Department of Geology now Department of Earth Sciences
2/6/25

This department is about much more than rocks and minerals. To better reflect this, the department will now be known as the Department of Earth Sciences.

Climate Change
2/6/25

Through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, the Climate Change Group provides vital insights into Earth's climate systems and the impacts of climate change.

Ecosystems and Adaptation
2/6/25

Ecosystems and Adaptation is broad-ranging and encompasses the interactions between organisms and the environment responsible for the history of life on Earth. 

Geohazards, Volcanoes and Geodynamics
2/6/25

The Geohazards, Volcanoes and Geodynamics Group advances understanding of volcanic processes, geohazards and Earth's interior through research and education.

Water and Environment
2/6/25

The Water and Environment Group advances understanding of water and environmental systems through innovative research.

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Climate Change

Geohazards, Volcanoes and Geodynamics

Water and the Environment

Explore the wonders of our planet and make an impact on the future. At the University at Buffalo, the Department of Earth Sciences (formerly known as the Department of Geology) combines cutting-edge research, hands-on learning and a supportive community to help you thrive. Whether you’re fascinated by volcanoes, climate change, environmental science or evolutionary ecology, you’ll find a program that fuels your curiosity and prepares you for a meaningful career.

👋 New course prefix: ERT

As part of the new department name, we will have a new course prefix: ERT instead of GLY. Read more.

Earth Sciences in the News

  • GLY is evolving to ERT
    3/3/25
    With the exciting news of the Department of Geology evolving to the Department of Earth Sciences, there will also be a change in course prefixes. Starting in spring 2025, courses previously identified with the GLY prefix will now use the ERT prefix.
  • UB Department of Geology is now the Department of Earth Sciences
    3/3/25
    The University at Buffalo Department of Geology is about much more than rocks and minerals. Its faculty and students perform cutting-edge research on everything from how glaciers react to climate change, to how molten lava behaves during volcanic eruptions. A few of them even helped NASA photograph last year’s total solar eclipse. To better reflect this, the department will now be known as the Department of Earth Sciences.
  • UB alum maps minerals for USGS
    2/6/25
    Bernard Hubbard, PhD '01, didn’t set out to map minerals. As a geology PhD student at UB, he used satellite and airborne instruments to study volcanoes from above. Later, as a research geologist with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), he began using this same remote-sensing technology to find mineral deposits, which can contain the critical elements desperately needed for electronics, defense and renewable energy.
Read More News
EPOCH Newsletter

Our newsletters feature stories of our faculty, students and alumni doing great things at UB and beyond.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Our department plan to create an inclusive, accessible, and safe environment for everyone

Center for Geological and Climate Hazards

The Center for Geological and Climate Hazards supports research and training that improves our understanding and mitigates the consequences of natural hazards. 

Future Students

Faculty member and student with equipment.

We offer a cutting-edge curriculum designed to train the next generation of earth and environmental scientists. 

FIELD CAMP

Earth Science is all around us. Join the department for a once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring hidden gems of the Western U.S. 

Alumni Profiles

Our featured alumni for 2020 are Jessica Ball and Martin Derby.  Both work on natural hazards, and speak to their experience at UB in our Alumni Profiles page.