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Carol A Finn, Ph.D.

Carol Finn is a research geophysicist with the Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, CO.

Carol specializes in the application of magnetic, gravity and electromagnetic data, to develop framework geological models in support of resource and volcano hazards assessments and fundamental Earth Processes. She has worked all over the world. Her current research is on imagining Yellowstone's iconic thermal features, 3D modeling of layered mafic intrusions and their platinum group element potential and Cascades and Alaska landslide hazards.

Research Interests

Carol is an expert on the application of magnetic, gravity and electromagnetic data, along with other geophysical techniques, to identify the subsurface distribution of

  • hydrothermal alteration and causative sub-volcanic intrusions as well as ground water as they relate to both landslide hazard assessment and systematics of hydrothermal systems
  • layered mafic intrusions, including the Bushveld, Stillwater and Duluth complexes, in support of assessments of platinum group element potential
  • crystalline basement related to global mineral resource assessments (Algeria, Mauritania, Afghanistan, South Africa, Uzbekistan, United States)

Professional Experience

  • 1978-present, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Geophysics, University of Colorado, 1988

  • M.S. Geophysics, University of Colorado, 1984

  • B.S. Geology, Wellesley College, 1978

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Geophysical Union: Thriving Earth Exchange Board Member (2016-present), Past President (2015-2016), President (2013-2014), President-Elect (2011-2012), General Secretary (2006-2010)

  • Geological Society of America

  • 2000-2005 Adjunct faculty member, Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Honors and Awards

  • 2011 - DOI Meritorious Service Award

  • 2007 - DOI Superior Service Award

  • 2004 - Elected Geological Society of America Fellow

  • 2003 - US Board of Geographic Names named Finn Spur in Antarctica (79° 17' S, 156° 37' E) after me in recognition of my management of Antarctic aerogeophysical field projects.

  • 2001-2002 - Awarded senior Gledden Research Fellowship, Centre for Global Metallogeny, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

  • 1990-1992 - Awarded Science and Technology Fellowship, Geological Survey of Japan, Tsukuba, Japan

Science and Products

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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Large Magmatic Systems for Minerals

This project continues work on large magmatic systems in the U.S., where critical mineral commodities important to clean energy technologies can be concentrated. Modeling of large mafic intrusion extents will continue, and new geophysical methods will be applied to improve understanding of magmatic systems.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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Large Magmatic Systems for Minerals

This project continues work on large magmatic systems in the U.S., where critical mineral commodities important to clean energy technologies can be concentrated. Modeling of large mafic intrusion extents will continue, and new geophysical methods will be applied to improve understanding of magmatic systems.
Learn More
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Satellite map view of world with four countries highlighted in green.

International Integrated Minerals Interpretation

We will publish reports and interpretive papers on existing data from USGS internal mineral resource assessment collaborative work.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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International Integrated Minerals Interpretation

We will publish reports and interpretive papers on existing data from USGS internal mineral resource assessment collaborative work.
Learn More
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Stillwater River canyon with mine

Geophysical Studies on the Architecture of Large Igneous Systems Hosting Magmatic Ore Deposits

Platinum group elements, also known as PGEs, are a group of elements that have specific properties which make them useful for various applications in industry. One geologic setting that contains large concentrations of platinum group elements is layered mafic intrusions. This project will use new and preexisting geophysical datasets to characterize the internal structure of layered intrusions...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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Geophysical Studies on the Architecture of Large Igneous Systems Hosting Magmatic Ore Deposits

Platinum group elements, also known as PGEs, are a group of elements that have specific properties which make them useful for various applications in industry. One geologic setting that contains large concentrations of platinum group elements is layered mafic intrusions. This project will use new and preexisting geophysical datasets to characterize the internal structure of layered intrusions...
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Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Processed Data and Models Data Release, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2016

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during November and December 2016 along 4,212 line-kilometers over Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The survey was conducted as part of a study of the subsurface geologic structure and geothermal and groundwater resources of Yellowstone National Park. The survey was designed to image the subsurface plumbing of Yellowstone's
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Principal facts of gravity data from the Stillwater Complex, Montana, 2013-2014 and 2020

Gravity data were collected during three separate campaigns during July of 2013, August and September of 2014, and September and October of 2020 at 168 sites on and around the Stillwater layered mafic complex in southern Montana. Measurements were taken with Lacoste & Romberg G-64, G-550, and G-161 gravimeters and reduced to obtain the complete Bouguer anomaly, with reference ties to absolute base
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Mount Baker and Mount Adams Airborne Magnetic and Electromagnetic Survey Data, August 2002, Washington, USA

Hydrothermally altered rocks, particularly if water saturated, can weaken stratovolcanoes, thereby increasing the potential for catastrophic sector collapses that can lead to far-traveled, destructive debris flows, which are the largest volcanic hazards for Mount Adams and Mount Baker. Evaluating the hazards associated with such alteration is difficult because much of the alteration is obscured by
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Mount Adams, Mount Baker

Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic Survey, Yellowstone National Park, 2016 - Minimally Processed Data

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during November and December 2016 along 4,212 line-kilometers over Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The survey was conducted as part of a study of the subsurface geologic structure and geothermal and groundwater resources of Yellowstone National Park. The survey was designed to image the subsurface plumbing of Yellowstone's
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne Magnetic Surveys over Oklahoma, 2017

Airborne magnetic surveys were conducted in Oklahoma from August 11th, 2017-October 28th, 2017, by Goldak Airborne Surveys. Here we present downloadable flight line data from those surveys in comma-separated values (csv format). Three areas were flown along a draped surface with a nominal survey height above ground of 120 meters. The flight line spacing for these areas was 200 to 400 m for Area 12
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, Iliamna Volcano, Alaska, June 2012

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during June 2012 along 556 line-kilometers over Iliamna Volcano, Alaska. These data were collected in support of alteration and volcano flank instability mapping as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program. Data were acquired by SkyTEM Survey ApS SkyTEM304 system with the Soloy Helicopters Eurocopter As
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, Stillwater Complex, Montana, May 2000 (ver. 2.0, June 2020)

A helicopter-borne electromagnetic/magnetic survey was flown over the Stillwater area, southwest Montana from May 5 to May 16, 2000. The survey was conducted over the Stillwater Igneous Complex, a Precambrian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion which is characterized by igneous layering. Electromagnetic data were acquired using DIGHEM helicopter-borne electromagnetic system. Magnetic data were coll
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Bouguer gravity and magnetic susceptibility measurements at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska 2019

Gravity data were collected in August of 2019 at 21 sites on and around Iliamna Volcano and Anchorage, Alaska. Measurements were taken with a Lacoste & Romberg G-161 meter and reduced to obtain the complete Bouguer anomaly. A total of 39 magnetic susceptibility measurements were taken at 13 locations using a ZH Instruments SM30 susceptibility meter. This data release includes susceptibility measur
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, Stillwater Complex, Montana, May 2000

A helicopter-borne electromagnetic/magnetic survey was flown over the Stillwater area, southwest Montana from May 5 to May 16, 2000. The survey was conducted over the Stillwater Igneous Complex, a Precambrian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion which is characterized by igneous layering. Electromagnetic data were acquired using DIGHEM helicopter-borne electromagnetic system. Magnetic data were coll
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Magnetic anomaly map of North America

This digital Magnetic Anomaly database and map for the North American continent is the result of a joint effort by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and Consejo de Recursos Minerales of Mexico (CRM). The database and map represent a substantial upgrade from the previous compilation of Magnetic Anomaly data for North America, now over a decade old (Committee for

Gravity anomaly and terrain maps of Washington

No abstract available.

Residual Bouguer gravity anomaly map of the Cascade Range, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia

No abstract available.

Gravity anomaly and terrain maps of the Cascade Range, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia

No abstract available.

Gravity and aeromagnetic maps of the Goat Rocks Wilderness and adjacent Roadless Areas, Lewis and Yakima counties, Washington

No abstract available. 
Resistivity and magmatic susceptibility cross sections from Yellowstone thermal areas
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Resistivity and magmatic susceptibility cross sections from Yellowstone thermal areas
Filter Total Items: 114

Electromagnetic and magnetic imaging of the Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

Modelling and analysis of helicopter electromagnetic data result in resistivity and susceptibility models and derivatives of magnetic data that characterise shallow parts of the Stillwater Complex, critical for aiding exploration and expansion of globally scarce critical and battery mineral resources that include platinum group elements, nickel, copper and chromium. The magnetic susceptibly models
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Michael L. Zientek, Benjamin r. Bloss, Heather L. Parks, Justin Modroo
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Subsurface characterization of the Duluth Complex and related intrusions from 3D modeling of gravity and magnetotelluric data

No abstract available.
Authors
Dana E. Peterson, Paul A. Bedrosian, Carol A. Finn
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

The 180-km-long Meers-Willow Fault System in the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen: A potential U.S. mid-continent seismic hazard

We integrate new high-resolution aeromagnetic data with seismic reflection data, well logs, satellite remote sensing, and field observations to provide a regional view of buried and exposed structures in the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen and to assess their potential for future seismicity. Trends ranging from NW−SE to ∼E−W, peaking at 330° ± 4.5° and 280° ± 3°, dominate the magnetic lineaments of th
Authors
Brandon F. Chase, Folarin Kolawole, Estella A. Atekwana, Brett M. Carpenter, Molly Turko, Mohamed Abdelsalam, Carol A. Finn
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geophysical imaging of the Yellowstone hydrothermal plumbing system

The nature of Yellowstone National Park’s plumbing system linking deep thermal fluids to its legendary thermal features is virtually unknown. The prevailing concepts of Yellowstone hydrology and chemistry are that fluids reside in reservoirs with unknown geometries, flow laterally from distal sources and emerge at the edges of lava flows. Here we present a high-resolution synoptic view of pathways
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Paul A. Bedrosian, W. Steven Holbrook, Esben Auken, Benjamin R. Bloss, Kayla (Jade) J Crosbie
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Drivers of seedling establishment success in dryland restoration efforts

Restoration of degraded drylands is urgently needed to mitigate climate change, reverse desertification and secure livelihoods for the two billion people who live in these areas. Bold global targets have been set for dryland restoration to restore millions of hectares of degraded land. These targets have been questioned as overly ambitious, but without a global evaluation of successes and failures
Authors
Nancy Shackelford, Gustavo B. Paterno, Daniel E. Winkler, Todd E. Erickson, Elizabeth A. Leger, Lauren N. Svejcar, Martin F. Breed, Akasha M. Faist, Peter L. Harrison, Michael F. Curran, Qinfeng Guo, Anita Kirmer, Darin J. Law, Kevin Mganga, Seth M. Munson, Lauren M. Porensky, Raul Emiliano Quiroga, Péter Török, Claire E. Wainwright, Ali Abdullahi, Matt A. Bahm, Elizabeth A. Ballenger, Nichole Barger, Owen W. Baughman, Carina Becker, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Chad S. Boyd, Carla M. Burton, Philip J. Burton, Eman Calleja, Peter J. Carrick, Alex Caruana, Charlie D. Clements, Kirk W. Davies, Balázs Deák, Jessica Drake, Sandra Dullau, Joshua Eldridge, Erin Espeland, Stephen E. Fick, Magda Garbowski, Enrique G. de la Riva, Peter J. Golos, Penelope A. Grey, Barry Heydenrych, Patricia M. Holmes, Jeremy J. James, Jayne Jonas-Bratten, Réka Kiss, Andrea T. Kramer, Julie E. Larson, Juan Lorite, C. Ellery Mayence, Luis Merino-Martín, Tamás Miglécz, Suanne Jane Milton, Thomas A. Monaco, Arlee M. Montalvo, Jose A. Navarro-Cano, Mark W. Paschke, Pablo Luis Peri, Monica L. Pokorny, Matthew J. Rinella, Nelmarie Saayman, Merilynn C. Schantz, Tina Parkhurst, Eric W. Seabloom, Katharine L. Stuble, Shauna M. Uselman, Orsolya Valkó, Kari E. Veblen, Scott D. Wilson, Megan Wong, Zhiwei Xu, Katharine L. Suding
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

3-D Modeling of the Duluth Complex from geophysical data

The Mesoproterozoic Duluth Complex in northeastern Minnesota is one of the major plutonic components of the Midcontinent Rift System and hosts a variety of copper-nickel sulfide and platinum-group element deposits. The Duluth Complex is composed of a series of individual mafic and felsic intrusions emplaced 1110-1098 Ma within Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the Animikie basin and volcanic f
Authors
Dana E. Peterson, Paul A. Bedrosian, Carol A. Finn
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geometry of the Bushveld Complex from 3D potential field modelling

A full three-dimensional (3D) potential field model of the central and southern Bushveld Complex reveals information about the Complex in areas obscured by younger geological cover. Previously, two-dimensional gravity models and a few magnetic models limited to certain sections of the Bushveld Complex have been used to propose geometries for the Rustenburg Layered Suite, especially in the western
Authors
Janine Cole, Carol A. Finn, Susan J. Webb
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne geophysical imaging of weak zones on Iliamna Volcano, Alaska: Implications for slope stability

Water‐saturated, hydrothermally altered rocks reduce the strength of volcanic edifices and increase the potential for sector collapses and far‐traveled mass flows of unconsolidated debris. Iliamna Volcano is an andesitic stratovolcano located on the western side of the Cook Inlet, ∼225 km southwest of Anchorage and is a source of repeated avalanches. The widespread snow and ice cover on Iliamna Vo
Authors
Dana E. Peterson, Carol A. Finn, Paul A. Bedrosian
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Geological and thermal control of the hydrothermal system in northern Yellowstone Lake: Inferences from high resolution magnetic surveys

A multiscale magnetic survey of the northern basin of Yellowstone Lake was undertaken in 2016 as part of the Hydrothermal Dynamics of Yellowstone Lake Project (HD‐YLAKE)—a broad research effort to characterize the cause‐and‐effect relationships between geologic and environmental processes and hydrothermal activity on the lake floor. The magnetic survey includes lake surface, regional aeromagnetic,
Authors
Claire Bouligand, Maurice A. Tivey, Carol A. Finn, Lisa A Morgan, W. C. Pat Shanks, Robert A. Sohn
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Mapping the 3-D extent of the Stillwater Complex, Montana—Implications for potential platinum group element exploration and development

Geophysical models characterize the exposed and interpreted buried extent of the Stillwater Complex, critical for understanding the origin of the layered mafic intrusion and its associated high-grade platinum group element resources. The 3D models, constrained by gravity, magnetic, xenolith, seismic, borehole, and rock property data indicate that the likely maximum extent of the Stillwater Complex
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Michael L. Zientek, Heather L. Parks, Dana E. Peterson
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of shallow water saturated altered rocks at Mount Baker, Washington: Implications for slope stability

Water-saturated hydrothermal alteration reduces the strength of volcanic edifices, increasing the potential for catastrophic sector collapses that can lead to far traveled and destructive debris flows. Intense hydrothermal alteration significantly lowers the resistivity and magnetization of volcanic rock and therefore hydrothermally altered rocks can be identified with helicopter electromagnetic a
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Maria Deszcz-Pan, Jessica L. Ball, Benjamin J. Bloss, Burke J. Minsley
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Combining multiphase groundwater flow and slope stability models to assess stratovolcano flank collapse in the Cascade Range

Hydrothermal alteration can create low‐permeability zones, potentially resulting in elevated pore‐fluid pressures, within a volcanic edifice. Strength reduction by rock alteration and high pore‐fluid pressures have been suggested as a mechanism for edifice flank instability. Here we combine numerical models of multiphase heat transport and groundwater flow with a slope‐stability code that incorpor
Authors
Jessica L. Ball, Joshua M. Taron, Mark E. Reid, Shaul Hurwitz, Carol A. Finn, Paul A. Bedrosian
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Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Science and Products

*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