1980 Mount St. Helens eruption considered ‘game changer’ for volcanic observation
Before the eruption of Mount St. Helens 45 years ago, Washington had about 12 seismometers. ESS Professor and PNSN Director Harold Tobin described the event as a pivotal moment that transformed volcanic monitoring, expanding the region's seismic network to over 700 instruments today.
Read more at King5Experts warn that PNW earthquake would change ground level
A new study suggests major PNW earthquake could make ground sink up to 6 feet. ESS Professor and PNSN Director Harold Tobin is quoted.
Read more at the Tacoma News Tribune
ESS hosts annual Open House
ESS welcomed visitors of all ages to its 2025 Annual Open House, with several students and faculty—including department chair David Schmidt—featured in a Daily UW article highlighting the event.
Read more on The DailyUWModern farming has carved away earth faster than during the ice age
Minnesota study adds to growing evidence of human-accelerated erosion, which could jeopardize agriculture. ESS Professor David Montgomery is quoted.
Read more at ScienceChemical 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 magazine
Innovation, impact and community: highlights from the 2025 Earth & Space Sciences Research Gala
From volcanic hazards to planetary science, the 2025 Earth & Space Sciences Research Gala celebrated the innovative work and inspiring stories of UW ESS students.
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ESS Professor Harold Tobin ‘Goes on Tour’ as Ocean Discovery Lecturer for 2024-2025 Academic Year
ESS professor Harold Tobin was selected as one of six distinguished lecturers for the Ocean Discovery Lecture Series during the 2024-2025 academic year.
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UW Earth and Space Sciences among top-ranked programs in the world, nation in recent rankings
Several UW College of the Environment programs, including disciplines in the Department of Earth & Space Sciences, placed highly in two recent rankings: QS World University Rankings by Subject and U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools.
Read moreDo small earthquakes mean a big quake might be coming in WA?
ESS Professor and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network Director Harold Tobin is interviewed.
Read more on Bellingham Herald
Unlocking the secrets of icy moons: how the 'cenotectic' could revolutionize the search for life beyond Earth
As NASA's Europa Clipper embarks on its 5.5-year journey to Europa, a new study in Nature Communications by University of Washington planetary scientist Baptiste Journaux reveals groundbreaking research that could revolutionize the search for habitability in our solar system and beyond.
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