Kerry Riley

Kerry Riley is an Instructor of Geology at Colorado Mesa University (CMU), specializing in hydrology's impact on erosion and sediment dynamics. She joined CMU in 2018 and teaches courses like Weather and Climate, Oceanography, and GIS. Her research focuses on climate-landscape interactions over short-to-long timescales, using alluvial records to inform land management decisions. She holds a PhD in Geology from Utah State University, an MA in Hydrologic Science from Boise State, and a BA in Physical Geography/Environmental Science.

• Education:
• PhD, Geology: Utah State University
• MA, Hydrologic Science: Boise State University
• BA, Physical Geography/Environmental Science

Riley’s research explores how hydrologic changes influence river erosion and sediment yields, with applications in natural hazard mitigation and infrastructure planning. Her work bridges geological processes and environmental management, providing baseline data for ecosystems and human infrastructure.

Her published work spans wildfire-erosion linkages, alluvial fan dynamics, and fire geomorphology. While no awards are listed, her contributions to dendroecological studies and geomorphological research highlight her interdisciplinary approach. She advises no students listed here but emphasizes experiential learning in her teaching.