Welcome to the Institute of Earth Sciences!
The Institute of Earth Sciences is the gateway to a fascinating world of discoveries and research!
At the institute, we explore the elements of the world around us, using advanced technologies and innovative research.
Join our undergraduate studies to develop a foundation in Earth and Environmental Sciences,
or register for our postgraduate degrees to gain experience in world leading research.
Our institute offers a dynamic environment, with a supportive atmosphere and vibrant interdisciplinary cooperation.

Undergraduate MSc PhD 

 

 

 

 

A foreseeable Disaster: How the Failure of Two Dams Amplified the Derna, Libya Flood Tragedy

31 March, 2025
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A new collaborative study, by Moshe (Koko) Armon from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Yuval Shmilovitz from the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Elad Dente from the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Haifa, reveals that the devastating 2023 flood in Derna, Libya, was not merely the result of extreme rainfall but was drastically intensified by a major design shortcoming and its resulting collapse of two embankment dams. Through advanced hydrological modeling and satellite data analysis, the researchers showed in the paper published in Science Advances, that while Storm Daniel brought heavy rainfall, the catastrophe stemmed from dam failures and flawed risk assessment and communication—amplifying the destruction nearly twentyfold. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved flood mitigation and risk communication strategies, especially in dryland regions where high uncertainty in risk analysis, coupled with vulnerable infrastructure, pose an ever-growing threat.

A report about the study was recently published in Ynet.

 

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Space-Based Detection: Novel Technique Maps Marine Microplastic Pollution

20 February, 2025
microplastic

 

A new method for detecting microplastics from satellites, developed at the Institute of Earth Sciences by Gili Kurtser and Prof. Carynelisa Haspel, enables precise monitoring of marine microplastic on a global scale. This method is based on analyzing the unique spectral signature of common plastic particles, such as polyethylene and polystyrene, providing an innovative tool for studying microplastic pollution in the oceans and developing solutions to mitigate it.

 

Read the Ynet article about the research

 

 

 

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Symposium in Oceanography - on May 28th at the HUJI institute of Earth Sciences

13 March, 2025

 

Symposium in Oceanography 

Bridging Ocean and Atmosphere: Dynamics and Ecosystem Interactions

The HUJI institute of Earth Sciences, together with IAAS, the Israeli Association for Aquatic Sciences, are hosting a symposium on: ocean dynamics, ecology, and air sea interaction. 

The symposium will take place on May 28th at the HUJI institute of Earth Sciences. 

Participation is free, but requires email registration.  

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