Research / Research AreasEarth Sciences
Research topics in this area center primarily around the analysis of mathematical models of components of the Earth system, under different conditions in Earth's past as well as projections for its future. Examples include modeling the formation of river networks and investigations of Arctic sea ice retreat under conditions of increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Geosciences
By constructing simplified mathematical models, we hope to clarify our understanding of what drives the behavior of complex geophysical systems.
For example, what causes some rivers to form meandering, sinuous shapes, while others branch repeatedly? Why does the roughness of surface topography vary in different areas, and how does erosion affect it? What has caused ice ages to recur at fairly regular intervals over the past several million years?