Adam M Hudson
I am an isotope geochemist focused on applying radiogenic and stable isotopes to understanding hydrologic systems in the present and geologic past. My main research goal is to understand what affects water availability in arid regions.
My research focuses on two parallel tracks: 1) Tracing water sources in modern surface and groundwater systems and 2) reconstructing landscape evolution through geologic mapping and isotope study of surficial deposits of lakes, rivers, soils, and desert springs and wetlands. I have done research in Tibet, the Andes, and the western United States. My current research is focused in the US Great Basin, Alaska, and the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado and New Mexico.
Science and Products
Surficial Working Group
The Surficial Working Group supports the Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West (IMW) Project by conducting research and detailed geologic mapping focused on the geomorphic and hydrologic processes that shaped the Intermountain West region and their implications for resource exploration, natural hazards, and landscape evolution. This research provides a process-based framework for...
Making water tracing rock solid: national, geologic map-based visualization of USGS water strontium isotope data
Nationwide data source for USGS water strontium isotopes for hydrologic, ecologic, and forensic studies
Denali National Park Geohazards Geologic Mapping
Denali National Park (DENA) is a major draw for tourism and recreation and a major economic engine for central Alaska. However, the geologic forces that created the steep landscape of DENA also make it prone to geologic hazards (geohazards) like landslides, debris flows, and earthquakes. DENA has only one major road, called the ‘Park Road’, that serves nearly all of its infrastructure. Since 2017...
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West (IMW) Project conducts 1:24,000- to 1:100,000-scale geologic mapping to support framework geologic investigations. The IMW project is prioritizing development of a seamless, integrated geologic map database in targeted areas of the Intermountain West region of the United States that host substantial mineral, energy, water, and industrial material...
Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data
Geochronological data provide essential information necessary for understanding the timing of geologic processes and events, as well as quantifying rates and timescales key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource and hazard assessments. The USGS’s National Geochronological Database (NGDB) contains over 30,000 radiometric ages, but no formal update has occurred in over 20 years...
Paleohydrology of Desert Wetlands
Springs and wetlands are among the most highly threatened ecosystems on Earth. Although geographically limited, they support more than 20% of all the threatened and endangered species in the United States. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey are examining the rock record to determine how springs and wetlands responded to abrupt climate change during prehistoric times and the recent geologic...
Science and Products
Surficial Working Group
The Surficial Working Group supports the Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West (IMW) Project by conducting research and detailed geologic mapping focused on the geomorphic and hydrologic processes that shaped the Intermountain West region and their implications for resource exploration, natural hazards, and landscape evolution. This research provides a process-based framework for...
Making water tracing rock solid: national, geologic map-based visualization of USGS water strontium isotope data
Nationwide data source for USGS water strontium isotopes for hydrologic, ecologic, and forensic studies
Denali National Park Geohazards Geologic Mapping
Denali National Park (DENA) is a major draw for tourism and recreation and a major economic engine for central Alaska. However, the geologic forces that created the steep landscape of DENA also make it prone to geologic hazards (geohazards) like landslides, debris flows, and earthquakes. DENA has only one major road, called the ‘Park Road’, that serves nearly all of its infrastructure. Since 2017...
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West (IMW) Project conducts 1:24,000- to 1:100,000-scale geologic mapping to support framework geologic investigations. The IMW project is prioritizing development of a seamless, integrated geologic map database in targeted areas of the Intermountain West region of the United States that host substantial mineral, energy, water, and industrial material...
Serving the U.S. Geological Survey’s geochronological data
Geochronological data provide essential information necessary for understanding the timing of geologic processes and events, as well as quantifying rates and timescales key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource and hazard assessments. The USGS’s National Geochronological Database (NGDB) contains over 30,000 radiometric ages, but no formal update has occurred in over 20 years...
Paleohydrology of Desert Wetlands
Springs and wetlands are among the most highly threatened ecosystems on Earth. Although geographically limited, they support more than 20% of all the threatened and endangered species in the United States. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey are examining the rock record to determine how springs and wetlands responded to abrupt climate change during prehistoric times and the recent geologic...