Labs & Facilities
Virtual Tours of our Facilites
Analytical Laboratory Facilities
MagmaX lab
The primary research focuses on the chemistry of Earth and planetary interiors with a particular emphasis on the role of magma generation and magma and fluid - interaction on the differentiation and chemical evolution of terrestrial planets. It combines experimental techniques and thermodynamical modeling to investigate a range of various processes from magma focusing in the asthenosphere to reactive-cracking in the crust.
Utah Paleo Magnetic Center
Our research group uses the unique information encoded in magnetic materials to explore a variety of processes and phenomena in Earth System Science. We value an inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to research, both in terms of the science we do and the scientists doing the research.
Dissolved & Noble Gas Laboratory
he research and services that are offered at the Dissolved and Noble Gas Service Center are based upon the usage of noble gases and their solubilites to infer the conditions and time at which precipitation and surface water runoff entered the groundwater system. We also employ anthropogenic chemicals as tracers to determine groundwater recharge ages.
Earthquake Seismology
Reducing the risk of earthquakes in Utah through research, education, and public service.
Stable Isotope Ratio Facility for Environmental Research (SIRFER)
SIRFER provides H, C, N, O, and S stable isotope ratio analysis on both organic and inorganic samples. We serve investigators in anthropology, biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, and medicine. SIRFER provides research support to the University of Utah community, and offers the same quality analytical services to those from outside the university. We have a strong commitment to secondary, undergraduate, and graduate level training, ranging from one-on-one training for students who wish to conduct their own analyses to coursework support and outreach activities.
Spatio-Temporal Isotope Analytics Lab (SPATIAL)
The SPATIAL group combines stable isotope techniques with field and laboratory data, modeling, and statistical/data science tools to tackle big-picture problems in the Earth and environmental sciences.
Earth History and Paleobiology
Exploring the roles of animal life in our dynamic Earth system through time. Research uses field, computation, microscopy, and experimental work to discover practical animal-environment interactions that underpinned marine ecosystems in deep time.
Electron Microprobe Laboratory
The laboratory provides high precision quantitative non-destructive analysis of solid materials at the micron scale through electron beam X-ray spectroscopy.
ICP-MS Metals and Strontium Isotope Lab
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is an analytical methodology to determine the elemental composition of liquids and solids.
Particle Size and Characterization Lab
The Particle Size and Characterization Lab at the Department of Geology and Geophysics is a facility dedicated to measuring the size distributions of materials from 1 nanometer (nm) up to 2 millimeters (mm).
Consortium for Electromagnetic Modeling and Inversion (CEMI)
Consortium for Electromagnetic Modeling and Inversion (CEMI) is a research and educational program in applied geophysical electromagnetics based at the University of Utah. It was founded more than twenty five years ago by Prof. G.W. Hohmann and is headed by Prof. M. S. Zhdanov since 1995. The areas of CEMI research interest have been and continue to be gravity, magnetic, and electromagnetic modeling and inversion methods for accurate and efficient geophysical data analysis in regions with complex structure.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a consortium of nine state and federal agencies who provide timely monitoring and hazard assessment of volcanic, hydrothermal, and earthquake activity in the Yellowstone Plateau region. The USGS arm of YVO is also responsible for monitoring and reporting on volcanic activity in the intermountain west U.S. states.
Sedimentary & Terrestrial Analog Research
Chan’s STAR (Sedimentary & Terrestrial Analog Research) group works on a large range of sedimentary geology projects covering sedimentology, stratigraphy, and diagenesis. Analog models developed from the interdisciplinary sedimentary research is applicable to subsurface oil and gas exploration or to terrestrial comparisons on Mars. Utilizing many spectacular geologic exposures, our projects have applied aspects relating to facies models, architectural elements, depositional environments, climate change, rock characterization and subsurface fluid flow.