Rice University Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences

Home
United States
Houston, TX
Rice University Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Rice University Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, College & University, 6100 Main Street/MS 126, Houston, TX.

06/02/2026

Do you know the difference between a meteroid, meteor, and a meteorite?

Short answer:
🌌 Meteoroids are small fragments of an asteroid in space
☄️ Meteors are fiery bits of the meteoroid heated during flight by the Earth's atmosphere
🪨 Meteorites are space rocks that survived the atmospheric journey to Earth's surface.

Houston was recently visited by a type of meteorite that Rice scientists recognized as an early solar system material called a "Chondrite." Hear from Baibhav "Bruu" Srivastava about what a Chondrite is and why they are so special.

Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

06/01/2026

On March 21st, a one meter asteroid exploded resulting in a shower of meteorites that fell over north Houston. Rice Assistant Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (EEPS), Dr. Bidong Zhang, and EEPS Science writer, Linda Fries, were some of the first people to lay eyes on a pristine piece of our solar system's earliest planetary materials. Rice University scientists, Dr. Tao Sun and Dr. Gelu Costin are analyzing a fragment to determine the meteorite type and its mineral composition.

Enjoy Bruu Srivastava's, EEPS Ph.D student's, reaction to being surprised with an up close visit with the Houston Meteorite.

Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

05/28/2026

For Rice's associate professor, Dr. Sylvia Dee, understanding Earth’s past is the key to preparing for its future. By combining climate models with centuries-old natural records, her work uncovers how rainfall, temperatures and extreme weather are shifting in a warming world. From El Niño dynamics to the impacts of extreme heat on public health, Dee’s research strengthens climate predictions and supports communities facing climate risks today.

Rice University Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

05/25/2026

Can climate variability influence the risk of armed conflict?

Research exploring this question was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 11th. The study by Rice statistics doctoral student Tyler Bagwell, with climate scientist Dr. Sylvia Dee and statistician Dr. Frederi Viens, and support from Rice undergraduate students, Divya Saikumar and Anna Stravato uses high-resolution data and empirical modeling to examine how large-scale climate patterns shape the probability of civil conflict and war

Read more: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/climate-patterns-may-shape-where-violent-conflict-risks-are-amplified-rice-study-finds

05/22/2026

“Being able to transition to Rice with a project that will directly support the greater Houston communities is incredibly exciting,” Hoffman said. “Using a multifaceted lens, we’ll be able to build models that truly help to increase resiliency and improve flood and sea level responses across the Gulf Coast.”

Read more: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/new-rice-professor-leads-project-build-more-climate-resilient-gulf-coast

Rice University Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

05/19/2026

We already miss our graduates...

P.S. No rocks (or benches) were harmed in the making of this photoshoot

05/16/2026

Join us in celebrating 2026 graduate, Ainsley Ganti, who is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science with a minor in French Studies.

05/14/2026

Join us in celebrating 2026 graduate, Divya Saikumar, who is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Environmental Studies.

05/12/2026

Join us in celebrating 2026 graduate, Adam Leff, who is earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Creative Writing.

05/10/2026

Join us in celebrating 2026 graduate, Haolin Zhou, who is earning his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Earth Science.

Address

6100 Main Street/MS 126
Houston, TX
77005

Telephone

+17133484880

Website

http://eeps.rice.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rice University Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Rice University Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences:

Shortcuts

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Houston?