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
Aeromagnetic and Gravity Surveys in Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data
Aeromagnetic and gravity data over the Central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), Antarctica: a website for the distribution of data and maps
Applications of geophysical methods to volcano monitoring
Scouting craton’s edge in Paleo-Pacific Gondwana
ADMAP: A Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map of the Antarctic
Aeromagnetic Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data
Negative magnetic anomaly over Mt. Resnik, a subaerially erupted volcanic peak beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
A Cenozoic diffuse alkaline magmatic province (DAMP) in the southwest Pacific without rift or plume origin
Identifying major sedimentary basins beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet from aeromagnetic data analysis
Signs from the Precambrian: The geologic framework of Rocky Mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data
Ground magnetic data from within the Long Valley caldera, California: A website for data distribution
Removal of subglacially erupted volcanic edifices beneath the divide of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet interpreted from aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding surveys
No abstract available.
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Maps
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 115
Aeromagnetic and Gravity Surveys in Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data
Aeromagnetic data were digitized from aeromagnetic maps created from aeromagnetic surveys flown in southeastern and southern Afghanistan in 1966 by PRAKLA, Gesellschaft fur praktische Lagerstattenforschung GmbH, Hannover, Germany, on behalf of the 'Bundesanstalt fur Bodenforschung', Hannover, Germany. The digitization was done along contour lines, followed by inAuthorsRonald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. FinnAeromagnetic and gravity data over the Central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), Antarctica: a website for the distribution of data and maps
Near complete coverage of the East Antarctic Shield by ice hampers geological study of crustal architecture important for understanding global tectonic and climate history. Limited exposures in the central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), however, show that Archean and Proterozoic rocks of the shield as well as Neoproterozoic-lower Paleozoic sedimentary successions were involved in oblique convergAuthorsE. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn, D. Damaske, J.D. Abraham, F. Goldmann, J. W. Goodge, P. BraddockApplications of geophysical methods to volcano monitoring
The array of geophysical technologies used in volcano hazards studies - some developed originally only for volcano monitoring - ranges from satellite remote sensing including InSAR to leveling and EDM surveys, campaign and telemetered GPS networks, electronic tiltmeters and strainmeters, airborne magnetic and electromagnetic surveys, short-period and broadband seismic monitoring, even microphonesAuthorsJeff Wynn, Daniel Dzurisin, Carol A. Finn, James P. Kauahikaua, Richard G. LahusenScouting craton’s edge in Paleo-Pacific Gondwana
The geology of the ice-covered interior of the East Antarctic shield is completely unknown; inferences about its composition and history are based on extrapolating scant outcrops from the coast inland. Although the shield is clearly composite in nature, a large part of its interior has been represented by a single Precambrian block, termed the Mawson block, that includes the Archean-MesoproterozoiAuthorsCarol A. Finn, John W. Goodge, Detlef Damaske, C. Mark FanningADMAP: A Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map of the Antarctic
For a number of years the multi-national ADMAP working group has been compiling near surface and satellite magnetic data in the region south of 60° S. By the end of 2000, a 5 km grid of magnetic anomalies was produced for the entire region. The map readily portrays the first-order magnetic differences between oceanic and continental regions. The magnetic anomaly pattern over the continent reflectsAuthorsAlexander Golynsky, Massimo Chiappini, Detlef Damaske, Fausto Ferraccioli, Carol A. Finn, Takemi Ishihara, Hyung Rae Kim, Luis Kovacs, Valery Masolov, Peter Morris, Ralph R. B. von FreseAeromagnetic Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data
Aeromagnetic and related data were digitized from 1976 magnetic field and survey route location maps of western Afghanistan. The magnetic field data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Magnetic Field of Afghanistan (Western Area) Delta-Ta Isolines,' compiled by V. A. Cnjagev and A. F. Bukhmastov. The survey route locatioAuthorsRonald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. FinnNegative magnetic anomaly over Mt. Resnik, a subaerially erupted volcanic peak beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Mt. Resnik is one of the previously reported 18 subaerially erupted volcanoes (in the West Antarctic rift system), which have high elevation and high bed relief beneath the WAIS in the Central West Antarctica (CWA) aerogeophysical survey. Mt. Resnik lies 300 m below the surface of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS); it has 1.6 km topographic relief, and a conical form defined by radar ice-soundinAuthorsJohn C. Behrendt, Carol A. Finn, D. L. Morse, D. D. BlankenshipA Cenozoic diffuse alkaline magmatic province (DAMP) in the southwest Pacific without rift or plume origin
Common geological, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics of continental fragments of East Gondwana and adjacent oceanic lithosphere define a long-lived, low-volume, diffuse alkaline magmatic province (DAMP) encompassing the easternmost part of the Indo-Australian Plate, West Antarctica, and the southwest portion of the Pacific Plate. A key to generating the Cenozoic magmatism is the combinaAuthorsCarol A. Finn, R. Dietmar Müller, Kurt S. PanterIdentifying major sedimentary basins beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet from aeromagnetic data analysis
In the Ross Sea, large sedimentary basins reflect primarily the major extensional event associated with the Late Cretaceous breakup of Gondwana. Within the Interior Ross Embayment, no similar large basins have been identified to date. We have used aerogravity and Werner deconvolution methods applied to aeromagnetic data to map depth to magnetic basement, which helped delineate three major sedimentAuthorsRobin E. Bell, M. Studinger, G.D. Karner, Carol A. Finn, D. D. BlankenshipSigns from the Precambrian: The geologic framework of Rocky Mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data
No abstract available.AuthorsCarol A. Finn, Paul K. SimsGround magnetic data from within the Long Valley caldera, California: A website for data distribution
No abstract available.AuthorsE. D. Anderson, C. A. FinnRemoval of subglacially erupted volcanic edifices beneath the divide of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet interpreted from aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding surveys
No abstract available.
AuthorsJohn C. Behrendt, D. D. Blankenship, D. L. Morse, Carol A. Finn, R. E. Bell
*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