Centre for Research in Earth Sciences (CRES)
investigating geological processes from plate tectonics to modern surface processes to the evolution of life on Earth
Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. Photo courtesy: Paul Cole
Welcome
The Centre for Research in Earth Sciences (CRES) at the University of Plymouth embraces the broad spectrum of research across Earth Sciences, from plate tectonics to climate change, to modern surface processes, to the evolution of life on Earth. Across this breadth, our expert researchers shared ethos is to understand the drivers of change in the Earth system and the impact of these changes on the Earth and to society. CRES provides an inclusive environment that promotes high quality, novel and interdisciplinary research, alongside a platform for training the next generation of Earth Scientists.
Our staff are at the cutting edge of research, demonstrated by our performance in the most recent national assessment of UK research (REF2014) where we ranked 10th on research power, and our world-class analytical facilities that underpin both our research and teaching. Internationally, our staff are recognised for their research, and also for their contribution to major Earth Science initiatives including the International Ocean Discovery Program and the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program.
Dr Michelle Harris
Lead of the Centre for Research in Earth Sciences
Dr Michelle Harris
Lead of the Centre for Research in Earth Sciences
Centre for Research in Earth Sciences themes
Our research, staff and facilities
Earth science in the news
- Film highlights how an understanding of seabed geology is critical to the Celtic Sea clean energy revolution 30 October 2023
- Fossilised beaches help scientists understand impacts of past global warming 5 July 2023
- Winchcombe meteorite holds information about the origin of Earth’s oceans 16 November 2022
- Study unlocks hidden secrets of how ultra-hard diamonds formed in rare meteorites 12 September 2022
- International call for greater appreciation and understanding of the world’s sand resources 26 April 2022
- Earthquakes and extreme rainfall lead to a significant increase in the rates of landslides in Nepal 18 November 2021
- Extreme weather and earthquakes need greater attention when examining Nepal’s landslides 8 November 2021
- Research aims to unlock secrets of magma transport below the ocean floor 26 July 2021
![The Celtic Sea off the western coast of Cornwall (STHLM [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)])](https://d3bpgcke55gfwt.cloudfront.net/rails/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNU53QVE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--ca1deb531c2b45cf5c664f2126826f720442f6a2/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdDRG9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJYW5CbkJqb0dSVlE2RkhKbGMybDZaVjkwYjE5c2FXMXBkRnNIYVFKWUFta0NMQUU2Q25OaGRtVnlld2s2RTNOMVluTmhiWEJzWlY5dGIyUmxTU0lIYjI0R093WlVPZ3B6ZEhKcGNGUTZEbWx1ZEdWeWJHRmpaVlE2REhGMVlXeHBkSGxwVUE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--42754237235ba1e6f9325deaf83c5a2657141cd3/Celtic_Sea_-_panoramio.jpg)
Postgraduate research students
An essential component of our school research environment
Our research students work on a range of funded projects across all disciplines associated with the school.
Girls into Geoscience
Established in 2014, this fantastic outreach initiative that was awarded the Geological Society of London’s R H Worth Award, aims to show girls exactly where geoscience can take them. Lilli Day, who attended in 2015 has since graduated with a degree in geology, explains how she became interested in geoscience.
