Scientists study past climate to learn more about our planet's climate system in order to better understand ongoing climate changes. At UM, this investigation of climate, past and future, takes forms ranging from terrestrial to marine, from recent to deep in the past, from model to data collection. Ongoing projects include reconstructing the Eocene terrestrial climate in the western US, Cretaceous climate change across intervals of mass extinction, and the historical behavior of El Nino. Groups model hydrology over ancient and modern mountain ranges, relate regional climate and vegetation shifts to human evolutionary history and use soil chemistry to determine past rainfall patterns.

FacultySpecialtiesAssociated Laboratories and Research Groups
Eliel AnttilaField Geology, U-Pb Geochronology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Low-Temperature Geochemistry and Chemostratigraphy, Earth History, Organo-Mineral Interactions 
Brian ArbicPhysical Oceanography, Numerical Nodeling, Satellite Oceanography, Oceanography Capacity Development in AfricaArbic Group
Julie ColeCoral Reefs, Caves, Drought, El Nino, Common Era, HoloceneJulia Cole's Climate Lab
Rose CoryEnvironmental Biogeochemistry, Geochemistry, Climate Change, GeobiologyPersonal Website
Jessica FayneClimate Change, Geomorphology, Remote Sensing HydrologyHYLUCC Lab
Ingrid HendySedimentology, Micropaleontology, Paleoceanography, Glaciology 
Naomi LevinStratigraphy, Paleoecology, Isotope Hydrology, Isotope Geochemistry, Environments of Early HumansLevin Research Group, Iso Paleo Lab
Kacey LohmannCarbonate Geochemistry, Sedimentology, Field Geology, Paleoceanography, Stable Isotope Geochemistry, SclerochronologyPersonal Website
Ben PasseyAnalytical Isotope Geochemistry, Paleoecology, Animal Diet & Physiology, Paleoclimate, Fossil MammalsIso Paleo Lab
Sierra PetersenPast Greenhouse Climates, Mass Extinctions, Stable and Clumped Isotope Paleothermometry, Fossil Mollusks, SclerochronologyLab Website
Nathan SheldonPaleosols, Terrestrial Biogeochemistry, Precambrian Geobiology, PaleoecologyContinental Environments Research Group
Affiliated FacultySpecialtiesPrimary AffiliationAssociated Laboratories and Research Groups
Jeremy Bassis Climate and Space Sciences and EngineeringGlaciology at the University of Michigan
Mark Flanner Climate and Space Sciences and EngineeringResearch
Andrew Gronewold School for Environment and SustainabilitySEAS Hydro Lab
Jonathan Overpeck School for Environment and Sustainability 
Allison SteinerEnvironmental Sciences, Paleoclimate & Climate ChangeClimate and Space Sciences and EngineeringResearch Group