Welcome to Geosciences at Virginia Tech! In this department, we are connected by a profound curiosity for the Earth and other planets, from the mysteries of deep time to the processes that control modern systems. We are an inclusive, friendly community that is committed to making fundamental discoveries and having an impact on the world around us through informed solutions to global challenges of the 21st Century. This desire for impact is most strongly embedded in our core mission of training future geoscientists so that they too can make a difference in the world.

What makes Geosciences at Virginia Tech unique is how the elements of our core mission are intertwined. Our approach to education is highly experiential. Undergraduate students work closely with faculty and are engaged in interdisciplinary research and a range of experiential opportunities, including a celebrated study abroad program. Graduate students are valued as colleagues and learn creatively by leading the way in cutting-edge research. Our educational programs are also adaptable, founded upon a dynamic curriculum that retains fundamental strengths while adjusting to modern directions and societal needs. Together, the faculty and students are also committed to sharing our understanding of the Earth with the public through outreach and engagement.

What impresses me the most about this department is our people. Our energetic faculty (39 total, 29 tenure-track) are top international scholars, including multiple fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, AAAS, AGU, and GSA, and recipients of top awards and medals in their field. They form clusters of research strengths that are ranked in the top-ten of their field and span areas of historical excellence and new fields focused on solving today’s global challenges. Our students are highly motivated and share great enthusiasm for learning about the Earth. They form the core of an engaged and welcoming community that builds lasting relationships. They graduate equipped as the next generation of geoscientists that are among the nation’s best. Finally, our alumni are dedicated and supportive, generously sharing their expertise and remaining engaged with the department as a rigorous and inexhaustible Hokie network.

Here are a few highlights of our interdisciplinary, globe-spanning research:
· A celebrated geochemistry and materials characterization program with leading expertise in nanoscience, fluids, biomineralization, petrology, and crystallography.
· A world-class paleobiology program that is a destination area for studies of early life, mass extinction, and the phylogenetics, biogeography, and ecology of major clades.
· An innovative team of scientists tracking terrestrial deformation and behavior of components in the hydrologic cycle using observations from both the Earth and space.
· A visionary partnership with industry to solve challenges in carbon management.
· Cutting-edge geophysical imaging and dynamic modeling of planetary interiors, from the core-mantle boundary to the near-surface critical zone.
· Advanced hazard characterization, including geodesy, geophysical imaging, and geology of volcanic eruption, earthquake rupture, tsunami, sea level change, glacial retreat, and mine safety.
· A robust basin analysis program that investigates global biogeochemical cycles, source-to-sink problems, reservoir architecture, and the physics of sediment transport.
· Interdisciplinary investigation of surface processes, including physical and chemical hydrogeology, water resources, landform analysis, and critical zone science.
· Internationally recognized research in the structural, thermal, and erosional evolution of orogenic belts.
· Advanced experimental science ranging from simulation of mineral phases in the Earth and the interiors of other planets to the physics of earthquakes.

Here are a few highlights of our innovative teaching and outreach programs:
· A rigorous B.S. in geoscience with six focus options for technical specialization.
· Individual-focused student advising, with success strategies that integrate proactive, developmental, and career-focused approaches to support students.
· An undergraduate semester-long study abroad program in Switzerland.
· Development of a new degree option in Earth Science and Society, focused on science policy, communication, and education.
· Adoption of a Bridge Experience Program for undergraduates, designed to enhance student career outcomes based on experiential learning opportunities.
· A weekly feature program, GEOS-Tuesday, designed to provide students with a range of career-oriented mentoring experiences.
· A Geosciences Museum that hosts thousands of visitors and K-12 visits each year, featuring outstanding collections (including a T-rex skull) and a 3D OmniGlobe.
· Immersive summer camps for students and teachers, field trips, school visits, and an array of other outreach activities.

Our dedicated faculty and staff and growing numbers of undergraduate and graduate students are excited for a bright future. The challenges on the horizon will lead to innovation, new partnerships, and solutions that make a difference. Please write to us if you’d like to learn more!

James A. Spotila, Professor and Head

Meet the Department Head