Kristin Morell

Kristin Morell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on active tectonic regions, particularly subduction zones, integrating field observations, geochronology, and remote sensing techniques. Key areas of investigation include subduction zone dynamics, earthquake hazards, and landscape evolution in regions such as Alaska, Central America, Chile, Cascadia, and the Himalayas. She advises graduate students, including Josh Love, and maintains an active research lab dedicated to advancing understanding of tectonic processes and geohazards.

Recent field studies have explored the Alaska subduction zone, Cascadia, and Costa Rica, with a focus on faulting mechanisms and long-term uplift patterns. Her work highlights the interplay between tectonic forces and surface processes, emphasizing the importance of integrated observational networks like SZ4D for hazard assessment. She is currently offering graduate student opportunities for Fall 2025, focusing on paleoseismology and tectonic geomorphology in these regions.

Notable contributions include studies on forearc deformation, subduction obliquity effects, and the energy budget of subduction zones. Her research spans both theoretical and applied aspects, with implications for seismic hazard mitigation and geological risk management.