Carl M Wentworth
Carl, a Scientist Emeritus with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, is continuing a varied career that has included geologic mapping, geologic safety of nuclear power reactors, tectonic studies combining geology and geophysics, landslide hazards, and Quaternary stratigraphy and tectonics. He holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Earth Science from Stanford University.
Carl obtained a Ph.D. degree from Stanford University in 1967, having joined the U.S. Geological Survey full time in Menlo Park, CA, in 1963. He retired in 2004 and has continued in emeritus status in the Menlo Park, CA, office since. His work over the past 55 years, mostly in California, has involved geologic mapping; study of landslide, fault and earthquake hazards; management of a national research program on hazards to power reactors; investigation of crustal structure using deep reflection profiling; study of a deep Quaternary basin and its cyclic record of climate variation; and study of the Franciscan Complex and its tectonostratigraphic terranes.
Professional Experience
2004-present, Emeritus Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California
1979-2003, Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California
1974-1978, U.S. Geological Survey, Program Manager, Reactor Hazards Research Program
1963-1973, Research Geologist, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California
1963-field assistant to Director Tom Nolan, Eureka, Nevada, US Geological Survey
1961-1962, Teaching Assistant, Stanford University
1961-field assistant, Franciscan assemblage, California, U.S. Geological Survey
1960-Junior Geologist, Nevada, Shell Oil Company
1958-Junior Geologist, Socony Mobil Oil Company (Anaco, Venezuela)
1957-field assistant, South Dakota, U.S. Geological Survey
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Earth Science, Stanford University, 1967
M.S., Earth Science, Stanford University, 1960
B. A., Geology, Dartmouth College, 1958
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Geological Society of America (Fellow)
Science and Products
Map showing principal debris-flow source areas in the San Francisco Bay region, California
Estimating earthquake location and magnitude from seismic intensity data
Geologic map of the Point Dume quadrangle, Los Angeles County, California
Geologic processes at the land surface
Seismic maps foster landmark legislation
The surface of crystalline basement, Great Valley and Sierra Nevada, California: A digital map database
Preliminary map of peak horizontal ground acceleration for the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake of January 17, 1995, Japan
Hillside materials and slopes of the San Francisco Bay region, California
Preliminary Quaternary geologic maps of Santa Clara Valley, Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Mateo counties, California: A digital database
GIS mapping of earthquake ground shaking in San Francisco, California
General distribution of geologic materials in the southern San Francisco Bay Region, California: A digital map database
Application of GIS technology to seismic zonation of the San Francisco Bay region, California
Science and Products
- Data
- Maps
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 69
Map showing principal debris-flow source areas in the San Francisco Bay region, California
No abstract available.AuthorsStephen D. Ellen, Robert K. Mark, Gerald F. Wieczorek, Carl M. Wentworth, David W. Ramsey, Thomas E. MayEstimating earthquake location and magnitude from seismic intensity data
No abstract available.AuthorsW. H. Bakun, C. M. WentworthGeologic map of the Point Dume quadrangle, Los Angeles County, California
No abstract available.AuthorsRussell H. Campbell, B.A. Blackerby, R. F. Yerkes, J.E. Schoelhamer, P. W. Birkeland, C. M. WentworthGeologic processes at the land surface
No abstract available.AuthorsHoward Gordon Wilshire, K. A. Howard, C. M. Wentworth, Helen GibbonsSeismic maps foster landmark legislation
When a powerful earthquake strikes an urban region, damage concentrates not only near the quake's source. Damage can also occur many miles from the source in areas of soft ground. In recent years, scientists have developed ways to identify and map these areas of high seismic hazard. This advance has spurred pioneering legislation to reduce earthquake losses in areas of greatest hazard.AuthorsRoger D. Borcherdt, Robert B. Brown, Robert A. Page, Carl M. Wentworth, James W. HendleyThe surface of crystalline basement, Great Valley and Sierra Nevada, California: A digital map database
Crystalline basement in central California extends westward from the exposed Sierra Nevada beneath the sedimentary fill of the Great Valley and under the eastern edge of the Coast Ranges at mid-crustal depth. The surface of this basement is defined from three types of control: in the Sierra Nevada from the topography itself, beneath the eastern two thirds of the Great Valley in considerable detailAuthorsCarl M. Wentworth, G. Reid Fisher, Paia Levine, Robert C. JachensPreliminary map of peak horizontal ground acceleration for the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake of January 17, 1995, Japan
No abstract available.AuthorsCarl M. Wentworth, Roger D. Borcherdt, R. K. MarkHillside materials and slopes of the San Francisco Bay region, California
This report describes the various bedrock and soil materials and slope gradients that constitute hillsides in the San Francisco Bay region. Distribution of materials and slopes is shown on 1:125,000-scale maps of the region. Approximately 360 materials units are described by bedrock composition, physical properties of bedrock (rock hardness, spacing of fractures and partings, and bed thickness), tAuthorsS. D. Ellen, C. M. WentworthPreliminary Quaternary geologic maps of Santa Clara Valley, Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Mateo counties, California: A digital database
No abstract available.AuthorsEdward J. Helley, R. W. Graymer, G. A. Phelps, P. K. Showalter, C. M. WentworthGIS mapping of earthquake ground shaking in San Francisco, California
Severe earthquakes of the last decade in Mexico, Armenia, and the United States have reemphasized the importance of local geologic site conditions in estimating damage and consequent losses. Recent advances in geographic information system (GIS) technology have created new opportunities for maintaining and integrating extensive spatial databases for applications in seismic hazard analysis. GroundAuthorsS.A. King, Anne S. Kiremidjian, Roger D. Borcherdt, Carl M. WentworthGeneral distribution of geologic materials in the southern San Francisco Bay Region, California: A digital map database
No abstract available.AuthorsCarl M. WentworthApplication of GIS technology to seismic zonation of the San Francisco Bay region, California
No abstract available.AuthorsCarl M. Wentworth, Roger D. Borcherdt, T.T. Fitzgibbon, P. K. Showalter
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government