The excitement for the geological collection in Western’s Earth sciences department could not be contained by fifth graders and geology enthusiasts Oliver, Xander and Jackson. “I’ve never seen this many or this cool of rocks,” shared Xander, whi …
Earth Sciences
Elite researchers share in CFI-JELF funding
Generating a better understanding on everything from meteorites, autism and heart disease drug, to asthma and air pollutants, Western researchers are sharing in more than $1 million in funding from the federal Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
Geology and grapes a winning pair
During the past year, a team of geologists led by Corcoran and Earth Sciences professor Elizabeth Webb have worked with Pelee Island Winery to fine-tune its soil management practices and produce better grapes.
Student wastes no time in conservation efforts
This gap in Earth Sciences MSc student Jordan Hawkswell’s new home’s environmentally conscious initiatives has led to a grassroots movement across the city focused on a different way of living. And it all started when she decided to focus on her own efforts.
Researchers return with shredded tents, bear tales
Earth Sciences professor Gordon Osinski has an unexpected souvenir of his 18th research expedition to Canada’s Far North: a tent shredded nearly to ribbons by the 15-centimetre-long claws of a polar bear. Osinski, Director of the Centre for Planetary Science and...
Hellmuth Prize celebrates elite researchers
Earth Sciences professor Gail Atkinson and History professor Maya Shatzmiller have been awarded the 2018 Hellmuth Prize for Achievement in Research. The honour recognizes faculty members with outstanding international reputations for their contributions in research –...
Western researcher sets eyes on Saturn’s largest moon
Co-led by a Western space scientist, NASA is exploring a revolutionary plan that could see a drone-like quadcopter buzz above the surface of Saturn’s largest moon.
Study shakes up quake, fracking connections
Oil and gas companies can influence the number of fracking-related earthquakes they may unintentionally generate by changing the volume of fluids injected during the extraction process, a study by Western seismic expert Gail Atkinson shows. The volume of material used...
Database eyes human role in earthquakes
A new database showcasing hundreds of examples of human-triggered earthquakes should shake up policy-makers, regulators and industry executives looking to mitigate these unacceptable hazards caused by our own actions, according to a Western Earth Sciences professor....
Western researcher unearths hottest rock on record
It was a stroke of serendipity that led to Michael Zanetti’s discovery of the hottest rock on Earth. In 2011, Zanetti, now a postdoctoral researcher in Earth Sciences at Western, was on an analog mission with Earth Sciences professor Gordon Osinski at...
Vanier celebrates nation’s finest graduate students
Four Western PhD candidates have been named among 167 nationwide recipients of the 2017-18 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – two from the natural sciences and engineering competition, two from the health sciences competition. Each winner will receive $50,000...
Alumna hunts DNA on Red Planet
Astrobiologist alumna Alexandra Pontefract, PhD’13 (Geology), knows finding DNA on the Red Planet will be no easy feat. But it is possible. What’s more, if DNA is found, it’s not far-fetched to think it would be proof of shared ancestry between Earth and Mars. “There...
‘Frightening’ findings foretell ills for ecosystems
When it comes to determining the causes negatively affecting the biodiversity of our ecosystems, a new interdisciplinary study at Western is putting numbers behind the devastation. And it’s not good. The study’s lead author, recent PhD graduate Beth Hundey...
Elite researchers share in CFI-JELF funding
Generating a better understanding on everything from meteorites, autism and heart disease drug, to asthma and air pollutants, Western researchers are sharing in more than $1 million in funding from the federal Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
Geology and grapes a winning pair
During the past year, a team of geologists led by Corcoran and Earth Sciences professor Elizabeth Webb have worked with Pelee Island Winery to fine-tune its soil management practices and produce better grapes.
Student wastes no time in conservation efforts
This gap in Earth Sciences MSc student Jordan Hawkswell’s new home’s environmentally conscious initiatives has led to a grassroots movement across the city focused on a different way of living. And it all started when she decided to focus on her own efforts.
Researchers return with shredded tents, bear tales
Earth Sciences professor Gordon Osinski has an unexpected souvenir of his 18th research expedition to Canada’s Far North: a tent shredded nearly to ribbons by the 15-centimetre-long claws of a polar bear. Osinski, Director of the Centre for Planetary Science and...
Hellmuth Prize celebrates elite researchers
Earth Sciences professor Gail Atkinson and History professor Maya Shatzmiller have been awarded the 2018 Hellmuth Prize for Achievement in Research. The honour recognizes faculty members with outstanding international reputations for their contributions in research –...
Western researcher sets eyes on Saturn’s largest moon
Co-led by a Western space scientist, NASA is exploring a revolutionary plan that could see a drone-like quadcopter buzz above the surface of Saturn’s largest moon.
Study shakes up quake, fracking connections
Oil and gas companies can influence the number of fracking-related earthquakes they may unintentionally generate by changing the volume of fluids injected during the extraction process, a study by Western seismic expert Gail Atkinson shows. The volume of material used...
Database eyes human role in earthquakes
A new database showcasing hundreds of examples of human-triggered earthquakes should shake up policy-makers, regulators and industry executives looking to mitigate these unacceptable hazards caused by our own actions, according to a Western Earth Sciences professor....
Western researcher unearths hottest rock on record
It was a stroke of serendipity that led to Michael Zanetti’s discovery of the hottest rock on Earth. In 2011, Zanetti, now a postdoctoral researcher in Earth Sciences at Western, was on an analog mission with Earth Sciences professor Gordon Osinski at...
Vanier celebrates nation’s finest graduate students
Four Western PhD candidates have been named among 167 nationwide recipients of the 2017-18 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – two from the natural sciences and engineering competition, two from the health sciences competition. Each winner will receive $50,000...
Alumna hunts DNA on Red Planet
Astrobiologist alumna Alexandra Pontefract, PhD’13 (Geology), knows finding DNA on the Red Planet will be no easy feat. But it is possible. What’s more, if DNA is found, it’s not far-fetched to think it would be proof of shared ancestry between Earth and Mars. “There...
‘Frightening’ findings foretell ills for ecosystems
When it comes to determining the causes negatively affecting the biodiversity of our ecosystems, a new interdisciplinary study at Western is putting numbers behind the devastation. And it’s not good. The study’s lead author, recent PhD graduate Beth Hundey...