Geoscience

Overview

We study large depositional systems of the past, sediment re-distribution processes and land-shaping mechanisms with particular reference to the role of water, ice and wind.

Stratigraphy and timing of geological events is investigated using paleontological and absolute dating techniques such as luminescence, radiocarbon, stable isotope and cosmogenic isotope dating. We apply microfossils to decipher the history of life and study depositional archives in both terrestrial and marine settings to reconstruct environmental changes in particular during the Tertiary and Quaternary periods.

Climate fluctuations and related evolution of plant and animal realms are another focus of our research. Applying state-of-the-art analytical techniques we investigate groundwater systems at different spatial dimensions. Deep Earth studies are represented by a range of disciplines including mineralogy, petrology, volcanology, plate tectonics and the dynamics of the lithosphere, whereby Greenland is one prominent research area.

Geoscience at Aarhus University, in particular seismic and electromagnetic methods are another focus of our research. A rapidly developing field at the Department is quantification and numerical modelling of geological phenomena. In our approach to Earth Sciences we emphasize multi-faceted and interdisciplinary studies combining field, theoretical, experimental and numerical methods.

Examples of employment after graduation:

Our former PhD students (nearly half of which come from abroad) find employment both in Denmark and around the world in research and industry. Common employers are universities, GEUS, oil companies in Denmark and Norway, geological consultancy agencies and county municipalities.