Utrecht Centre for Earth and Planetary Processes
We contribute to a fundamental understanding of the dynamic processes that govern the evolution of Earth and other planets
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Research
Our mission and ambition
The Utrecht Centre for Earth & Planetary Processes contributes to a fundamental understanding of the dynamic processes that govern the evolution of Earth and other planets.
Our vision is to advance a deeper understanding of the solid Earth; the dynamic engine that shapes our planet’s landscapes, resources, and hazards. By investigating the physical and chemical processes operating from crust to core, we empower Earth scientists to illuminate Earth’s past, interpret its present behavior, and anticipate its future changes. We strive to create a collaborative, innovative, and globally engaged research environment where cutting-edge observations, experiments, and theoretical and computational models come together to unravel the mechanisms driving tectonics, magmatism, earthquakes, magnetism, and long-term planetary evolution. Through this work, we aim to contribute knowledge that helps societies prepare for natural hazards, manage resources sustainably, and understand Earth as an integrated system. Our commitment is to educate and inspire the next generation of Earth scientists as critical thinkers who combine scientific rigor with a sense of responsibility toward our planet and its people.
Integrated expertise
Projects
Research facilities
Our state-of-the-art research facilities are housed in the GeoLab, the Earth Simulation Laboratory (ESL), Paleomagnetic Laboratory ‘Fort Hoofddijk’, and the Electron Microscopy Centre in the David de Wied building. Means of access may be available through EPOS-NL and EXCITE2 Network.
Our lab units include:
Collaborations
We share facilities and expertise through EPOS-NL and EXCITE2 Network. Our fundamental research complements research on seismology at KNMI, and applied research on critical raw materials by the Netherlands Materials Observatory hosted at TNO.
If you are interested in collaborating, please contact our coordinators.
Education
Our staff scientists coordinate the ‘Solid Earth’ track in the BSc programme Aardwetenschappen (Earth Sciences), as well as the MSc programmes Earth Structure and Dynamics, Earth Surface and Water, and Earth Life and Climate. Within these MSc programmes our researchers address the role of Earth and planetary processes on Earth’s evolution, the formation and occurrence of natural resources, and the habitability of Earth and planets. Moreover, our scientists also supervise BSc and MSc theses and internships on these topics.
Contact
- General inquiries
- Earth materials and properties
- Earth’s Evolution: plates, basins and orogens
- Earth and planetary structure and dynamics