Publications
Publications from the staff of the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Filter Total Items: 2486
Rapid measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization Rapid measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization
To provide an improved methodology for characterizing the field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) over broad areas with extreme spatial variability and ordinary limitations of time and resources, we developed and tested a simplified apparatus and procedure, correcting mathematically for the major deficiencies of the simplified implementation. The methodology includes use of a...
Authors
J. R. Nimmo, K. M. Schmidt, K. S. Perkins, J. D. Stock
Late Quaternary paleoclimate of western Alaska inferred from fossil chironomids and its relation to vegetation histories Late Quaternary paleoclimate of western Alaska inferred from fossil chironomids and its relation to vegetation histories
Fossil Chironomidae assemblages (with a few Chaoboridae and Ceratopogonidae) from Zagoskin and Burial Lakes in western Alaska provide quantitative reconstructions of mean July air temperatures for periods of the late-middle Wisconsin (~39,000-34,000 cal yr B.P.) to the present. Inferred temperatures are compared with previously analyzed pollen data from each site summarized here by...
Authors
Joshua Kurek, Les C. Cwynar, Thomas A. Ager, Mark B. Abbott, Mary E. Edwards
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
Metropolitan Portland, Oregon, USA, lies within a small Neogene to Holocene basin in the forearc of the Cascadia subduction system. Although the basin owes its existence and structural development to its convergent-margin tectonic setting, the stratigraphic architecture of basin-fill deposits chiefly reflects its physiographic position along the lower reaches of the continental-scale...
Authors
Russell C. Evarts, Jim E. O'Connor, Ray E. Wells, Ian P. Madin
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center
The origin and paleoclimatic significance of carbonate sand dunes deposited on the California Channel Islands during the last glacial period The origin and paleoclimatic significance of carbonate sand dunes deposited on the California Channel Islands during the last glacial period
No abstract available.
Authors
Daniel R. Muhs, Gary Skipp, R. Randall Schumann, Donald L. Johnson, John P. McGeehin, Jossh Beann, Joshua Freeman, Timothy A. Pearce, Zachary Muhs Rowland
Geophysical setting of western Utah and eastern Nevada between latitudes 37°45′ and 40°N Geophysical setting of western Utah and eastern Nevada between latitudes 37°45′ and 40°N
Gravity and aeromagnetic data refine the structural setting for the region of western Utah and eastern Nevada between Snake and Hamlin Valleys on the west and Tule Valley on the east. These data are used here as part of a regional analysis. An isostatic gravity map shows large areas underlain by gravity lows, the most prominent of which is a large semi-circular low associated with the...
Authors
Edward A. Mankinen, Edwin H. McKee
Effects of experimental protocol on global vegetation model accuracy: a comparison of simulated and observed vegetation patterns for Asia Effects of experimental protocol on global vegetation model accuracy: a comparison of simulated and observed vegetation patterns for Asia
Prognostic vegetation models have been widely used to study the interactions between environmental change and biological systems. This study examines the sensitivity of vegetation model simulations to: (i) the selection of input climatologies representing different time periods and their associated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, (ii) the choice of observed vegetation data for evaluating...
Authors
Guoping Tang, Sarah L. Shafer, Patrick J. Barlein, Justin O. Holman
Hydrologic characterization of desert soils with varying degrees of pedogenesis: 1. field experiments evaluating plant-relevant soil water behavior Hydrologic characterization of desert soils with varying degrees of pedogenesis: 1. field experiments evaluating plant-relevant soil water behavior
To assess the eff ect of pedogenesis on the soil moisture dynamics infl uencing the character and quality of ecological habitat, we conducted infi ltration and redistribution experiments on three alluvial deposits in the Mojave National Preserve: (i) recently deposited active wash sediments, (ii) a soil of early Holocene age, and (iii) a highly developed soil of late Pleistocene age. At...
Authors
John R. Nimmo, Kim S. Perkins, Kevin M. Schmidt, David M. Miller, Jonathan D. Stock, Kamini Singha
New approaches to stability analysis of steep coastal bluffs New approaches to stability analysis of steep coastal bluffs
We present a discussion on the limitations and needed improvements for existing slope stability analysis methods to accurately model steep coastal bluff failures resulting from both direct wave action at the toe in weakly cemented sands and precipitation-induced seepage failures in moderately cemented sands. Using a case-study detailing over 5 years of observations of coastal bluff...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Nicholas Sitar
Cenozoic evolution of the abrupt Colorado Plateau–Basin and Range boundary, northwest Arizona: A tale of three basins, immense lacustrine-evaporite deposits, and the nascent Colorado River Cenozoic evolution of the abrupt Colorado Plateau–Basin and Range boundary, northwest Arizona: A tale of three basins, immense lacustrine-evaporite deposits, and the nascent Colorado River
In northwest Arizona, the relatively unextended Colorado Plateau gives way abruptly to the highly extended Colorado River extensional corridor within the Basin and Range province along a system of major west-dipping normal faults, including the Grand Wash fault zone and South Virgin–White Hills detachment fault. Large growth-fault basins developed in the hanging walls of these faults...
Authors
J. E. Faulds, Keith A. Howard, E. M. Duebendorfer
Linking soil organic matter dynamics and erosion-induced terrestrial carbon sequestration at different landform positions Linking soil organic matter dynamics and erosion-induced terrestrial carbon sequestration at different landform positions
Recently, the potential for terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration by soil erosion and deposition has received increased interest. Erosion and deposition constitute a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide relative to a preerosional state or a noneroding scenario, if the posterosion watershed C balance is increased due to (1) partial replacement of eroded C by new photosynthate in the eroded...
Authors
Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Jennifer W. Harden, Margaret S. Torn, John Harte
Temporal Geochemistry Data from Five Springs in the Cement Creek Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado Temporal Geochemistry Data from Five Springs in the Cement Creek Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado
Temporal data from five springs in the Cement Creek watershed, San Juan County, Colorado provide seasonal geochemical data for further research in the formation of ferricretes. In addition, these data can be used to help understand the ground-water flow system. The resulting data demonstrate the difficulty in gathering reliable seasonal data from springs, show the unique geochemistry of...
Authors
Raymond H. Johnson, Laurie Wirt, Kenneth J. Leib
Origin of meter-size granite basins in the southern Sierra Nevada, California Origin of meter-size granite basins in the southern Sierra Nevada, California
Meter-size granite basins are found in a 180-km belt extending south from the South Fork of the Kings River to Lake Isabella on the west slope of the southern Sierra Nevada, California. Their origin has long been debated. A total of 1,033 basins have been inventoried at 221 sites. The basins occur on bedrock granitic outcrops at a median elevation of 1,950 m. Median basin diameter among...
Authors
James G. Moore, Mary A. Gorden, Joel E. Robinson, Barry C. Moring