Katrin Monecke
Associate Professor of Geosciences
Links
Research interests: Earth surface processes, sedimentology, and natural hazard assessment
My research aims at assessing natural hazards in at-risk regions to better prepare local communities for future disasters. I am interested in the sedimentation of tsunami deposits along Indian Ocean shorelines and elsewhere, and coastal changes in response to large earthquakes and tsunamis. I am also analyzing the sedimentary record of lakes for disturbances related to past strong earthquakes.
At Wellesley, I am teaching classes related to Earth surface processes and sedimentology, including Earth Systems through Time, a core class of our curriculum. The lab component of this course is entirely field-based allowing students to explore the geologic history of key sites in New England, Upstate New York and along the Colorado Front Range. My upper-level classes in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy and Paleoseismology include semester-long research experiences that are directly related to my ongoing research program.
Education
- B.S., University of Hannover (Germany)
- M.S., University of Hannover (Germany)
- Ph.D., Institute of Technology (Zurich, Switzerland)
Current and upcoming courses
Geomorphology with Laboratory
GEOS218
The Earth's surface is constantly changing and is controlled by the interaction of topography and climate. In this class we will investigate the major landforms that can be found on Earth's surface, the processes that have shaped them, the delicate balance between landform and process, and the rates of geomorphic change. Among other processes, we will explore glacial activity, coastal processes, landslides, and stream flow. Topographic maps, surveying equipment, and geographic information systems (GIS) will be used to analyze and interpret geomorphic features. A variety of landforms will be studied during outdoor lab exercises and two one-day weekend field trips.