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Department of Earth Sciences

Providing education, research, and knowledge to help shape a sustainable future for Earth and its inhabitants.
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About the Department of Earth Sciences

We are living through a time of unprecedented change on Earth. Scientific understanding of geological hazards, sustainability, infrastructure, climate change, energy, and natural resources has never been so important, and Earth Sciences sit at the heart of the debate.

We aspire to help shape the future by providing the highest quality education for our students and by undertaking research that is both intrinsically excellent and relevant to society. 

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25th in the Times Higher Education International Universities Rankings
World Top 100 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
Joint 7th in the UK for world-leading research impact (REF 2014)
4th The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020

Study with us

  • Undergraduate study

    We place research-led teaching at the centre of our undergraduate programme because we want our undergraduates to be at the forefront of knowledge generation in the 21st century.

    Man reading while overlooking sea

  • Postgraduate study

    We aspire to help shape and improve the future by training the next generation of Earth Scientists through provision of high-quality postgraduate training and research opportunities. 

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Undergraduate study

We place research-led teaching at the centre of our undergraduate programme because we want our undergraduates to be at the forefront of knowledge generation in the 21st century.

Man reading while overlooking sea

Postgraduate study

We aspire to help shape and improve the future by training the next generation of Earth Scientists through provision of high-quality postgraduate training and research opportunities. 

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Our research

This is how we make an impact on the world around us.

We are a vibrant and collaborative community of 50 academic and postdoctoral staff, and 70 postgraduate research students (PhD and MScR). We conduct and disseminate rigorous research that deepens our understanding of the Earth and environment, and that transforms and enhances practices and outcomes in academia, in industry, and amongst practitioners.

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Diversity initiatives

Our values are an integral part of our identity and form the basis of almost everything we do.

Earth Sciences aims to support equality, diversity and inclusion across the department, encompassing all aspects of inequality. We consider inclusiveness to be fundamental to a supportive, progressive and successful Department. We aim for the Department to be a pleasant and supportive work and study environment for all, respecting the dignity of staff and students, regardless of their gender, gender identity, race, or disability.
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What's new?

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Mine water geothermal heat project funded

The department of Earth Sciences is the lead on the large, interdisciplinary research project entitled “The Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar-Geothermal heat (GEMS)”, which will explore the geological, engineering, social, and economical aspects of extracting geothermal heat from water in abandoned coal mines.

Global Durham
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Taught postgraduate courses (MSc degrees)

The Department is now offering and participates in 2 taught postgraduate degree programmes:
Student news
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New opportunity to study climate science

We are excited to announce the launch of our new 3 year Climate Science degree course!
Student news
New Climate Science Course at Durham Earth Sciences
More news items

Mine water geothermal heat project funded

The department of Earth Sciences is the lead on the large, interdisciplinary research project entitled “The Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar-Geothermal heat (GEMS)”, which will explore the geological, engineering, social, and economical aspects of extracting geothermal heat from water in abandoned coal mines.

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Jeroen van Hunen EGU Geodynamics Division President

Jeroen van Hunen has been elected as President for the Geodynamics division of the European Geoscience Union Geodynamics.
Jeroen van Hunen EGU GD President

Jon Gluyas becomes President of Global Geothermal Energy Advancement Association

Professor Jon Gluyas (Director of Durham Energy Institute) is leading a new initiative bringing Industry and Academia together to advance the role of geothermal energy in the energy transition: the newly formed Geothermal Energy Advancement Association (GEAA).
Portrait image of Jon Gluyas

Coseismic fault lubrication by viscous deformation

New Nature Geoscience paper by our team in the Rock Mechanics Laboratory, including Giacomo Pozzi, Nicola De Paola, Stefan Nielsen, Bob Holdsworth and Telemaco Tesei, shows that viscous deformation is a potentially prevalent mechanism of fault lubrication during earthquakes.

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Overriding water table control on managed peatland greenhouse gas emissions

New Nature paper by a team including Fred Worrall, shows the dominant importance of controlling the water table in developing CO2 sinks on peatlands. 
Nature paper on peatland

Jenny Jenkins Monitors Recent Iceland Volcanic Eruption

Jenny Jenkins one of new Assistant Professors sent several days in Iceland working with her husband collecting seismic data about the recent Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption.

Taught postgraduate courses (MSc degrees)

The Department is now offering and participates in 2 taught postgraduate degree programmes:

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New opportunity to study climate science

We are excited to announce the launch of our new 3 year Climate Science degree course!
New Climate Science Course at Durham Earth Sciences

Stephen Mills Scholarships

Two scholarships available for UK students to undertake MSc by research projects in Durham Earth Sciences.
Durham Cathedral
I selected Durham University because it has a high world ranking, and I enjoy the small, quiet atmosphere of the city. The staff, students, and facilities in the Earth Sciences department are of the highest quality.
Jaafar H. Jotheri
PhD in Palaeoclimate - from Babylon, Iraq

Get in touch

Contact us to find out more about the exciting things our students do, research breakthroughs, and life at the cutting edge of Earth Science.

  • General enquiries
  • Follow us on Twitter

    • Earth Sciences,
    Arthur Holmes Building,
    Science Site,
    South Road,
    Durham. DH1 3LE

    Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2300
    Fax: +44 (0)191 334 2301

    Questions about studying here?

    Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

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