Kristy Tiampo

Kristy Tiampo is a Professor of Geological Sciences and Director of ESOC (Earth Science Operations Center) at the University of Colorado Boulder, affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Her work bridges geoscience, remote sensing, and hazard mitigation, with significant contributions to understanding natural and anthropogenic hazards through advanced computational methods and satellite data analysis.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2000), MSc from Stanford University (1984), and BSc from Tufts University (1983). These qualifications have positioned her as a leader in geophysical research and hazard assessment.

Tiampo's research focuses on natural and anthropogenic hazards including earthquakes, induced seismicity, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, ground subsidence, and sea level rise. She employs remote sensing data, computational methods, and geophysical models, incorporating big data sources such as space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR), differential interferometric SAR (DInSAR), GPS data, seismicity, and gravity measurements. Her work combines high-resolution digital elevation models, satellite laser altimetry, and DInSAR observations to predict tidal inundation under sea level rise scenarios, with studies in Mumbai, Lagos, and Barranquilla. She leads the Tiampo Group, which develops real-time monitoring systems for geohazards through the GeoSCIFramework collaboration.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on volcanic monitoring, induced seismicity, and climate-related hazards. Her work integrates multiple data streams to improve hazard prediction and resilience, with particular emphasis on coastal subsidence, volcanic unrest, and the impacts of fluid injection on seismic activity. The research demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across geophysics, remote sensing, and environmental science.

Tiampo leads the Tiampo Group at CIRES, which includes postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and research affiliates working on various aspects of geohazard monitoring. Her team has made significant contributions to understanding glacier detachments, volcanic systems, and induced seismicity. The group actively collaborates with NASA and other institutions on projects related to sea level rise and hazard monitoring.