Topics Master in Earth Sciences ETH

Master's thesis topics on research group websites

Engineering Geology

Master's thesis topics in SiROP

Many research groups in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences advertise Master's theses through the external page student research project website SiROP.

The feed below shows a selection of currently available projects.

AI-powered Earthquake Data Denoising

Seismology and Geodynamics

Seismologists use earthquake recordings to monitor seismic activity, but these recordings are often mixed with noise from the environment, making it challenging to automatically process earthquake signals. This project focuses on using deep learning techniques to remove noise from earthquake recordings. By building on existing methods and introducing new ideas, the goal is to create a reliable tool that makes earthquake monitoring more accurate and efficient.

Keywords

Earthquake monitoring, Deep Learning, AI, Denoising, Signal Processing, High-Performance-Computing, Seismology

Labels

Master Thesis

PLEASE LOG IN TO SEE DESCRIPTION

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-11-28 , Earliest start: 2025-12-01

Applications limited to Department of Physics , Department of Mathematics , Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering , Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences , ETH Competence Center - ETH AI Center , Swiss Data Science Center - ETHZ , Department of Computer Science , IDEA League

Organization Seismology and Geodynamics

Hosts Dahmen Nikolaj , Meier Men-Andrin

Topics Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Earth Sciences

West Antarctic Ice Sheet subglacial drainage and grounding zone seismicity

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Antarctic ice sheets contribute significant uncertainty to sea level rise projections due to processes occurring deep beneath the ice. This project will use existing data from two passive seismic deployments to investigate the ice sheet – ice shelf transition of Kamb Ice Stream in West Antarctica.

Keywords

Glaciology, Seismology, Antarctica, Ice Sheet, Ice Stream, Ice Shelf, Geophysics

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

Goal

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-21

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Farinotti Daniel , Horgan Huw

Topics Earth Sciences

Ice avalanche risk for future glacial lakes

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Ice avalanches are an important mass movement in glacierized mountain areas. In this project, we analyze glacier retreat scenarios until the end of the century with an eye towards future hotspots for ice avalanche activity. To assess the future risks from these processes, we intersect the knowledge about glacier retreat with that on the expected formation of glacial lakes and future infrastructure projects.

Keywords

ice avalanche, glacier, climate change, hazard, risk

Labels

Semester Project , Master Thesis

Description

Goal

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-14 , Earliest start: 2025-09-01

Applications limited to ETH Zurich

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Jacquemart Mylène

Topics Earth Sciences

Investigating global ice temperatures

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

This project aims to investigate a global database of glacier temperatures with the aim of improving our understanding of ice temperature distributions in glaciers and their connection with climate.

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

Goal

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-14

Applications limited to ETH Zurich

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Jacquemart Mylène

Topics Earth Sciences

Benchmarking and Improving Glacier Remote Sensing Data for Mass Balance Inversions

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Join an international effort to better understand how glaciers respond to climate change by helping build a benchmark dataset for glacier surface mass balance (SMB) estimation. In this project, you’ll work hands-on with cutting-edge satellite and field data, learn advanced statistical and geospatial techniques, which will contribute directly to improving the accuracy of glacier models. You will gain practical experience in glacier remote sensing, statistical data processing, and model evaluation—skills highly relevant for careers in cryospheric science, climate data analysis, and Earth observation.

Keywords

Remote sensing, Glacier, mass balance, data processing

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

Accurately estimating the surface mass balance (SMB) of glaciers is crucial for predicting their evolution under climate change. Modern approaches increasingly rely on remote sensing data—such as elevation change, ice surface velocity, and ice thickness—to estimate SMB through mass continuity equations. However, the quality, resolution, and consistency of these datasets vary significantly between sources, introducing uncertainty in the results. This MSc thesis is part of the international effort ContinuIX (Continuity approaches for mass balance Intercomparison eXercise) that aims to compile a benchmark collection of high-quality, contemporaneous glacier datasets from diverse regions. You will contribute to the data homogenization and analysis, focusing on evaluating data consistency and testing innovative gap-filling methods for incomplete datasets. Objectives and Research Questions The goal of this thesis is to assess and improve multi-source glacier datasets used in SMB estimation, with a focus on surface velocity and ice thickness data. Key research questions: - Which statistical or machine learning techniques (e.g., kriging, Gaussian process regression, random forest interpolation) best fill gaps in velocity and thickness data while maintaining physical realism? - What are best practices for harmonizing multi-source glacier datasets to ensure consistency across glacier and sensor characteristics? - How do different data quality levels and spatial resolution affect SMB inversion results using the Instructed Glacier Model (IGM)? - How do differences in data quality and spatial/temporal resolution influence glacier flux and SMB estimates? Application We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate in the second year of a Master's degree in earth sciences, remote sensing or any other related field. The work is expected to last ~6 months and start early 2026. Requirements: - Good maths and physics background (fluid mechanics, algebra) - Quantitative data analysis and programming (Matlab, Python, R) - Experience in the use of Geographic Information Systems (e.g. QGIS), and/or remote sensing workflows is a plus Please send us a CV and a cover letter.

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-13 , Earliest start: 2026-01-05 , Latest end: 2026-10-31

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Kneib Marin

Topics Earth Sciences

Glacier Mass Balance Inversions to Constrain High-Elevation Precipitation in the Alps and High Mountain Asia

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

High-elevation precipitation remains one of the largest uncertainties in mountain climate research. In this project, you will work with state-of-the-art glacier surface mass balance (SMB) inversions and open-source glacier models to develop a workflow that reconciles reanalysis precipitation estimates with glacier observations. You’ll gain hands-on experience with Python-based modelling (OGGM and FSM), remote sensing data, and climate-glacier coupling techniques at the frontier of cryospheric research. Opportunities to take part in field measurement campaigns related to the topic.

Keywords

Glacier, precipitation, Himalaya, glacier modeling, snow

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

Quantifying snowfall at high elevations is a major challenge for both climate and hydrological models, as direct measurements are rare and reanalysis products often underestimate solid precipitation. Meanwhile, satellite-derived glacier elevation and velocity datasets now make it possible to infer distributed surface mass balance (SMB) over large regions. These SMB inversion products provide an independent constraint on high-elevation precipitation - offering a new way to refine regional climate datasets. This MSc thesis is part of a large international project aiming to reconcile glacier mass balance and precipitation at the mountain-range scale in the European Alps and High Mountain Asia (HMA). The student will use existing high-quality SMB inversions obtained from the physics-informed Instructed Glacier Model (IGM) to calibrate precipitation and melt parameters within the Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) and a coupled OGGM–Flexible Snow Model (FSM) workflow. Objectives and Research Questions The goal of this MSc project is to test and formalize how SMB inversion products can be used to calibrate and bias-correct high-elevation precipitation in regional climate datasets, through the OGGM modelling framework. Key research questions: - How well do glacier models, such as OGGM and the coupled OGGM-FSM model, forced with current reanalysis datasets (e.g., W5E5) reproduce the altitudinal SMB profiles derived from glacier inversions? - Can SMB inversion results be used to constrain OGGM and OGGM-FSM parameters (precipitation correction factors especially)? - What is an efficient, reproducible workflow to calibrate OGGM and OGGM-FSM parameters against distributed SMB inversions for different climatic regimes? Expected outcomes The main output will be a robust, open-source processing workflow for calibrating OGGM (and OGGM-FSM) parameters using SMB inversion data, providing a proof-of-concept for large-scale bias correction of high-elevation precipitation. Depending on progress, the student will also assess regional differences between the Alps and HMA. This project offers an opportunity to: - Work directly within the OGGM open-source community and contribute to real code development; - Gain experience in glacier–climate modelling, Python scientific workflows, and remote sensing data analysis; - Collaborate with leading glaciologists involved in international glacier and snow modelling efforts. - Take part in field measurements campaigns in Switzerland depending on your skills in the mountains and your motivation Application We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate in the second year of a Master's degree in earth or climate sciences, or any other related field. The work is expected to last ~6 months and start early 2026. Requirements - Good maths and physics background (fluid mechanics, algebra) - Quantitative data analysis and programming (Matlab, Python, R) - Experience in the use of modeling workflows is a plus. Please send us a CV and a cover letter.

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-13 , Earliest start: 2026-01-01 , Latest end: 2026-10-31

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Kneib Marin

Topics Earth Sciences

Unravelling the Drivers of Extreme Glacier Mass Loss

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Recent in-situ and satellite observations have revealed a succession of extreme glacier mass loss years across the globe. Record ice losses were observed in the Alps (2022), Western Canada and the USA (2023), and Svalbard (2024), while early evidence suggests that Central Asian glaciers may have experienced unprecedented losses in 2025. These events raise the question of which climatic factors drive such extreme melt years — and how they may evolve under future climate change.

Keywords

glaciology modelling climate change

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

Goal

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-13

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Van Lander

Topics Earth Sciences

Understanding Glacier Ogives: Formation, Dynamics, and Climatic Imprints

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Glacier ogives, or Forbes bands, are alternating (light and dark) surface undulations that form below icefalls due to seasonal variations in ice flow and surface mass balance. Each pair of bands often corresponds roughly to one year of glacier motion, making them the glacier equivalent of “tree rings.” Although ogives have been known for centuries, the mechanisms driving their formation, deformation, and persistence remain poorly understood. Recent advances in UAV-based photogrammetry now allow centimeter-scale monitoring of glacier surfaces, offering new opportunities to quantify ogive geometry, evolution, and their link to ice dynamics and mass balance contrasts.

Keywords

glaciology

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

Goal

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-13

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Van Lander

Topics Earth Sciences

Modelling the frozen-thawed transition for complicated and realistic glacier and ice-sheet bed conditions

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Many glaciers and ice sheets switch from a frozen to thawed bed condition, with the latter condition facilitating basal slip -- a transition which is poorly documented but significant for glacier dynamics and stability. This project will use 3D high-resolution numerical modelling in Elmer/Ice to probe the thermodynamics of this sensitive boundary in unprecedented detail.

Keywords

Glaciology, Glacier thermodynamics, numerical modelling, Elmer/Ice, fluid dynamics, glacier motion

Labels

Master Thesis

PLEASE LOG IN TO SEE DESCRIPTION

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-06 , Earliest start: 2025-10-20 , Latest end: 2027-01-04

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Law Robert

Topics Earth Sciences

Improving distributed glacier accumulation estimates by integrating process-based snow modelling, in-situ measurements and remote sensing observations

Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

This MSc project offers a unique chance to work at the intersection of remote sensing, snow modeling, and climate impacts on glaciers. You’ll help improve how winter snow accumulation is mapped on Swiss glaciers and collaborate directly with experts from the ETHZ VAW-glaciology group, Glacier Monitoring Switzerland (GLAMOS), the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), and the Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement (IGE, in Grenoble). Your work will contribute to an operational monitoring system with real-world relevance for water resources and climate adaptation.

Keywords

Glacier, Glaciology, Snow, Accumulation, Wind-transport, Avalanches

Labels

Master Thesis

Description

**Context and objectives** Atmoshperic warming is accelerating the retreat of mountain glaciers, with serious implications for regions reliant on glacial meltwater (Immerzeel et al., 2020). Many countries have therefore established glacier mass balance monitoring programs. In Switzerland, Glacier Monitoring Switzerland (GLAMOS) combines in-situ observations and modelling to produce mass balance estimates for all glaciers (GLAMOS, 2024). While seasonal balances are relatively well constrained, short-term mass balance and its hydrological contribution remain uncertain due to poorly characterized accumulation processes and their spatial variability. Indeed, precipitation volumes are very difficult to constrain in mountain regions (Immerzeel et al., 2015), and the influence of wind- or avalanche-related redistribution processes is particularly challenging to take into account (Brun et al., 2019; Kneib et al., 2024). The goal of this project is to better quantify spatio-temporally resolved winter accumulation patterns on Swiss glaciers by blending output from a process-based, distributed snow cover model, glacier surface type information derived from satellite products, and in-situ mass balance measurements carried out in the framework of GLAMOS. For the current operational mass balance products issued by GLAMOS, in-situ measurements are combined with an inter-/extrapolation algorithm that is based on terrain parameters to arrive at glacier-wide mass balance estimates. In contrast, the spatially distributed snow cover evolution model FSM2trans that is operationally run by the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) accounts for all major processes that drive snow cover variability, including redistribution by wind and avalanches (Quéno et al. 2024). **Method** In order to improve the representation of spatial accumulation patterns, the project will tackle three major steps: - Processing of satellite imagery (Sentinel-2, Landsat) using the workflows described in Roussel et al. (2024) and Loibl et al. (2025) to create weekly glacier surface type datasets (snow/ice) covering the major Swiss glaciers and three hydrological years. The resulting products will be used- to constrain the distributed snow model. - Evaluation and further fine-tuning of the process-based, spatially distributed snow model FSM2trans based on these datasets. Initial applications of FSM2trans to glaciers have been explored in a recent MSc thesis in the group (von Rotz 2025). Simulated snow meltout patterns will be compared to the satellite-derived products to assess their accuracy. If needed, additional simulations will be conducted in collaboration with the Operational Snow Hydrology Service at SLF, which operates the model over all of Switzerland. - Optimizing snow distribution maps obtained with FSM2trans to fit in-situ measurements from GLAMOS (see Fig. 1) as well as multi-annual observations from the differencing of digital elevation models will allow deriving a a spatially distributed glacier accumulation product that can ultimately be integrated into GLAMOS’ operational workflow. **Application and requirements** We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate in the second year of a Master's degree in earth or environmental sciences, remote sensing or any other related field. A solid physics background and programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab) are required, experience in the use of Geographic Information Systems (e.g. QGIS) and/or remote sensing is a plus.The thesis is expected to last ~6 months and start early 2026.

Contact Details

More information

Open this project...

Published since: 2025-10-01 , Earliest start: 2026-01-04 , Latest end: 2026-09-30

Organization Glaciology (Prof. Farinotti)

Hosts Kneib Marin

Topics Earth Sciences