Climate and Earth Processes
Climate and Earth processes are two of the most rapidly expanding areas in the geosciences. Research in
these areas seeks to understand the character and dynamics of Earth’s habitable zone, especially the com-
plex interactions of its biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere coupled with human-induced
perturbations of these natural systems. It embraces studies of Earth’s climate and its connections operating
on multiple spatial and temporal scales with the hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles that are influenced by
pervasive surficial processes.

Knowledge of these systems, especially their drivers and sensitivities to change, is integral to informed use of
energy, mineral, water, and land resources and the environmental consequences of human activities. These
advances permit understanding of paleoclimates and ancient environments from key proxies preserved in the
rock record that have been verified in the modern world. The critical zone that lies as the interface of the natu-
ral and anthropogenic worlds urgently needs improved understanding. Bridges between sub-disciplines of the
geosciences that focus on problems such as the role of fluids in Earth systems and controls on the movement
of dissolved and suspended materials can help.

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Indiana University possess research expertise in these important do-
mains. Research that incorporates observation, analyses, experiments, and modeling has achieved critical in-
sights into these geological and biogeochemical pathways, from molecular processes and chemical reactions,
to local- and regional-scale water and sediment budgets, and ultimately to global dynamics of atmospheric
composition and oceanic temperature.

The department is a key player in IU’s Integrated Program in the Environment.

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NASA, NOAA analyses reveal record-shattering global warm temperatures in 2015. Posted Jan. 20, 2016
https://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20160120/



atmospheric sciences
Chanh Kieu, Cody Kirkpatrick, Paul Staten
Atmospheric Sciences at Indiana University is a dynamic program with exciting opportunities to under-
take field, satellite, or modeling research. Our faculty members actively conduct both observational and
modeling studies of weather and climate processes across scales, from cold fronts and tropical cyclones, to
global atmospheric cloud and circulation patterns.

The Atmospheric Sciences Group is an active participant in the interdisciplinary research of other Earth and
Atmospheric Sciences faculty, including paleoclimate research and global climate change studies.

The Department’s diverse, close-knit group of researchers enjoys a collective expertise in atmosphere-hy-
drosphere-solid Earth interactions. We are among the most active users of IU’s high-performance parallel
computing facilities which include the new Big Red II machine - one of the world’s 70 fastest supercomput-
ers. CHANH KIEU Assistant Professor | Atmospheric Sciences
My research focuses on theoretical and numerical studies of hurricane dynamics and structure. The fun-
damental questions that my research group currently tackle are how far in advance can we predict hur-
ricane intensity within a given accuracy, the abnormal structure of a hurricane’s inner core at a very high
intensity limit, and potential changes in hurricane intensity and frequency in future climates.

My research employs extensive theoretical tools along with cloud-resolving model simulations on the IU
exceptional high-performance computing system.

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