Research activities
This set of survey results examines the infrastructure, technologies, and key topics shaping earth science research, both now and in the future. It explores participants’ perspectives on the essential resources for research, the growing role of AI, and the importance of addressing climate, environmental, and societal issues. The section showcases how geoscientists view the differences between basic and applied research, providing examples that span geological sciences, hazard management, energy, and water resources. Looking ahead to 2035, participants anticipate a stronger focus on collaboration, technological advancements, and the societal impact of earth science research, while also recognizing potential challenges such as funding.
Research infrastructure and topics
Participants identified labs, equipment, technology, and computing resources as essential infrastructure for earth science research. Early-to-mid career participants also emphasized the need for funding to support these infrastructure costs, while mid-to-late career participants highlighted the importance of resources for collaboration, networking, and fieldwork, including transportation.
When asked about artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in earth science research, responses were varied. Concerns about the technology were shared by a fifth to a third of participants, with early-to-mid and mid-to-late career participants noting the significant advancements and importance of AI on helping to propel research forward. Early-to-mid career participants also highlighted the usefulness of AI in analysis, and mid-to-late career participants also noted how AI technologies improved productivity by increasing efficiencies.
Important topics for earth science research centered around climate-related issues, hazard response and mitigation, societal issues, and water resource management. Climate research was particularly emphasized by early and early-to-mid career participants, while societal issues were more prominent among early-to-mid career participants. Environmental topics were also considered important, and early-to-mid career participants also stressed the importance of data science and technology in supporting earth science research goals.
Basic and applied research
Participants provided a wide range of examples of basic and applied research in the earth sciences. Practical research applications included a wide range of topics related to raw materials management, hazard preparedness and mitigation, energy sources, climate mitigation, water resource management, and environmental remediation. Some noted the societal relevance of these applications and the skills and education needed for this research, including mapping, critical thinking, analytical skills, project management, and spatial thinking.
Examples of applied earth science included topics related to biological science, climate science, energy and raw materials, natural hazards, sustainability, geological science, and water resources. Biological science examples focused on crop science, soil health and regenerative agriculture. Climate science examples centered on climate modelling and sea level changes. Energy and raw materials examples included topics related to enhanced oil and gas recovery, lithium exploration, and hydrogen storage. Natural hazard examples focused on planning, mitigation, and preparedness related to earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanoes, and tsunamis. Sustainability research examples included carbon capture, geoengineering, and the development of renewable energy sources, and water resource examples included reclamation, management, and other hydrological topics.
Basic earth science research examples focused on core geological topics such as geologic mapping, geochronology, deep earth dynamics, tectonics, sedimentology, structural geology, and stratigraphy. Examples related to hazards research primarily focused on earthquake prediction, volcano monitoring, and natural disaster prediction. Examples related to raw materials centered on mineralogy and ore deposit formation, whereas examples related to water research included water resource management, water chemistry, and other hydrological topics.
Looking ahead to 2035
By 2035, participants expected that earth science research will focus on topics related to climate, environmental issues, energy, water, and hazards. In addition, they anticipated increased collaboration on research projects and substantial advances in artificial intelligence and programming which will be central to future research. Many also expected a greater emphasis on the societal relevance of earth science research, and some participants expressed concerns about future funding challenges. Only a small number of participants believed that research activities would remain similar to current practices.
Participants also highlighted several new horizons for earth science research in 2035. Early career participants emphasized the use of artificial intelligence and data science and a focus on climate-related research, while early-to-mid career participants highlighted the need for collaborative research projects. Other areas mentioned included a focus on environmental issues, planetary science, and raw materials.
Mid-to-late career responses are not shown due to low response rates.
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