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
Faculty promotions at Purdue approved by board
04-09-2021
Purdue University's Board of Trustees on Friday (April 9) approved faculty promotions. The promotions are effective with the 2021-22 academic year and include Purdue EAPS professors Daniel R. Chavas, Marty D. Frisbee, Lisa R. Welp, and Gregory M. Michalski.
04-08-2021
Alpine glaciers are formed high in the mountains and produce meltwaters that flow down the mountain. These meltwaters sustain life in mountain streams, lakes, and rivers. The meltwater from iconic frozen mountaintops is an essential building block to the Earth’s ecosystem, so when Jordyn Miller, PhD Candidate for Purdue Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) asked her advisor a “simple” question years ago, she assumed there would be an answer readily available. She asked Dr. Marty Frisbee, EAPS hydrogeology professor, does meltwater from alpine glaciers contribute to mountain-block recharge and deep circulation within a mountain block. As it turns out, the simple question turned into a quest to deliver an answer because there is very little research in this area. In March of 2021, Miller published the first results of a multi-year research project.
Professor Mike Sori discusses his latest research about Triton, one of the moons of Neptune
04-06-2021
Dr. Mike Sori, Professor of Planetary Geophysics, speaks about his recent publication in AGU titled, "Can Triton's Internal Heat Be Inferred From Its Ice Cap?" He discusses Triton (a moon of Neptune), its nitrogen ice cap, the “ocean world" moon's youthful surface, and the need for future spacecraft to further explore this part of our solar system.
04-05-2021
Briony Horgan raised her arms in triumph as the Mars rover Perseverance landed on Feb. 18, a symbolic declaration of mission success. That electric moment was just the beginning for the Purdue University scientist. With Perseverance on the ground and moving, Horgan is now focused on analyzing data from the instrument she works with: Mastcam-Z.
Atmospheric professors awarded grant for flexible, portable kit-based lab instruction
03-31-2021
A group of atmospheric professors have recently been awarded a 2020-2021 Instructional Equipment Grant from the Office of the Provost for their proposal entitled “Flexible, Portable Kit-Based Laboratory instruction in Atmospheric Science.” This grant funding will be used to create lab kits that students can check out and use remotely.