NIU Earth, Atmosphere and Environment

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Clarence "Clancy" Casella, longtime Northern Illinois University geology faculty member, who passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026. His obituary can be found at https://www.finchfuneralhomedekalb.com/obituary/dr-clarence-casella.
During his 30 years at NIU, Dr. Casella inspired generations of geologists through his teaching, mentorship, and passion for understanding the Earth. His research in Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains, along with his leadership of NIU's field camp program, helped shape the careers of countless students.
Clancy believed that the best way to learn geology was to experience it in the field, fostering not only scientific understanding but also a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. That spirit lives on in every student who follows in his footsteps across the rocks and units he loved so deeply. His legacy continues to be felt today. Just this month, our geology students returned from field camp, where they explored many of the same rocks that Clancy studied throughout his career. For many of them, that experience was made possible through scholarships provided by the Clarence J. Casella Field Camp Scholarship Fund; a lasting testament to his commitment to making transformative field experiences accessible to future geologists.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Veronica, his wife of 67 years, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew and loved him. We are grateful for Dr. Casella's many contributions to NIU, the Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, and the generations of students whose lives he helped shape.
His legacy will continue to inspire NIU geologists for years to come.

Our 2026 Geology Field Camp students have completed their summer field experience!

Over the past several weeks, students have developed and refined their field geology skills while exploring some of the most spectacular geologic settings in Wyoming and South Dakota. Their work included geologic mapping and characterization of Amsden Creek, the Pierre Shale, Devils Tower, the Chugwater Group, the Bighorn Mountains, Whitewood Peak, and the Black Hills.

Field camp provides students with invaluable hands-on experience interpreting geologic history, constructing geologic maps, collecting and analyzing field data, and applying concepts learned in the classroom to real-world geologic problems. We are proud of their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments throughout this summer's field season!

https://newsroom.niu.edu/mapping-mars-niu-developed-ai-model-could-help-bring-red-planet-into-clearer-focus/ .tab=0

Congratulations to Professor Wei Luo and Ph.D. student Jichao Fang on their groundbreaking research developing a Mars-specific AI model that can analyze millions of planetary images and identify geological features more accurately than Earth-trained AI systems. Published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Machine Learning and Computation, this innovative work has the potential to accelerate discoveries about Mars’ climate history, geology, habitability, and the evolution of rocky planets across our solar system.

Mapping Mars: NIU-developed AI model could help bring Red Planet into clearer focus | NIU Newsroom NIU-developed artificial intelligence (AI) foundation model could help bring Red Planet into clearer focus

What's on my mind? Good question. Right now, weather and our ICECHIP friends out in the Great Plain States are on my mind. Yes, this summer they are back collecting more data for the study on hail. The team is a bit smaller and the travel is small team based versus the large scale it was last summer. Teams may be covering different storms and even in different states, but with specialized equipment they are producing the data they need to make progress. NIU/EAE Ph.D. Student, Caitlyn Roufa was kind enough to share some photos along the journey.

Dr. Gensini, Dr. Ashley, and the ICECHIP crew's hail research continues on this summer and is still making waves in the meteorological community. The hail is getting larger and more destructive and we are learning the how's, why's and where's of the patterns. EAE is proud of the work being done!

Giant, Destructive Hail Is Becoming More Common With Climate Change, Study Says As the atmosphere warms, the potential for hail as large as a grapefruit is growing

We're always out to show that school can be both educational and fun. Here are some pics from EAE476-478-479 out at field camp during Summer session 2026. This group is definitely making the most out of learning!

Congratulations to Megan Brown and Alex Haberlie on achieving tenure and promotion to Associate Professor! Their dedication, hard work, and impact on students and research make this recognition well-deserved. We are so proud to see your contributions recognized!

Big shoutout to EAE’s own Karissa Duff and Wei Luo for their groundbreaking research on landslide risk across the United States!

NIU study: U.S. landslide risks are growing—and could expand to new regions | NIU Newsroom NIU study: U.S. landslide risks are growing—and could expand to new regions

Today, we celebrate our remarkable planet and renew our commitment to understanding, protecting, and sustaining it. In EAE, our faculty and students continue to push the boundaries of research and discovery, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future. From improving our understanding of severe weather and a changing climate to addressing challenges such as microplastics, critical mineral resources, and the application of geospatial technologies, our work is helping to inform solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

We remain inspired by the complexity, interconnectedness, and beauty of the Earth system. Through research, education, and innovation, we are committed to advancing knowledge and preparing the next generation to meet the environmental challenges ahead.

This past weekend, Dr. Mark Fischer took students from his Dynamics and Structure of the Earth class on a field trip to the Baraboo area of Wisconsin.

The Baraboo Quartzite, approximately 1.65 to 1.7 billion years old, is a Paleoproterozoic rock formation and among the oldest exposed rocks in North America. These rocks began as ancient sandstones before being transformed into incredibly hard and resistant quartzite.

Experiences like this give students the opportunity to connect classroom concepts with real-world geology!