Earth Sciences

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

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Welcome to Department of Earth Sciences

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Welcome Message

Welcome to the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Kanpur. We are one of the youngest department in the country, established in 2014, with a vision to carry out interdisciplinary Earth Science teaching and research of contemporary relevance.... - Read More

-Prof. Debajyoti Paul

Head, Department of Earth Sciences

  • Sen, I. S. "A Four-Component Mixing Model Reveals Snowpack Melting as Early as March During the 2019 Hydrological Year in the Upper Ganga Basin." Article, Journal of Hydrology 628 (2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130473.
  • Paul, K., Bhattacharya, P., and Misra, S. "Frictional Control on Accelerating Creep During the Slow-to-Fast Transition of Rainfall-Induced Catastrophic Landslides." Article, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 129, no. 1 (2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JF007213.
  • Nanda, K., Mufti, S., Das, A., and Misra, S. "A Numerical Investigation of Fluid Flow Path Evolution During Cataclastic Flow in Reservoir Rocks." Article, Journal of Earth System Science 133, no. 1 (2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12040-023-02224-9.
  • Mukherjee, R., and Misra, S. "Insights into the Micromechanics of Dehydration-Induced Gypsum to Γ-Anhydrite Phase Transition from Instrumented Microindentation Experiments." Article, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 129, no. 1 (2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JB027098.
  • Fousiya, A. A., Malik, J. N., Paul, D., Chakraborty, S., and Achyuthan, H. "Microstructure and Growth Rate Variability in a Giant Clam (Tridacna Maxima) from the Lakshadweep Archipelago, India: Implications for Their Use as Biological Monitors to Trace Extreme Weather Events." Article, Coral Reefs (2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-023-02455-8.
  • Amir, M., Paul, D., and Chang, Y. P. "Indian Summer Monsoon Variability During the Past ~75 Ka Based on Stable Isotope Records of Sediments from Nw India." Article, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 637 (2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112016.
  • Srivastava, E., Malik, J. N., Parrino, N., Burrato, P., Sharma, N., Gadhavi, M., Sulli, A., Di Maggio, C., and Morticelli, M. G. "Extremely Fast Holocene Coastal Landscape Evolution in the Kachchh Upland (Nw India): Clues from a Multidisciplinary Review." Article, Journal of Maps 19, no. 1 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2023.2167617.
  • Srivastav, H. K., and Ghosal, D. "Investigating Narcondam Offshore Using High-Resolution Seismic Reflection Data." Article, Geo-Marine Letters 43, no. 4 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00367-023-00760-3.
  • Sinha, R., Singh, S., Mishra, K., and Swarnkar, S. "Channel Morphodynamics and Sediment Budget of the Lower Ganga River Using a Hydrogeomorphological Approach." Article, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 48, no. 1 (2023): 14-33. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.5325.
  • Singh, G. K., Qadri, A. M., Paul, D., Gupta, T., Mukherjee, S., and Chatterjee, A. "Investigation of Sources and Atmospheric Transformation of Carbonaceous Aerosols from Shyamnagar, Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains: Insights from Δ13c and Carbon Fractions." Article, Chemosphere 326 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138422.
  • Sikdar, A., Dutta, D., and Misra, S. "Superplastic Deformation inside the Knife-Sharp Shear Bands in Mid-Crustal Granites." Article, Journal of Structural Geology 177 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2023.104980.
  • Shukla, T., Sen, I. S., and Sundriyal, S. "Carbon Emissions from Emerging Glacier-Fed Himalayan Lakes." Article, Global and Planetary Change 225 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2023.104134.
  • Shukla, S., Meshesha, T. W., Sen, I. S., Bol, R., Bogena, H., and Wang, J. "Assessing Impacts of Land Use and Land Cover (Lulc) Change on Stream Flow and Runoff in Rur Basin, Germany." Article, Sustainability (Switzerland) 15, no. 12 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su15129811.
  • Sen, I. S., Nizam, S., Ansari, A., Bowes, M., Choudhary, B., Glendell, M., Ray, S., Scott, M., Miller, C., Wilkie, C., and Sinha, R. "Geochemical Evolution of Dissolved Trace Elements in Space and Time in the Ramganga River, India." Article, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195, no. 10 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11665-0.
  • Satuluri, S., Malik, J. N., Kumar, A., Vikrama, B., and Rai, G. K. "Ground Penetrating Radar Investigations of Buried Remnants at Ancient Capital Cities of Panchala and Vatsa Kingdoms Spread Along Ganga-Yamuna Doab of India from 600 Bce to 1100 Ce." Article, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 52 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104271.
  • Sarkar, D., Sinha, R., and Bookhagen, B. "Towards a Guideline for Uav-Based Data Acquisition for Geomorphic Applications." Article, Remote Sensing 15, no. 14 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs15143692.
  • Roy, N., and Sen, I. S. "Co2 Consumption Rates in the Glacierized Himalayan Headwaters: The Importance of Sulfuric and Nitric Acid-Mediated Chemical Weathering Reactions in Geologic Carbon Cycle." Article, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 24, no. 7 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GC010919.
  • Ray, E., Paul, D., Bhutani, R., Chakrabarti, R., and Yang, S. "Sm-Nd Isotope Systematics of Indian Shales Constrain the Growth of Continental Crust: Implication for Supercontinent Cycle and Mantle Plume Activity." Article, Lithos 442-443 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2023.107051.
  • Quick, L., Creed, M. J., Sinclair, H. D., Attal, M., Borthwick, A. G. L., and Sinha, R. "Hyperconcentrated Floods Cause Extreme Gravel Transport through the Sandy Rivers of the Gangetic Plains." Article, Communications Earth and Environment 4, no. 1 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00953-9.
  • Putrevu, D., Chakraborty, T., Mukhopadhyay, J., Syed, T. H., Bhiravarasu, S. S., Das, A., Pandey, D. K., and Misra, A. "Lunar Impact Craters: New Perspectives from Full-Polarimetric Analysis of Chandrayaan-2 Dual-Frequency Sar Data." Article, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 128, no. 12 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JE007745.
  • Pant, A., Ghosal, D., Puryear, C., and Verma, S. N. "Algorithms for Time–Frequency Imaging and Analysis: Introduction to Mixed-Model Spectral Decomposition." Review, Acta Geophysica (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11600-023-01108-2.
  • Panigrahi, B., Srivastava, D. C., Tiwari, S., Agarwal, A., Rit, B., and Akhtar, S. S. "Application of Semi-Automated Methods for Extraction of Geological Surface Orientations: A Case Study from the Outer Garhwal Himalaya." Article, Journal of Earth System Science 132, no. 4 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12040-023-02194-y.
  • Nizam, S., Acharya, T., Dutta, S., and Sen, I. S. "Occurrence, Sources, and Spatial Distribution of Fluoride in the Ganga Alluvial Aquifer, India." Article, Environmental Geochemistry and Health 45, no. 5 (2023): 1975-89. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01319-4.
  • Neelavannan, K., Sen, I. S., Sinha, N., Thakur, A. K., and Misra, S. "Microplastics in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta: Sources and Pathways to the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve - an Unesco World Heritage Centre." Article, Environmental Advances 11 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100350.
  • Neelavannan, K., and Sen, I. S. "Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems of India: Current Trends and Future Perspectives." Review, ACS Omega 8, no. 38 (2023): 34235-48. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c01214.
  • Mukherjee, R., and Misra, S. "Nanomechanics of Minerals: Understandings and Developments through Instrumented Nanoindentation Techniques." Review, Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 50, no. 1 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00269-023-01235-8.
  • Mishra, U., Mohapatra, A. K., Mandal, A., and Singh, A. "Identification of Potential Artificial Groundwater Recharge Sites in an Alluvial Setting: A Coupled Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Sediment Characterization Study." Article, Groundwater for Sustainable Development 20 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2022.100875.
  • Malik, J. N., Mohanty, A., Sahoo, S., Gadhavi, M. S., Dhali, M., Arora, S., and Naik, S. P. "Signatures of 16th and 19th Centuries Paleo-Earthquakes Along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (Hft), Nw Himalaya, India: Implications to Seismic Hazard Assessment." Article, Quaternary International 656 (2023): 37-47. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2023.02.001.
  • Malik, J. N., Arora, S., Gadhavi, M. S., Singh, G., Kumar, P., Johnson, F. C., Thakur, M., and Raoof, J. "Geological Evidence of Paleo-Earthquakes on a Transverse Right-Lateral Strike-Slip Fault Along the Nw Himalayan Front: Implications Towards Fault Segmentation and Strain Partitioning." Article, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 244 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2022.105518.
  • Malik, J. N., Arora, S., Gadhavi, M. S., Singh, G., Kumar, P., Johnson, F. C., Thakur, M., and Raoof, J. "Replies to Comments Raised by Singh T., and Rajendran C.P. On Paper “Geological Evidence of Paleo-Earthquakes on a Transverse Right-Lateral Strike-Slip Fault Along the Nw Himalayan Front: Implications Towards Fault Segmentation and Strain Partitioning” by Malik Et Al. (2023), [Jaes, 244, 105518]." Article, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 255 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2023.105795.
  • Kumar, S., Agarwal, A., Rae, A. S. P., Kontny, A., and Poelchau, M. H. "Use of Magnetic Fabrics and X-Ray Diffraction to Reveal Low Strains in Experimentally Deformed Maggia Gneiss." Article, International Journal of Earth Sciences 112, no. 3 (2023): 867-79. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00531-022-02284-0.
  • Kumar, P., Malik, J. N., Gahalaut, V. K., Yadav, R. K., and Singh, G. "Evidence of Strain Accumulation and Coupling Variation in the Himachal Region of Nw Himalaya from Short Term Geodetic Measurements." Article, Tectonics 42, no. 8 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022TC007690.
  • Kumar, P., Malik, J. N., and Gahalaut, V. K. "Arc-Parallel Shear and Orogenic Deformation Along the Oblique Himalayan Convergent Plate Margin: Implications from Topographic- and Gradient-Anomaly Profiling in the Himalaya." Article, Pure and Applied Geophysics 180, no. 6 (2023): 2169-89. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00024-023-03246-6.
  • King, G. E., Ahadi, F., Sueoka, S., Herman, F., Anderson, L., Gautheron, C., Tsukamoto, S., Stalder, N., Biswas, R., Fox, M., Delpech, G., Schwartz, S., and Tagami, T. "Eustatic Change Modulates Exhumation in the Japanese Alps." Article, Geology 51, no. 2 (2023): 131-35. https://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G50599.1.
  • Joshi, S. K., Kumar, S., Sinha, R., Rai, S. P., Khobragade, S., and Rao, M. S. "Identifying Moisture Transport Pathways for North-West India." Article, Geological Journal 58, no. 12 (2023): 4428-40. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gj.4759.
  • Joshi, G., Phukon, P., Agarwal, A., and Ojha, A. K. "On the Emplacement of the Impact Melt at the Dhala Impact Structure, India." Article, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 128, no. 7 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JE007840.
  • Halder, M., Paul, D., and Yang, S. "Origin of Silicic Rocks of the Deccan Traps Continental Flood Basalt Province: Inferences from Field Observations, Petrography, and Geochemistry." Article, Geochemistry 83, no. 2 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemer.2023.125958.
  • Halder, M., Paul, D., and Stracke, A. "Petrogenesis of the Girnar Complex in the Deccan Traps Province, India." Article, Journal of Petrology 64, no. 3 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egad013.
  • Ghosh, S., Philip, G., Prasad, A. K., Syed, T. H., and Mohanty, S. P. "Towards Quantifying the Relative Tectonic Activity in the Trans-Yamuna Segment of Nw Himalaya." Article, Geocarto International 38, no. 1 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10106049.2022.2155712.
  • Fousiya, A. A., Malik, J. N., and Chakraborty, S. "Climatic Variability and Anthropogenic Forcing on Marine Ecosystems: Evidence from the Lakshadweep Archipelago." In Coasts, Estuaries and Lakes: Implications for Sustainable Development, 2023.
  • Dixit, A., Mandal, A., Ganguli, S. S., and Sanyal, S. "Genetic-Evolutionary Adaptive Moment Estimation-Based Semisupervised Deep Sequential Convolution Network for Seismic Impedance Inversion: Application and Uncertainty Analysis." Article, Geophysics 88, no. 2 (2023): R225-R42. https://dx.doi.org/10.1190/geo2022-0061.1.
  • Dixit, A., Mandal, A., and Ganguli, S. S. "Reservoir Heterogeneity Analysis Using Multi-Directional Textural Attributes from Deep Learning-Based Enhanced Acoustic Impedance Inversion: A Study from Poseidon, Nw Shelf Australia." Article, Energy Geoscience (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.engeos.2023.100235.
  • Dhali, M., Gadhavi, M. S., Mohan, K., Narayana, P. P., and Malik, J. N. "Active Faults Studies in Delhi and National Capital Region (Ncr): Inferences from Satellite Data and Field Investigations." Article, Frontiers in Earth Science 11 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1092927.
  • Biswas, R. H., Pathan, A. N., and Malik, J. N. "General Order Kinetics Model for Osl Rock Surface Exposure Dating." Article, Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy 89, no. 3 (2023): 644-54. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s43538-023-00172-y.
  • Berndt, C., Planke, S., Alvarez Zarikian, C. A., Frieling, J., Jones, M. T., Millett, J. M., Brinkhuis, H., Bünz, S., Svensen, H. H., Longman, J., Scherer, R. P., Karstens, J., Manton, B., Nelissen, M., Reed, B., Faleide, J. I., Huismans, R. S., Agarwal, A., Andrews, G. D. M., Betlem, P., Bhattacharya, J., Chatterjee, S., Christopoulou, M., Clementi, V. J., Ferré, E. C., Filina, I. Y., Guo, P., Harper, D. T., Lambart, S., Mohn, G., Nakaoka, R., Tegner, C., Varela, N., Wang, M., Xu, W., and Yager, S. L. "Shallow-Water Hydrothermal Venting Linked to the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum." Article, Nature Geoscience 16, no. 9 (2023): 803-09. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01246-8.
  • Bal, A., Misra, S., Mukherjee, M., Dutta, T. K., Sen, D., Patra, A., and Raja, E. "Concurrent Influence of Geological Parameters on the Integrated Nano-Pore Structure and Discretized Pore Families of the Petroliferous Cambay Shale Assessed through Multivariate Dependence Measure." Article, Frontiers in Earth Science 11 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1157122.
  • Amir, M., Paul, D., Anchana, P., Tarique, M., and Rahaman, W. "Geochemical Evidence for West-Flowing Paleo-Yamuna River in Northwest India During the Late Quaternary and Its Implication for the Harappan Civilization." Article, Geochemistry 83, no. 4 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemer.2023.126021.
  • Agarwal, V., Akyilmaz, O., Shum, C. K., Feng, W., Yang, T. Y., Forootan, E., Syed, T. H., Haritashya, U. K., and Uz, M. "Machine Learning Based Downscaling of Grace-Estimated Groundwater in Central Valley, California." Article, Science of the Total Environment 865 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161138.
 

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Welcome to the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Kanpur. We are one of the youngest department in the country, established in 2014, with a vision to carry out interdisciplinary Earth Science teaching and research of contemporary relevance. In this endeavour, we are currently offering a diversity of Earth science courses at all academic levels.

Our integrated BS-MS program in Earth Sciences is focused on basic sciences, computational and engineering sciences, along with learning of modern analytical tools in the field of remote Sensing & GIS, geochemistry, seismo-tectonics, geophysics and natural Hazards.

Our M. Tech. program in Geological Technology focuses on applied earth sciences, geophysics, isotope geochemistry, crust-mantle evolution, earth surface processes, climate change, river science, natural hazards, structural geology and tectonics, isotope geochemistry and planetary sciences.

Our Ph.D. program in Earth Sciences offers specialization in numerous areas of frontier research including mantle dynamics, crustal evolution, fracture mechanics, climate science, river science, natural hazards (earthquakes & tsunamis), geophysical exploration, environmental science, and planetary science. The research carried out by our faculty members and their research teams in the last 6 years has made substantial impact at the National and International level. Our departmental has several state-of-the-art laboratories equipped to obtain high-quality analytical data. Major instruments available are: ICP-MS, XRD, SEM, TOC, Sedigraph, CL, UAVs, IRMS, OSL Reader, Gamma Spectrometer, Gas/Liquid Permeameter, T-VLF, Gravimeter, Microscopes, Portable Seismograph, GPR, Terrestial Laser Scanner, High-end TS, GPS – permanent stations in Himalaya.

The Earth Science department currently has 10 full-time faculty members with diverse expertise. We are rapidly expanding and have faculty openings at both junior and senior levels. We would also welcome applications for visiting faculty positions. In particular, we are looking for outstanding researchers in the field of Mineralogy/Petrology, Hydrology/Water Resources, Stratigraphy & Paleontology, Sedimentology, Structure and Tectonics, Computational seismology, Geophysics, Basin-Analysis and Petroleum Geology etc. We also encourage fresh Ph. D candidates to apply for Post-Doctoral fellowship, DST INPIRE Faculty or National Post-Doctoral Fellowship and be a part of our ES family. Please feel free to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for more information.

With warm wishes

Prof. Debajyoti Paul
Head, Department of Earth Sciences
IIT Kanpur

The Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Kanpur focuses on the study of the Earth, encompassing its evolution and internal dynamics, its surface processes, emphasizing natural and human-induced transformations of the terrestrial environment vis-a-vis sustainable development, given the biggest problem we face in terms of rapidly increasing population.

Apart from a modern teaching programme, students will be trained for high quality research that will allow thorough examination of issues related to the Earth Sciences, such as those concerned with natural resources (identification and exploration techniques) and their use to society, solid Earth geology, Quaternary geology and the understanding and mitigation of natural hazards. It would thus provide a sound, topical background in various aspects of Earth Sciences, which will form the foundation for further study and for a wide range of employment opportunities in the mineral, energy, water, environmental and space sectors.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur created a new Department of Earth Sciences on February 5, 2014.

Earth Science is a strongly interdisciplinary subject with several links to important resources such as minerals, energy, and water as well as to hazards and environmental management. Over the years, this discipline has developed into a major knowledge domain of science and technology due to the advent of modern space observation systems, new exploration technologies for probing earth's surface and sub-surface for resources and the development of sophisticated geochemical analytical methods. In addition, several important issues such as climate change, natural hazards, cryosphere, environmental degradation and resource depletion have made this science highly relevant to the society.

Objectives of the Department are as follows:

  1. To provide high quality manpower in Earth Sciences, where intellectual foundations and traditions are anchored in the (a) integration of quantitative data across various Earth systems, and (b) application of geological, geophysical and other related analytical methods.
  2. To develop academic programmes in Earth Sciences that will focus on the conjunctive use of field, experimental, analytical and numerical approaches.
  3. To develop high quality research programmes in areas of water, climate change, energy, natural hazards and at their interfaces.

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