Welcome to my web pages
I work as an associate professor at the Department of Geosciences in the University of Oslo, Norway. Previously I was a senior researcher at the research center PGP (Physics of Geological Processes) located in Oslo, Norway. PGP is an interdisciplinary research environment where physicists and geologists work together to better understand the complex patterns and processes of the Earth.

Researching the mechanics of earthquakes and faulting
My research involves laboratory experiments, field observations and numerical modelling to investigate the physics of faults and earthquakes. I co-ordinated the 'Localisation Processes' group at PGP (2005-2009) and collaborate with international scientists around the world.

WHAT'S NEW ?
¤ 'AFTERSHOCK' - an exhibition of new works by Natasha Barrett (opens 11 November 2011) ¤
Rocks meet sound, geology meets art, the science of rock deformation meets interactive 3D space. 'AFTERSHOCK' results from a collaboration between composer and sound artist Natasha Barrett , geoscientist Karen Mair and PGP. 'AFTERSHOCK' is exhibited at Galleri ROM, Oslo, Norway (11 November - 11 December, 2011).

¤ Paper on 'Roughness evolution' in faults published online (April 2012) ¤
Renard, F., Mair, K., and Gundersen, O.,
Surface roughness evolution on experimentally simulated faults
Journal of Structural Geology, in press April

¤ Paper on 'Breaking up' in fault gouge published (December 2011) ¤
Mair, K., and Abe, S., Breaking up: Comminution mechanisms in sheared simulated fault gouge
Pure and Applied Geophysics, vol 168, no 12, December

¤ 'CRUSH-2' at Norwegian Teknisk Museum (May-August 2011)¤
Barrett, N. and Mair K., CRUSH-2 an interactive sound-art installation based on a science-art collaboration, features in exhibition on Sonic Interaction Design, Norwegian Teknisk Museum, Oslo Norway 27 May-21 Aug 2011

¤ Associate Professor position at Department of Geosciences (1st January 2011) ¤
I have a new position as Associate Professor at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo
Ill work in the Environmental Geology and Hydrology Group and will continue to collaborate with colleagues and students at PGP

¤ EOS Andean Geotrail article published (January 2011) ¤
Sassier, C., Galland, O. and Mair, K., To capture student interest in geosciences - Plan an adventure
EOS transactions, American Geophysical Union, vol 92, No 1, January 4, 2011