Chemical hints on a distant planet offer ‘strongest evidence yet’ for life outside our solar system, astronomers say
ESS Assistant Professor and astrobiologist Joshua Krissansen-Totton is quoted.
Read more on Smithsonian magazineFrom sustainable energy and climate change, to earthquakes, volcanoes, rivers and glaciers, from the origin of life on Earth to the potential for life on other planets, we lead in educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
AboutEducationAlumni & CommunityThe Department of Earth and Space Sciences offers an expansive educational experience. We provide a rigorous interdisciplinary program in which students develop an understanding of the fundamentals of Earth, space, and planetary sciences, and learn relevant skills for a variety of careers.
The Earth and space sciences — geology, geophysics, geobiology and geochemistry — play a critical and unique role in the advancement of knowledge, improvement of the quality of life, and in understanding humanity’s place in the universe. Research in Earth and space sciences draws on methods and theory from chemistry, physics, biology and computational sciences.
Faculty in our department are concerned both with fundamental research and with the dissemination of Earth-science knowledge in the service of society.
Limited resources, geologic hazards, and related environmental change are among the most serious challenges we face. We use our expertise to provide the training and education required to address these challenges, and we are engaged in serious efforts to include a more diverse community of scientists, students and stakeholders than in the past.
ESS Assistant Professor and astrobiologist Joshua Krissansen-Totton is quoted.
Read more on Smithsonian magazineFrom volcanic hazards to planetary science, the 2025 Earth & Space Sciences Research Gala celebrated the innovative work and inspiring stories of UW ESS students.
Read moreESS professor Harold Tobin was selected as one of six distinguished lecturers for the Ocean Discovery Lecture Series during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Read more