Organization profile
Organization profile
In the Department of Geosciences at the University of Montana, we study the physical processes that shape our planet and support life. With a focus on both water and earth systems, our research explores how energy and earth materials—such as water, minerals, sediments, and rocks—move through natural cycles and impact everything from landscapes and ecosystems to climate and natural hazards. Our work in Water Science examines how water, ice, sediment, and contaminants move through environments, informing restoration, management, and sustainability. In Earth Science, we study the lithosphere—its rocks, structure, evolution, and the hazards it presents, including earthquakes and landslides. Across all areas, we pursue research that addresses globally significant challenges while directly benefiting the people and landscapes of Montana.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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Payton Gardner
- Geosciences - Chair, Associate Professor
- W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation
Person
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Continuous measurements reveal wind and temperature affect orphan well methane emissions on the Kevin-Sunburst Dome, Montana
Gianoutsos, N. J., Haase, K. B., Birdwell, J. E., Hofmann, M. H. & Shuck, C. E., Mar 10 2026, In: Science of the Total Environment. 1020, 181577.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
Depth of Liquid Water Infiltration in Greenland Firn Based on L-Band Radiometry, a Snow Physics Model, and Machine Learning
Moon, T. D., Harper, J. T., Hossan, A. & Colliander, A., 2026, In: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 64, 4300915.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Extreme Winter Precipitation Drives Recharge of Mountain Groundwater in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades of the Western United States
Swarr, M. J., Argus, D. F., Martens, H., Hoylman, Z. H., Young, Z. M., Borsa, A. A., Lau, N. & Gardner, W., Feb 2026, In: Water Resources Research. 62, 2, e2025WR040910.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Datasets
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Dataset for the article: Helium in stream water as a volcanic monitoring tool
Gardner, P. (Creator) & Susong, D. D. (Creator), University of Montana, 2019
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/geosci_data/3/
Dataset
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Dataset for the article: Multiyear Downstream Response to the Removal of Condit Dam, White Salmon River, WA
Wilcox, A. (Creator), Colaiacomo, E. J. (Creator), O'Connor, J. E. (Creator) & Major, J. J. (Creator), University of Montana, 2018
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/geosci_data/1/
Dataset
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Dataset for the article: Metal contamination and food web changes alter exposure to upper trophic levels in upper Blackfoot River basin streams, Montana
Landers, J. (Creator), Sullivan, S. (Creator), Eby, L. (Creator), Wilcox, A. (Creator) & Langner, H. (Creator), University of Montana, Dec 2018
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/geosci_data/2/
Dataset