自1892年成立以来，芝加哥大学就拥有悠久的地质学传统，其中包括著名的《地质学杂志》的出版。我们的第一任系主任TC Chamberlin极大地改善了冰川地质学，并致力于包括行星形成机制的小行星机制在内的各种主题。哈伦·布雷茨（Harlen Bretz）提出了这样的假说，即华盛顿东部的ab沟是由灾难性洪水造成的，尽管反对灾难主义。该部门还拥有许多重要的岩石学家和矿物学家，包括JR Goldsmith和JV Smith。我们当前的研究重点是在与地球内部相关的温度和压力下识别材料的物理和化学特性（Campbel
The University of Chicago has had a strong tradition in geology since its founding in 1892, including the publication of the prestigious Journal of Geology. T.C. Chamberlin, our first department chair, greatly advanced glacial geology and worked on diverse topics including the planetesimal mechanism for planetary formation. Harlen Bretz promoted the hypothesis that scablands of eastern Washington were due to catastrophic flooding, despite opposition to catastrophism. The department has also had many important petrologists and mineralogists, including J.R. Goldsmith and J.V. Smith.<br><br>Our current research focuses on identifying the physical and chemical properties of materials at temperatures and pressures relevant for Earth's interior (Campbell and Heinz), reconstructing paleogeography and paleoaltimetry (Rowley), and analyzing the formation of sedimentary records (Kidwell). The main methods we use are diamond-anvil cells to achieve high pressures, synchrotron X-ray sources to probe altered material, traditional geological surveys, and analysis of geological data. We have collaborators at Argonne National Laboratory, including Mike Pellin, and frequently make use of Argonne Laboratory equipment.