The group´s activities focus on the following lines of research: Spatial Diffusion and Time Cartography, Spatial Epidemiology, Spatial Modeling and Mapping of Environmental Risks and Spatial Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Mapping.

The Group applies sedimentology, paleontology and paleopedology as means for characterising sedimentary rocks and their content. The main goals are:

1. The definition of geometric models of sedimentary rocks.
2. The evolution of depositional and paleopedogenetic processes and the definition of control factors.
3. Taphonomic studies of plant remains.
4. The evolution of phanerozoic vegetation in South America.

Due to the fact most of the Earth´s non-renewable resources lie in sedimentary rock, both primary and secondary, the spatial position of the sedimentary rock and the factors that control the formation itself are of prime importance. The part of the group dedicated to sedimentology is currently working on geometric models and sedimentary rock sequences originating in (1) clastic platform systems; and (2) old and recent desert systems; and (3) on the physical simulation of gravitational depositional flows in tanks. The part of the group dedicated to paleontology is working on (1) taphonomic studies of phyto-macro-remains in current continental depositional systems; and (2) the development of new methodologies for paleophytogeographic analyses. The aim is to obtain a better understanding of new forms of analyses of fossil records that might help us find out more about the evolution of life on planet Earth.

This research group is involved in the execution of projects related to the study of floods and droughts and their relation to the participative management of hydrographic basins, in particular the performance of hydrographic basin committees.

Research on information, urbanisation and Brazilian territory has been promising, as it has enabled us to learn about countless issues in relation to the management of the territory in the period of globalisation, the new role of the metropolises as centres of information, new urbanisation in the face of the impact of information networks, and the reorganisation of the regions in an increasingly remote-controlled manner, of corporate content. The reinvention of territorial planning, always necessary, depends on the understanding of the role of the new information variables that are remodeling society and the territory. The repercussions of the research group include: a number of scientific initiation guidelines, course conclusion and master´s monographs; publications of articles; presentations of the results of the research at national and international scientific events; organisation of the 1st Territory and Cities Seminar.

The CIRIS study group - Governance, Risk and Communication - involves an interdisciplinary core of research and critical reflection on the interactions between science, expertise, risk, communication and decision-making processes. This research group develops theoretical and empirical studies centered on four analytical axes: (i) Risks, uncertainties and crises; (ii) Production, circulation and usability of knowledge; (iii) Communication, discursive frameworks and information flows; (iv) Governance of science and technology.

This group is dedicated to the recreation of the geological evolution of the Brazilian territory and adjacent areas, on a regional and local scale, with the aim of understanding the factors that control the formation of mineral deposits, thereby enabling them to define genetic models capable of subsidising mineral exploration. The group uses all the geological methods and tools (geochronology, petrology, geochemistry, isotopic geochemistry, fluid inclusions, structural geology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, geophysics, remote sensing) required for the understanding of geotectonic evolution, with a particular interest in geological controls that determine the situation, location and economic value of natural resources. The research work focuses on regions with acknowledged metallogentic potential in Brazilian territory, such as the Mineral Province of Carajas (Para), the Iron Quadrangle (Minas Gerais), the Auriferous Province of Alta Floresta (Mato Grosso) and the northeast region.

Systemic approach applied to the analysis of natural landscape components and transformations arising from the use and occupation of the land. Geographic information systems.

This group conducts studies of geographic regions, hydrographic basins and estuary areas with the use of geochemical, geophysical and ecotoxicological approaches. The research conducted in the field of environmental geochemistry focuses on mining, urban and rural areas. The group conducts research in analytical geochemistry, experiments in the implementation of environmental mitigation and remediation technologies and the assessment of the effects of pollution on human health. The researchers advise scientific initiation, Master´s and PhD students. The group holds university extension courses, publishes teaching material, scientific books and articles, participates in Master´s and PhD boards and public tender processes. The group has research laboratories, coordinates and participates in research and development projects, organises and participates in scientific events, seminars and technical-scientific discussion lists, provides scientific and technical guidance, takes part in editorial committees and holds scientific cooperation agreements.

This group comprises researchers from different areas of expertise and conducts multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies with a focus on the understanding of processes related to external geodynamics and the environment. The topics researched by the group include genesis, evolution and dynamics of water, sediments, soil, regoliths and relief; and the analysis and proposal of planning mechanisms and activities, the use of land, environmental management and remediation. The group possesses physical infrastructure, including rooms and laboratories, a significant number of  undergraduate and post-graduate students, and financing from development agencies such as CNPq and FAPESP. The group holds partnerships and scientific cooperation agreements within a national and international scope, and orEsse grupo de pesquisa pretende investigar como o conhecimento das geociências pode ser levado para a educação formal e para o público em geral e as implicações desses processos para a sociedade. Isso nos mais diversos âmbitos: adaptação a mudanças ambientais, riscos naturais, planejamento urbano, gestão da água e dos outros recursos naturais, ciclos produtivos e gestão do território.ganises and participates in major scientific events on the issues being researched. The research conducted by the group is published in indexed periodicals in national and international circulation, research reports, books and book chapters.

The purpose of the group´s research is to address geoeconomic and geopolitical phenomena in Latin America using the nation-state scales and the supra-national scale (which includes the countries of the subcontinent) as a reference. Taking land formation as a analytical category, the group aims to contribute to the discussion on sovereignty and the regulatory capacity of the Latin-American countries. The main goals are: contributing to the discussion on the main changes in the role of the State and economic activities, the impact of the same on the land and the social consequences of the same; in addition to discussing the different integration processes underway on the subcontinent, observing the key players (governments, corporate companies, civil society, international organisations), with their alliances, games of interests and conflicts, as well as means of cooperation. The research also focuses on production infrastructure, security and defence, economic development and natural resources.