Earth Environmental and Planetary Sciences

Rice helps youth explore Earth and space sciences at ‘first-of-its-kind’ event

Nearly 1,000 Earth and planetary explorers from the greater Houston area attended Rice’s K-12 Earth and planetary open house at Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall May 3. The event was held by the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, the Rice Space Institute’s Center for Planetary Origins to Habitability and the Office of STEM Engagement in partnership with Houston Independent School District and NASA.

Rice experts can address severe weather and flooding risks caused by current omega block

Rice experts can address severe weather and flooding risks caused by current omega block.

Inside Yellowstone’s fiery heart: Rice researchers map volatile-rich cap, offering clues to future volcanic activity

A team of researchers from Rice, University of New Mexico, University of Utah and the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a sharp, volatile-rich cap just 3.8 kilometers beneath Yellowstone’s surface.

Sustainable practices can be based in nature, expert says

Rice biogeochemist Carrie Masiello was a headliner in CERAWeek’s “lyceum” where experts from industry and academia present research and technical expertise at the annual energy conference in Houston.

Research on super-Earths and mini-Neptunes suggests more Earth-like planets may exist

A new study by Rice researchers Sho Shibata and Andre Izidoro presents a compelling new model for the formation of super-Earths and mini-Neptunes — planets that are 1 to 4 times the size of Earth and among the most common in our galaxy.

Rice’s Sylvia Dee battling climate-driven diseases through Texas Virosphere Project

Rice’s Sylvia Dee has joined forces with Peter Hotez and a team of scientists at Baylor College of Medicine on a groundbreaking initiative called the Texas Virosphere Project.

Pioneering geologist and Rice professor emeritus Peter Vail remembered for ‘passion for discovery’

The Rice community mourns the passing of Peter Vail, the W. Maurice Ewing Professor Emeritus of Oceanography, who passed away Dec. 28, 2024, at the age of 94.

New evidence exists for hidden water reservoirs and rare magmas on ancient Mars

A new study explores how variations in Mars’ crustal thickness during its ancient history may have influenced the planet’s magmatic evolution and hydrological systems.

Deep-sea marvels: How anglerfish defy evolutionary expectations

A groundbreaking Rice University study sheds light on the extraordinary evolution of anglerfish, a group of deep-sea dwellers whose bizarre adaptations have captivated scientists and the public alike.

Rice's new ‘forward-thinking’ art installation highlights climate change through voices of activists, scholars and scientists

Rice’s O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science now houses an immersive public art installation titled “Climate Parliament,” a thought-provoking work by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

Rice Sustainability Institute and Chevron partner to empower next-gen sustainable energy leaders

The Rice Sustainability Institute announces the inaugural recipients of the newly created Rice Chevron Energy Graduate Fellowship.

Researchers unveil mysteries of ancient Earth

A research team led by Rice’s Duncan Keller and Cin-Ty Lee studied massif-type anorthosites to test ideas about the magmas that formed them.

Rice’s Sylvia Dee working to improve projections of extreme droughts, floods

Rice climate scientist Sylvia Dee has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the agency’s most prestigious early career honor.

Exploring climate change through wine

Among the courses recently offered at the Rice Global Paris Center was “Climate Change, Economics and the Wine Industry,” which brought students to Paris for three weeks in May.

Rice and Houston ISD partner to launch planetary science education program for K-12 students and teachers

Rice University and the Houston Independent School District (HISD) will collaborate on a space and planetary science pilot program to inspire the next generation of Earth, planetary and space enthusiasts and professionals.