CMES Earth - The University of Utah

Welcome to the department of geology & geophysics

As Geoscientists, we apply the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology to understand the composition, structure, and history of the Earth and the processes that govern it. Our students use this knowledge to address societal needs and problems, such as locating and characterizing mineral, energy, and groundwater resources, assessing seismic and other geologic hazards, and evaluating and remediating environmental contamination.

DEPARTMENT RESEARCH & NEWSView all news

Veterans Day - Humans of the U: Chad Ostrander

After my job as a pipe-layer and a stint as an old-West reenactor in Tombstone, I moved back to Oregon in the summer of 2007 to work as a dock hand at Crater Lake National Park. It was from here that I decided to join the military.

Peter Roth

Peter Roth 1942-2024

Dr. Peter H. Roth, retired associate professor of the Department of Geology & Geophysics- University of Utah, passed away on October 26, 2024.

Dinosaur in the Airport

A dino-mite addition to SLC International Airport

“Utah is known for its dinosaurs. We hope this inspires visitors and locals to explore the really cool dinosaur heritage of our state.” - Randy Irmis, curator of paleontology at NHMU and professor of geology at the University of Utah.

Sara Warix

The Universal Connection

“One of the things I love about hydrology is that it’s something that everybody has a connection to,” says Sara Warix. “We all consume it every day, we’re all impacted by the weather, many of us use it for work or play. However far you get into the weeds of geochemistry or physics, you can always connect water back to people.”