News

The Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences is proud to congratulate PhD student Emma Betz on receiving the Outstanding Student Poster Award at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting. Her poster, titled "Novel Hominin Evolution Lab Activities for Upper-Level Paleontology Courses," was recognized for its innovative approach to paleontology education.

Her poster addresses challenges paleontology instructors face in finding well-designed, accessible, and up-to-date hominin evolution lab activities. Emma's research sought to fill these gaps by designing new lab activities that align with the Equitable and Effective Teaching in Undergraduate STEM Education principles.

The lab activities she developed incorporate key teaching strategies, such as Active Learning methods that engage students by relating lessons to real-world problems and reflecting on their experiences, encouraging collaboration through group work, and using inclusive language to help students envision themselves as scientists. Emma’s lab activities were implemented in EOSC 425 Paleontology courses in two lab sections of about 10 students each, but could be scaled for larger groups. Emma’s work provides instructors with adaptable, engaging tools to enhance student learning in hominin evolution courses.

The 2024 AGU Meeting, held this past December in Washington, DC, brought together thousands of scientists from around the world to share groundbreaking research in earth and space sciences. Emma’s recognition at such a high-profile event highlights both the significance of her work and the strength of UBC’s research community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Emma Betz on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to seeing the continued impact of her research in geoscience education.

The Department of Earth Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences is delighted to congratulate our very own Geological Engineering student, Ryan Mitchell, on being named a Wesbrook Scholar. In addition to being named a Wesbrook Scholar, Ryan has received the Carl Bradford Robertson Scholarship, totaling $17,600, in recognition of his outstanding academic standing and commitments to leadership and community involvement. This is the highest award sum offered to Wesbrook Scholars and is only made available to four students each year. Please join us in celebrating Ryan Mitchell on this well-earned honor. 

Ryan is currently in his fourth year of the EOAS Geological Engineering program. Outside of his studies he serves as the president for the UBC Geological Engineering Undergraduate Club, GeoRox. When he is not studying or spending time in the GeoRox clubroom, Ryan enjoys spending his time outdoors, hiking, skiing, playing beach volleyball, or competing in intramural sports. 

Ryan’s success exemplifies the values of our department and the broader UBC community, inspiring current and future students to strive for excellence in their academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Congratulations, Ryan!

Featuring Dr. Stephen G. Evans, P.Eng

The University of British Columbia’s Geological Engineering Program and the Vancouver Geotechnical Society are excited to present the 21st UBC Geological Engineering Distinguished Lecturer Event, featuring renowned geohazards expert Dr. Stephen G. Evans.

Title: Engineering Behavior of Complex Process Chains – A Geohazard Challenge

Dr. Evans will delve into dam-break floods, multi-phase debris flows, landslide dams, and other critical geological hazards. This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in geotechnical engineering, natural disasters, and environmental sciences.

Event Details:

📅Date: March 5, 2025
⏰Time: 7:00 PM (Refreshments & mingling from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
📍Location: ESB 1012, Earth Science Building, University of British Columbia (2207 Main Mall, Vancouver)
🚗Parking: West Parkade

About the Speaker

Dr. Stephen G. Evans is a Professor Emeritus and former director of the Geological Engineering Program at the University of Waterloo, with research interests spanning topics across geomorphology and geoengineering, including catastrophic landslides, formation and behavior of natural dams, the engineering geology of mine waste, glacier hazards, natural hazards and disasters, georisk, remote sensing, and urban damage systems. His fieldwork has taken place across the world, studying natural disasters and their impacts in Canada, Iran, Peru, Japan, China, Tajikistan, Russia and the Philippines. A recipient of the 2023 Schuster Medal and co-recipient of the 2024 E.B. Burwell Award, Dr. Evans has made significant contributions to geohazard research and has authored/co-authored over 120 publications and served as lead editor of three books on catastrophic landslides and related phenomena. Dr. Evans 

How to Attend

🔗RSVP Here: Event Registration Form

📍Venue Location: Google Maps

The Earth, Oceans, and Atmospheric Science Department (EOAS) is thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievement of our Electron Microbeam and X-Ray Diffraction Facility (EMXDF) team, who recently competed in the renowned Reynold's Cup competition. In a highly competitive field of 99 teams, the EMXDF team secured 8th place, participating as the anonymous laboratory ‘P25’. 

The Reynold's Cup, named in honor of Bob Reynolds for his pioneering work in clay mineralogy, has become a globally recognized event in the geosciences community. Established in 2000 by Douglas McCarty, Jan Srodon of ChevronTexaco, and Dennis Eberl of the US Geological Survey (USGS), the competition challenges teams to achieve the most accurate quantitative phase analysis using mixtures of pure standards that represent realistic sedimentary rock compositions. Unlike other round-robin events that focus on well-ordered minerals or unknown natural samples, the Reynold’s Cup tests the ability to analyze complex, real-world materials. 

The Reynold’s Cup has grown significantly over the years, with the Clay Minerals Society (CMS) and the German-Austrian-Swiss Clay Group (DTTG) now supporting the event. This biennial competition attracts participants from commercial, industrial, government, and academic labs, providing a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of mineralogical analysis. This year’s competition saw teams from around the world, each using a variety of methods to solve challenging analysis problems. 

In response to the EMXDF’s remarkable achievement, Interim Director Matthijs Smit and the oversight committee commented, "Such a phenomenal result. Anyone who has ever messed with clays knows about the Reynold's Cup. Coming 8th is a stellar endorsement of the lab's capabilities. Clays are notoriously difficult in X-ray diffraction for many reasons…recrystallization, orientation effects, etc. Differences among the top ten essentially come down to minute details. This is a stunning result, especially for a first-time contestant".

Congratulations the EMXDF team and their exceptional accomplishment at the Reynold's Cup! 

By Christina Draeger, Ph.D. Candidate in Geophysics, Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. 

How does scientific research influence policy decisions? What can we, as scientists, do to ensure our work has a tangible impact on shaping political outcomes? How are major climate agreements negotiated, and what role do researchers play in this process? These were some of the key questions I had the chance to explore at COP29 (the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Baku, Azerbaijan, a global forum where countries come together to address the climate crisis and make commitments to collective action.

COP29 and me

At COP29, I volunteered as an Early Career Scientist (ECS) with the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), which highlights the critical role of the cryosphere – Earth’s snow and ice – in shaping global climate impacts. I helped staff the Cryosphere Pavilion in the Blue Zone, the U.N.-managed area behind security where negotiations take place. My tasks included introducing speakers, moderating side events, and engaging with visitors to help make cryosphere science more accessible. I also had the opportunity to present my own research, linking it to broader discussions on climate action. In addition to my role at the Pavilion, I had the chance to attend negotiation sessions and plenary meetings and gained valuable insight into how scientific knowledge is integrated – or sometimes overlooked – in the decision-making process.

COP29 was dubbed the “Finance COP” because the main focus was on finding ways to help developing countries fund their transition away from fossil fuels and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Even though developed countries are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions, it’s the developing countries that suffer the most from climate change. The negotiation process was slow and frustrating, with tedious discussions dragging on. It was especially concerning that leaders from major polluting countries were absent this year, while the fossil fuel lobby had more than 1,770 representatives there, making it the fourth-largest delegation at the conference. In the end, an agreement was reached, but the financial commitment for climate funds was far lower than what’s actually needed, leaving many developing countries feeling unheard and deeply disappointed. 

I was lucky to be able to shadow some of ICCI’s senior members during the negotiations, who gave me a crash course on past COPs and the key players involved. They also helped me navigate the jungle of COP terminology. Otherwise, how would I have known that AOSIS isn't a Wonderwall revival, but the Alliance of Small Island States? Or that I could attend the Infs (Informal meetings), but not the Inf-Infs (Informal-Informals)?

The Cryosphere Pavilion: glaciers and our climate’s future

Most of my time at COP29 was spent in the Cryosphere Pavilion, where we shared the latest scientific updates on everything from ice sheets and sea-level rise to mountain glaciers, snow, permafrost, sea ice, and polar ocean processes. We presented these topics through three potential climate futures: (1) With current climate commitments, where we’re clearly headed for exceeding the higher Paris Agreement 2°C warming limit, (2) if emissions keep rising at current rates without fulfilling even the existing weak climate commitments, and (3) with an immediate and rapid course correction to meet the lower 1.5°C warming target set by the Paris Agreement.

As a graduate student in my final year of a PhD in geophysics, focusing on mountain glaciers and improving how we model their melting processes, this research really hit home. In Canada, current models predict that we’ll lose 80-95% of glacier ice if emissions continue at their current pace, and even if we meet the current climate commitments. However, if we act quickly to reduce emissions and keep global warming to 1.5°C, glaciers in Western Canada will not only preserve more ice, but may even see some regrowth in the next century.

Melting glaciers don't just affect sea level rise, they also have serious consequences for freshwater supplies, hydropower, agriculture, and tourism. In my presentations, I highlighted how glaciers are crucial for balancing the climate and water systems. When they melt, it disrupts the water cycle, threatens fresh water, and puts energy security at risk. These changes affect not only communities near glaciers but also millions of people living downstream. As the ICCI’s slogan for this year reminds us, especially with the COP marathon of negotiations: “We can’t negotiate with the melting point of ice!”

In the Cryosphere Pavilion, I had the chance to meet many partners from governments, NGOs, academic institutions, companies, and civil society, all working on cryosphere issues. It was a chance to learn how to explain my research in a way that's clear and accessible to everyone – not just fellow grad students in my group who can handle all the jargon. Beyond the usual scientific talks, we also held film screenings and ended each day with meditation sessions called “A Moment of Stillness in a World of Climate Change.” Because, let’s be honest, after a long day of intense climate talks, a little stillness is pretty necessary.

Exploring Azerbaijan: a land of rich history and breathtaking scenery

After the conference, I took a few days to explore Azerbaijan with its rich history and stunning landscapes. I saw cave carvings up to 20,000 years old, visited an ancient fire temple, and made a trip to the beautiful mountains in the North. I also visited the Candy Cane Mountains, where the rocks have bright pink stripes and other vibrant colours, thanks to groundwater that changes the iron in the rocks. Just outside of Baku, it’s clear that Azerbaijan is a major oil-producing country, with oil rigs visible everywhere. In fact, it was the first oil-producing region in the world, with oil production dating back to the mid-19th century, making it an interesting setting for COP, to say the least. Along with the oil fields comes a truly unique natural phenomenon: mud volcanoes, where bubbling mud erupts from the ground. Azerbaijan has the most of any country – 350 out of the world’s 700! Not quite as dramatic as my colleagues studying eruptions like Hunga Tonga in Hawaii or Sabancaya in Peru, but hey, small differences, right? At least I can say I stood on an active, erupting volcano, and even poked my finger in it!

All in all, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to experience COP29 and get a glimpse into the world of policy. I gained a wealth of information, and while COP is a tough grind, it’s inspiring to see so many dedicated people – public servants, campaigners, and academics – working long hours in tough negotiations to push global progress forward. It’s a reminder that we all need to step up and take action together, and that there are others out there who share the same vision, all working toward a brighter future. After all, we’re all trying to stop the melting point of ice from winning!

Sarah Lambros, a B.Sc. student majoring in Geophysics and minoring in Geology in the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, recently won the “Most Accurate” category in the Visible Geology Student Challenge.

Sarah first learned about the Challenge while taking EOSC 323 Structural Geology with Dr. Lucy Porritt. Inspired by the opportunity, she decided to take on the Challenge, which involved creating a 3D model of a notable geological site in the USA or Canada using Visible Geology, a software developed by Seequent.

The model Sarah chose to build was Loder Peak on the eastern side of the Rockies in Kananaskis, Alberta. “I was born and raised in Calgary, so seeing that site of the very first mountains after the foothills is iconic and has a very special place in my heart,” said Sarah, “I also wanted to challenge myself by choosing something with folding, tilting, unconformities, and really see what I could do with Visible Geology.”

Congratulations Sarah!