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Mason Alert:

George Mason University will open at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 23, due to inclement weather. We will provide another update by 7 a.m. For more information about campus operations go here: https://www.gmu.edu/campus-status. Please use good judgment and travel safely.

Atmospheric science
George Mason University

Atmospheric, Oceanic & Earth Sciences

In This Department

Join us in working to better understand our planet.

From simulating atmospheric temperature to explaining geological layers to tracing ocean circulation, the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences gives students new tools to explore our planet. You will benefit from the wide range of faculty expertise across undergraduate and graduate programs in AOES.

Support our department

Help us educate students and study the Earth with a gift to the department as a whole or to specific AOES programs.

 

Atmospheric, Oceanic & Earth Sciences News & Events

Latest News

More news
Image of AOES faculty Ben Cash

Researcher Leads $1 Million NOAA Project to Improve Seasonal Forecasts of Extreme Weather

Laura Powers
GMU Observatory

George Mason Observatory makes appearance in season ten of Queer Eye

Two students in the observatory

George Mason University Joins spaceNEXT as Lead Academic Partner

brennan collier

This George Mason alum mapped her future

Buzz McClain

Upcoming Events

More Events
Feb 25

25 Feb (CLIM) Buzan, Methane Emission Reduction

Feb 25, 2026, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Speaker: Jonathan Buzan, Aalborg U and Vrije U Brussels Title: Rapid Methane Emission Reductions within Stabilized Climate Scenarios Time: Wed, 25 Feb, 1:30pm Location: via Zoom (for link, email bklinger@gmu.edu) Host: Paul Acosta
Feb 26

26 Feb (GEOL) Barbara Balestra, Micropaleontology

Feb 26, 2026, 4:30 - 5:30 PM

Speaker: Barbara Balestra, American University Bio: Coming soon Title: Coming soon Time: Thu, 26 Feb, 4:30pm ET Location: Exploratory 1309 and via Zoom (for link, email lhinnov@gmu.edu) Host: Linda Hinnov
Mar 4

4 Mar (CLIM/GEOL) Jared Nirenberg, Cold Seas in a Warmer Past

Mar 4, 2026, 4:30 - 5:30 PM

Speaker: Jared Nirenberg, Brown University Bio: Coming soon Title: Earth’s coldest regions in a past warmer world: High-latitude climate evolution during the Miocene Time: Wed, 4 Mar, 4:30pm ET (Recording will be available) Location: Exploratory 1309 and via Zoom (for link, email lhinnov@gmu.edu) Host: Linda Hinnov The Miocene Epoch (5

Graduate Symposium

2026 Earth System Observations and Modeling Graduate Symposium, April 10th. Accepting Abstracts. 

 

ESOM logo

Funding Graduate School

Financial support is available for graduate students

Climate Dynamics Students

A research powerhouse pushing boundaries of climate dynamics and prediction

Students learn the fundamentals of weather and atmospheric dynamics, participate in the research leadership of AOES in climate modeling, and benefit from the many facilities conducting atmosphere-related research and operations in the Washington, D.C. area.

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Visit Us On Campus

Contact our program coordinators or main office to learn more about the department or schedule a visit.

Fairfax Campus, Exploratory Hall 3451 and Research Hall 109 
4400 University Drive, MSN 5F2, Fairfax, VA 22030  
Phone: 703-993-5394

  • Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences
  • Campus Map
Exploratory Hall at George Mason University Fairfax Campus

Why AOES at Mason?

Over 80,000

Approximate number of times AOES faculty articles were cited in the scientific literature.

20

Average class lab size. 

6

Number of degree programs offered by the department to undergraduate and graduate students.

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.