Kristine Zellman

My current research activities are focused on the sedimentary basins of the contiguous United States. As a member of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s (NCGMP) National Geologic Synthesis (NGS) project, I am tasked with leading an effort to compile data and develop methods for mapping and modeling the subsurface geology of sedimentary basins at scales relevant to regional and national synthesis products. I also collaborate with researchers from a variety of disciplines and institutions to conduct detailed investigations of paleoenvironmental change recorded in terrestrial sedimentary basin deposits.

Previously, I studied the role of recovering (post-drought and -grazing) vegetation and biological soil crust communities on the landscape evolution of sand dunes on the California Channel Islands using field investigations and remote sensing. I have also been involved in the creation of a wide variety of USGS geologic map publications.