We study extreme weather, climate change, and their impacts on both ecosystems and modern society.
Atmospheric Sciences
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
Purdue researchers uncover deep mantle process that reshaped the North American midcontinent
04-22-2026
A hidden rupture deep beneath North America may have reshaped the landscape of the central United States hundreds of millions of years ago. New research led by Purdue University found that a dense part of the continent's deep rocky foundation likely peeled away and sank into the mantle, allowing hotter, lighter material to rise and lift the land above it.
A Purdue University-led study of rocks on Mars is giving scientists a new look at whether the red planet once had the right chemical conditions for life.
‘Bathtub ring’ offers new evidence for Mars ocean billions of years ago
04-21-2026
CNN — Mars may have once had an ocean so vast that it covered one-third of the planet before evaporating billions of years ago and leaving behind a telltale sign: a flat band of land, outlining the former ocean — similar to the ring left behind in a drained bathtub. EAPS's Briony Horgan was quoted in the article.
Four benefits of going out in the rain
04-20-2026
BBC — From its distinctive smell to the negative ions it releases, rain has some fascinating benefits for our bodies – especially when it comes to our mood. EAPS's Dan Cziczo is quoted in this article.
Frozen ocean world found lurking between Mars and Jupiter
04-13-2026
Brighter Side — Scientists argue that Ceres may be far icier than many scientists had come to accept, with an outer crust made not of mostly dry rock but of dirty ice. EAPS's Ian Pamerleau, a PhD student in Purdue’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, and assistant professor Mike Sori led the work.