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Department of Earth Sciences

 
Read more at: Rock crystals from the deep give microscopic clues to earthquake ground movements
Grey volcanic rock containing exotic green nodule: you can see the pistachio green olivine crystals they are made of

Rock crystals from the deep give microscopic clues to earthquake ground movements

30 June 2021

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...


Read more at: Dr Sasha Turchyn recognised as 2021 R. Berner Lectureship winner
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Dr Sasha Turchyn recognised as 2021 R. Berner Lectureship winner

23 June 2021

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...


Read more at: Cambridge seismology graduate named engineering hero
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Cambridge seismology graduate named engineering hero

23 June 2021

Grace Campbell , who studied a PhD in seismic hazards with us, was today named one of the 2021 Top 50 Women in Engineering . Grace is an earthquake geologist and remote sensing specialist in Arup ‘s Natural Hazard and Risk Management Team. After gaining a Master’s degree in Earth Sciences at UCL, Grace moved to Cambridge...


Read more at: Student spotlight: Carrie Soderman’s Environmental Audit Committee internship
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Student spotlight: Carrie Soderman’s Environmental Audit Committee internship

15 June 2021

Carrie Soderman is a third-year PhD student in Geochemistry at the Department of Earth Sciences. Usually, Carrie can be found researching mantle plumes and experimenting on isotopes in the clean lab. But earlier this year Carrie decided to take some time to undertake an internship with the Environmental Audit Committee , a...


Read more at: Scientists track veil of toxic metals carried in Kīlauea’s gas plumes

Scientists track veil of toxic metals carried in Kīlauea’s gas plumes

25 May 2021


Read more at: Cambridge-developed software used to map earthquakes in Reykjanes, Iceland
Image of a volcano spewing molton lava, surrounded by a grey lunar landscape and smoke

Cambridge-developed software used to map earthquakes in Reykjanes, Iceland

13 May 2021

Just hours after Dan Roberts, Masters student at Cambridge Earth Sciences, handed in his dissertation on the seismicity of Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, the volcano in his study area erupted… Dan’s Master’s project used Cambridge-developed software to accurately map out earthquake tremors in the Reykjanes Peninsula – where...


Read more at: Taking the temperature of Earth’s interior gives clues to climate changes over millions of years
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Taking the temperature of Earth’s interior gives clues to climate changes over millions of years

30 April 2021

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...


Read more at: Dr Ed Tipper receives Pilkington Prize for teaching excellence
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Dr Ed Tipper receives Pilkington Prize for teaching excellence

29 April 2021

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...


Read more at: Dr Helen Williams awarded ERC Advanced Grant, ‘EarthMelt’
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Dr Helen Williams awarded ERC Advanced Grant, ‘EarthMelt’

22 April 2021

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...


Read more at: Department at centre of major new research initiative: searching for life beyond Earth
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Department at centre of major new research initiative: searching for life beyond Earth

20 April 2021

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...