Solid Earth Sciences Division
Landscape evolution and climate research
Earth's surface is in constant motion. Processes ranging from catastrophic landslides to the gradual accumulation of sediment in floodplains shape the landscape and have multiple feedbacks with the atmosphere, lithosphere, and geosphere. CIRES scientists study the physics and chemistry of these surface processes to better understand their contribution to sculpting the earth's varied topography. We also study the relationship between surface processes and regional climate. One area of CIRES research has focused on the uplift of the Himalaya and its impact on the initiation of the Asian monsoon cycle.
