Solve real world problems
Coral in the ocean.
Still standing but mostly dead: Recovery of dying coral reef in Moorea stalls
In April 2019, a marine heat wave struck a coral reef on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia, killing much of the coral and the beneficial algae that colonized it. This “bleaching” event reduced live coral populations on the reef from about 75% beforehand to less than 17% a year later and led...
Remnants of resource mining in Bangladesh.
Study documents conflict between commerce and conservation at mining operation in Bangladesh
A new study using multidecade satellite imagery and face-to-face human interviews tracked the environmental and societal impacts of gravel mining in the Lubha River, Northeast Bangladesh. The researchers found that the river had recovered its natural shape within just four years after gravel mining...
Two students taking a tree ring core from a tree.
‘Trees are time machines’
Geology can take many forms, from the study of rocks and minerals to the living records preserved in trees. At Homer Lake Forest Preserve, graduate students from the ...
An old drawing of the HMS Challenger.
Book looks at treasure trove of scientific data from 19th-century HMS Challenger voyage
The voyage of the HMS Challenger in the 1870s was a sprawling 3-1/2-year expedition to explore the world’s oceans. The scientists aboard the vessel collected 100,000 specimens of sea creatures, discovered 5,000 new species, mapped the ocean floors and took hundreds of measurements of sea...
Two geologists looking at a clipboard in the field.
Illinois Launching Two New Online Graduate Certificates in Environmental and Engineering Geology
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is expanding its online offerings with two innovative programs, designed to meet the growing demand for advanced skills in environmental and engineering geology.Launching in spring 2026, the graduate certificate programs in...
Wind turbines in a field.
Illinois wind patterns show signs of change, study finds
Winds across Illinois are beginning to still. A new study led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers has found that average wind speeds across the state have declined over the past three decades—and that the prevailing wind direction is slowly shifting southward. The findings,...

Alumni Homecoming: 75 Years of Geology!

The Department of Earth Science and Environmental Change recently marked a major milestone—75 years of geology at Illinois—with a weekend of celebration, connection, and exploration. From alumni panels and campus tours to remarks by university leadership and a field trip to Starved Rock, the reunion brought together generations of geologists to honor the past and look toward the future. Relive the moments, see the photos, and learn how you can help support student field experiences for years to come.

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Become a dynamic leader in the field of Environmental Geology

The Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change offers an online graduate-level certificate and Master's degree in Environmental Geology. The master's degree and certificate are designed to meet the existing high demand for advanced geology expertise to solve industry problems. The graduate-level certificate is a 12-credit program and provides an ideal bridge into the 32-credit hour online master's degree should students desire to continue on for an advanced graduate degree. Both programs are fully online, which precludes the need for an extended absence from a current job and/or familial responsibilities, and maximizes learning flexibility. 

Graduate Programs iGeology Program website

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