Teaching and Research

My research and teaching interests encompass the fields of structural geology, tectonics and field geology. My students and I are investigating geological processes that control the development of convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries, orogenic belts, and regional-scale fault zones. A common theme involves examining interactions and feedbacks that develop among deformation, metamorphism, magmatism and plate motions at different depths in the crust and in a wide variety of tectonic settings. Areas of study have included New Zealand, Australia, Patagonia, southeast Alaska, British Columbia, the Antarctic Peninsula, the Bhutan Himalaya and, of course, Vermont.

As a field-based geologist, one of my primary activities involves conducting geological expeditions to mountainous regions of the globe with my students. This includes many areas of Vermont, which hosts a wonderful array of geological features that are accessible within only a few minutes drive of the University campus. These features provide exciting possibilities for incorporating research experience and hands-on geological projects into my courses GEOL 101 (Field Geology), GEOL 260 (Structural Geology), GEOL 273 (Geology of the Appalachians) among others. For more information on research projects and courses, please visit the web sites listed on this page.

Selected Publications

Kearey, P., Klepeis, K.A. & Vine, F., 2008, Global Tectonics, third edition, Blackwell Science, Oxford.

Klepeis, K.A., G. L. Clarke, G. Gehrels, J. & Vervoort, 2004, Processes controlling vertical coupling and decoupling between the upper and lower crust of orogens: results from Fiordland, New Zealand, J. of Structural Geology, 26(4), 765-791.

Klepeis, K.A, Clarke, G.L. & Rushmer, T., 2003, Magma transport and coupling between deformation and magmatism in the continental lithosphere, GSA Today, 13(1), 4-11.

Klepeis, K.A. & M.L. Crawford, 1999, High temperature, arc-parallel normal faulting at the roots of an obliquely convergent orogen, Geology, 27 (1), 7-10.

Klepeis, K.A. & J.A. Austin, 1997, Contrasting styles of superposed deformation in the southernmost Andes, Tectonics, 16(5), 755-776.

Education

• B.A., 1987, Colgate University
• Ph.D., 1993, University of Texas at Austin
• 1993-1995, National Science Foundation, post-doctoral research fellow
• 1995-1999, Lecturer, University of Sydney, Australia
• 1999-2004, Assistant professor, UVM
• 2004-2008, Associate professor, UVM

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