Water, Earth, and Environmental Sciences Highlights

2026
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Minimum, or "dead," power pool -- in which the water is too low to spin the hydroelectric turbines and can no longer produce hydropower -- starts at 3,490 feet of elevation, Peter Soeth, public affairs lead at the Bureau of Reclamation, told ABC News. Ele
Lake Powell reaching critically low elevation levels, nearing 'dead power pool,' experts say

Lake Powell reaching critically low elevation levels, nearing 'dead power pool,' experts say

Minimum, or "dead," power pool -- in which the water is too low to spin the hydroelectric turbines and can no longer produce hydropower -- starts at 3,490 feet of elevation, Peter Soeth, public affairs lead at the Bureau of Reclamation, told ABC News. Ele...

2026
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News
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Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries
Lake Powell, a vital reservoir, plunges toward unprecedented low levels as water crisis deepens in US west

Lake Powell, a vital reservoir, plunges toward unprecedented low levels as water crisis deepens in US west

Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries

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2026
QANR
Utah State University alumnus Alec Arditti, who earned a master of science in watershed sciences in 2023, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to study wildfire recovery in Sardinia, Italy.
Fulbright Award Takes USU Alumnus to Italy to Study Wildfire Recovery

Fulbright Award Takes USU Alumnus to Italy to Study Wildfire Recovery

Utah State University alumnus Alec Arditti, who earned a master of science in watershed sciences in 2023, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to study wildfire recovery in Sardinia, Italy.

2026
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A 2019 project led by Utah State University master's student Emma Doden began relocating beavers into parts of Utah's Price River to help the drought-stressed waterway recover. The river is part of the Colorado River Basin, where climate pressures, overus
Utah moved in beavers to rescue a dying river, and locals say it 'helped save' their town

Utah moved in beavers to rescue a dying river, and locals say it 'helped save' their town

A 2019 project led by Utah State University master's student Emma Doden began relocating beavers into parts of Utah's Price River to help the drought-stressed waterway recover. The river is part of the Colorado River Basin, where climate pressures, overus...

2026
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Geosciences
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USU's Department of Geosciences hosts the annual, free, family-friendly event on Saturday with demonstrations and hands-on learning for all ages.
Finding Faults: USU's Annual Rock-n-Fossil Day Set for Feb. 28

Finding Faults: USU's Annual Rock-n-Fossil Day Set for Feb. 28

USU's Department of Geosciences hosts the annual, free, family-friendly event on Saturday with demonstrations and hands-on learning for all ages.

Geosciences
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2026
Beneath four miles of ocean and a mile of rock and sediment, an international team, including USU’s Srisharan Shreedharan, recently uncovered new information — a hidden reason for the devastation of the 2011 magnitude 9.1 Tohoku earthquake, the most power
Breakthrough Expedition: Hidden Clay Intensified Japan Megaquake, Tsunami

Breakthrough Expedition: Hidden Clay Intensified Japan Megaquake, Tsunami

Beneath four miles of ocean and a mile of rock and sediment, an international team, including USU’s Srisharan Shreedharan, recently uncovered new information — a hidden reason for the devastation of the 2011 magnitude 9.1 Tohoku earthquake, the most power...

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Geosciences
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2026
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The inaugural lecture series honors USU faculty who have completed the promotion and tenure process and advanced to the rank of professor within the past year. Earning the title of full professor is one of the highest distinctions a faculty member can ach
USU Uintah Basin Professor Ben Burger Digs into own Past in Inaugural Lecture

USU Uintah Basin Professor Ben Burger Digs into own Past in Inaugural Lecture

The inaugural lecture series honors USU faculty who have completed the promotion and tenure process and advanced to the rank of professor within the past year. Earning the title of full professor is one of the highest distinctions a faculty member can ach...

Geosciences
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2025
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In the July 23rd issue of Science Advances, lead author Dr. Giovanni Mussini from Cambridge University, along with USU Geoscientist Dr. Carol Dehler and collaborators from University of New Mexico, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Grand Canyon Nationa
Fossil discovery: Hundreds of “worm teeth” and other soft-bodied fossils in Grand Canyon provide insight into the explosion of animal life

Fossil discovery: Hundreds of “worm teeth” and other soft-bodied fossils in Grand Canyon provide insight into the explosion of animal life

In the July 23rd issue of Science Advances, lead author Dr. Giovanni Mussini from Cambridge University, along with USU Geoscientist Dr. Carol Dehler and collaborators from University of New Mexico, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Grand Canyon Nationa...

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Geosciences
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2025
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Doctoral scholar Alex DiMonte, with faculty mentors Alexis Ault and Srisharan Shreedharan, and Brown University colleague Greg Hirth, publishes new findings about California's iconic Earth crust fracture in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Waiting for the Big One: USU Geologist Studies Frictional Behavior of the Southern San Andreas Fault

Waiting for the Big One: USU Geologist Studies Frictional Behavior of the Southern San Andreas Fault

Doctoral scholar Alex DiMonte, with faculty mentors Alexis Ault and Srisharan Shreedharan, and Brown University colleague Greg Hirth, publishes new findings about California's iconic Earth crust fracture in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.