Christie Rowe

Christie Rowe is a Professor and Director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her career focuses on earthquake geology, fault mechanics, and tectonic processes. She holds a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from UC Santa Cruz (2007) and a B.A. in Geology from Smith College (2000). Prior roles include lecturer at the University of Cape Town (2006–2009), researcher at UCSC (2010–2011), and professor at McGill University (2011–2024), where she held the Wares Chair in Ore Forming Processes and Canada Research Chair in Earthquake Geology.

Her research interests span earthquakes, natural hazards, structural geology, and tectonics. She leads field-based studies on fault systems, coseismic processes, and subduction zone dynamics. Rowe is a prominent advocate for open science, serving as Executive Editor for Community at Seismica, a researcher-run diamond open-access journal. She emphasizes improving seismic monitoring, community-driven publishing, and fostering transparency in scientific communication.

Recent work includes investigations into fault scarp evolution in eastern Canada, serpentinite fault mechanics in the San Andreas Fault, and paleoseismic trenching in Nevada. Her contributions to open-access publishing highlight efforts to democratize scholarly communication. Rowe actively engages in public outreach, disaster preparedness (e.g., ShakeOut), and mentoring the next generation of geoscientists.