Bridget Smith-Konter

About

Dr. Bridget R. Smith-Konter joined Northern Arizona University’s School of Earth and Sustainability as a Professor in January 2025. Her research focuses on fault system modeling, earthquake mechanics, and computational geophysics with an emphasis on the San Andreas Fault System, Kilauea, and planetary tectonics. Dr. Smith-Konter is an NAU alumna, having earned her B.S. in Physics & Astronomy from NAU in 1999.

Research website: https://rc.nau.edu/smith-konter

Fall 2025: Seeking applicants for graduate program research position in seafloor geodesy more info here

Research Interests

Earthquake Cycle Modeling

• 4-dimensional computer simulations of fault system deformation
• Stress evolution and seismic hazard assessment

Crustal Deformation and Fault System Mechanics

• San Andreas Fault System structure and behavior
• Geodetic analysis of crustal motion

Remote Sensing Observations

• GPS/GNSS, Seafloor geodesy
• Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR)
• Planetary geophysics, tectonics of icy moons

Education

• Ph.D. Earth Science/Geophysics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego (2005)
• B.S. Physics & Astronomy (minor in Mathematics), Northern Arizona University (1999)
  • Magna cum laude, Outstanding Graduating Senior in Arts and Sciences (1998)

Professional Experience

Academic Positions

• Professor, Northern Arizona University (January 2025-present)
• Full Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa (June 2021-December 2024)
• Associate Professor with Tenure, University of Hawaii at Manoa (August 2016-June 2021)
• Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa (January 2014-August 2016)
• Associate Professor with Tenure, University of Texas at El Paso (August 2012-January 2024)
• Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa (January 2008-August 2012)

Service and Leadership Activities

• Chair, Geophysics & Tectonics Division, University of Hawaii (previous position)
• UNAVCO Board of Directors, University NAVSTAR Consortium, a non-profit university governed consortium and World Data Center (comprised of 235 member institutions) that facilitates geoscience research and education using geodesy (2020-2022)
• Director, Earth Science on Volcanic Islands Research Experience for Undergraduates (2019-2025)
• Principal Investigator, Multiple NSF-funded research projects
• Research Collaborator, International geophysics and planetary science projects

Teaching and Curriculum Development

Courses

• GLG112 - Geologic Disasters
• GLG599 - Tectonic Geodesy

Awards and Recognition

• University of Hawaii Board of Regents’ Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Hawaii (2022)
• SOEST Teaching Excellence Award, University of Hawaii (2022)
• University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award University of Texas System (2011), University of Texas (2011)
• Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Outstanding Research Award, University of Texas at El Paso (2009)
• Faculty Early Career Award, National Science Foundation (2009)