There's only one Earth: We should know how it works
Geophysicists study Earth and planetary processes through laboratory experiments, computational and theoretical modeling, remote imaging, and direct observation. At Stanford, our teaching and research focus on understanding systems critical to the future of civilization. Students apply expertise to fundamental research sustaining life on Earth, combining underlying science with studies of Earth’s environment and resource needs. Such breadth of exposure is highly sought after and leads to careers in academia, industry, and government.
Degree programs
Graduate Admissions
The Department of Geophysics offers graduate education in a wide range of geophysical disciplines.
Undergraduate Programs
The mission of our undergraduate programs is to expose students to a broad spectrum of geophysics, including: resource exploration, environmental geophysics, seismology, and tectonics.
Graduate Programs
The objective of our graduate programs is to prepare students to be leaders in geophysics, academia, government, the private sector, non-profit and other organizations, through the completion of fundamental courses in their major field and related sciences, as well as through independent research.
Current Graduate Student Resources
MS, PhD Programs
Coterminal MS Program
Meet some of our community members
Beauty in motion
Cansu Culha, Ph.D. Student
Read about CansuExploring Earth's equations
Jenny Suckale, Assistant Professor
Read about JennyListening to the Earth
Greg Beroza, Professor
Read about GregToday's Earth science is data driven
The satellite and supercomputer are the tools of modern geoscientists whose work spans from climate change projections to earthquake simulations and energy resources optimization. Stanford Earth scientists are as likely to be in front of an electronic screen, analyzing torrents of remote-sensing data as they are to be drilling ice cores in Antarctica.
Geophysics research
Geophysics Events
Geophysics-related news
The technique helps us understand ice sheets right here on Earth -- and whether there could be life far, far beyond. (Source: Stanford Engineering)
Across Antarctica, some parts of the base of the ice sheet are frozen, while others are thawed. Scientists show that if some currently frozen areas were also to thaw, it could increase ice loss from glaciers that are not currently major sea-level contributors.
Stanford geophysicist Paul Segall discusses the Fagradalsfjall volcano currently erupting 20 miles southwest of Reykjavík, Iceland. (Source: Stanford News)
