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Education
University of Alaska Fairbanks | Expected May 2029
Ph.D. in Earth System Science
Concentration in Solid Earth Geophysics
Western Washington University | Graduated June 2024 | GPA: 3.85
Bachelor of Science in Geophysics
Minors in Mathematics and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies
Research
Seismoacoustic signals and volcanic emissions from the 2023 explosive eruption sequence of Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska
Advised by Dr. David Fee, July 2024-Present
At the Alaska Volcano Observatory on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, I am actively researching the 2023 eruption series of Shishaldin Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands. I am particularly interested in the relationship between seismoacoustic data (seismic activity and infrasonic signals) and volcanic emissions for the 13 events. I presented the results of my project in the form of a poster at AGU 2024 in Washington, D.C. and expanded upon this work for the 2025 IAVCEI Scientific Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. My research on these eruptions will be incorporated into the first chapter of my Ph.D. dissertation.
Seismic analysis of synchronous crowd movement at Lumen Field concerts in Seattle, WA"
Advised by Dr. Jacqueline Caplan-Auerbach, Sep 2023-June 2024
During my fourth and final year at Western Washington University (WWU), I assisted Dr. Jackie Caplan-Auerbach in studying concert seismicity. In September 2023, we attended Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA to record qualitative observations of crowd motion to later compare with data from the nearby KDK accelerometer. Throughout Winter and Spring 2024, we collaborated on a seismicity comparison between shows put on by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, and explored seismic contributions by other performers at Lumen Field. The project ultimately served as my capstone for the University Honors College. I also revisited this research at AGU 2024, assisting Dr. Caplan-Auerbach with a science communication-focused Lightning Talk.
Evaluation of sub-annual coral data as a proxy for marine heatwaves in recent centuries
Advised by Dr. Casey Saenger, June 2021-2022
Throughout my second year at WWU, I worked alongside Dr. Casey Saenger to investigate the ways in which coral can indicate marine heatwave events. My primary task was analyzing and interpreting daily and monthly sea surface temperature data from Python scripts to present at weekly meetings. Dr. Saenger and I also collaborated on a presentation that was given in a virtual format at AGU 2021.
Click my photo above to see its cover feature on GSA Today!
Publications
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Merritt, K., Fee, D., Tan, D., Haney, M., Gomez-Patron, A., Dietterich, H., & Lopez, T. (In prep). Characterizing eruptive activity during the 2023 explosive eruption sequence of Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska using seismoacoustic signals and volcanic emissions.
Fee, D., Tan, D., Haney, M., Merritt, K., Lyons, J., Wech, A., Loewen, M., Boyce, E., & Scamfer, L. (In review). Seismic and infrasound signals from the 2023 explosive eruption sequence of Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska.
Western Washington University
Merritt, K. (2024). Miss Americana & The Queen Bey: A seismic analysis of synchronous crowd movement at Lumen Field Concerts in Seattle, WA. WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 797. https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/797.
Conference Presentations
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Merritt, K., Fee, D., Tan, D., Haney, M., Gomez-Patron, A., Dietterich, H., & Lopez, T. (2024). Comparing seismoacoustic signals and volcanic emissions from the 2023 eruption sequence of Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska. Abstract V43C-3208 presented at the 2024 AGU Fall Meeting, Washington, D.C., USA. (Poster)
Merritt, K., Fee, D., Tan, D., Haney, M., Gomez-Patron, A., Dietterich, H., & Lopez, T. (2025). Comparing seismoacoustic signals and volcanic emissions from recent eruptions of Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska, USA. Abstract 2.1.16 presented at the 2025 IAVCEI Scientific Assembly, Geneva, Switzerland. (Poster)
Merritt, K., Fee, D., Tan, D., Haney, M., Gomez-Patron, A., Dietterich, H., & Lopez, T. (2025). Characterizing eruptive activity at Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska using seismoacoustic signals and volcanic emissions. Abstract V24A-06 presented at the 2025 AGU Fall Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA. (Talk)
Western Washington University
Saenger, C. and K. Merritt (2021). A critical evaluation of sub-annual coral data as a proxy for marine heatwaves in recent centuries. Abstract PP43A-07 presented at the 2021 AGU Fall Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA. (Virtual talk)
Relevant Coursework
University of Alaska Fairbanks (Graduate)
ESS 601: Introduction to Earth System Science
ESS 602: Best Practices for Research in Alaska
ESS 692P: Earth System Science Seminar
GEOS 604: Seismology
GEOS 606: Volcanology
GEOS 626: Applied Seismology (audit)
GEOS 631: Foundations of Geophysics
GEOS 670: Selected Topics in Volcanology
GEOS 689: Topics in Geophysics
2025: Techniques in Earthquake Monitoring and Assessment
2026: Environmental Seismology and Geodesy
GEOS 694: Introduction to Computational Geosciences
Western Washington University (Undergraduate)
GEOL 211: Physical Geology
GEOL 213: GIS in Geology
GEOL 311: Earth Materials
GEOL 318: Structural Geology
GEOL 352: Introduction to Geophysics
GEOL 452: Applied Geophysics
GEOL 497W: Geochemistry of the Solar System
MATH 224: Mutlivariable Calculus & Analytic Geometry I
MATH 304: Linear Algebra
MATH 331: Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 341: Probability & Statistical Inference
PHYS 161-163, 220: Physics with Calculus I-III, IV
PHYS 326: Tools & Data Analysis
PHYS 363: Classical Mechanics
Fieldwork
Katmai & Peulik Network Maintenance (July 2025)
I participated in Alaska Volcano Observatory fieldwork in July 2025, visiting stations around Katmai National Park, the Ugashik-Peulik volcanic complex, Bristol Bay, and the Lake & Peninsula Borough. As a geophysics field assistant, I helped with annual site maintenance and replaced outdated or broken equipment. I learned so much from AVO field technicians during this mission, and I hope to venture out into the field again in the near future!
Honors
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Jan 2026: UAF Graduate School Travel Grant recipient
Dec 2025: UAF AGU Ambassador
Nov 2025: GI Geoscience Lunch Seminar speaker
Dec 2024: UAF ESPCoR Fire & Ice Award recipient
Sep 2024-Present: Graduate assistantship funded by the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Western Washington University
June 2024: Outstanding Graduate in Geophysics
Sep 2020-June 2024: University Honors College
Jan 2023: Featured author in the tenure-track dossier of Dr. Asmaa Boujibar
Jan 2022: Geology Department Lunch Talk speaker
Service
Feb 2026: UAF Osher Lifelong Learning Institute lecturer
Sep 2025-Present: GIGSA Secretary
May 2025: UAF Arctic Research Open House lava pouring volunteer
April 2025: UAF Science Potpourri AVO volunteer
Membership
Sep 2025-Present: Geophysical Institute Graduate Student Association (GIGSA)
May 2025-Present: International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI)
Aug 2024-Present: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
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