Dynamic Earth systems

We aim to understand fundamental Earth and planetary processes and their role in complex Earth systems.

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News

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Our work ranges from micron-scale geochemical analysis of seawater and extreme high pressure and temperature experiments of the deep Earth to planetary-scale geophysical processes of geomagnetic activity, climate dynamics and the composition and dynamics of exoplanet atmospheres.

Did you know?

We have quantified how climate change is affecting our planet, including influencing extreme events, the impact of regional aerosol emissions on monsoons, and changes in the tropospheric ozone. From our observations, we have predicted decreased lightening due to climate change and constrained future warming and precipitation change. We are also analysing ways in which our planet's rivers, hillslopes and basins are responding to environmental change and predicted its impacts on the nitrogen cycle.

We have used ice-penetrating radar to image an area the size of London beneath West Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier, discovering diverse subglacial landscapes that control ice flow. Using novel space-borne altimetric data, we have discovered ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea Sector melting strongly across narrow sectors that are a key constraint for ice shelf and ice sheet stability.

By comparing experimental and global seismological results, we demonstrated for the first time that oxygen is not a major impurity in the Earth's core.
We also developed the first 'Interrogation theory', which is a general method of evidence-based investigation to infer the dynamics of the Earth's subsurface, elicit expert information and guide autonomous planetary exploration.

We established for the first time that an ocean acidification event coincided with the biggest known mass extinction.
We also showed through statistical analysis of fossil records and CT imaging that dinosaurs went extinct abruptly and were quickly replaced by placental mammals evolving from small-brained precursors.

We recreated subsurface reservoir conditions for the first time to a depth of 2.5km. This was achieved through a combination of modelling expertise and our globally-unique experimental 'Geo-Resevoir' cell technology (known as the GREAT Cell').

We are improving our understanding and management of marine environments. For example, we have proved that climate forcing is linked to a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (the large system of ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics northwards into the North Atlantic) over the last 150 years.
Our involvement in the ATLAS project has transformed our understanding of North Atlantic deep-sea biodiversity, including over 12 new species.

Want to know more?

We've provided some useful links for you. To see the information, simply click on each heading below:

The climate crisis

Melting ice from a glacier breaks off and crashes into the ocean due to climate warming

We are one of the largest and most successful groups of researchers delivering crucial research on the science of climate change, its impacts and risks, and options for adaption and mitigation.

Many of our researchers are pioneers in their field, with their work underpinning some of the most important international policy decisions in history.

We are also among the world-leading researchers who have made crucial contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Find out how we play a vital role in climate research and action worldwide:

The climate crisis - what you need to know	Starkest warning yet - what our research and latest IPCC (AR6) report reveals
What are we doing about climate change? Our impact on IPCC	Our work on the IPCC (AR5) report - the foundation for the Paris Agreement

Explore our stories

As one of the world's leading universities, we play a vital role in tackling numerous complex global challenges.

On this website, you can find out how we are engaging with, and influencing the world for the better:

Transforming the energy industry We are leading the way towards developing and deploying carbon capture and underground storage (CCS) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Find out how we are helping to ensure that CCS technologies are applied not just in the UK but all over the world.	Transforming the energy industry
Earthquake Forecasting Earthquakes can be destructive and deadly. How can we better predict earthquakes to reduce risks and save lives? Our work on earthquake forecasting has led to multi-national developments in government, industry and community responses that continue to this day.	Earthquake Forecasting
Harnessing satellites We are conducting world-leading research with organisations such as the European Space Agency. Our satellite observations of ice-sheet and glacier melting have reduced uncertainties in estimating future global sea-level rise.	Harnessing satellites
Numerical modelling Numerical-modelling equations and strategies developed by our researchers have contributed to greatly reduced uncertainties in the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) programme for numerically modelling the future of the ice sheets.	Numerical modelling
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs Professor Steve Brusatte is considered one of the finest dinosaur experts of his generation. He's the scientific advisor for the upcoming 'Jurassic World Dominion' blockbuster and consulted for various programmes, including the BBC's 'Walking With Dinosaurs' Steve also published the international best-seller 'The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs'.	Discovering dinosaurs

University impact

You can also read related stories on the University Impact website:

Adjusting for humanity’s fingerprints Six years ago, Professors Gabi Hegerl and Simon Tett’s work to prove human-caused greenhouse gasses are warming our planet underpinned the 2015 Paris Agreement. Today they argue we still aren’t doing enough to adapt to climate change.	Adjusting for humanity's fingerprints
Going underground For decades removing harmful carbon from the atmosphere and storing it safely under the sea was a mere pipe dream. Edinburgh researchers are helping make it a reality.	Going underground
Signals from a drowning world Melting ice sheets and glaciers are a startling reminder of the rate of climate change. However, measuring ice loss was an inaccurate science... until Edinburgh experts helped change things.	Signals from a drowning world
Uncovering the mysteries of the deep The health of the world’s oceans might be high on the political agenda, but how do we maintain their wellbeing with so much still unknown about them? Edinburgh researchers have been instrumental in a major project that has shone a light into the depths of the Atlantic.	Uncovering the mysteries of the deep

Our researchers and research groups

Learn more about our ground-breaking work, our passions and discoveries.

Research groups

Atmospheric chemistry and climate of the Anthropocene Our researchers are investigating key processes and drivers in the atmosphere and climate system, and predicting present-day and future changes in climate, atmospheric composition and air quality.	Visit the research group
Crust to core We draw together expertise from across the geosciences and beyond to study Earth's formation and evolution. Our researchers explore how processes operating on all time and length scales interact to generate the key large-scale features of the Earth from deep time to the present.	Visit the research group
Cryosphere We investigate glaciers, ice sheets and snow cover across the world. Our researchers combine field, satellite remote sensing, geophysical, geochronological, and numerical modelling techniques to investigate how the cryosphere will be affected by predicted climate change and inform possible consequences on our society concerning the sea-level rise and water resources.	Visit the research group
Geobiology and geochemistry Our community of researchers investigate the fundamental connections between biological evolution, environmental change, and the chemistry of Earth’s air, water, minerals and rocks.	Visit the research group
Land surface dynamics Our researchers evaluate and model the climatic and tectonic forcing of landscapes transmitted through the action of rivers, glaciers and hillslope processes, and consider the anthropogenic responses to these changes.	Visit the research group
Oceans and past climate Our community of researchers are from a diverse range of backgrounds, working to understand the world's oceans and their role in modulating and driving global environmental variability and change.	Visit the research group

Our researchers

You can search for our researchers by research theme, institute or research group.

Our people

We’re standing at a new frontier of discovery, and if anything, our projections are telling us the future remains uncertain, and there are still a lot of questions to answer.

But what we do know is that the leaps we’ve made during the past decade have contributed to a much higher degree of public and political understanding about the possible futures we could have if we do nothing. If there were ever a moment to act, it is now.

Dr Noel GourmelenSchool of GeoSciences

This article was published on 5 Nov, 2021