Photos to inspire a more sustainable world

The 2019 Stanford Earth Photo Contest yielded photos from Chile, Peru, Palau, Antarctica, Indonesia, and multiple regions of the U.S. that are home to some of the most beautiful landforms in the world.

This year’s contest drew 226 submissions, even more than the inaugural contest launched by the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences  (Stanford Earth) last year. “These photos represent the incredible field learning and research so many of our students participate in,” said Stanford Earth dean Stephan Graham. “There is nothing like seeing the actual coral reefs, fisheries, outcroppings, and rivers to understand how the Earth works and inspire our next generation to appreciate the need for sustaining our natural resources.”

Photos were submitted throughout the fall, and were judged by a team of faculty, students, and staff based on composition, content, and technical skill. Judges included graduate student David Gonzalez, undergraduate Andea Scott, Educational Affairs Director Audrey Yau, Associate Communications Director Dee Tucker, Digital Media and Marketing Specialist Elenita Nicholas, Associate Dean for Marketing/Communications Barbara Buell, Associate Dean for Educational Affairs Robyn Dunbar, Senior Associate Deans Margot Gerritsen and Scott Fendorf, and Dean Stephan Graham.

This year’s contest winners are:

Galaxy

The Milky Way rises above Nevado Salkantay in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. The glaciated mountain soars more than 20,000 ft above sea level, towering above Soraypampa where hikers spend the night waiting to cross the mountain pass.

Photo by Nora Hennessy, Energy Resources Engineering PhD student

Hiding Out

A tiny clown fish hides in its anemone home on a reef in Indonesia. Photo by Heidi Hirsh, Earth System Science PhD student

Back to school

E-IPER PhD candidate Shannon Switzer Swanson swims amongst a school of sardines in Luwuk, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. A local tour operator took her to a secret spot of schooling fish, which recently recovered due to a new law limiting the types of gear allowed to catch them. 

Photographed by Shannon Switzer Swanson, E-IPER PhD student.

Dunes 

Sunset at Ibex Dunes in Death Valley National Park. Photo by Katie Dunn, Earth Materials Lab manager

Say cheese

Earth Systems Program MS Natasha Batista uses a microscope to photograph an insect specimen at Jasper Ridge for a community engaged learning project with Grassroots Ecology.

Photographed by Julia Goolsby, Earth Systems Program MA student.