Current Research

GeoscienceTetrahedron1 — Geoscience Tetrahedron

We envision the intellectual discipline of geoscience as a dynamic tetrahedron. Its volume includes the Earth system as a whole. Its six edges connect the four vertices: the rock record, the solid Earth, the fluid Earth, and the living Earth. Below are some diverse examples of current research projects. To search for other projects, follow the links below.

Formation of the ‘Great Unconformity’ as a trigger for the Cambrian explosion
Students size up seismic sensor sites (US Array in Wisconsin)
Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium (WARC)
Hydrogeology Graduate Student Research
Macrostratigraphy
Intrusion triggering of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull explosive eruption

Nature Cover — Peters, S. E., and R. R. Gaines (2012), Formation of the ‘Great Unconformity’ as a trigger for the Cambrian explosion, Nature, 484, 363-366. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature10969

volcano_h_med5 — Artist’s conception illustrating the three-dimensional geometry of the plumbing (left) and timing of events (right column) at Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Zina Deretsky, U.S. National Science Foundation.

Seismology Lab — Graduate student Matthew Kogle (right) and recent graduate Kelly Hoehn (left) meet in Weeks Hall to discuss locations in southern Wisconsin that were visited as part of the USArray program. Kogle and Hoehn logged thousands of miles driving rural Wisconsin roads searching for appropriate locations and seeking permission from landowners to place the equipment on their property. Photo: Bryce Richter

To search for more research projects, follow the links below:

Active grants awarded by EAR at NSF (search)
Grants awarded by USGS Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (search)

Dynamic Tetrahedron of Geoscience