Overview

The Planetary Surface Process Group (PSPG) at Virginia Tech uses the surface features of planets as probes into the climate, geothermal, and solid body processes of the planets. By integrating traditional geomorphic studies with novel experimental and computational modeling, we seek insight into the physical processes driving the formation of surface features. We extend terrestrial studies to other planets and use the different physical conditions to enhance our understanding of Earth’s surface processes while at the same time gaining valuable knowledge about distant worlds. Our research reaches from sedimentary fan deposition to experimental wave formation and from Earth to Mars to Titan.