The surface of the Earth provides resources (e.g., water, fossil fuels, and metallic ores) necessary to support our modern civilization. At the same time, however, geologic processes on our active planet pose hazards (e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides). Proper use of the resources and mitigation of the hazards is essential to sustain our modern civilization, especially in the face of demands by an increasing population. Research within the department in volcanology, crustal deformation, seismology, imaging of the Earth's crust, hydrology, and engineering geology is helping us become better stewards of the Earth.