Big Rivers on Mars!

SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

Dr. Timothy Goudge

Assistant Professor
UT Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

What is the talk about?

What can ancient rivers on Mars reveal about the planet’s past and its potential for life? In this Hot Science – Cool Talks with Timothy Goudge, explore ancient rivers, catastrophic floods, and massive drainage systems on Mars, and how the planet’s lack of plate tectonics shaped its unique landscape and potential for life. By studying relic rivers and water-shaped landscapes on Mars, scientists are uncovering clues about the planet’s history and where life may once have had a chance to exist. After all, where waters flow, life often follows.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS; ESA/DLR/FU-Berlin

About our presenter

Dr. Timothy Goudge

Dr. Timothy Goudge

Dr. Timothy Goudge is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his BSc from Queen's University and his ScM and PhD from Brown University. His research explores how surface processes shape planetary landscapes over time. Using remote sensing data such as satellite imagery, topography, imaging spectroscopy, and sediment records, Dr. Goudge studies the geological history of Mars, Earth, and other planetary bodies to better understand how landscapes evolve and what they can reveal about past environments.

Schedule & Location

September 18, 2026
 
TimeEventLocation
5:30-6:40 PMCool ActivitiesGrand Hallway, Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus
7:00-8:15 PMTalk2.224 Auditorium, Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus

Parking & Directions

Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus
Welch Hall (WEL) is located at 105 E. 24th St, on the corner of Speedway and 24th Streets. Enter the Welch Hall building from the Speedway side. Discount event parking will be available soon at https://utparking.clickandpark.com/ until midnight Thursday before the talk! From the "Venue Selection" page, select Welch Hall. You will see the Hot Science - Cool Talks, select the date of this event. Select Find Parking. Select the parking passes you need and click Add to Cart. (The cost of parking is determined by UT Parking and Transportation) Select Continue Checkout. Add your Billing Info and Complete Purchase. You will be sent a pdf attachment with a QR code. Please check the PDF has your code. Otherwise, contact ClickandPark at 866-330-7275 for billing issues.