Eberly News
Prepping for Doomsday: The Fight Against Disaster
For Amy Hessl, professor of geography at West Virginia University, the past can predict the future. Hessl is a dendrochronologist, a scientist who unravels climate histories and trends through the study of tree ring growth patterns. So when wildfires engulfed the Los Angeles, California area in January 2025, resulting in dozens of deaths and tens of thousands of destroyed structures, Hessl wasn’t taken aback. In fact, she said, ongoing warm air temperatures and variable precipitation – which can be presumed from her studies of climate history trends — will lead to even more extreme fires in the future.
IsoBioGeM Laboratory Leading Renewable Energy Research on the East Coast
The Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University (WVU) is at the forefront of revolutionizing the energy landscape through its pioneering work in geosciences. Nestled in the Appalachian region, WVU leverages its unique geological setting to explore sustainable energy solutions, focusing on geothermal energy, critical minerals, and hydrogen storage.
WVU paleoclimatologist predicts California fires will become ‘more extreme, more frequent, more widespread’
As the destruction continues with southern California’s wildfires that could be the costliest in U.S. history, one West Virginia University researcher said ongoing warm air temperatures and variable precipitation will lead to even more extreme fires in the future. Amy Hessl, a geography professor and paleoclimatologist in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, has studied the relationship between fire and climate throughout the world, particularly North America, Central Asia and Australia. She attributes the widespread devastation of California’s fires to an unusual weather pattern, known as the Santa Ana or “devil winds,” that are unique to that area.
The Center for Resilient Communities Welcomes Eighteen Students to the 2025 Resilient Communities Internship Program
WVU Center for Resilient Communities Announces 18 Interns for 6th Annual Resilient Communities Internship
Money trees: WVU researchers looking at local benefits from climate change fighting ability in Appalachian forests
Researchers at West Virginia University are working to ensure small landowners and local communities, instead of large corporations, profit from the ability of Central Appalachian forests to remove greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
2 Eberly students receive Gilman Scholarships to study abroad
2 Eberly College students earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to travel abroad without financial constraints.
WVU geologist says Yellowstone hydrothermal explosion is not indicator of larger eruption
A West Virginia University researcher says Tuesday’s (July 23) surprise hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone National Park’s Biscuit Basin doesn’t mean a larger eruption of the Yellowstone Supervolcano is imminent. The explosion, captured on video by park visitors, launched debris into the air and damaged the boardwalk, but no one was injured.
Shaping future geologists: WVU alumni couple provides opportunities through field experience
Ohio native Dan Billman has always been science-minded and had a fascination with rocks. Growing up on Lake Erie furthered his interest in rock formations, but it was a family friend and freshwater biologist who inspired Billman to pursue a career in geology.
Students from across Eberly have been named Outstanding Seniors, Outstanding GTAs and Eberly Scholars
Every year, students from across Eberly College are selected as Outstanding Seniors and Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistants. Eberly Scholars are also chosen annually for a monetary award to help offset the cost of their education as they work to achieve their academic goals. Read about all three groups below.