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
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
*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