Research Interests: Geochemistry and petrology of hotspots and the mantle (current focus: the origin and evolution of the Galápagos Islands and plume-ridge interactions), environmental geochemistry (local studies), analytical geochemistry and trace element analysis (ICP-MS), science education and outreach programs with an emphasis on hands-on experiences.

Distinctions: 2010 Alumni Corporation Distinguished Teaching Award, Recipient of the 2002 Biggs Excellence in Teaching Award from GSA, GSA Fellow, Churchill Fellow, NSF research and equipment grants, NSF Academic Research Infrastructure Program (NSF-ARI), fellow, Geological Society of America 2002, Professor of the Week, Student Government Association, Colgate University (March 2000, February 2002); Remick Poster Competition winner for presentation at Geological Association of Canada Annual Meeting (2001); Outstanding Professor (Geology, Physics, and Astronomy Departments) as voted by the fraternity and sorority system, Colgate University 2000; Outstanding Young Teacher Award, Lawrence University 1997; Mortar Board Honorary Award, Lawrence University 1997; Mrs. H.K. Babcock Award, Lawrence University 1997; Faculty for the 21st Century Network, Class of '96

Recent Publications & Abstracts:
(*indicates student author)

Geist, D.J. and Harpp, K.S. (2009): “Geology of the Galapagos Islands”, in Encyclopedia of Islands, edited by Rosemary G. Gillespie and David A. Clague, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.

Swarr, G.J., Garman, K.A.*, Harpp, K.S., Dufek, J., Geist, D. (2009), A microanalytical perspective on late stage conduit dynamics at Tungurahua and Cotopaxi Volcanoes, Ecuador, Eos Trans. AGU, 90 (52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V13B-2017, San Francisco, CA.

Garman, K.A.*, Swarr, G.J., Dufek, J., Harpp, K.S., Geist, D. (2009), Clast morphologies and heating experiments constrain the thermal conditions during pyroclastic density current emplacement at Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, Eos Trans. AGU, 90 (52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V13B-2018, San Francisco, CA.

Bray, B.*, Harpp, K.S., Geist, D., Garcia, M.O., Swarr, G.J., Buck, S.A., Parcheta, C.E., Matulaitis, I.* (2009), Sr and Nd isotopic and geochemical analysis of the Vanda Dike Swarm, Antarctica, Eos Trans. AGU, 90 (52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V51C-1685, San Francisco, CA.

Geist, D.J., Naumann, T.R., Standish, J.J., Kurz, M.D., Harpp, K.S., White, W.M., and Fornari, D.J., (2005): "Wolf Volcano, Galápagos Archipelago: Melting and Magmatic Evolution at the Margins of a Mantle Plume", Journal of Petrology, 2005 46(11):2197-2224Link to PDF file.

Harpp, K.S., Wanless*, V.D., Otto*, R.H., Hoernle, K., and Reinhard Werner (2005): "The Cocos and Carnegie Ridges: A Trace Element Record of Long-term Plume-Ridge Interaction", Journal of Petrology, 46, 109-133. Link to PDF file.

Teasdale, R., Geist, D., Kurz, M., and Harpp, K., (2005): "1998 Eruption at Volcan Cerro Azul, Galápagos Islands: I. Syn-Eruptive Petrogenesis", Bulletin of Volcanology, 76, 170-185. Link to PDF file.

Harpp, K.S., Koleszar*, A.M., and Geist, D.J. (2005): "Volcanoes in the Classroom: Eruption Column Simulation", Journal of Geoscience Education, 53, 173-175. Link to PDF file. Link to webpage with supporting information.

Harpp, K.S., Fornari, D.J., Geist, D.J., and Kurz, M.D. (2003): "Genovesa Submarine Ridge: A Manifestation of Plume-Ridge Interaction in the Northern Galápagos Islands", Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 4, 8511, doi: 10.1029/2003GC000531;. Posted at http://www.g-cubed.org. Link to PDF file.

Geldmacher, J., Hanan, B.B., Blichert-Toft, J., Harpp, K., Hoernle, K., Hauff, F., Werner, R., and Kerr, A.C., (2003): "Interaction in the Northern Galápagos Islands Hafnium isotopic variations in volcanic rocks from the Caribbean Large Igneous Province and Galápagos hotspot tracks", Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 4, 1062, doi:10.1029/2002GC00477; posted at http://www.g-cubed.org. Link to PDF file.

Harpp, K.S. and Geist, D. (2002): "The Wolf-Darwin Lineament and Plume-Ridge Interaction in the Northern Galápagos", Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 3, 8504, doi:10.1029/2002GC000370; posted at http://www.g-cubed.org.

Geist, D., White, W.M., Albarede, F., Harpp, K.S., Blichert-Toft, J., Reynolds, R., and Kurz, M. (2002): "Volcanic Evolution in the Galápagos: The Dissected Shield of Volcan Ecuador", Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 3, 10611, doi:10.1029/2002GC000355; posted at http://www.g-cubed.org. Link to PDF file.

Harpp, K.S., Wirth, K.R., and Korich*, D.J. (2002): "Northern Galápagos Province: Hotspot-induced, near-ridge volcanism at Genovesa Island", Geology, 30, 399-402. Link to PDF file.

"Simulating a volcanic crisis in the classroom," with W. Sweeney (Journal of Geologic Education, 2002, v. 50, p. 410-418); "Northern Galápagos Province: Hotspot-induced, near-ridge volcanism at Genovesa Island," with K. Wirth and D. Korich (Geology, 2002, v. 30, p. 399-402

"Tracing a mantle plume: Isotopic and trace element variations of Galápagos seamounts, Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems," with W. White (June 27, 2002; Vol. 2, [Paper number 2000GC00137],posted at http://www.g-cubed.org/gc2001/2000GC000137/fs2000GC000137.html) Link to PDF file.

"The Role of a Cl-bearing Flux in the Origin of Depleted Ocean Floor Magmas, Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems," with R. Nielsen and R. Sours-Page, Vol. 1, posted at http://www.g-cubed.org/gc1999/1999GC000017/fs1999GC000017.html)

"Restricted Nitrogen Inversion in 9,10- Diazatetracyclo[6.3.0.0.4,110.5,9]undecanes: Dynamic NMR Studies," with C. Bushweller, J. Brown, B. Hirth, T. Barden, J. D'Albis, and G. Gribble (Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1998, v. 63, no. 11, p. 3775-3777)

"The emergence of a Galápagos shield volcano: Roca Redonda Volcano," with J. Standish, D. Geist, and M. Kurz (Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 1998, v. 133, p. 136-148); "Geochemical variations in a single basaltic flow at 9°30' N on the East Pacific Rise," (Scientific Results, Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, 1995, v. 142, p. 9-22)