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
Rubies and opals on Mars? The real treasure in the planet’s gemstones may not be what you think
05-12-2026
Scientific American — NASA’s Mars rovers have found traces of minerals akin to those that make up precious gems on Earth. But their appearance and abundance on Mars is likely very different, experts say. EAPS's Candace Bedford was a co-author of the study.
Purdue planetary scientist Ali Bramson wins 2026 Urey Prize
05-12-2026
Ali Bramson, assistant professor in Purdue University's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, has been named a winner of the 2026 Harold C. Urey Prize (“Urey Prize”) from the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences.
Artemis astronauts may find remnants of a 'decapitated' asteroid's impact on the Moon
05-11-2026
A violent impact that carved out the Moon's largest impact basin may have scattered deep lunar material near the lunar south pole — right where NASA plans to send Artemis astronauts. Using high-resolution 3D simulations, a team of researchers led by Shigeru Wakita of Purdue University found that SPA's distinctive tapered-ellipse shape is best explained by a 160-mile-wide (260-kilometer-wide) differentiated impactor — a large asteroid.
A new federal award will help Purdue University researcher Lei Wang better understand the large-scale atmospheric patterns behind extreme weather events and improve the tools scientists use to study them.
Purdue’s space work is featured at NASA Science Showcase
04-30-2026
A Purdue professor and graduate student participated in the NASA Science Showcase recently on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The April 21 event highlighted how NASA-funded science research across disciplines strengthens America’s leadership and fuels the broader space program. Staff from many Senate and House of Representatives offices attended.