RESEARCH CENTERS

The interdisciplinary research activities of the IGPP-UCSC branch are concentrated in four research Centers:

Center for Dynamics and Evolution of the Land-Sea Interface C.DELSI

The primary focus of C.DELSI is on the marine and terrestrial systems that constitute the land-sea interface and the processes that modify and couple these systems. These include climate processes, such as atmospheric circulation, that drives ocean circulation, geologic processes that help shape the margins of the continents and transport water and sediment from the mountains to the coastal ocean, and biogeochemical and biological processes that influence the cycling of carbon, nutrients, and other elements in these systems. Emphasis is on understanding the dynamics (actions, interactions, controls, limits, future potential for change) of these systems over time scales (~10 Kyr) exceeding those of modern instrumental monitoring (i.e., > 50 years).

Center for Origin, Dynamics and Evolution of Planets CODEP

The primary mission of CODEP is to coordinate and promote UCSC activities related to the origin, dynamics and evolution of planetary bodies in our Solar System and around other stars. UCSC is an active participant in the discovery of extrasolar planets and theoretical modeling of planetary formation, collisional processes, generation of stellar and planetary magnetic fields, and processes in planetary interiors. The research on planetary evolution also addresses the existence of habitable environments in the Solar System as well as other near stars.

Center for the Study of Imaging and Dynamics of the Earth CSIDE

CSIDE integrates UCSC expertise on dynamical processes within the Earth and imaging of the manifestations of those processes. Research is directed at quantifying the complex thermal and material transport, chemical reactions and physical state, and multi-scale structure of Earth systems ranging from Earth's core to the surface environment. There are two primary coordinated research groups. One is the study of Mantle and Core Dynamics, emphasizing an integration of seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and numerical modeling. The second area is the study of Crustal Dynamics and Imaging, including broadly-based investigations of the nature of subduction processes and the seismogenic zone, effects of fluids in faults and plate boundary zones, the evolution of surface topography, and accurate and efficient imaging of subsurface structure.

Center for Remote Sensing CRS

CRS draws faculty from three divisions sharing interests in using remote imaging tools to address dynamical systems on Earth's surface, in the oceans, and in the atmosphere. Research is directed at many diverse topics including: coral reef depletion, effluent discharge, sea water temperature, salinity, bioproductivity, glacial motions, volcano inflation, mineral distribution, air pollution, ocean currents, and land use planning. Close interactions are developing with NASA Ames Research Center.