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Welcome to the Geology Department at Radford University!
We are a small but full-service program that provides students with a basic framework for a professional career in the field of geology, for graduate studies in geology, or for licensure to teach earth and space science. Although our students enter a wide variety of professions within the field of geology, from volcanology, glaciology to tectonics, we take pride in our Environmental and Engineering Concentration that provides our students with hands-on experience in the technology and equipment that is used in the geotechnical and environmental field. We are located in the beautiful Valley and Ridge of southwest Virginia, and classic rock exposures and research opportunities of wide variety are close to campus. Learn more about the Geology Department »
With president in tow, new geology students take a rockin’ road trip
On an early September Saturday, a small group of Radford University students and their professors stood at the East River Mountain overlook near Bluefield, Virginia, “on the very, very edge of the ancestral Appalachian Mountain range,” Associate Professor Jonathan Tso explained. They each peered through the raindrops over into West Virginia, where the colossal mountains that stand there now did not exist 250 million years ago.
Learn more about this experience
Geology group uses Wintermester for exploring the Aysen region in Patagonia, Chile.
A group of explorers departed from the US on Dec. 27 and returned on Jan. 11. Led by Radford University faculty members Dr. Ryan Sincavage and Dr. Beth McClellan, six RU undergraduates: Loukas Rimanelli, Nash Stevens, Emily Whately (geology) Emily DeCamp (psychololgy), Aubree Marshall (biology/anthropology), Jack Kulaga (undeclared but has since joined geology), one undergrad from Virginia Tech (Jordyn Del Rosario, geology), one undergrad from University of Colorado Denver (Jonathan Miller, geography), and one masters student from CU-Denver (Robert Nass, geography) traveled to Chile to explore the Aysen region.
The main learning objectives were to immerse the students in the culture and landscapes of the Aysen region of Patagonia, Chile. With the assistance of a local guiding service, the team embarked on a 10-day backpacking excursion through a remote region east of the northern Patagonian ice field (the Aysen Glacier Trail- approximately 70 km long), exploring the outlet valley streams and glaciers and associated sediments.
Students were required to research a topic of relevance to the region to present to the group in the field- topics included glacier dynamics, local people’s perceptions of environmental change, how the human immune system responds to changing environments, conditioning in farm animals, Chilean folklore and legends, and use of UAS to study environmental change. We crossed numerous lakes and streams, as well as the Nef Glacier, and students spent some time on local ranches learning about gaucho culture and the ranching lifestyle.
News & Events
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Radford group mingles with fellow scientists at AGU meeting »
2/24/2023
Four Radford University students and one recent graduate were accepted to present their research at the prestigious American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference where more than 25,000 scientists representing 100-plus countries – and all seven continents – attend the meeting to share their research and network.
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With eyes in the sky, science studies at Radford take flight »
10/31/2022
Radford University’s student-led Geohazards and Unmanned Systems Research Center is reaching new heights in engagement, research and community outreach.
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With president in tow, new geology students take a rockin’ road trip »
10/7/2022
The Department of Geology’s daylong new-student field excursion serves as an orientation for students who are new to the university’s geology major. It is open to freshmen and transfer students, as well as those Radford students who, before the fall semester, switched majors to geology. The trip gives students an opportunity to get to know fellow geology majors and their professors.
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Webb Telescope celebration packed with fun, science, games and learning »
6/21/2022
Radford University hosted a two-day James Webb Telescope Community Event on campus June 10 and 11 in the Center for the Sciences that offered fun, games and plenty of learning opportunities for science enthusiasts of all ages.
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Class of 2022: Geology enthusiast takes on a lofty ambition »
5/6/2022
Geology major Jasmine Rollins is taking her love for science to new heights.
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Highlanders in the News: Week of March 14 »
3/18/2022
Highlighting notable mentions of Radford University faculty and students from local, regional, national and international news outlets.
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Highlanders in the News: Week of Feb. 28 »
3/4/2022
Highlighting notable mentions of Radford University faculty and students from local, regional, national and international news outlets.
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Skip Watts receives national award from Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists »
3/8/2021
Professor of Geology Chester “Skip” Watts, Ph.D., has been awarded the prestigious 2020 Karl and Ruth Terzaghi Outstanding Mentor Award by the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG).
