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
Space news: Tiny moon explorers, a debate about the expanding universe, and more
06-23-2026
NPR — In this space news roundup, Berly McCoy and Regina Barber of NPR's Short Wave talk about tiny autonomous "transformers" that can explore the moon, a debate about the expanding universe, and more. EAPS's Roger Wiens was interviewed in this podcast.
Lunar Magma Ocean Hypothesis May Get First Direct Test at Artemis IV South Pole Landing Site
06-23-2026
Tech Times — A pair of peer-reviewed studies announced today by researchers at Southwest Research Institute reveal that the Moon's largest and oldest impact crater was carved by a protoplanet-sized object striking from the north — and that the collision scattered deep lunar mantle rock precisely where NASA plans to land the first Artemis astronauts in 2028. EAPS Research Scientist Shigeru Wakita was quoted in the article.
LiveScience — An abnormally cold patch of water in the North Atlantic Ocean has triggered changes in the Indian summer monsoon via the jet stream winds, new research suggests. This is new research co-authored by Purdue EAPS professor Matthew Huber and covered by LiveScience.
Purdue researcher helps decode the hidden patterns shaping Earth's critical zone
06-10-2026
A new study highlighted by AGU Eos shows how managed agriculture can make environmental systems harder to predict. EAPS's Lisa Welp was a part of the research team.
Dinosaur-killing asteroid may have helped create a long-lived underground home for life
06-10-2026
The asteroid that ended the age of dinosaurs also created something unexpected deep beneath the surface. A warm, water-rich environment that may have lasted for millions of years and could offer clues about where life might arise on Earth and other planets. EAPS's Marissa Tremblay was a part of the research team.