Karen Harpp

BA, Dartmouth College
MS, Cornell University
PhD, Cornell University

• Lawrence University, 1994-98
• University of Idaho, 2011-2012

Instrumental and analytical techniques in the geosciences, geochemistry, volcanology, igneous petrogenesis, environmental geochemistry, project-based learning, integrating online education with classroom experiences, design thinking methods.

Geochemistry and petrology of hotspots and the mantle (current focus: the origin and evolution of the Galápagos Islands, deep mantle origins of plumes,  plume-ridge interactions), analytical geochemistry and trace element analysis (ICP-MS), science education and outreach programs with an emphasis on hands-on experiences, project-based learning, and design thinking.

• 2015 Jerome Balmuth Award for Teaching and Student Engagement
• Included in the Princeton Review's The Best 300 Professors, 2012
• 2010 Alumni Corporation Distinguished Teaching Award Fellow, Geological Society of America
• 2002 Biggs Excellence in Teaching Award from GSA
• National Science Foundation research and instrumentation grants
• NSF Career Grant Program
• Outstanding Young Teacher Award, Lawrence University 1997

(*indicates student author)

Geist, D., Wallace, P., Harpp, K., & Oswald, P. (2023). A discussion of: Long or short silicic magma residence time beneath Hekla volcano, Iceland? Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 178(10), 71.

Weis, D., Harpp, K.S., Harrison, L.N., Boyet, M., Chauvel, C., Farnetani, C.G., Finlayson, V.A., Lee, K.K., Parai, R., Shahar, A. and Williamson, N.M. (2023). Earth’s mantle composition revealed by mantle plumes. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1-22.

^*Schwartz, D. M., Harpp, K., Kurz, M. D., ^*Wilson, E., & ^*Van Kirk, R. (2022). Low-volume magmatism linked to flank deformation on Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Archipelago, using cosmogenic 3He exposure and 40Ar/39Ar dating of fault scarps and lavas. Bulletin of Volcanology, 84(9), 1-17, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00445-022-01575-3.

^*Wilson, E.L, Harpp, K.S., Kurz, ^*Schwartz, D.M., and ^*Van Kirk, R. (2022). The geochemical evolution of Santa Cruz island, Galápagos Archipelago. Frontiers in Earth Science, (10, 845544), https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.845544/full.

Geist, D., Harpp, K., Oswald, P., Wallace, P., Bindeman, I., & ^*Christensen, B. (2021). Hekla revisited: fractionation of a magma body at historical timescales. Journal of Petrology, 62(8), egab001. https://academic.oup.com/petrology/article/62/8/egab001/6119352.

Harpp, K.S., Geist, D.J. (2021): The Galápagos Islands, Encyclopedia of Geology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 00392, Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-102909-1

Chen, T., Robinson, L.F., Burke, A., Claxton, L., Hain, M.P., Li, T., Rae, J.W., Stewart, J., Knowles, T.D., Fornari, D.J. and Harpp, K.S. (2020). Persistently well-ventilated intermediate-depth ocean through the last deglaciation. Nature Geoscience, 13(11), 733-738.

Harpp, K.S., Weis, D. (2020): Insights into the origins and compositions of mantle plumes: A comparison of Galápagos and Hawai’i, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 21(9), e2019GC008887.

Rader, E., Wysocki, R.S., Heldmann, J., Harpp, K., ^*Bosselait, M., and Myers, M. (2020): Spatter stability: Constraining accumulation rates and temperature conditions with experimental bomb morphology, Bulletin of Volcanology, 82(6), 49.

^*Cleary, Z., ^*Schwartz, D.M., Mittelstaedt, E., and Harpp, K. (2020): Dynamic magma storage at near-ridge hot spots: Evidence from new Galápagos gravity data, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 21(3), e2019GC008722.

Harpp, K.S., Geist, D.J. (2018). The Evolution of Galápagos Volcanoes: An Alternative Perspective. Frontiers in Earth Science, 6, 50.

Harpp, K.S. (lead editor), Mittelstaedt, E. (lead editor), D’Ozouville, N. (editor), and Graham, D. (editor) (2014). The Galápagos: A Natural Laboratory for the Earth Sciences, American Geophysical Union Monograph, Washington, DC.

Harpp, K.S., Hall, P.S., Jackson, M.G. (2014). The Galápagos and Easter: A Tale of Two Hotspots, in The Galápagos: A Natural Laboratory for the Earth Sciences. Editors: K. Harpp, E. Mittelstaedt, D. Graham, N. d’Ozouville, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

Harpp, K.S., Geist, D., ^*Koleszar, A.M., ^*Christensen, B., Lyons, J., Sabga, M., ^*Rollins, N. (2014). The geology and geochemistry of Isla Floreana, Galápagos: A different type of late-stage ocean island volcanism, in The Galápagos: A Natural Laboratory for the Earth Sciences. Editors: K. Harpp, E. Mittelstaedt, D. Graham, N. d’Ozouville, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

Harpp, K.S., Wirth, K.R., Teasdale, R., ^*Blair, S., ^*Reed, L., ^*Barr, J., ^*Pistiner, J. ^*Korich, D. (2014). Plume-Ridge Interaction in the Galápagos: Perspectives from Wolf, Darwin, and Genovesa Islands, in The Galápagos: A Natural Laboratory for the Earth Sciences. Editors: K. Harpp, E. Mittelstaedt, D. Graham, N. d’Ozouville, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

Sinton, C. W., Harpp, K.S., Christie, D.M. (2014). The northeast seamounts of the Galápagos Platform, in The Galápagos: A Natural Laboratory for the Earth Sciences. Editors: K. Harpp, E. Mittelstaedt, D. Graham, N. d’Ozouville, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

Mittelstaedt, E., Soule, S., Harpp, K., Fornari, D. (2014). Variations in crustal thickness, plate rigidity, and volcanic processes throughout the Northern Galápagos Volcanic Province, in The Galápagos: A Natural Laboratory for the Earth Sciences. Editors: K. Harpp, E. Mittelstaedt, D. Graham, N. d’Ozouville, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

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

Peñaherrera-Palma, C., Harpp, K., Banks, S. (2013). Rapid seafloor mapping of the Galápagos northern islands Darwin and Wolf, volume 68, Noticias de Galápagos/Galápagos Research .

Mittelstaedt, E., Soule, S., Harpp, K., Fornari, D., ^*McKee, C., Tivey, M., Geist, D., Kurz, M.D., Sinton, C., ^*Mello, C. (2012) Multiple expressions of plume-ridge interaction in the Galápagos: Volcanic lineaments and ridge jumps,  Geochemistry Geophysics, Geosystems, volume 13, Q05018. 

Chadwick Jr., W.W., Jónsson, S., Geist, D.J., Poland, M., Johnson, D.J., Batt, S., Harpp, K.S., and Ruiz, A. (2011): The May 2005 eruption of Fernandina volcano, Galápagos: GPS and InSAR observations of a circumferential dike intrusion from a multi-level magmatic system, Bulletin of Volcanology, 73 (6), 679-697, DOI: 10.1007/s00445-010-0433-0.

Geist D., Diefenbach, B.A., Fornari, D. J., Kurz, M.D., Harpp, K.S., Blusztajn, J. (2008): Construction of the Galápagos platform by large submarine volcanic terraces, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9, Q03015, doi:10.1029/2007GC001795.

Geist, D.J., Harpp, K.S., Naumann, T.R., Poland, M., Chadwick, W.W., Hall, M., and ^*Rader, E. (2007): The 2005 Eruption of Sierra Negra Volcano, Galápagos, Ecuador, Bulletin of Volcanology. DOI 10.1007/s00445-007-0160-3.

Geist, D.J., Fornari, D.J., Kurz, M.D., Harpp, K.S., Soule, S.A., Perfit, M.R., and ^*Koleszar, A.M. (2006): Submarine Fernandina: Magmatism at the Leading Edge of the Galápagos Hot Spot, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 7, Q12007, doi:10.1029/2006GC001290.

Lyons , J., Geist, D., Harpp, K., Diefenbach, B., Olin, P., and Vervoort, J. (2007). Crustal Growth by Magmatic Overplating in the Galápagos, Geology, 35 (6), 511-514.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Harpp,Harpp, K.S. and *Sweeney, W. (2002). Simulating a volcanic crisis in the classroom, Journal of Geologic Education, volume 50, p. 410-418.

Harpp, K.S. and White, W.M. (2001). Tracing a mantle plume: Isotopic and trace element variations of Galápagos seamounts, Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, volume 2, Paper number 2000GC00137.

*denotes a Colgate University undergraduate

Harpp, K.S., Schwartz, D.M., Wilson, E., Richards, T., McGuire, M., Mahr, J., Pimentel, R., Cleary, Z., Kurz, M.D., and Bercovici, H. (2024). Ocean island volcano evolution: Insights from the Eastern Galapagos Archipelago, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V11F 1596579.

Sinton, C., Harpp, K.S., and Werner, R. (2024). New radiometric age constraints on magmatism of the Eastern Galapagos Platform and Carnegie Ridge, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V11F 1755360.

Gardner, M. Harpp, K., Mahardy, K. (2024). Vampire finches, giant tortoises, and active volcanoes: Designing elementary-level digital and hands-on STEM curricula for the Virtual Galapagos Program, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract ED24B-03.

Gardner, M. and Harpp, K. (2024). Globally competent STEM teaching: Using place-based frameworks to strengthen P-16 STEM education, Innovating/Ideation Session at the 2024 Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference, Arlington, VA.

Gardner, M. and Harpp, K. (2024). Introducing Virtual Galápagos: A design-based approach to training pre-service elementary STEM teachers, iUSE Summit, Washington, DC.

Richards, T., Harpp, K.S., Kurz, M.D., Mahr, J., Pimentel, R., McGuire, M., and Bercovici, H. (2023). Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in the Eastern Galápagos anymore: The anomalous behavior of Española volcano, Galápagos, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract V31C-0115.

Harpp, K.S., Gardner, M.S., and Mahardy, K.S. (2023), Placing scientific research in context: Creating a novel professional development opportunity for future elementary STEM teachers through a curricular design project centered on the Galápagos Islands, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract ED11B-0766.

Weis, D., Harpp, K.S., Harrison, L.N., Boyet, M., Chauvel, C., Farnetani, C.G., Finlayson, V., Lee, K.K.M., Parai, R., Shahar, A., and Williamson, N. (2023), Earth's mantle composition revealed by mantle plumes, geochemical and geodynamic perspectives. Where are we now, and where are we going? Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract V33A-08.

Schwartz^x, D., Harpp, K.S., Wilson^x, E.L., Van Kirk^†, R. (2022): Cosmogenic ³He exposure and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of fault scarps and lavas on Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Archipelago, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V15B-0080.

Wilson^x, E.L., Harpp, K.S., Schwartz^x, D., Van Kirk^†, R. (2022): The geochemical evolution of a magmatically starved ocean island, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Archipelago, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V15B-0074.

Harpp, K.S., Gardner, M., Eakin, J. (2022): The Virtual Galápagos: An interactive, interdisciplinary, inquiry-driven website as the foundation for a novel STEM teacher-training program, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract ED32D-0551.

Harpp, K.S. (2022): Plenary talk, Bent plumes, and striped plumes, and bilateral asymmetry (oh my!): The Galápagos as a case study of evolving mantle plume models, Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, July; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TViB8qPOwOQ.

Harpp, K., Geist, D., Fornari, D.J. (2021): Submarine volcanism in the Galápagos Archipelago: Tectonic controls, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V32A-07.

Harpp, K., Weis, D. (2020): A geochemical comparison of the Galápagos and Hawai’I Plumes, Goldschmidt 2020 Geochemical Conference (virtual). DOI: https://doi.org/10.46427/gold2020.959

Harpp, K., Weis, D. (2019): Insights into the Compositional Structure of the Pacific LLSVP from Isotopic Studies of the Galapagos and Hawaiian Plumes, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract DI32A-02.

Harpp, K., Tschirhart, P., Khazaee, A. (2019): Collaborative tech and the wicked problem of “open” pedagogies, Educause Annual Conference 2019, Chicago, IL.

Harpp, K., Tschirhart, P., Khazaee, A. (2019): Subversive to sanctioned: A workshop to promote innovative campus culture, Educause Annual Conference 2019, Chicago, IL (full day event).

Harpp, K. (invited), Schwartz, D.M., Cleary, Z., Wilson, E., Pimentel, R., Mahr, J., McGuire, M., Bercovici, H., and Van Kirk, R. (2018): New eruptive ages and new perspectives on the Eastern Galápagos Archipelago,  Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V31A-01.

Koleszar, A.M., Rader, E., and Harpp, K.S. (2018): The saga of Volcville: A large-scale lava flow hazard mitigation exercise for undergraduates with the Syracuse Lava Project (SLP), Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., Washington, DC, abstract V23F-0136.

^†Pimentel, R., Harpp, K., Geist, D., ^†Bercovici, H., ^†Mahr, J., ^†Cleary, Z., ^^^Cordova, M. (2018): ISPY San Cristobal’s magma source:  The Galapagos Island edition, Northeast GSA Meeting, Burlington, VT, Paper No. 57-4.

Harpp, K.S., ^xSchwartz, D., ^xWilson, E., ^†McGuire, M., ^†Cleary, Z., ^†Mahr, J., ^†Pimentel, R., ^†Van Kirk, R., ^†Bercovici, H., Mittelstaedt, E., Kurz, M., Geist, D. (2017): The evolution of Galapagos volcanoes, IAVCEI 2017 Scientific Assembly, Portland, OR, Submission 455.

Sinton, C., Mittelstaedt, E., Harpp, K., Fornari, D., Geist, D., Soule, S. (2016): The tectonic-magmatic evolution of Galapagos lineaments from radiometric dating and bathymetry along the Pinta-Marchena Ridge, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract, OS41C-1979.

^†Bercovici, H. L., Geist, D., Harpp, K., ^^^Almeida, M., ^†Mahr, J., ^†Pimentel, R., ^†Cleary, Z. (2016): A little island with a big secret: Isla Rabida, Galápagos, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract, V53C-3117.

^†Pimentel, R., Harpp, K., Geist, D., ^†Mahr, J., ^†Bercovici, H., ^†Cleary, Z., ^^^Cordova, M. (2016): Are you there plume? It’s me, San Cristóbal: Geochemical evolution of a Galápagos Island, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract, V53C-3118.

^†Mahr, J., Kurz, M., Harpp, K., Geist, D., ^†Bercovici, H., ^†Pimentel, R., ^†Cleary, Z, ^^^Cordova, M. (2016): Rejuvenescent volcanism on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos: A Late “Plumer”, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract, V53C-3119.

^†Cleary, Z., Mittelstaedt, E., Harpp, K., ^†Bercovici, H., ^†Mahr, J., ^†Pimentel, R., ^^^Cordova, M. (2016): Investigating magmatic processes on San Cristóbal, Galápagos through analysis and modeling of newly acquired gravity measurements, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract, V53C-3120.

Mittelstaedt, E., Harpp, K., ^xSchwartz, D. (2016): Using gravity measurements from Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos to investigate differences in magmatic plumbing systems between Eastern and Western Galapagos Islands, GSA Meeting. Paper 63-18, Denver, CO.

^†Wadhera, S., ^†Zengilowski, A., Harpp, K. (2015): Adapting MOOC technology for the liberal arts classroom, Learning with MOOCs 2015, New York City, NY.

^†Bercovici, H., Geist, D., Harpp, K., Almeida, M. (2015): Evidence for a dying magma chamber at Rábida Island, Galápagos, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract V31D-3054.

^†Varga, K., ^†McGuire, M., Geist, D., Harpp, K. (2015): Understanding magmatic plumbing system dynamics at Fernandina Island, Galapagos, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract, V43B-3121.

^†McGuire, M., ^†Varga, K., Harpp, K., Geist, D., Hall, M. (2015): Volcanic evolution in the Galapagos: The geochemistry and petrology of Espanola Island, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract V31D-3055.

Gibson, S.A., Dale, C.W., Geist, D., Harpp, K.S. (2015): Os isotopic constraints on the identification of pyroxenite in the source of OIBs, EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, abstract EGU2015-9784.

^†Lemanski, B., Connor, S., Gullapalli, S., Harpp, K. (2015): Effects of pollution on the religious activity of individuals along the Ganges River: An interdisciplinary pilot study with sociological and analytical chemistry-based approaches, PITTCON Conference and Expo 2015, New Orleans, LA, abstract 2190-3.

Harpp, K.S., ^†Bray, B., Geist, D., Garcia, M.O. (2014): The Vanda Dike Swarm, Dry Valleys, Antarctica II: Geochemistry and geochronology, Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meet. Suppl., San Francisco, CA, abstract 19625.