Kelly R. MacGregor

As a geomorphologist, I study the forces that shape the physical surface of our planet. I measure active processes in the field (such as glacier motion, subglacial erosion, water velocity, and sediment transport), and use these data to constrain numerical models of landscape evolution over geologic timescales. My current research focuses on understanding the role of glaciers in shaping alpine landscapes. I use tools such as GPS to understand how glaciers behave over daily to annual timescales, and numerical models to examine their role in creating the fantastic mountainous landscapes we see today. In addition to my work on glaciers, I am interested in the effects of dams on sediment and water transport in river systems. By looking at historical data and making measurements of current river dynamics, we can quantify changes in sediment transport, which has important implications for riparian habitats over time. I teach a wide range of classes, including Geomorphology, Rivers and the Environment, Environmental Geology, History and Evolution of the Earth, and Glaciers and Climate.