Geosciences Department - The University of Montana

Karin Riley

PhD Candidate

Geomorphology, post-fire debris flows, spatial patterning of wildfire effects, algorithms for fire severity

Office: Clapp Building (Science Complex)

Rm 105

E-mail: karin.riley *at* umontana.edu

Department of Geosciences

University of Montana

32 Campus Drive #1296

Missoula , MT 59812

Karin Riley

Education

B.A. Earth and Planetary Sciences: Geological Option, Harvard University , 1996

M.S. Environmental Systems: International Development Technology, Humboldt State University , 2002

Full CV Here.

Dissertation advisors:

Rebecca Bendick (Geosciences) and Anna Klene (Geography)

General research interests:

“Disaster geomorph-ecology,” how fire events affect geomorphology and spatial pattern of vegetation

Dissertation project:

My dissertation project has three parts: (1) Spectral properties of burned and unburned landcover types, and using these to assess the performance of fire severity algorithms; (2) Quantification of the spatial patch pattern of fire severity; (3) Frequency-magnitude distribution of post-fire debris flow events.

Dissertation proposal: here (.pdf 338kb)

This photo shows a portion of the area burned during the Gash Fire, which occurred during the summer of 2005 in the Bitterroot Mountains of southwestern Montana . A “mosaic pattern” of charred, singed, and unburned patches covers the mountains. What causes these patterns is not well understood, and the mosaic patterns have not been quantified. Quantifying them is the first step in understanding what ecological processes drive variations in fire severity, and in understanding how ecological and hydrological processes are affected by fire events. Quantifying fire severity patterns also allows us to understand how fire severity may be changing as a result of climate change. I am measuring the sizes of fire severity patches, and calculating their frequency-magnitude distribution.

Post-fire debris flows, or torrents of mud and boulders, occur most frequently in steep mountainous watersheds that burned at high severity. This photo shows a recent debris flow in the Bitterroot Mountains that deposited in someone’s backyard. I am measuring the area of debris flow fan deposits, and calculating their frequency-magnitude distribution as well. This distribution will allow me to predict the likelihood of large, hazardous debris flows.

Burned Area

Hobbies

In the winter, I enjoy telemark skiing, both in and out-of-bounds. The photo shows some of the nearby backcountry terrain, with the Mission Mountains in the background. This was my first season telemark racing, and I discovered that I am one of the slowest telemark skiers in all of Missoula .

In the summer, I hike and kayak. Glacier National Park is one of my favorite spots in all the world, and it has plenty of fires to research while I am there.

Rattlesnake Skiing

Rattlesnake Mountains near Missoula

Year-round, I do ashtanga yoga. I’ve nicknamed ashtanga, “yoga for overachievers,” since it’s two grueling hours of leaping around and balancing on your hands.

I’m also working on my preliminary Buddhist practice, called Ngondro.

yoga

Parivritta parsvakonasana

Geosciences Department - The University of Montana - 32 Campus Drive #1296 - Missoula, MT 59812-1296
Phone: (406) 243-2341 Fax: (406) 243-4028 Email: geology@mso.umt.edu

The University of Montana Geosciences Department