OverviewResearch in geophysics at Georgia Tech covers studies from the inner core of the earth through planetary sciences. Our research includes theoretical analyses, numerical modeling, observational studies, and laboratory experiments. The research addresses issues of fundamental understanding of the dynamics of the solid earth system, and associated hazards from earthquakes, volcanism, and tsunamis. Geophysics research is inherently interdisciplinary and is conducted in collaboration with civil and environmental engineering, physics, geochemistry, geology, and microbiology. In recent years, external funding for the pure and applied research being conducted within the geophysics group has been provided by the National Science Foundation Earth Science and Ocean Science Divisions, the U.S. Dept. of Energy, USGS, NASA, NOAA, the Ocean Drilling Program, the Petroleum Research Fund, and state agencies.

Faculty & Research Interests

Dr. Joe Dufek• Melting and magma dynamics in the crust and

mantle and the geochemical consequences of these processes

• Dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions and the dynamics of particle laden gravity currents

• Microphysical process in multiphase flows• Planetary Processes

Dr. Christian Huber• Melt production, extraction and transport through

the crust.• Bubble dynamics and its effect on rheology, heat and

mass transport in magmas.• Porous media flows (single and multiphase), heat

and chemical transport in groundwater flows.• Diffusion timescales in crystals.

Dr. Andrew Newman• Active deformation and failure of the Earth's

lithosphere• Seismic, volcanic, and tsunami hazards• Seismology (fault structure and tsunami warning)• Geodesy (mostly GPS and InSAR)

Dr. Carol Paty• Computer simulations of planetary magnetospheres• Coupled interactions of Jupiter's magnetosphere with

that of the icy moon Ganymede• Ion-neutral interactions between Enceladus'

cryovolcanic plume and Saturn's magnetosphere• Mars' atmospheric evolution.

Dr. Zhigang Peng• High resolution imaging of fault zone structures• Earthquake triggering• Earthquake source properties• Slow earthquakes and non-volcanic tremor

Dr. James Wray• Planetary surface processes• Climate history and aqueous environments on Mars• Oceans in the outer solar system (e.g., Europa)• Spacecraft remote sensing

Research ScientistsDr. Jeremy Riousset

Dr. Domenico DoronzoDr. Chunquan Wu

Other EAS Research Areas• Atmospheric Chemistry, Aerosols &

Clouds• Paleoclimate• Planetary Science• Geochemistry• Dynamics of Weather and Climate• Oceanography and Climate• Remote Sensing

Chastity Aiken- Mary Benage- Chenxiao Du- Kevin Chao- Jaime Convers- Joe Estep- Chelsea Hopkins- Cindy Young- Ozge Karakas- Zach Lifton- Yan Luo- Josh Mendez- Xiaofeng Meng- Brendan Sullivan- Jennifer Telling -

Graduate Students

Affiliate FacultyDr. Hermann Fritz, Dr. Dominic Assimaki, Dr.

Leonid Germanovich, Dr. Karim Sabra

Application Requirements•B.S. or M.S. in any field of

geophysical, physical or environmental science•GPA: 3.0/4.0 & Higher•Graduate Record Exam (GRE)•TOEFL > 79 (International

Students)

Geophysics

Degree RequirementsM.S. Students•Course: 30 Credit Hours•Thesis or Non-Thesis

Ph.D. Students•EAS Course: 15 Credit Hours•Minor Course: 9 Credit Hours•Academic Breadth•Comprehensive Exam•Doctoral Examination

Application TargetJanuary 15

Admissions: Dr. Kim Cobbkim.cobb@eas.gatech.edu

Information: Kathy Plummerplummer@eas.gatech.edu

Application Materials•Application Form (Online)•Personal Statement•Recommendation Letters (3)•Official Transcripts (each school)•Test Scores (GRE and/or TOEFL)

EAS Opportunities•Research field missions•State-of-the-art laboratories•Local environmental monitoring•Broad range of computing

resources•Interdisciplinary seminar series

Financial Assistance•Graduate Assistantships (RA/TA)•Full Tuition Payment•National and Local Fellowships•Professional Conferences

School of Earth & Atmospheric Science

Related Courses (each student takes a subset based on specific interests)

•Earthquake Physics•Introduction to Seismology•Earth System Modeling•Modern Geodetic Methods•Structure and Continuum•Geodynamics•Geofluids•Introduction to Geophysics•Introduction to Space Physics

and Space Instrumentation•Rocks and Rheology•Landscape Evolution•Physical Hydrology•Physical Volcanology•Physics of Planets