Research Areas
Atmospheric Sciences
We study extreme weather, climate change, and their impacts on both ecosystems and modern society.
Environmental Geoscience
We use biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to understand how the Earth System supports such a diversity of life and how human behavior is impacting this system.
Geodata Science Initiative
Data science is the fourth and the newest paradigm of science. In Geodata Science Initiative, we conduct transdisciplinary research, merging or articulating EAPS subject matters with technical areas in data science: statistical and machine learning methods and models, algorithms for the models and methods, and computational environments for data analysis.
Geology and Geophysics
We study the processes that shape our planet, from the building of mountains and oil-bearing sedimentary basins, to the flow of warm rocks and cold glaciers, to the triggering of earthquakes.
Planetary Science
We study the evolution of the solar system and how planets evolve over time due to impacts, tectonics, and atmospheric processes, with an eye to the potential for past and future habitability.
Research News
Are volcanic depressions on the Moon a fountain of youth?
05-17-2024
Some volcanic areas on the Moon have a youthful appearance. These areas are known as Irregular Mare Patches, (pronounced MAHR-ay), or IMPs, and are considered youthful-looking in that, by appearance alone, look as though they were formed over a billion years after the Moon is thought to have stopped having volcanic eruptions. It’s a puzzle that lunar scientists have tried to resolve since their discovery and has major implications for the Moon’s evolution. Researchers at Purdue University recently published their findings on the composition of these IMPs and how they have managed to hide the proverbial fine lines and wrinkles. Hunter Vannier, PhD Candidate at Purdue University, is the lead author of the study published in AGU’s JGR Planets.
2024 NFS Graduate Research Fellowship Program announces awardees and honorable mentions
05-16-2024
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the 2024 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) which included 20 awardees and 12 honorable mentions from Purdue University. Of the pool of innovators, the Purdue University College of Science students stood out with ten awardee offers and two honorable mentions including these Purdue EAPS students: Katie Wilson, Addison Curtis, Haleigh Brown, Mariana Blanco-Rojas, and Sara Cuevas-Quiñones.
Weather station networks benefit farmers, others
05-14-2024
FARM PROGRESS — Farmers are on the lookout for localized weather data. Weather stations, from simple thermometers and rain gauges to complex internet-connected instruments, have long served as tools for gathering data on the current environment. Severe weather expert Robin Tanamachi of Purdue EAPS, discusses the use of WHIN stations and their reliability.
Prof. Daniel Chavas receives AMS Outstanding Career Award
05-14-2024
Learning how hurricanes, tornadoes and severe storms work is of vital importance. Associate Professor Daniel Chavas conducts severe weather research at his lab in the Purdue University Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, and his team studies how hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes work, what controls where and when they occur on Earth, and how they impact society. His goal is to make his discoveries directly useful for real-world forecasting and risk management. For this reason, he has been awarded the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Scientific and Technical Activities Commission (STAC) Committee on Tropical Meteorology and Tropical Cyclone Outstanding Early Career Award.
Prof. Ali Bramson receives NASA award for Mars Ice Mapping
05-10-2024
The International Mars Ice Mapper Measurement Definition Team (I-MIM MDT) is a highly specialized group of scientists from around the world called together by four space agencies including NASA, the Italian Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Ali Bramson, assistant professor with Purdue EAPS, studies Mars and was chosen as the Assistant Co-Chair of this team. Due to the hard work and diligence of the team, NASA recently presented the I-MIM definition team a NASA Agency Honor Award for NASA Group Achievement.