Research Overview

Faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students perform cutting-edge field, laboratory, experimental, and computational modeling studies to solve fundamental and applied problems in the Earth Sciences. Our world-class research spans a variety of topics, including plate tectonics, volcano science, water and coastal resources, climate and environmental change, and planetary science. Visit the following links to learn more.

Research Divisions

Geophysics and Tectonics (G&T)

The Geophysics and Tectonics division encompasses the study of Earth’s physical structure and dynamic processes from the deep interior to the surface, including plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the forces that drive them. It covers the theoretical and applied foundations of geophysics and geomechanics, drawing on gravity, electromagnetism, heat flow, and elastic wave theory to characterize subsurface properties and processes.

Marine and Environmental Geology (MEG)

The Marine and Environmental Geology division encompasses the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape Earth’s surface environments, with emphasis on marine, coastal, and tropical settings. It covers carbonate and coastal geology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, paleoclimatology, marine biogeochemistry, and groundwater hydrology, integrating field, laboratory, and analytical approaches to understand modern and ancient environmental systems.

Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology (VGP)

The Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology division encompasses the study of volcanic systems on Earth and other planetary bodies, from deep mantle processes to eruption dynamics and surface deposits. It covers submarine and subaerial volcanism, igneous petrology, magma generation and evolution, geochemical and isotopic analysis, volcanic hazards, and the physical processes.

Cooperating Faculty in the HIGP

The Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP)

HIGP is a multi-disciplinary institute conducting research, technology development, teaching, workforce training, and service in cutting-edge oceanographic, atmospheric, geophysical, geological, and planetary sciences and engineering.  The cooperating faculty within HIGP offer research opportunities in numerous disciplines that complement those within the Department of Earth Sciences.

World-Class Facilities

Research Facilities

The Department operates state-of-the-art facilities supporting research in radiogenic and stable isotope analysis, experimental petrology, physical volcanology, and seismic data processing and analysis.