Graham Kent

Dr. Graham Kent is a Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), within the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1992) and has extensive postdoctoral experience at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. His research focuses on

• seismic hazards,
• fault dynamics,
• volcanic systems,
• earthquake early warning systems (e.g., Alert Wildfire),
• tsunami risk,
• and geophysical imaging of tectonic structures.

Key projects include

• mapping fault hazards in the Walker Lane,
• assessing the San Andreas Fault's recurrence intervals,
• leading the $15M offshore Southern California fault hazard mapping project,
• and developing the ALERTWildfire camera network for wildfire detection.

He spearheaded Nevada’s Great ShakeOut earthquake drills and has contributed to global efforts in marine geophysics, including studies at Axial Seamount on the Juan de Fuca Ridge.

Scientific contributions include over 150 publications on seismic imaging, fault mechanics, and volcanic processes. He has received recognition as a NASA Astronaut Finalist (1996) and Valedictorian of his undergraduate class (San Diego State University, 1985).

Current initiatives involve expanding ALERTWildfire to cover Western U.S. wildfire-prone regions, integrating seismic and wildfire monitoring networks, and advancing understanding of continental rifting in the Salton Trough. His work bridges geophysical research with practical applications in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.