Department of Earth Sciences

KENT STATE TODAY
Students testing the levels of the water table at Kent State University at Stark

Eric Taylor, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, leads a group of students in the wetland research area on the campus of Kent State University at Stark. The students are measuring the water table at wells of different depths and also testing water quality.  The area serves as an outdoor learning and r...

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

The derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials occurred on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Nearly three weeks later, the media spotlight continues to shine on the village of 4,700 located about 50 miles southeast from the city of Kent. Kent State University faculty members have been contacted by various media ou...

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. On Feb. 14, WFMJ-TV in Yo...

Decorative "K" fixture on the Kent campus.

Jessie Maisano graduated in 1994 from Kent State University’s Honors College with her bachelor’s degree in Geology.   Maisano started her time at Kent State University as a Fashion Merchandising major, but once she met Honors College professor, Don Palmer, she was inspired to change her major to Geology and pursue a career path ...

Division of Research & Sponsored Programs
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, Ph.D., assistant professor, specializes in biochemistry, oceanograp...

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. In summer 2020, the Environmental Science and Design Rese...

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.

Most would agree that the main goal of science is to work toward better understanding by sorting out competing hypotheses to find the underlying theories. So, isn’t it ironic that the history of science is sometimes quite messy, for a variety of reasons? When you add decades of systemic oppression of women scientists to the mix, getting at...

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 th...

A rift along the Larsen C ice shelf from the vantage point of NASA's DC-8 research aircraft. Image acquired by NASA on November 10, 2016. Photo credit: John Sonntag / NASA

Scientists report that nearly 14,600 years ago marine-based regions of the Eurasian Ice Sheet melted rapidly, contributing to a major sea-level rise. Does this rapid collapse of massive ice give us clues as to the vulnerability of Earth’s remaining ice sheets? Joseph D. Ortiz, Ph.D., professor and assistant chair in the College of Arts ...

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 th...