Read the latest news about research conducted by investigators in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Our faculty and students are continually advancing technology, creating solutions and expanding knowledge with new and innovative research.
Fossil fuel emissions impact Arctic snow chemistry, scientists find
09/10/2019
09/10/2019
Perennial sea ice is rapidly melting in the Arctic, clearing the way for new shipping routes and fossil fuel extraction. This increased activity could have unexpected impacts on the natural chemistry of the polar region, according to researchers.
Researchers unearth cost-effective method for finding shale gas
09/03/2019
09/03/2019
A new method for exploring natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, developed by Penn State researchers, shows potential high yield areas can be found more easily and with lower costs.
Researchers identify five factors for better coastal risk-management strategies
08/30/2019
08/30/2019
A team of Penn State researchers has identified five factors that can better characterize risk management options to protect coastal populations from rising sea levels and storm surges.
Researchers develop affordable, less-intensive methane detection protocol
08/26/2019
08/26/2019
A new testing protocol that uses existing, affordable water chemistry tests can help scientists and regulators detect sites showing evidence of new methane gas leaks caused by oil and gas drilling, according to Penn State researchers.
Focusing computational power for more accurate, efficient weather forecasts
08/22/2019
08/22/2019
Penn State researchers are using artificial intelligence to pinpoint swift-changing weather areas to help meteorologists produce more accurate weather forecasts without wasting valuable computational power.
Mathematical geosciences conference focuses on food, energy, water nexus
08/22/2019
08/22/2019
More than 175 researchers, students and industry professionals from companies and universities around the world gathered at Penn State's University Park campus Aug. 10-15 for the 20th Annual Conference of the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences.
Shift to more intense rains threatens historic Italian winery
08/21/2019
08/21/2019
Wine lovers may appreciate a dry white, but a lack of steady rainfall brought on by a changing climate is threatening a centuries old winemaking tradition in Italy, according to an international team of scientists.
Geosciences professor seeks to help communities better respond to climate risks
08/21/2019
08/21/2019
Worldwide climate change is intensifying natural disasters and leading to record-high costs in damages, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Penn State Professor of Geosciences Klaus Keller's research group seeks to bring together scientific research and communities to develop effective and affordable solutions.
Data assimilation method offers improved hurricane forecasting
08/15/2019
08/15/2019
A new approach developed at Penn State's Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability Techniques can more accuraetely forecast the intensity and trajectory of Hurricane Harvey, according to researchers at Penn State and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
Forest carbon still plentiful post-wildfire after century of fire exclusion
08/13/2019
08/13/2019
Forests in Yosemite National Park hold more carbon today than they did 120 years ago despite burning in a severe wildfire in 2013, according to a Penn State-led team of researchers.