Mary Kate Fidler

Mary Kate Fidler is a Senior Lecturer at Clemson University's Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. Her research focuses on structural geology, physical volcanology, and igneous petrology, particularly investigating the interplay between intracrustal volcanism and continental extension. She employs field-based geologic mapping, geochronology, and geochemical analyses to study volcanic provinces in extensional environments like the Colorado River Extensional Corridor (CREC).

Education:

• Ph.D. Geological Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara (2018)
• Certificate of College and University Teaching, UC Santa Barbara (2018)
• B.S. Environmental Geoscience, University of Notre Dame (2012)

Research Interests: Fidler explores how magmatism and tectonic extension interact, focusing on the timing and causes of Miocene volcanism in the Whipple Mountains. Her work integrates 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, U-Pb dating, and trace element/isotope geochemistry to understand crustal dynamics and mantle contributions. She investigates field relationships between volcanic units and extensional structures to unravel tectonic-volcanic feedback mechanisms.

Teaching: She instructs courses in Structural Geology, Physical Geology, and lab modules in Sedimentology/Petrology. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning and evidence-based pedagogy, reflected in her pursuit of the College and University Teaching Certificate.

Fieldwork: Ongoing projects involve the CREC, Iceland, central Chile, and Nevada, emphasizing field-based data collection and regional tectonic analysis.