Earth and atmospheric sciences play a central role in national security, from refining space-based observations to analyzing seismic signals under Earth’s crust. For decades, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have focused on leading-edge Earth system science, improving our understanding of natural systems and supporting resilience planning for infrastructure development and natural security operations. We develop innovative technologies to support energy independence, as well as advanced monitoring techniques to detect, locate, and characterize underground nuclear testing. Innovative solutions also strengthen response capabilities for nuclear emergencies and hazardous material releases.
Longstanding Livermore leadership in earth and atmospheric science is exemplified by the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparsion and the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) modeling capabilities. NARAC provides essential data to government decision makers in the event of hazardous emissions, such as the Fukushima radioactivity release in 2011.
