Kelli McCormick

Kelli McCormick is a Senior Lecturer at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT), specializing in geology with a focus on structural geology, magmatic systems, and mineralization processes. Her research integrates field observations, geochemical analysis, and 3D modeling to study tectonic settings and ore deposits. McCormick holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, following M.A. and M.S. degrees from Johns Hopkins and the University of New Mexico, respectively, and a B.S. from Idaho State University.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
• M.A. in Geological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
• M.S. in Geology, University of New Mexico
• B.S. in Geology, Idaho State University

Research Interests: Her work emphasizes crystallization ages of igneous rocks, structural controls on mineralization, and the application of geophysical methods to explore subsurface geology. She has conducted extensive studies on the Midcontinent Rift System in South Dakota and the Sudbury Structure in Ontario, Canada. McCormick’s contributions include 3D modeling of ore deposits and geochemical analysis of volcanic and impact-related rocks.

Articles Trends: Her publications span structural interpretation of mineralized systems, U-Pb dating of magmatic intrusions, and regional geologic mapping. Recent work focuses on refining crystallization ages of diabase sills and linking them to broader tectonic events.

Labs/Teams: Active in SDSMT’s geology department, contributing to field-based and analytical research projects in collaboration with industry and academic partners.