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UCL Earth Sciences

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The Department at a glance

Centre of learning & research discoveries, diverse student community, advanced laboratories infrastructure, public sector outreach, knowledge transfer with industry, engagement with government policies

Modern Earth Sciences is as dynamic and diverse as the planet itself.  We study everything from the origin of the Earth to the history of the life it sustains. We are an integrative, interdisciplinary, modern science, applying state-of-the-art maths, physics, chemistry and biology in order to better understand the Earth and other bodies in the solar system.

 

Kathleen Lonsdale reopening with Sir David Attenborough

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We are very proud to be in the building named after Dame Kathleen Lonsdale – the colocation is a major transformation for us with new teaching, laboratory and social places provisions.

Research Spotlight: Dr Ana Ferreira

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I study deep Earth structure and earthquake source processes to obtain an integrated understanding of the processes controlling the dynamic behaviour of our planet from the surface down to the lowermost mantle.

Student Spotlight: Cecily Nicholl

Notosuchians were an incredibly diverse group of crocodylomorphs during the Cretaceous”

 

World's oldest fossil discovered here

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Research led by Dr Dominic Papineau & Matt Dodd provide direct evidence for one of the oldest life forms on Earth - fossilized remains of microorganisms that are at least 3,770 million years old. These discoveries demonstrate life developed on Earth at a time when Mars and Earth had liquid water at their surfaces, posing exciting questions for extra-terrestrial life.
 

Research Spotlight: Dr Emma Liu

Emma Liu fieldwork
Emma’s life-long love for volcanoes, focuses on researching volcanic gases and the use of drone technology to obtain better gas samples. Her research interests are diverse and inter-disciplinary across physical volcanology, volatile/trace metal geochemistry and volcanic hazard assessment. Fieldwork is the major component of Emma’s research.

Meet the Staff: Dr Katie McFall

Dr Katie McFall during fieldwork
I am a field geologist, petrologist and geochemist who specialises in economic geology and helping find sustainable supplies of the resources society will need for a zero carbon future. I am fascinated by what happens when very hot fluids, such as salty water and carbon dioxide, interact with molten rock and metals deep in the earth.

Geobus outreach programme

GeoBus

GeoBus is a free outreach programme run out of the Earth Science department of UCL. We aim to bring engaging, hands-on sessions to school students in and around London. We want to inspire the next generation of Earth scientists by instilling in them a spark of curiosity and wonder for the world around them.

Research Spotlight:  Prof Pieter Vermeesch

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A brief introduction to U-Pb, (U-Th)/He and fission track geochronology and thermochronology - Pieter Vermeesch, talks about the research at UCL's London Geochronology Centre.

Department History: The Kathleen Londsdale building

Kathleen Lonsdale

If we look right back to one of the very founding fathers of College itself, George B.Greenough, whose name our Student Society proudly bears to this day, we can trace our roots as far back as the 19th century.

Scientist Spotlight: Rosemary Willatt 

Scientist Spotlight: Rosemary Willatt

“I am interested in remote sensing of sea ice. I analyse data from ground-based and airborne radars and lasers alongside coincident data on the snow, ice and meteorological conditions. I have had some incredible experiences conducting polar fieldwork.   ”

 

Fieldtrip Highlight: Ries impact crater

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Asteroid and comet collisions have shaped the surface of the Earth – this fieldtrip gives students to opportunity to study impact geology of such event that occured ~14.5 million years ago. 

Outreach Event: Discover Earth Sciences

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Live lecture series that highlights the fascinating and diverse world of Earth science. Listen to UCL Earth scientists as they showcase their research and how it links to what you're learning in your chemistry, physics and maths A Levels.

Our latest activities & research spotlights

Earth, planets, paleoenvironments, palaeobiology, geochemistry, geohazards, geophysics, seismology, sedimentology, climate observation & modelling, geodynamics, petrology, volcanism, rock mechanics, mineral physics, geoengineering ...

Fieldwork highlights:  3D Outcrop Models

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Digital learning in a field context: a short montage of the 3D outcrop models we have produced for blended learning field teaching at UCL.

 

Soapbox Science - Contributing to woman in science.

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What two iron bolts, apple and polystyrene sphere have in common? They are all part of the public outreach presentation on studies of the interior of the smallest planet in our solar system, Mercury.

Fieldtrip Higlight: Pyrenees Fieldtrip 

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The field provides a natural laboratory where students can learn. Many students find fieldwork one of the most enjoyable parts of their undergraduate career. Fieldwork is an essential component of study across all of our degree programmes in Earth Sciences.

Student Spotlight: Adam Cotterill

Adam Cotterill

“Combining drone-based strategies with ground & satellite techniques to improve monitoring at inaccessible volcanoes”

 

 

Student Spotlight: Marcin Latas

“Microfossils might be tiny but it is often the smallest things that make a big difference in science.”

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