Earth’s surface is a dynamic place where the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere all meet to form what is now often referred to as the critical zone. Research within the broad theme of critical zone science varies widely including and often integrating disciplines as diverse as hydrology/hydrogeology, sedimentology, geomorphology, ecology, climatology, biogeochemistry, and soil science.

Currently, researchers within the school are addressing critical zone topics including but not limited to debris flow processes in response to fire; geologic controls on groundwater flow and subsurface migration of contaminants; sedimentary processes and architecture of transitions zones between rivers and the ocean, and examining land-atmosphere exchanges of carbon, water, and energy and their responses to climate variability.