Research Mission and Vision

Geology at the service of People and Society ...

The members of the Department are engaged in research…

Into the origin, structure and functioning of the Earth, and into the origin and evolution of life. Into... the origin and occurrence of natural resources, such as minerals, ores, sand and groundwater, and how humans can use these natural resources in the most sustainable way possible; 

Into... ways to use the natural properties of the Earth to generate energy responsibly (e.g. geothermal energy), and to allow our society to help achieve the energy transition to non-fossil fuels; 

Into... the natural risks that come with living on a dynamic planet (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, climate extremes), so that communities can better protect themselves against those risks; 

Into... the evolution of life and of climate through geological times, in order to gain a better understanding of the possible impacts of current global warming on our environment, on the oceans and the ice caps, and on life.

The members of the Department are also involved in the development of new techniques and methodologies to help answer these research questions, such as better dating methods, innovative techniques for imaging and geochemically characterizing geomaterials, and geophysical techniques for visualizing and characterizing structure and composition of the subsurface.

In addition to focusing on innovation and development, the members of the Department ensure that their research is conducted in an ethical, responsible, sustainable and inclusive manner. This vision also translates fully into the education they provide to the geologists of the future.