Department of Earth Sciences

arctic waters

The Arctic region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with melting ice sheets having far-reaching consequences. Allyson Tessin, Ph.D., assistant professor in Kent State University’s Department of Earth Sciences, is conducting a study that seeks to shed light on the complex interactions between ice sheets, oceanic ecosystems and global climate patterns.

Kent State Today
Students testing the levels of the water table at Kent State University at Stark

Kent State at Stark offers unique learning experiences for students.

Drone footage shows the freight train derailment, Feb. 6, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. (Photo courtesy of Ntsbgov/via Reuters)

Kent State University faculty members have been contacted by various media outlets to lend their expert opinions and insight as cleanup work, air monitoring, water testing and more continues following the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Derailed Norfolk Southern rail cars in East Palestine, Ohio.

On Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, dozens of Norfolk Southern rail cars derailed, 11 of which contained hazardous materials. In an effort to start repairing the situation, Arcadis, an international company hired by the railroad company, has developed a plan to clean the air, ground and water in the village. Kuldeep Singh, Ph.D., assistant professor in Kent State’s Department of Earth Sciences, reviews the cleanup plan.

Division of Research & Economic Development
Research ship in the Arctic

One of Kent State University’s newest faculty members in the Department of Geology has already made her mark with the recent publication of her and her colleagues’ work to better understand the effects of global warming as it relates to the arctic ocean. Allyson Tessin, assistant professor, specializes in biochemistry, oceanography and sedimentary geology. She is currently studying the relationship between the chemistry of the ocean and climate change.

Environmental Science and Design Research Institute

What was even more of a departure than taking classes remotely? Many summer research experiences were moved online this year as well. Fortunately, with creativity and an open mind, there are lots of opportunities to do important scientific research using online tools and data.

Eunice Foote's article “Circumstances Affecting the Heat of Sun’s Rays”, in American Journal of Art and Science, 2nd Series, v. XXII/no. LXVI, November 1856, p. 382-383.

Recently, Joseph Ortiz, Ph.D., professor and assistant chair in the Department of Geology in Kent State University’s College of Arts and Science, partnered with Sir Roland Jackson, Ph.D., a historian of science at the Royal Institution and the Department of Science and Technology Studies at University College London, to co-author a paper assessing the experiments described in Eunice Foote’s papers from a detailed quantitative perspective and to place them in historical context. They point out the differences between her hypothesis and that of the modern greenhouse effect.

Tsunami wave hitting Ao Nang in Krabi Province, Thailand. Photo by David Rydevik (email: david.rydevikgmail.com), Stockholm, Sweden, December 26, 2004.

Dr. Joseph D. Ortiz, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Geology at Kent State University, was part of an international team of researchers that co-authored an article about a deadly tsunami that occurred about 1,000 years ago in Tanzania. The study suggests that the tsunami risk in East Africa could be higher than previously thought.