Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences

2024’s violent tornado season has been one of the most active on record
Professor William Gallus explains why so many tornadoes have ravaged the U.S. this spring in an essay published in The Conversation. Read More

June 24, 2024
What is a heat dome? Iowa State’s William Gallus explains
Professor of Atmospheric Science William Gallus discusses why it's so hot right now, and how the heat negatively impacts people. Read More

June 18, 2024
Bill Gallus part of research team designing new extreme-wind testing facility
A research team led by a group of Iowa State faculty has won a four-year, $14 million grant to design a national testing facility that will simulate tornadoes and other windstorms. Read More

November 16, 2023
A layered lake is a little like Earth’s early oceans
By investigating what a Minnesota lake's microbes are doing, Iowa State's Elizabeth Swanner can better understand how they transformed the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans into what they are today. Read More

October 23, 2023
Jacqueline Reber has been awarded a grant from the Frontier Science Fund
A Frontier Science Fund award will enable Jacqueline Reber to work on developing a 3D force visualization system. Read More

July 28, 2023
What is a heat dome? William Gallus explains
As much of the nation bakes in extreme temperatures, Professor William Gallus discusses the cause and the consequences. Read More

June 28, 2023
Cyclones chasing cyclones
Meteorology students witnessed the power of Mother Nature in Iowa earlier this spring when multiple tornadoes formed just days apart. Read More

June 2, 2023
El Niño and extreme Atlantic Ocean heat are about to clash
Christina Patricola, geological and atmospheric sciences, explains why forecasters are keeping a watchful eye on the 2023 hurricane season. Read More

May 31, 2023