Research Disciplines
Our research in individual geosciences disciplines addresses fundamental questions in each field and provides a firm foundation for our interdisciplinary research themes.
Climate Dynamics
The Climate Dynamics Program in the Jackson School of Sciences is a collaboration between faculty and researchers in the Department of Geological Sciences, and researchers at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. We ...
Computational Geosciences
Modeling and simulation offer tremendous opportunities for improving our understanding of the Earth system, addressing geoscience grand challenges, and providing decision-support tools for geoscience policy-makers and industry. The emergence of computation as a powerful tool for prediction and decision-making in the geosciences is driven by advances in three areas: the ...
Geochemistry/Thermo- & Geo-chronology
Researchers in this area use geochemical tracers to reconstruct the thermal history of rocks; characterize ancient environments and climates; reveal the interactions between climate, soils, and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels; and decipher fluid-rock interactions and mestasomatism at high temperature, relationships between metamorphic processes and deformation, and volatile transport in subduction ...
Geophysics/Seismology
The Jackson School has one of the country's largest, most diverse, and most respected geophysics programs. Ranked No. 6 according to U.S. New & World Report, the geophysics program benefits from outstanding connections to industry and a strong grounding in basic research through the school's major units, including the Institute for ...
Hydrogeology/Glaciology
The Jackson School has a long tradition of leadership in fundamental and applied studies of liquid and solid water. Our research addresses broad questions such as: How is water distributed and routed through the Earth's surface and subsurface? What are the impacts of human activities on water resource availability and ...
Paleontology/Geobiology
The Jackson School's paleontology program is distinguished by its diverse and active faculty, modern equipment, and extensive reference collection. It has perennially been considered one of the top paleontology programs in the nation. Paleontological research at the Jackson School is motivated by several overarching questions: What were the causes and ...
Petrology/Mineral Physics
The petrology and mineral physics group at the Jackson School explores mantle geochemistry; volcanic eruption dynamics; metamorphic textures and reactions; lithospheric dynamics; fluid migration in the crust and mantle; and formation of ore deposits. Graduate students at the Jackson School can explore a wide range of processes from theoretical, experimental, ...
Sedimentary Geology/Geomorphology
The Jackson School of Geosciences is home to one of the largest and most diverse sedimentology & stratigraphy faculties in the nation. When U.S. News & World Report last ranked sedimentology & stratigraphy graduate programs, UT Austin was No. 1. The program has a long tradition of excellence. It is the birthplace of ...
Structural Geology/Lithospheric Geodynamics
Structural Geology and Tectonics draws on all geoscience disciplines to address fundamental questions about plate tectonic and deformation processes. In recent years, there has been an explosion of new technologies which allow scientists to answer questions that were once beyond their reach. This research not only leads to advances in ...