OUR RESEARCH

Earth and Atmospheric Science

Who We Are

Our staff includes data scientists, experts in aerosol physics, weather models and climate simulations and researchers who study seismic events, hydrology, carbon sequestration and sustainable energy production. Meet a few of the people who work in earth and atmospheric science:

 

Peter Caldwell
Cloud Processes Research and Modeling Group
Jessica Cruz
She/Her
Atmospheric Science Research and Applications Group
Jaisree Iyer
She/Her
Porous Media Group
Kayla Kroll
Seismology Group
Katie Lundquist
Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division
Christina "Chris" Morency
She/Her
Porous Media Group

Our Latest News

Our Current Projects

Earth and atmospheric research at LLNL spans multiple areas where our scientists collaborate with colleagues and leverage world-class research tools to explore how to make our planet safer and more resilient.

 

seismic models

 

Seismic Clues to Underground Explosions

Our geoscientists analyze seismic signals to differentiate between natural phenomena such as earthquakes, man-made activities like mining and illicit nuclear explosions. This work supports our nation’s efforts to detect and deter the spread of nuclear weapons and verify international agreements. Our research teams develop new methods to analyze data provided by seismometer networks, enabling them to determine the type of event that generated the seismic signals as well as the energy release of the event.

 

The globe looking on North America

 

Modeling Climate Change that Impacts Energy Security

We play a key role in one of the most powerful climate modeling tools available — the Department of Energy’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM). E3SM links Earth system and energy models into a single system, expanding our understanding of how changes in complex ecosystems will impact U.S. energy resources — such as how air and water temperature changes can strain energy grids. LLNL also led a multi-lab effort to develop the Simple Cloud Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM), the first global cloud-resolving model to run on an exascale supercomputer.

 

CO2 Direct Capture and Storage

 

Carbon dioxide removal at the gigaton scale

We collaborated with a dozen institutions to assess options for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from the atmosphere and chart a path for the nation to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Roads to Removal report analyzes the feasibility, capacity and cost of CO2 removal techniques, including many studied at LLNL, such as biomass conversion and storage, direct-air-capture technology, soil and forest management and geologic CO2 storage. The report’s findings highlight region-specific solutions that can help the nation reach its climate goals.

 

Our Facilities, Centers and Institutes

The Laboratory is home to several state-of-the-art facilities and centers to help researchers tackle the hardest and most complex challenges related to earth and atmospheric science.

 

Related Organizations

World-class science takes teamwork. Explore the organizations that contribute to our research in earth and atmospheric science by clicking the images below.

 

Join Our Team

We offer opportunities in a variety of fields, not just science and technology. We are home to a diverse staff of professionals that includes administrators, researchers, creatives, supply chain staff, health services workers and more. Visit our careers page to learn more about the different career paths we offer and find the one that speaks to you. Make your mark on the world!