Our research group is devoted to understanding the evolution of landscapes and seascapes on Earth and other planets.   In particular, we use field measurements, laboratory experiments, numerical experiments, and theory to develop quantitative models of the processes that shape a planet's surface.  This work benefits from the Caltech GIS laboratory, the Caltech Tectonics Observatory, the nearby NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the new Caltech Earth Surface Dynamics Laboratory, which includes a state-of-the-art tilting flume and laboratory basin to study river hydraulics and morphodynamics. 

Graduate Student and Post-doc Opportunities

All potential graduate students and post-doctoral researchers interested in geomorphology and sedimentology are encouraged to contact Michael Lamb. Caltech is an unparalleled environment to conduct research.  The GPS Division provides expertise across all disciplines of Earth and Planetary Science.  Our group benefits from collaborations with Planetary Surface Processes (Oded Aharonson), Sedimentology (John Grotzinger), Geochemistry (e.g.,  Ken Farley, Jess Adkins and John Eiler), Remote sensing (Mark Simons), and Tectonic Geomorphology (Jean-Philippe Avouac) for example.   With strong support for research and an emphasis on teaching, Caltech maintains its position as one of the top institutes of science.

Undergraduate Research

I am currently looking for undergraduates to assist in and lead flume experiments designed to investigate sediment transport, bedrock erosion and hydraulics of mountain streams.  Please contact me and see SURF for more information.  This opportunity is open to Caltech undergraduates and those from other universities.

Pasadena
San Gabriel Mountains.  About a 45 min. drive from Caltech

Caltech is located in Pasadena - an ideal locality to study Earth surface processes, with easy access to the coastal mountains and beaches, the Sierra Nevada, Basin and Range, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon.  The heart of the San Gabriel Mountains are 45 minutes away.