The structure and processes at play in Earth’s critical zone together govern the ebb and flow of water, energy, and nutrients in the near-surface environment, and thus ultimately regulate the distribution of life in Earth’s terrestrial biosphere. We seek measurement- and modeling-based submissions that span the vast, interconnected array of biotic and abiotic processes that shape the critical zone, regulate its life-sustaining functions, and influence its resilience to climate and land-use changes. Because work on the critical zone is transdisciplinary, contributions will span diverse methods, from the genomics of microbial life to hydrogeophysical imaging of subsurface weathering, and from isotopic analyses of mineral alteration to remote sensing of life at Earth's surface. Submissions that employ multiple methods and bridge multiple disciplines in search of transformative understanding of the critical zone are especially encouraged.