University of Washington ESS Home

ESS News, Events, and Announcements



ESS Faculty Meeting - June 2010

  Friday, June 4, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  Location To Be Announced

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

ESS Faculty Meeting - May 2010

  Friday, May 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  Location To Be Announced

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

ESS Annual Awards Ceremony 2010

  Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-102
The Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) invites faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to join us as we recognize our benefactors and announce awards for 2010-2011: Barksdale Distinguished Service Award, Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, Graduate Student Awards, and Undergraduate Student Awards.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - April 2010

  Friday, April 2, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  Location To Be Announced

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

UW ESS is 11th best in nation

  Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The annual US News and World Report ranking of colleges and universities has been released for 2009, and the University of Washington Department of Earth & Space Sciences continues to be listed among the top 15 departments of earth sciences in a tie for 11th by Princeton, UCLA, UW, and Yale.

Genius rewarded in the ESS department

UW ESS Professor David Montgomery has been selected as a 2008 MacArthur Fellow, receiving what is commonly known as a "genius grant", a prestigious 5 year grant of money to support his research and other pursuits.
Additional information can be found at:
http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=43719
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008
196765_genius23m0.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_genius_
grants_list.html

MacArthur Foundation 2008 - "Dave Montgomery" page:
http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.4537277/
MacArthur Foundation 2008 Fellows (all) page:
http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.4536877/

UW-ESS ranks well in "Science-Watch" survey

Geosciences at the University of Washinton ranks fifth in the entire WORLD in a survey of scientific journal publications by Thomson Scientific, and is second only to one other public University in the U.S. More information about this is found below.
From the Univ of Wash Weekly News : "The UW scored very high in a survey of published geosciences research by Thomson Scientific, both in the number of times UW research was cited by other scientists (12934 citations for 6th place) and the average number of times a UW paper was cited (12.57 citations per paper for 5th place)."
http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/uweek/uweekarticle.asp?articleID=35307

This survey was conducted by Science-Watch and Thomson Scientific's "Essential Science Indicators", looking at 224 scientific journals containing 150K+ papers, from 1996-2007.
A very interesting interview by Thomson Scientific with UW-ESS chair Robert Winglee in relation to this survey can be found at
http://www.in-cites.com/institutions/UnivofWashington.html

ESS Faculty Meeting - March 2010

  Friday, March 5, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  Location To Be Announced

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

ESS Faculty Meeting - February 2010

  Friday, February 5, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  Location To Be Announced

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

ESS Open House for Prospective Graduate Students - February 25-26, 2010

Applicants who have been admitted to the graduate program in Earth and Space Sciences are invited to visit the University of Washington.

ESS Faculty Meeting - January 2010

  Friday, January 8, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  Location To Be Announced

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

UW Environmental Career Fair 2010

  Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 10:00 am
  Mary Gates Commons
This free event will be held in Mary Gates Commons from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is open to any UW student who has an interest in applying for internships, seasonal work, or part or full-time positions involving the environment.
Dress is business casual and students should bring unofficial copies of transcripts and resumes for sharing with companies and organizations. Students are encouraged to research the companies in advance and possibly attend a Career Fair preparation workshop to ensure the best presentation possible: http://careers.washington.edu/students
For more information, please contact Student and Academic Services, College of Forest Resources at cfradv@u.washington.edu, 206.543.7081 or 206.543.3077

ESS Faculty Meeting - December 2009

  Friday, December 4, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  Location JHN 175

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting - December 14-18, 2009

  San Francisco, CA
The Fall Meeting provides an opportunity for researchers, teachers, students, and consultants to present and review the latest issues affecting the Earth, the planets, and their environments in space. This meeting will cover topics in all areas of Earth and space sciences.

Graduate Application Deadline for Autumn 2010

  Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Applicants to the graduate program in Earth and Space Sciences must complete the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission by 12:00 midnight (Pacific Standard Time) on December 15. Official transcripts and official GRE and TOEFL scores must be received no later than December 31.

ESS Holiday Party 2009

  Friday, December 4, 2009 at 4:30 pm
  JHN-170
The Geo Club cordially invites all Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) students, faculty, and staff to the annual Holiday Party. The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. in JHN-170 following the faculty meeting. Come one, come all for door prizes, food and drink, fun and great company!
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - November 2009

  Friday, November 6, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  Location JHN 175

For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at kcbaker@uw.edu

ESS Majors Fall Pizza Party 2009

  Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5:00 pm
  JHN-102 Foyer
Come and have pizza on the department! This majors-only event happens once a year and is an opportunity, especially for new majors to meet their peers and learn more about the Geo Club. Geo Club meeting to follow at 6:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - October 2009

  Friday, October 9, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  JHN 175

For more information, please contact For more information, please contact Kelly Baker, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

Chevron Recruiting Visit - October 7-9, 2009 (CANCELLED)

Representatives from Chevron will be on campus October 7-9, 2009 to talk about career opportunities with Chevron. Representatives will be interviewing graduate students for full-time positions and internships. Chevron is looking for motivated, self-directed earth scientists with master's or doctoral degrees in geology, geophysics, geological engineering or related fields of study for exploration, production, and reservoir management in domestic and overseas operations, and for research and development.

ExxonMobil Recruiting Visit - October 9-14, 2009

A representative from ExxonMobil will be on campus October 2-9, 2009 to talk about career opportunities with ExxonMobil. The representatives will be interviewing graduate students for full-time positions and internships. ExxonMobil is looking for earth scientists with master's or doctoral degrees in geology or geophysics.

The Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting - October 18-21, 2009

  Portland, OR

ESS Graduation Celebration 2009

  Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 10:00 am
  JHN-102
Students in Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) who received a BA, BS, MS or PhD degree in 2008-2009 and their families are invited to attend the ESS Graduation Celebration on the morning of June 13, 2009. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and will end around 11:30 a.m.in time for students to go to Husky Stadium for the UW Commencement Ceremony. Students should RSVP to advising@ess.washington.edu with the total number of attendees in their party. Cap and gown are required. Students must order graduation apparel (cap, gown, honors cords) online at http://uwgraduation.com by May 24. Students also purchase parking permits and register for the UW Commencement Ceremony at Husky Stadium online at http://uwgraduation.com.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - June 2009

  Friday, June 5, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175

For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

ESS End-of-the-Year BBQ 2009

  Monday, June 1, 2009 at 4:30 pm
  JHN Courtyard
The Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) invites ESS faculty, staff, and students to come together to celebrate the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. This event is coordinated by the Geo Club and ESS graduate students.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Annual Awards Ceremony 2009

  Full Story
  Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-102
The Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) invites faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to join us as we recognize our benefactors and announce awards for 2009-2010: Barksdale Distinguished Service Award, Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, Graduate Student Awards, and Undergraduate Student Awards.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904.

ESS Faculty Meeting - May 2009

  Friday, May 8, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175

For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

The 12th Annual UW Undergraduate Research Symposium

  Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12:00 am
  Mary Gates Hall
Undergraduates present what they have learned through their research experiences to a larger audience. The Symposium also provides a forum for students, faculty, and the community to discuss cutting edge research topics and to examine the connection between research and education. The Symposium includes poster and presentation sessions by students from all academic disciplines and all three UW campuses, plus invited guests.
ESS students participating in 2009:
Janet Bautista (Mentor: Breanyn MacInnes and Jody Bourgeois)
Ryan Erickson (Mentor: John Stone)
Marrissa Harrison (Mentor: Jillian Bellovary and Thomas Quinn)
Zurriya Hasnan (Mentor: Olivier Bachmann)
David Kiehl (Mentor: Terry Swanson)
Lynna Kvistad (Mentor: Elizabeth Nesbitt)
Christopher Maffucci (Mentor: Katharine Huntington)
Margot Mansfield (Mentor: Andrea Ogston)
Stephen Newman (Mentor: Jody Bourgoeis)
Nathan Peters (Mentor: Katharine Huntington and Jody Bourgeois)
Cameron Pinkham (Mentor: Gregory Wilson and Jeremy Riedel)
Zachary (Zach) Ploskey (Mentor: Terry Swanson and John Stone)
Paul Richardson (Mentor: Elizabeth Nesbitt)
Andrea Waade (Mentor: Holly Barker and Deborah Porter)
Lucy Walsh (Mentor: Olivier Bachmann and Janina Klaus)
Katherine (Kat) Wayland (Mentor: Gregory Wilson and Jeremy Riedel)
For a complete schedule, visit UW Undergraduate Research Program
For more information, please contact Undergraduate Research Program at urp@u.washington.edu or 206.543.4282

ESS Faculty Meeting - April 2009

  Friday, April 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175
Meeting Minutes
For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

Major in Earth and Space Sciences - Spring 2009

  Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-117
Current and prospective undergraduate students who are interested in learning about studying earth and space sciences at the University of Washington are invited to this informal meeting to discuss degree options, graduation requirements, research opportunities, scholarships, and career choices.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - March 2009

  Friday, March 13, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175
Meeting Minutes
For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

ESS Faculty Meeting - February 2009

  Friday, February 6, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175
Meeting Minutes
For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

ESS Open House for Prospective Graduate Students - February 26-27, 2009

Applicants who have been admitted to the graduate program in Earth and Space Sciences are invited to visit the University of Washington.

ESS Faculty Meeting - January 2009

  Friday, January 9, 2009 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-111
Meeting Minutes
For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694A

Major in Earth and Space Sciences - Winter 2009

  Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-117
Current and prospective undergraduate students who are interested in learning about studying earth and space sciences at the University of Washington are invited to this informal meeting to discuss degree options, graduation requirements, research opportunities, scholarships, and career choices.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

The 10th Annual UW Career Discovery Week - January 26-30, 2009

Career Discovery Week (CDW) at the UW is the largest career event for students and alumni in the nation. Choose from over 150 events including panel presentations, career fairs and conferences, networking events, skill-building seminars and much more. Special-interest tracks for alumni, grad students and UW staff are also offered.
Career Discovery Week is produced by the UW Alumni Association and the UW Career Center in conjunction with dozens of campus partners.

UW Environmental Career Fair 2009

  Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 10:00 am
  Mary Gates Commons
This free event will be held in Mary Gates Commons from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is open to any UW student who has an interest in applying for internships, seasonal work, or part or full-time positions involving the environment.
Dress is business casual and students should bring unofficial copies of transcripts and resumes for sharing with companies and organizations. Students are encouraged to research the companies in advance and possibly attend a Career Fair preparation workshop to ensure the best presentation possible: http://careers.washington.edu/students
For more information, please contact Student and Academic Services, College of Forest Resources at cfradv@u.washington.edu, 206.543.7081 or 206.543.3077

ESS Faculty Meeting - December 2008

  Friday, December 5, 2008 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175

For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting - December 15-19, 2008

  San Francisco, CA
The Fall Meeting provides an opportunity for researchers, teachers, students, and consultants to present and review the latest issues affecting the Earth, the planets, and their environments in space. This meeting will cover topics in all areas of Earth and space sciences.

Graduate Application Deadline for Autumn 2009

  Monday, December 15, 2008
Applicants to the graduate program in Earth and Space Sciences must complete the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission by 12:00 midnight (Pacific Standard Time) on December 15. Official transcripts and official GRE and TOEFL scores must be received no later than December 31.

ESS Holiday Party 2008

  Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-170
The Geo Club cordially invites all Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) students, faculty, and staff to the annual Holiday Party. The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. in JHN-170. Come one, come all for door prizes, food and drink, fun and great company!
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - November 2008

  Friday, November 7, 2008 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175

For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

Major in Earth and Space Sciences - Autumn 2008

  Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-127
Current and prospective undergraduate students who are interested in learning about studying earth and space sciences at the University of Washington are invited to this informal meeting to discuss degree options, graduation requirements, research opportunities, scholarships, and career choices.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Majors Fall Pizza Party 2008

  Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 5:00 pm
  JHN-102 Foyer
Come and have pizza on the department! This majors-only event happens once a year and is an opportunity, especially for new majors to meet their peers and learn more about the Geo Club. Geo Club meeting to follow at 6:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

Engineering Geologists in the Transportation Industry

  Monday, November 17, 2008 at 3:30 pm
  JHN-111
Come and learn about what engineering geologists do in the transportation industry and how engineering geologists work within WSDOT. Speakers will give a presentation and then answer questions. Refreshments will be served.
Speakers:
Douglas A. Anderson, L.E.G. - Assistant Chief Engineering Geologist
James R. Struthers, L.E.G. - Assistant Chief Foundation Engineer
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
For more information, please contact ESS Student Services, advising@ess.washington.edu, 206.616.8511 or 206.543.8904

ESS Faculty Meeting - October 2008

  Friday, October 3, 2008 at 2:30 pm
  JHN-175

For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer, Assistant to the Chair at assistant@ess.washington.edu or 206.685.2694

The Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting - October 5-9, 2008

  Houston, TX

What's the earthquake risk in the Northwest?

  Friday, October 9, 2009
Professor John Vidale talks to King 5 News about Northwest earthquakes in the wake of recent major quakes in the South Pacific. Watch the video:
http://www.king5.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=405957

Changes in Northwest megathrust quake expectations

  Sunday, August 16, 2009
Professor Vidale talks about the possibility of a 'Mega-quake' in the Northwest. Watch the video:
http://www.nwcn.com/video/index.html?nvid=389615

How would Seattle's skyscrapers fare in a M9 earthquake?

  Thursday, April 9, 2009
From king5.com: "Scientists in California have come up with a number of scenarios that show a mega earthquake could cause high raise buildings in Seattle and other parts of the Northwest to collapse." Featuring Professor Vidale. Watch the video:
http://www.king5.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=350434

UW ESS silent earthquake research highlighted in Seattle Times article

  Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Seattle Times has published an article about silent tremors and related research in the UW ESS department. Titled "Scientists: Silent tremors may foretell the next Big One," the article can be read at:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009400048_quakes30m.html

Earthquake threat to Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct

  Monday, March 5, 2007
From seattlepi.com: "Its design is obsolete, and it's definitely in the wrong place. That, essentially, is what's wrong with the Alaskan Way Viaduct when it comes to earthquakes, engineers say." Read the entire article titled "Quake threat key in viaduct debate" at:
http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/306108_dangerviaduct05.html

Studying Mount Baker

  Wednesday, September 2, 2009
From king5.com: "Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens are some of the most studied volcanoes in the Cascades, but now Mount Baker is also getting a closer look." Features UW ESS department's Wes Thelen. Watch the video:
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=394917

Massive landslide cuts off stretch of Highway 410

  Tuesday, October 13, 2009
From seattlepi.com: "The landslide that smothered a stretch of Highway 410 Sunday could be among the largest ever to hit a state roadway, but its cause remains a mystery." Read more:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010051939_landslide13m.html

UW students create climate change display for Olympic Sculpture Park

  Thursday, October 8, 2009
From uwnews.com: "The UW is creating a display at the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park that illustrates how projected changes in sea level due to climate change could affect Seattle's waterfront, as well as other more vulnerable waterfront cities elsewhere in the world." Features UW ESS graduate student Kristin Poinar. Read more:
http://uwnews.org/uweek/article.aspx?id=52586

UW ESS members studying Naches landslide area

  Friday, October 16, 2009
From king5.com: "There are growing concerns about the gigantic Yakima County landslide. With heavy rain expected, its stability is in question." Watch the report:
http://www.king5.com/video/seattletimes/index.html?nvid=407703

Naches Valley landslide watch update

  Saturday, October 31, 2009
  Naches River Valley
From seattletimes.com: "The Naches River Valley is being closely monitored for signs of a potential landslide bigger than the one that cut off Highway 410, forced the river from its banks and damaged homes on Oct. 11." Featuring UW ESS's Dave Montgomery.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010172792_landslide31m.html

Predicting landslides

  Monday, November 2, 2009
From king5.com: "Just before a massive landslide came down wiping out a half mile of Highway 410 in Yakima County, residents said they could hear cracking, and moaning from the ground. It turns out that seismometers that are part of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network run out of the University of Washington heard them too. But what the earthquake-detecting seismometers picked up was the geological correlation with what people heard." Featuring UW ESS's Wes Thelen.
http://www.king5.com/video/featured-videos/Can-Landslides-Tell-Us-When-Theyre-Coming--68717177.html