Sally Thompson in the News for Study of "Critical Zone"

Professor Sally Thompson is the deputy director of the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), one of ten National Science Foundation observatories that study the interconnected physical, chemical and biological processes of the “critical zone” — where rock, soil, water, air and living organisms interact and shape the Earth’s surface.

“We use the term ‘critical zone’ to describe the very thin slice around the Earth where all of life happens,” says Thompson.

The critical zone provides clean water, food, nutrients, soil and carbon storage. CZO researchers are examining this zone to predict how the Earth’s surface will evolve with climate changes and future human activity.

Their discoveries will help inform and guide decision-making on how to best mitigate and adapt to environmental changes.

See The critical zone: Studying where all of life happens (Berkeley Engineering, Feb. 2016)

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