Aftab Sheikh is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Earth Sciences, researching air pollution mitigation. Erin caught up with Hassan and heard more about his interest in climate science in the following blog post. Tell me about your PhD research? My project is investigating whether leaves can be used to monitor air …

Continue reading "Meet the PhD student using tree leaves to mitigate air pollution"

The University of Cambridge is creating a new research initiative, bringing together physicists, chemists, biologists, earth scientists and mathematicians to answer fundamental questions on the origin and nature of life in the Universe. Led by 2019 Physics Nobel Laureate Professor Didier Queloz , the Cambridge Initiative...

Before the unprecedented months of virtual everythings – hand sanitiser-soaked fingers and meetings in pyjama bottoms – I was happily enjoying my final year as an undergraduate. Whilst making the most of my time left in beautiful Cambridge and running the greatest student geological society there is (the unofficial title I awarded the Sedgwick Club), …

Continue reading "Life after graduating, and life before the Cambrian Explosion"

Dr Emilie Ringe, Lecturer at the Department of Earth Sciences & Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, has been recognised as one of three Journal of Physical Chemistry (JPC) and PHYS Division Lectureship Winners. The Journal of Physical Chemistry – PHYS Division Lectureship Awards...