First formed around 1731, the department incorporates the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.

[1] The department's history can be traced back to 1731 when the 1st Woodwardian Professor of Geology was appointed, in accordance with the bequest of John Woodward.

When the three departments were amalgamated the Chair of Geophysics and Chair of Mineralogy and Petrology, along with the Woodwardian Professorship, were assigned to the newly formed Department of Earth Sciences.

The Bullard Laboratories, located in West Cambridge on Madingley Rd is a satellite department of the main building.

The department incorporates the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences[2] and the Godwin Laboratory.