Celebrating ESS Class of 2025

Join us in celebrating the UW ESS Class of 2025 at our Graduation Celebration this Friday, June 13. View the program and details.

Learn about the Class of 2025

News out of ESS

ESS Research Scientist Scott Henderson awarded College of the Environment 2025 Distinguished Staff Award

ESS Research Scientist Scott Henderson was recognized this spring with the College of the Environment Distinguished Staff Member award. This award honors staff members for their outstanding achievements, service, leadership and dedication.

ESS introduces new alumni honors at the 2025 Awards Celebration

This year, we are excited to introduce two new awards that acknowledge some of our excellent graduates: the Emerging Leader Award and the ESS Distinguished Graduate Award. Award recipients include Dr. Annie Bauer, Dr. Wes Ward, Dr. William Dietrich, and Dr. Cathy Whitlock.

Innovation, impact and community: highlights from the 2025 ESS 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.

UW ESS 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.

UW ESS in the Media

Who is watching for earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis? Trump is cutting the guardians at the gate, CNN // ESS Professor and PNSN Director Harold Tobin emphasizes the critical importance of sustained funding for seismic monitoring systems to ensure timely and effective responses to natural disasters.

1980 Mount St. Helens eruption considered ‘game changer’ for volcanic observation, KING 5 // PNSN Director Harold Tobin describes how the Mount St. Helens eruption transformed volcanic monitoring, expanding the region’s seismic network from 12 seismometers 45 years ago, to more than 700 instruments today.

Experts warn that PNW earthquake would change ground level, Tacoma News Tribune // A new study suggests a major PNW earthquake could make the ground sink up to six feet. PNSN Director Harold Tobin is quoted.

Modern farming has carved away earth faster than during the ice age, Science // A Minnesota study adds to the growing evidence of human-accelerated erosion, which could jeopardize agriculture. ESS Professor David Montgomery is quoted.

Chemical hints on a distant planet offer ‘strongest evidence yet’ for life outside our solar system, astronomers say, Smithsonian Magazine // ESS Assistant Professor and astrobiologist Joshua Krissansen-Totton is quoted.

ESS Supporters Help Keep Science Strong! 

Thank you to everyone who supported our recent Creating Opportunities in Geoscience fundraising initiative. We’re grateful to our generous donors who provided a match, bringing our total raised to $24,100! We’ve had another group of dedicated supporters step up to offer an additional match — please click the button below to learn more. All gifts up to $6,500 will be matched.
Learn more about the fund and the opportunities it supports

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