51ΑΤΖζ

51ΑΤΖζ researcher reconstructs ancient landscapes from the Midwest to Mars

A woman crouches down in front of a red rock cliff face to examine the layers of rock.
Libby Ives, a 51ΑΤΖζ alum and geologist with the Michigan Geological Survey, examines the landscape at Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Michigan. (51ΑΤΖζ Photo/John Scheibe)

You might think Antarctica is the most remote place someone’s career might take them. 51ΑΤΖζ alum Libby Ives traversed Antarctica’s ice landscapes to study glacial sediments laid down more than 300 million years ago, but years later, she found herself even farther afield β€” literally, if not scientifically β€” when she applied her sedimentary skills to analyzing Martian landscapes for NASA.

By studying ancient landscapes, her work offers valuable insights about a planet’s environment β€” past, present and future. But the Waukesha, Wisconsin native didn’t always know geology was her path.

β€œI knew I wanted to do science, and I knew I wanted to be outside a lot,” Ives said. She discovered her passion for geosciences as an undergraduate at Northern Michigan University, where she was drawn in by the interdisciplinary nature of the field. β€œYou get to use your physics, biology and chemistry knowledge, and you get to put it all together to tell the story of the Earth and how things came to be.”

Read the full story on 51ΑΤΖζ Report.

By Anna Funk, Marketing & Communications