Department of Geography

NEWS

Forest after 2020 wildfire
May 27th 2025

Slowly dying trees impact forest recovery post-wildfires, PSU study of 2020 fires finds

Across the western U.S., wildfires are becoming larger and more severe —...
Changes in the Great Salt Lake’s levels in 1985, left, and 2022, right
January 21st 2025

Here’s what’s causing the Great Salt Lake to shrink, according to PSU study

The Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere,...
textural image
October 17th 2024

PSU joins consortium advancing Earth science programs

Portland State is among the newest members of the University Corporation...
Graphic of Earth over moss
September 25th 2024

Fall lecture series explores environmental issues, open to public

Portland State’s School of Earth, Environment and Society is kicking off...
Highway and trees during wildfire with deep red and orange sky
September 24th 2024

New grant will train PSU students to support community resilience in the face of extreme events

In a world where extreme weather events and natural hazards are becoming...
Upper Klamath Lake
July 25th 2024

Stitching a Path Forward

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about a quilt? Portland...
Portland State University banner against backdrop of fall foliage on Park Blocks
June 4th 2024

PSU launches new School of Earth, Environment, and Society

Portland State is launching a new School of Earth, Environment, and Society...
Wildfire smoke from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires
March 1st 2024

What caused 2020 extreme weather events? PSU study explores meteorology behind extreme fire, snow

The same weather system that led to the spread of the devastating Labor Day...
View of Mount Hood
September 18th 2023

PSU joins Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center

Portland State University is joining the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science...
Electric cars charging
June 28th 2023

Push to green energy is not without consequences, PSU prof explores

From a proposed lithium mine near the Oregon-Nevada border to a proposed...
Map showing high temperatures (red) across the western U.S. during the heatwave
March 8th 2023

PSU study: Everything was stronger in that deadly June 2021 PNW heatwave

What was different about the deadly, record-breaking heat wave in June 2...
Mt. Hood
January 21st 2023

Latest climate assessment says Oregon is getting warmer — what's that mean for the state?

The latest climate assessment for Oregon says the state is getting warmer...