R/V Vema 1953-1981The Vema collected much of the bathymetry and paleomagnetic data that was pivotal to the early proof of seafloor spreading.

Our MissionLamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University seeks fundamental knowledge about the origin, evolution and future of the natural world. We study the Earth from its deepest interior to the outer reaches of its atmosphere, on every continent and in every ocean, providing a rational basis for the difficult choices facing humanity.

Our HistorySince its founding in 1949, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has been a leader in the Earth Sciences. Its scientists were the first to map the seafloor and develop a model that could predict an El Nino weather event, the first to provide concrete proof for the theory of plate tectonics and to reveal the oceans’ role in triggering abrupt climate change. With each year, our understanding of Earth improves. Yet, new discoveries await us. It is that next insight on the horizon that keeps our researchers excited to learn more about how and why Earth changes as it does. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is a core component of the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

R/V Vema 1953-1981The Vema collected much of the bathymetry and paleomagnetic data that was pivotal to the early proof of seafloor spreading.

Our MissionLamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University seeks fundamental knowledge about the origin, evolution and future of the natural world. We study the Earth from its deepest interior to the outer reaches of its atmosphere, on every continent and in every ocean, providing a rational basis for the difficult choices facing humanity.

Our HistorySince its founding in 1949, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has been a leader in the Earth Sciences. Its scientists were the first to map the seafloor and develop a model that could predict an El Nino weather event, the first to provide concrete proof for the theory of plate tectonics and to reveal the oceans’ role in triggering abrupt climate change. With each year, our understanding of Earth improves. Yet, new discoveries await us. It is that next insight on the horizon that keeps our researchers excited to learn more about how and why Earth changes as it does. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is a core component of the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

Our ResearchAtmospheric Science

Our atmospheric scientists and faculty study weather and climate, including tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical cyclones, severe storms, the role of the atmosphere in climate change, and how these impact Earth and society at large. We look at fundamental processes of the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans and biosphere, with timescales ranging from hours to millennia. We study tropical convection and dynamics, air quality and contaminant transport, storm tracks, jet streams, and coupling between radiative, chemical and dynamical processes.

Biogeosciences

How living organisms evolve affects the ecological, physical and chemical composition of the biosphere and the geosphere. Our biogeoscientists study the interaction of biological processes with geological and geochemical ones. We study biodiversity and ecosystems, ecological responses to climate change, biogeochemical cycling and storage of nutrients and carbon, plant physiology and bio optics (aquatic and terrestrial) to better understand climate and Earth’s history. We work in ecology, biological oceanography, evolutionary biology, biogeochemistry, and paleobiology.

Dendrochronology

Tree rings shed light on the age of the tree and the local climatic conditions experienced in its lifetime. Our scientists and faculty study tree rings to learn about past climate and environmental history, and then piece together this information to study the Earth’s history and explore anthropogenic vs. natural climate change.

Core Repository

The Lamont-Doherty Core Repository contains one of the most unique and important collections of deep sea sediment cores in the world, taken from every major ocean and sea. Contents such as ash, dust, pollen and microbes in the cores provide valuable insights into past climate and environmental conditions going back millions of years.

Radiocarbon Dating

Our scientists and faculty use radiocarbon dating to determine the age of organic matter based on its carbon content. Plants take in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis; animals eat plants and get eaten by other animals; and in this way carbon follows the food chain, building up inside plants and animals over the course of their life. Radiocarbon dating helps us shed light on living organisms from thousands of years ago.

Geology / Paleontology

What caused the Arizona Wave? How are granite and quartz different from basalt and obsidian? Geologists and paleontologists at Lamont explore processes recorded in the rock record, including sedimentary, structural, igneous, marine, planetary and glacial geology; paleontology and geobiology. Areas of research include faulting and crustal deformation within the lithosphere and along tectonic plate boundaries, subduction zone processes, arc magmatism, glacial and landslide geomorphology, the structure and evolution of deeply exhumed rocks, and the evolution of life.

Geophysics

Our geophysicists study the broad range of physical processes affecting the solid Earth, from the core, mantle and crust to the cryosphere. We focus on understanding plate-tectonic processes in marine and terrestrial settings, determining the structure of the Earth’s interior, and understanding earthquake and volcano dynamics. We study mechanisms for ice, magma and sediment transport and for the exchange of mass between the solid Earth and its fluid envelope. We are also concerned with the study of natural hazards and associated risks, hydrocarbon exploration and extraction, and explosion and earthquake monitoring for the verification of nuclear test ban treaties.

Geochemistry

What makes diamonds so hard? How does arsenic enter drinking water? And why do things float so easily on the Dead Sea? Our geochemists ask some of these questions as they study the Earth’s chemical composition, physical structure, processes and interactions. This includes the study of chemicals in minerals and rocks, and their interactions with the geochemical environment (air, soil, water), the Earth’s interior, and human health.

Oceanography

More than two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans yet they remain largely inaccessible. How do polar ice sheets impact sea level rise? Why are there mountains under the ocean, and what does the world ocean floor look like? How do changes in ocean circulation impact terrestrial environments? These are some questions our oceanographers ask. Our geological oceanographers study the ocean floor and its mountains and canyons, shedding light on millions of years of ocean history; our chemical oceanographers study the composition of seawater and its interactions with the sea floor and the atmosphere; our biological oceanographers study ocean life and marine organisms.

Marine Operations

In the deepest, darkest interiors of the ocean, where even sunlight cannot penetrate, our Research Vessel Marcus G. Langseth, a national seismic research facility, employs a sophisticated seismic system utilizing sound waves to create maps and images of the Earth’s structure miles below the seafloor. Scientists from all over the world participate in research programs aboard the R/V Langseth, which is a designated National Facility, highlighting its key role in serving a broad community by providing a unique capability to image beneath the oceans.

Seismology and Tectonophysics

Why do volcanoes erupt? Why do earthquakes occur? How can we predict these things to help society? These are some of the questions that our seismologists ask. They study natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and landslides. Lamont is at the forefront of seismology, solid Earth dynamics, rock mechanics, structural geology and tectonics, and sedimentary geology, and is making significant contributions to the study of earthquakes, the structure of the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core, and the large-scale motions and deformation of the tectonic plates. Our scientists and faculty also serve the nation and the world by pursuing applied research and providing advice to national and international organizations in the critical area of reducing society's vulnerability to natural hazards.

Geodynamics

Our Geodynamics research is focused on understanding the forces and dynamic processes and phenomena that drive deformation and tectonism in the solid Earth, and the role that rock rheology, physical state (solid or partially molten), and composition play in controlling such deformation.

Ocean Bottom Seismology

Our Ocean Bottom Seismology (OBS) Laboratory develops and operates cutting-edge instrumentation for measuring deformation of the ocean floor in a variety of experimental settings. These complex instruments must be able to drop to the seafloor, record earthquakes for a year and then return to the surface on command. The recorded data is used to study structures and surfaces deep within the Earth’s crust and mantle, including seafloor earthquakes and faulting, Earth’s hotspots (e.g. Hawaii and Iceland) and the supply of magma to form oceanic ridges.

Our Educational Programs

The Earth Institute at Columbia University offers a rich selection of educational programs in environmental and sustainability fields. These include full-time, part-time, and professional certifications. Some of these are listed below:

Graduate Studies

• Ph.D. in Earth & Environmental Sciences• Ph.D. in Sustainable Development• Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology• M.S. in Sustainability Science • M.S. in Sustainability Management• M.A. in Climate and Society• M.P.A. in Environmental Science, Policy and Management

Undergraduate Studies

Programs in areas related to Earth and the environment:• Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers majors and

concentrations in Earth and Environmental Science. • Dept. of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology offers a

major and concentration in Environmental Biology.• Dept. of Earth and Environmental Engineering offers a major in

Earth and Environmental Engineering.• Barnard College offers majors and minors in Environmental

Science, Environmental Biology, and Environmental Policy.

Summer Intern Programs

• Lamont Summer Intern Program• Earth Intern Program• Secondary School Field Research Program

For more information on our educational programs visit:https://www.earth.columbia.edu/educationwww.ldeo.columbia.edu/educationwww.eesc.columbia.edu

Careers in the Earth Sciences

Jobs: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a 10% increase in geosciences jobs from 2014 to 2024. In recent years, the improved employment prospects for geoscientists has spurred enrollment in geoscience degrees. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management is expected to spur demand for geoscientists in the future. These jobs include education; state, local and federal government; management; professional, scientific and technical services; oil and gas extraction; mining; and other support services*.

Preparation: Most careers in the Earth Sciences require a graduate degree in the Earth Sciences or a related field such as physics or chemistry or biology.

Funding: Other than loans, there are various ways to finance your geosciences education, such as scholarships, research grants, need-based grants, academic awards, and teaching & research assistantships. Visit www.eesc.Columbia.edu or AGI (see below) for more information.

Salaries: At Lamont, we offer competitive salaries, with the starting annual salary for a postdoctoral scientist at $66,000. Nationwide, salaries for geoscience occupations have increased 3% since 2012, and geoscience occupations have median salaries above the overall median salary in the US for all occupations*. A full list of geoscience salaries can be found in the AGI Status of the Geoscience Workforce 2016 report, which uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and AGI Status of the Geoscience Workforce 2016.

Notes

Photo Credits: LDEO Staff

Contact:Office of Academic Affairs & Diversity

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, LDEO DirectorateThe Earth Institute at Columbia University

https://diversity.ldeo.columbia.edu