UCLA - Earth and Space Sciences

	Cosmochemistry
	Geochemistry & Petrology
	Geodynamics & Mineral Physics
	Planetary Physics
	Seismology & Physical Volcanology
	Chaos and complexity
	Astrobiology
	Paleontology
	Space Physics
	Tectonics, Sedimentology, & Earth Remote Sensing

Research

Research Programs

The disciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, paleobiology, and space physics are concerned with the structure and evolution of the solar system, Earth, and life: essentially, the physical environment and its interaction with biota. These studies entail the application of fundamental physics and chemistry to a broad subject area stretching from astronomy at one extreme to biology at the other. Areas which are emphasized at UCLA include isotope and trace element analyses, petrology and mineralogy, sedimentology, paleobiology and organic geochemistry, structural geology and tectonophysics, seismology, the Earth's interior, planetary physics, and space plasmas.

For specific detailed information regarding current research in Earth and Space Sciences, review the information for the following research areas: Cosmochemistry, Geochemistry and Petrology, Geodynamics & Mineral Physics, Planetary Physics, Seismology & Physical Volcanology, Chaos and complexity, Astrobiology Paleontology, Space Physics, Tectonics, Sedimentology, & Earth Remote Sensing.

Click here for more information on Instrumentation & Facilities at ESS.

Field Research

Many faculty in Earth and Space Sciences conduct field-based research in diverse locations. Following is a partial list of recent research projects with significant field components.

Paul M. Davis:

Neotectonics of southern California, especially Los Angeles Regional Seismic Experiment
Seismic studies of the Rio Grande, East African and Baikal rifts

Clarence A. Hall:

Cenozoic evolution of the California Coast Ranges

Mark T. Harrison:

Origin and evolution of the Himalaya and Tibet
Investigations of earliest Earth

Raymond V. Ingersoll:

Cenozoic evolution of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
Mesozoic evolution of northern and central California
Mesozoic-Cenozoic reconstruction of southern California

David D. Jackson:

Neotectonics of southern California

Frank T. Kyte:

Impact deposits of the southern Pacific

Craig E. Manning:

Metamorphic evolution of Tibet and the Himalaya

Mark Moldwin:

Torres des Paines National Park, Patagonia Chile, April 2002. Deployment of 4 magnetometers in Southern Chile as part of NSF-SAMBA project.

Ground-based space physics. Deployment of magnetometers in North America, South America, and Antarctica. The space physics group designs, fabricates and deploys fluxgate magnetometers for studying geomagnetic disturbances around the world.

See http://www-ssc.igpp.ucla.edu/ or http://measure.igpp.ucla.edu for more information about the UCLA ground-based space physics research program.

Gilles Peltzer:

Neotectonics of southern California

Bruce Runnegar:

Neoproterozoic fossils of Namibia, Nevada, Newfoundland and South Australia, and Archean sulfates and sulfides, Western Australia

An Yin:

Tectonic evolution of Tibet and the Himalaya
Structural and tectonic development of southern California detachment systems
Laramide structures of the Rocky Mountains

Return To Top ^

Research Groups

Research groups within or in relation to the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at UCLA.

Astrobiology

Argon Isotope Group

Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life (CSEOL)

Cosmochemistry

Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry (PTX)

Geodynamics Group

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP)

Ion Probe Group (W.M. Keck Foundation Center for Ion Isotope Geochemistry)

Planetary Plasma Physics Group

Solar Wind Coupling & Geomagnetic Activity Group

Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC)

Space Physics Group

Space Science Center

Space Weather Group

Return To Top ^

Related Organizations

Related organizations and departments at UCLA.

Aerospace Studies & AFROTC

Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Atmospheric Sciences

Challenge - UCLA's Research Magazine

Geography

Institute of Environment

Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP)

Mathematics

Molecular Biology

Physics & Astronomy

Research at UCLA

University Space Research Association

595 Charles Young Drive East • 3806 Geology Building • Box 951567 • Los Angeles • CA 90095-1567