Kirt Kempter

Kirt Kempter is a Fulbright Fellow and Ph.D. graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, now living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A volcanologist and field geologist, Kirt has conducted extensive field research in Mexico, Costa Rica, and New Mexico, and has worked with the NASA astronaut training program, providing field geologic training to astronaut candidates. Kirt’s research in northern Mexico included the identification of several giant calderas in the Sierra Madre Occidental, creating a thick pile of volcanic rocks now exposed in the Copper Canyon region. For this tour Kirt will give presentations on the geologic story of Baja peninsula, including its dynamic plate tectonic and volcanic past. He has led educational tours for Smithsonian Journeys since 1993 and greatly enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of geology with tour participants.

Language spoken: English