Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences | Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering

An aerial view shows a volcanic crater with white steam or smoke rising from the center. The scene emphasizes large-scale Earth processes and volcanic landscapes. A view from above shows a large structure with long rectangular panels moving over a tan or desert-like landscape. The exact object is not fully clear in the recording, but the scene appears to show remote or large-scale observational technology. A wide aerial landscape shows rocky terrain, water, and distant ice or snow. The scene highlights Earth science field settings in a remote natural environment. A person kneels in tall grass beside an open outdoor instrument box or monitoring station. The person appears to inspect or adjust equipment used for field measurements. Two students work at a microscope in a laboratory. One person looks into the eyepiece while another watches closely from behind. An aerial view shows dark ground with a bright orange strip of lava or fire cutting across the landscape. The scene focuses on active geologic activity. A snowy urban landscape is shown from above, shifting the focus from natural environments to large-scale observation of the built environment. A person wearing a hard hat and reflective safety gear stands at a workstation facing multiple computer monitors. The scene shows technical monitoring in an industrial or operational setting. A color-coded map of the northeastern United States appears on screen with state outlines and a vertical color scale. The scene emphasizes geographic or atmospheric data visualization. Students in lab coats work at a laboratory bench, with one student handling equipment while another looks on. The scene shows hands-on lab work and collaboration. A snowy outdoor field site shows a yellow tent, a red tracked vehicle, and other equipment. The scene suggests research in a cold or remote environment. A grassy outdoor site contains installed instruments in the foreground with a wooded hillside behind. The scene appears to show environmental monitoring equipment in the field. Wind turbines stand across an open landscape in low sunlight. The final scene emphasizes energy systems in a large outdoor environment.

Understanding the Past and Present to Guide the Future

To improve the quality of life for everyone on this planet, we must first understand the complexities of our natural systems and the impact of human behavior on the natural balance. The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell embraces this mission through exceptional teaching, world-class research, and committed service and outreach.

Our Programs

News Highlights

Study casts doubt on carbon-removal method

A study led by Cornell researchers suggests the real-world potential of “enhanced weathering” — spreading crushed basalt on farmland as a way to removed CO2 — may be far smaller than widely cited estimates.
Reading the story written in the landscape

Growing up in a small village in central China, Tingan Li spent much of his childhood outdoors. The mountainous landscape surrounding his home was both a refuge and a classroom, shaping a lifelong curiosity. Today, that curiosity has brought Li to Cornell as an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
Engineered microbe speeds CO2 capture, recovers critical metals

A genetically engineered bacterium can rapidly break down one of Earth’s most abundant minerals, opening a promising new pathway for removing CO2 from the atmosphere and recovering critical elements, according to new Cornell research.
Study clarifies how atmospheric dust shapes climate

New research from a team of scientists led by Cornell is transforming how researchers understand one of the atmosphere’s most abundant and least understood constituents: mineral dust.

Seminars

EAS Seminar Series: Wednesdays, 3:35-4:25 in Snee Hall, Room 2146
Atmospheric and Climate Seminar Series: Fridays, 2:30-3:20 in Snee Hall, Room 2146
Earth Science Seminar Series: Fridays, 3:35-4:25 in Snee Hall, Room 2152

Fall 2026 Earth and Atmospheric Science Seminar Series

Date	Topic	Speaker
August 26, 2026	Departmental	Department Welcome Event
September 2, 2026	Departmental	Faculty Lightning Talks
September 9, 2026	AS/GS	Engaged Earth and Climate Observatory (EECO)
September 16, 2026	AS/GS	Peter Washam
September 23, 2026	GS	Nicolas Roberts
September 30, 2026	AS	Patrick Webb
October 7, 2026	AS/GS	Nikole Lewis
October 14, 2026	GS	Matej Pec
October 21, 2026	GS	Bob Hawley
October 28, 2026	GS	Tolulope Olugboji
Novmber 4, 2026	To Be Determined	To Be Determined
November 11, 2026	AS	Fangqun Yu
November 18, 2026	AS	David-Kirk Davidoff
November 25, 2026	Thanksgiving	Thanksgiving
December 2, 2026	AS	Jonah-Bloch Johnson
December 9, 2026	American Geophysical Union	San Francisco

AS = Atmospheric Science GS = Geological Science

Alumni Profiles

Finding creative solutions and protecting the environment – Jonathan Kimchi ’10

Eighteen years ago, Jonathan Kimchi ’10 was a first-year Cornell student who knew he wanted to make an impact on the environment by combining his passions for water resources and engineering. These days, he is realizing that goal as…
A visceral sense of the land – Peter Flemings Ph.D. ’90

In the more than 30 years since Peter Flemings Ph.D. ’90 left Cornell with his Geology doctorate in hand, he has been engaged in research at some of the nation’s premier academic institutions, including the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, MIT,…
Alum is using data to improve mining practices – Hannah Lang ’18

Hannah Lang ’18 has never been a rock collector and would definitely not refer to herself as a “rock nerd,” (though some of her good friends are). Yet, she graduated from Cornell with a B.A. in the science of…
This Cornell alum is living the ‘weather nerd’ dream — Nicole Collins ’25

Atmospheric Science alumna Nicole Collins ’25 has gone from fearing thunderstorms to predicting them as a broadcast meteorologist for WSPA in Greenville, South Carolina.