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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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7th in the Guardian University Guide 2024
Joint 7th in the UK for world-leading research impact (REF 2014)
8th The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
World Top 100 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

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. 

    Woman sat on rocks

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. 

Woman sat on rocks

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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Diverse team of people all with speech bubbles

What's new?

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Professor Claire Horwell sheds light on volcanic health dangers

An international team of volcanologists, including Professor Claire Horwell from our Earth Sciences Department, has published a major review that addresses 18 of the most common misconceptions about volcanoes and eruptions.

Research news
Volcano explosion

Confused about carbon capture? Experts explain why we need different types

Co-authored by Durham’s Professor Jon Gluyas, a leading expert in geoenergy and carbon capture and storage, this article explores the often-confusing landscape of carbon capture technologies and explains why different approaches are needed to tackle climate change.
Research news
Fossil fuel power stations showing smoke coming out of the chimneys.

Spotlight on: Professor Jon Gluyas - pioneering geoenergy solutions for a sustainable future

This instalment of our ‘Spotlight on’ series focuses on Professor Jon Gluyas - a leading geoscientist who has spent his career addressing some of society's most pressing energy challenges.
Global research
Professor Jon Gluyas looking straight to camera in front of a dark background

Durham researcher helps explain secrets of the Great Glen Fault

Scientists from the British Geological Survey (BGS) working with Professor Bob Holdsworth from our Earth Sciences Department have been given access to cores drilled through the Great Glen Fault, the UK’s largest fault zone.
Research news
Loch Lochy

Seaweed study prompts water quality investigation

Research from our Department of Earth Sciences has identified the potential source of nitrogen pollution affecting a popular bathing area.
Research news
A river with rocks covered in green seaweed

UK must increase water availability to meet decarbonisation goals

The UK must significantly increase water availability to meet its decarbonisation goals, according to new research led by our Department of Engineering and involving our Department of Earth Sciences.
Research news
The Humber Suspension Bridge spans over the River Humber.

A volcano or a meteorite? New evidence sheds light on puzzling discovery in Greenland’s ice sheet

New evidence from Greenland's ice sheet challenges previous theories about a mysterious impact site. Professor James Baldini from our Earth Sciences Department now suggesting it could be the result of a volcanic eruption rather than a meteorite strike.
Research news
Volcanic eruption
More news items

Empty North Sea oil fields could store enough green hydrogen to power the country for seven years

The UK could store enough green hydrogen in depleted North Sea oil and gas fields to meet the country’s future electricity demands for seven years. The researchers behind this discovery, Professor Stuart Jones, Professor Chris Groves, and Associate Professor in Practice Dr Andrew Crossland, tell us how using the depleted fields for hydrogen storage could take conventional gas power stations off the grid altogether by 2040.

A photograph of an oil and gas rig in the North Sea, against a blue and yellow sky at dusk.

Durham professor honoured with Lapworth Medal for outstanding contributions to palaeontology

David Harper, Emeritus Professor of Palaeontology and former Principal of Van Mildert College, has been awarded the 2025 Lapworth Medal. This is the Palaeontological Association’s highest honour.
David Harper is pictured against a brick wall carrying the Lapworth Medal

Spotlight on: Professor Jon Gluyas - pioneering geoenergy solutions for a sustainable future

This instalment of our ‘Spotlight on’ series focuses on Professor Jon Gluyas - a leading geoscientist who has spent his career addressing some of society's most pressing energy challenges.
Professor Jon Gluyas looking straight to camera in front of a dark background

Professor Claire Horwell sheds light on volcanic health dangers

An international team of volcanologists, including Professor Claire Horwell from our Earth Sciences Department, has published a major review that addresses 18 of the most common misconceptions about volcanoes and eruptions.

Volcano explosion

Confused about carbon capture? Experts explain why we need different types

Co-authored by Durham’s Professor Jon Gluyas, a leading expert in geoenergy and carbon capture and storage, this article explores the often-confusing landscape of carbon capture technologies and explains why different approaches are needed to tackle climate change.
Fossil fuel power stations showing smoke coming out of the chimneys.

Durham researcher helps explain secrets of the Great Glen Fault

Scientists from the British Geological Survey (BGS) working with Professor Bob Holdsworth from our Earth Sciences Department have been given access to cores drilled through the Great Glen Fault, the UK’s largest fault zone.
Loch Lochy

Durham undergraduates survive sea survival training

Two Durham geophysics undergraduates, have successfully completed a sea survival training course.

Student wearing sea survival gear in the water

Taught postgraduate courses (MSc degrees)

The Department is now offering and participates in 2 taught postgraduate degree programmes:
Satellite image with nodes and edges

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
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.

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

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2300

Questions about studying here?

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

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