Securing Energy
Powering a Changing World
The Geophysics Department at Mines is helping define the future of energy balance in the world. Come work with us in this fascinating and exciting field that makes the world a better place.
Energy development has facilitated and accelerated the growth of humankind. The US has shifted from a major importer of global energy resources to a position as the largest producer in the world. Colorado School of Mines has provided key contributions to this energy revolution with advancements in applied research and innovation to effectively and responsibly develop these resources.
The Geophysics Department is a top academic program in geophysical research and education and a leader in job placement for the energy industry. The department includes globally recognized centers and consortia, including The Center for Wave Phenomena (CWP), The Center for Gravity, Electrical and Magnetic Studies (CGEM), The Center for Rock & Fluid Multiphysics, and The Reservoir Characterization Project (RCP). Their contributions have served as the cornerstone of energy industry geophysical research for over 30 years. The scope of research and education extends to computer programming, mathematical theory, physics, and experiments with promising new technologies such as fiber optics. Department faculty also work on geostatistics, machine learning, and well logging. For undergraduate students, in addition to course work, the department offers an exciting field camp in the summer using geophysical field equipment for data acquisition, followed by training in processing and analysis with tools used in the energy industry.
Major oil and gas operators and service companies provide support and field projects, and the Geophysics Department works closely with the Petroleum Engineering and Geology departments on campus, collaborating on multiple joint projects. These projects range from unconventional resources to conventional offshore exploration and production.
We are also active in areas of renewable and alternative energy sources such as geothermal energy. Geothermal is a renewable energy source thanks to the almost unlimited amount of heat generated by the Earth’s core . Geophysical techniques can help discover and understand geothermal reservoirs. Faults that allow for the circulation of hot fluids deep in the earth can be seen through seismic methods or electrical or electromagnetic methods.