The mission of SEES (Synchrotron Earth and Environmental Science) is to advance research and education in synchrotron-based Earth and environmental science to better understand our planet from the atmosphere to the core, to address societally relevant problems, and to train the next generation of scientists. SEES is responsible for the management, operation, and development of multiple user facilities hosted at four DOE-operated US synchrotrons: Advanced Photon Source (APS), Advanced Light Source (ALS), National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL).
2025 SEES-ISRD Joint Meeting
SEES and ISRD invite you to attend our annual meeting to be held jointly at the University of Chicago on August 11-13, 2025. Keynote speakers will discuss topics in rock and mineral deformation and rheological properties in Earth, and there will be a poster session with a broad scientific focus. All SEES and ISRD researchers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Click here to learn more.
Recent Publications
Pressure-Modulated Luminescence Enhancement and Quenching in a Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework
Sicheng Wang, Peter E. VanNatta, Bin Wang, Zhenxian Liu, Abdullah M. Al‐Enizi, Ayman Nafady, Shengqian Ma, Hao Yan, Pressure‐Modulated Luminescence...
Numerical Investigation Into Mechanical Behavior ofMetastable Olivine During Phase Transformation: Implications for Deep‐Focus Earthquakes
Sindhusuta, S., Chi, S.‐W., Foster, C., Officer, T., & Wang, Y. (2025). Numerical investigation into mechanical behavior of metastable olivine during phase transformation: Implications for deep-focus earthquakes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 130, e2024JB030557. https://doi.org/10.1029/ 2024JB030557
Nonlinearity of the post-spinel transition and its expression in slabs and plumes worldwide
Dong, J., Fischer, R.A., Stixrude, L.P. et al. Nonlinearity of the post-spinel transition and its expression in slabs and plumes worldwide. Nat Commun 16, 1039 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56231-z
Mobility of cobalt in mine waste: Evidence from a historic silver mining district in Canada
Melissa A.H. Turcotte, Heather E. Jamieson, Michael B. Parsons, Mobility of cobalt in mine waste: Evidence from a historic silver mining district in Canada, Applied Geochemistry, Volume 181, 2025, 106296, ISSN 0883-2927, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2025.106296.
Thorite: An Oddity in Phase Stability Amongst the Zircon-Structured Orthosilicates at High Pressures
Strzelecki, Andrew C., Jason L. Baker, Stella Chariton, Xiaodong Zhao, Vitali Prakapenka, David Bollinger, Sohan Ahmed et al. “Thorite: An Oddity in Phase Stability Amongst the Zircon-Structured Orthosilicates at High Pressures.” American Mineralogist (2025).
Strength, deformation, and the fcc–hcp phase transition in condensed Kr and Xe to the 100 GPa pressure range
B. L. Brugman, M. Lv, J. Liu, E. Greenberg, V. B. Prakapenka, D. Y. Popov, C. Park, S. M. Dorfman; Strength, deformation, and the fcc–hcp phase transition in condensed Kr and Xe to the 100 GPa pressure range. J. Appl. Phys. 7 February 2025; 137 (5): 055109. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0254842
Science Highlights
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Latest Happenings

Research at GSE after APS-U featured in ANL Highlight
A new era of research comes into focus as the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade nears completion, GSE scientists anticipate the experimental possibilities.

Mark Rivers at the APS All-Hands Meeting
GSE scientist Mark Rivers presented Beamline Commissioning at Sector 13 at the APS All-Hands Meeting.

Matt Newville Speaks at IIT
GSE scientist Matt Newville spoke at IIT concerning X-ray Microprobe Opportunities at APS.

“P”ushing It All the Way at XFM
The first real test of P K-edge XANES, the VERY BOTTOM of their energy range (2.1 keV)!