Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences has a great diversity of programs and intersecting disciplines, with faculty and students studying in fields such as Tectonics, Geophysics, Atmospheric Dynamics and Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Climate Change, Severe Weather, Planetary Sciences, Astrobiology, Data Science, and many other areas. We are committed to strategic initiatives that explore the connections between the Earth’s interior and surface, climate and sustainability, planetary exploration and spacecraft missions, and the development of emerging fields of study.

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Travel through Vietnam's Son Doong, the surreal cave so large a 747 plane could fly through it

60 Minutes' Scott Pelley toured the cave in an episode that features Darryl Granger, Purdue Science's Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Purdue Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences professor.

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Travel through Vietnam's Son Doong, the surreal cave so large a 747 plane could fly through it

CBS 60 Minutes — Imagine discovering a marvel on par with Mount Everest or the Grand Canyon. It happened in 2009, with the revelation of the largest cave passage in the world. It's in Vietnam and they call it Hang Son Doong, "Mountain River Cave." 60 Minute's Scott Pelley toured the cave in an episode that features Darryl Granger, Purdue Science's Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Purdue Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences professor.

Purdue geologist Michael Eddy receives national early career award for Earth history research

Michael P. Eddy, an associate professor in Purdue University's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, has received the 2026 Early Geological Career Award from the Geological Society of America's Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology and Volcanology Division. The award recognizes scientists near the beginning of their careers who have made distinguished, multidisciplinary and field-based contributions to geology.

NASA Aims to Launch the World’s First Planet-Hopping Spacecraft Powered by Nuclear Fission

Smithsonian Magazine — On March 24, NASA announced that it wants to send a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars by the end of 2028. If successful, it would be the first probe to use nuclear propulsion to travel beyond Earth’s orbit. EAPS's Briony Horgan was quoted in the article.

Steps to Leaps Awards Recipient - Ayobami Oladapo

Ayobami Oladapo, a PhD student in EAPS, was honored as the 2026 Steps to Leaps Student of the Year. The honor is bestowed upon a student who has shown a passion for growth within the Steps to Leaps pillar areas and/or contributes toward the education of peers within those pillars.