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Department of Geosciences

Together we can build a bridge to your career in the geosciences.

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Research, education, and outreach addressing the nature of the Earth.

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Department of Geosciences

The Department of Geosciences can help you construct a path to a thriving career as a leader in Earth science. Our faculty aim to build deep critical thinking skills, a solid foundation in the fundamentals, and practical disciplinary expertise, to place our graduates at the forefront of tomorrow’s career opportunities and global challenges.

Geosciences students and faculty investigate Earth processes at scales that range from atomic to planetary. As described in our , we are connected by profound curiosity for the Earth and other planets. We are a welcoming community that is committed to making fundamental discoveries and having an impact on the world around us.

Our is dynamic and designed around the individual, with an array of experiential opportunities including a successful study abroad program. We offer a B.S. degree in six focus areas:

· Geology
· Geochemistry
· Geophysics
· Geobiology and Paleobiology
· Environmental and Engineering Geosciences
· Earth Science Education

Our successful offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees across a range of . Our graduate students work with internationally-known scholars and enter the professional realm at the top of their field.

Finally, the Department is committed to raising the general public’s awareness of the geosciences. We host the , which is open to the public and located in Derring Hall, and participate in an array of outreach activities.

Thanks for visiting and learning about what we do. You can read more about us in the .


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If you would like to support the department through a donation or pledge just click the button below, which will take you toÌýÏ㽶ÊÓƵ Tech's secure online form.


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Members of VT Geosciences Department sporting their VT GEOS North Face jackets

As a token of our appreciation, VT GEOS North Face jackets are available as a gift for donations $99 and above. If you are making a gift at this level and would like a jacket, please complete ourÌý. Shipping is available for an additional $12 donation.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our alumni and friends. Your support is critical to our success.

Featured Videos

  • Video Item
    Uncovering the mystery of dark matter, one rock at a time
    Date: Oct 13 -
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    What's your Science? - Savaria Parrish
    Date: Sep 19 -
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    Geoscience campers roleplay a volcano disaster response
    Date: Jul 30 -

Geosciences News

  • Article Item
    Ryan Pollyea claps his hands together while speaking with a colleague
    Date: Dec 04 -
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    Photo of Elizabeth Curtiss and Sean Bemis
    Date: Dec 03 -
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    Three people lean over a computer monitor. One is pointing at something on the screen.
    Date: Dec 03 -
  • Article Item
    collage of photos of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tech faculty members who were named to Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list are (from top left): George Allen, Wenjing Lou, Walid Saad, Linsey Marr (from bottom left) Lina Quan, Wujin Sun, Georgia Hodes, and Viswanath Venkatesh.
    Date: Nov 12 -
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    Laura Neser stands near large glass windows, smiling and holding a copy of the open textbook "Introduction to Earth Science". She is wearing a black blazer and necklace, and the book’s cover features an image of a volcanic eruption.
    Date: Nov 05 -
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    Views of communities on the shores of Mumbai, India against the backdrop of skyscrapers under construction
    Date: Oct 28 -

FYI

What's Shaking?

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Seismogram of Yakutat AK 7.0 quake on Dec 6, 2025
M 7.0, 88 km NNE of Yakutat, AK, Dec 06, 2025. Image courtesy of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tech Seismological Observatory, Dr. Martin Chapman, Director.


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Safety Corner

Campus Safety and Preparedness:ÌýVery useful information for students, faculty, and staff in this message from the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tech Police Department and the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tech Office of Emergency Management.

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Study Abroad

Interested in the Study Abroad Program? Spend a semester studying at the , our beautiful campus in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. The stunning drone videos below are from the 2022 field trip to the Rhone Glacier organized by the Center.



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GSRS 2026

The Geosciences Student Research Symposium is a longstanding tradition that brings the Department of Geosciences together for an exhibition of the excellent research being done by the graduate and undergraduate students here at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tech. GSRS is only possible through the generosity of our alumni, friends, faculty, and students.Ìý
To donate and learn more, please visit the

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Current Geosciences Department Contact List

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Special Requests

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Get Jumpin'!Ìý

At each home football game, we record seismic data generated by Hokie Fans during the team's electrifying Lane Stadium entrance set to Metallica's Enter Sandman.

VT Geosciences Field Work Aerial Videos

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PhD student Sebastian Kaempfe at the El Chingue Bluff outcrop (Cretaceous Tres Pasos Formation) in southern Chile. This field research is associated with the Chile Slope Systems project directed by faculty member Brian Romans.

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PhD student Sebastian Kaempfe and a field assistant at the Sierra del Toro outcrop (Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation) in southern Chile. This field research is associated with the Chile Slope Systems project directed by faculty member Brian Romans.