Landscape Dynamics

The Geomorphology group at Penn State provides expertise in fluvial and coastal processes and deposits, the landscape record of global change, and ice sheet dynamics and deposits.

Skills emphasized include the collection of unusually complete field datasets and their interpretation using landscape and coupled ocean-atmosphere-ice sheet numerical models.

Faculty: Benjamin T. Cardenas

Members of the Planetary Sedimentology Lab use the sedimentary records of Earth, Mars, and other rocky planets and moons to understand how these planetary surfaces have evolved through deep time. 

We inform our satellite and rover-based interpretations of planetary surfaces with Earth-analog field sedimentology, the study of modern sedimentary systems, numerical experiments, and the interpretation of 3D seismic volumes.

Website: https://sites.psu.edu/planetarysedlab

Faculty: Anastasia Piliouras

The Coastal Geomorphology group focuses on understanding coastal, river, and icy surface processes and the responses of these landscapes to a changing climate. We use lab experiments, field work, numerical modeling, and remote sensing to investigate the processes and interactions that shape landscapes. Combining these varied methods of investigation allows us to understand landscape dynamics across a broad range of temporal and spatial scales.

Website: https://anastasiapiliouras.com/

Faculty: Roman DiBiase

The DiBiase Geomorphology Group works on a broad range of problems in Earth and planetary surface processes, from the grain scale up to entire mountain ranges. Our group goals are to advance the science of Earth surface processes, improve the understanding of how our world works, and share the results of this work in a way that ignites the curiosity of future generations of scientists and citizens.

Website: https://sites.psu.edu/dibiase/

Faculty: Liz Hajek

The PSUPER SED Lab uses the stratigraphic record to reconstruct past landscape conditions on Earth and other planets. We use field observations from ancient deposits (outcrop and subsurface) and modern systems along with numerical models to understand dynamic conditions in sedimentary environments and how Earth’s surface responds to change.

Website: https://sites.psu.edu/hajek/