PhD in Planetary Science - Surface Processes and Deformation in Houston United States | Rice University

The surfaces of celestial bodies in our solar system preserve evidence of geological processes that sculpt terrains both presently and throughout history. Numerous impact craters signify ancient terrain with limited geological change, while sand dunes suggest atmospheric density sufficient for wind erosion. Surface fractures expose stress patterns and tectonic movements, and ancient riverbeds leave behind canyon formations that endure long after the waters vanish. By studying these diverse planetary surface phenomena across different worlds, we gain insights into our solar system's evolutionary history and enhance our knowledge of geological mechanics in extraterrestrial environments. Rice researchers explore these mysteries using both surface exploration vehicles like Mars rovers and orbital spacecraft observing Mars, the Moon, and other planets.