Emily Klein

Emily Klein is a University Distinguished Service Professor of Earth Sciences and Bass Fellow at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. Her research focuses on the geochemistry of oceanic basalts, leveraging sea-going expeditions to study mid-ocean ridges, seafloor spreading, and mantle dynamics. She leads projects such as the Hess Deep and Cocos-Nazca Spreading Center studies, investigating crustal accretion and tectonic processes.

Education: Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1988), M.A. (Columbia University, 1986), B.A. (Barnard College, 1978).

Research Interests: Geochemistry of oceanic basalts, mid-ocean ridge dynamics, mantle heterogeneity, and volcanic processes. Her work combines field expeditions, geochemical analyses, and geophysical modeling to understand crustal formation and tectonic evolution.

Recent Grants: Collaborative NSF grant on rifting-to-spreading transitions at the Cocos-Nazca Spreading Center. Past work includes studies on the Chile Ridge and Galápagos Microplate.

Scientific Awards: AAAS Fellow (2021), University Distinguished Service Professor. Recognized for contributions to understanding oceanic lithosphere formation.

Labs and Expeditions: Active leader in the Hess Deep, Pito Deep, and Incipient Rift expeditions. Collaborates with teams on seafloor mapping and sample collection using advanced underwater vehicles.