News
Congratulations to Katrina Gelwick!
Congratulations to Katrina Gelwick, who successfully defended her doctoral thesis on April 26th!
ESD at EGU in Vienna, April 2024
Have a look at our scheduled presentation at the EGU in Vienna this April.
New science paper on Madagascar!
Liu, Yi / Wang, Yanyan / Willett, Sean D. / Zimmermann, Niklaus E. / Pellissier, Loïc: Escarpment evolution drives the diversification of the Madagascar flora
Dr. Vincenzo Picotti appointed as Adjunct Professor at ETH Zurich
Congratulations to Vincenzo Picotti who was appointed as Adjunct Professor at ETH Zurich!
Chauanerhe, a major trinutary to the Yellow River
Chauanerhe incises through Cenozoic loess deposits and into the Triassic basement in the Loess Plateau in Northern China
The origins of the High Plains landscape
A mantle wave passing beneath western North America over the last 20 million years is responsible for the formation of the High Plains. These plains provide vital habitat for millions of migratory birds and farmland essential to US agriculture. ETH geologist Sean Willett and his colleagues from the University of Nevada have been studying the origins of this extraordinary landscape.
Double Defense: Erica & Richard
On October 25, Erica Erlanger and Richard Ott shared in celebrating their successful doctoral defenses. Erica's work focusses on the evolution of the Northern Apennines, while Richard was studying the tectonic geomorphology of Crete. Both Erica and Richard were enthusiastic and motivated members of the ESD Group and their punctual lunch breaks, orange coffee cup, and dedication to making the daily coffee will be sorely missed. We wish them all the best!
New Graduate: Dr. Chia-Yu Chen
On March 31, 2017 ESD Group member Chia-Yu Chen successfully defended her doctoral thesis: The spatial and temporal patterns of erosion rates in the southern Central Range of Taiwan. Chia-Yu's family prepared a delicious Taiwanese dinner for the celebration, where the group celebrated her time in Zürich and scientific accomplishments. We will miss her positive attitude, culinary skills, and adventurous spirit! Congrats Dr. Chia-Yu Chen!
Chia-Yu's Defense Celebration
AGU Fellows 2016
Prof. Dr. Sean Willett was recently recognised as an American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2016 Fellow at the Fall Meeting in San Franciso, California for his significant scientific contributions to the field of Earth Sciences. external page Read AGU article
Press archives
Past News
Geological Intermezzo In Colombia
Members of the ESD Group recently traveled to Colombia on an excursion for doctoral students to explore the local geology. Read more about their trip here!
Research Featured in ETH News
But what do birds have to do with the Earth's mantle? ETH News highlights a new publication from Prof. Sean Willett and collegues in the US. News Article external page Publication in Nature
High School Students Explore Geology at ETH
Students from Kantonsschule Chur recently spent 3 days touring ETH, learning techniques in geological research, and exploring life as a geologist in the NO building. Learn more about their visit.
Dr. Liran Goren Receives EGU Award
Former Group Member Dr. Liran Goren is awarded as an Outstanding Early Career Scientist by the European Geosciences Union. Congrats Liran! external page more
Dr. Jeremy Rugenstein Featured in ETH News
ESD Group member Jeremy Rugenstein talks to ETH News about his ongoing research on paleoclimate and his love for Swiss trains. Full article
Doctoral Retreat
Members of the ESD Group recently took part in the Geologic Institute Doctoral Retreat, bringing back prizes in "Best Poster" and "Best Talk". More
Prof. Sean Willett named AGU Fellow
Dr. Prof. Sean Willett was recently recognized as an American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2016 Fellow for his significant scientific contributions to the field of Earth Sciences. More