Cheryl Waters-Tormey

Dr. Cheryl Waters-Tormey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University (WCU), within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Structural Geology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.S. in Structural Geology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a B.S. in Geology from Duke University.

Her research focuses on structural geology, geomorphic processes, and tectonic studies, particularly in the Southern Appalachians and Australia. Key areas include bedrock fracture characterization using LiDAR, landslide dynamics, and deformation mechanisms in lower crustal environments. Dr. Waters-Tormey has conducted extensive fieldwork in regions like Panthertown Valley, the Blue Ridge Escarpment, and the Arunta Block in central Australia.

Her recent work emphasizes integrating geological mapping with modern remote sensing techniques. She explores the structural controls on topography, the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition in the Carolina Terrane, and the application of fractal analysis in paleontological studies. Her contributions bridge traditional field geology with advanced spatial technologies to address geohazard assessment and crustal deformation processes.

Dr. Waters-Tormey has collaborated on projects related to groundwater flow in crystalline bedrock, magnetic fabric analysis, and undergraduate research initiatives combining classroom and fieldwork. Her work often involves multi-scale analyses of deformation patterns and their implications for tectonic evolution.