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
Filter Total Items: 131
Integrated Geologic, Geochemical, and Geophysical Studies of Big Bend National Park, Texas Integrated Geologic, Geochemical, and Geophysical Studies of Big Bend National Park, Texas
Introduction Big Bend National Park (BBNP), Texas, covers 801,163 acres (3,242 km2) and was established in 1944 through a transfer of land from the State of Texas to the United States. The park is located along a 118-mi (190-km) stretch of the Rio Grande at the United States border with Mexico. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a 5-year project in 2003 with the objective of...
Authors
John E. Gray, Carol A. Finn, Lisa A. Morgan, William R. Page, Wayne C. Shanks
Radiometric Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data Radiometric Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data
Radiometric (uranium content, thorium content, potassium content, and gamma-ray intensity) and related data were digitized from radiometric and survey route location maps of western Afghanistan published in 1976. The uranium content data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Uranium (Radium) Contents of Afghanistan (Western Area),' compiled by V. N...
Authors
Ronald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. Finn
Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of rock alteration and water content at Mount Adams, Washington: Implications for lahar hazards Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of rock alteration and water content at Mount Adams, Washington: Implications for lahar hazards
[1] 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. Evaluating the hazards associated with such alteration is difficult because alteration has been mapped on few active volcanoes and the distribution and intensity of...
Authors
C. A. Finn, M. Deszcz-Pan, E. D. Anderson, D. A. John
Aeromagnetic mapping of the structure of Pine Canyon caldera and Chisos Mountains intrusion, Big Bend National Park, Texas Aeromagnetic mapping of the structure of Pine Canyon caldera and Chisos Mountains intrusion, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Analysis of aeromagnetic and gravity data reveals new details of the structure, igneous geology, and temporal evolution of the prominent, enigmatic ca.32 Ma Pine Canyon caldera and the Chisos Mountains (Big Bend National Park, Texas). The main caldera-filling Pine Canyon Rhyolite, the oldest member of the South Rim Formation, is reversely magnetized, allowing it to be used as a key...
Authors
B. J. Drenth, C. A. Finn
Aeromagnetic and Gravity Surveys in Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data 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
Authors
Ronald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. Finn
Aeromagnetic and gravity data over the Central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), Antarctica: a website for the distribution of data and maps Aeromagnetic 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...
Authors
E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn, D. Damaske, J.D. Abraham, F. Goldmann, J. W. Goodge, P. Braddock
Applications of geophysical methods to volcano monitoring Applications 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...
Authors
Jeff Wynn, Daniel Dzurisin, Carol A. Finn, James P. Kauahikaua, Richard G. Lahusen
ADMAP: A Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map of the Antarctic ADMAP: 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...
Authors
Alexander 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 Frese
Scouting craton’s edge in Paleo-Pacific Gondwana Scouting 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
Authors
Carol A. Finn, John W. Goodge, Detlef Damaske, C. Mark Fanning
Negative magnetic anomaly over Mt. Resnik, a subaerially erupted volcanic peak beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Negative 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...
Authors
John C. Behrendt, Carol A. Finn, D. L. Morse, D. D. Blankenship
Aeromagnetic Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data Aeromagnetic 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 location
Authors
Ronald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. Finn
A Cenozoic diffuse alkaline magmatic province (DAMP) in the southwest Pacific without rift or plume origin A 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...
Authors
Carol A. Finn, R. Dietmar Muller, Kurt S. Panter
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 131
Integrated Geologic, Geochemical, and Geophysical Studies of Big Bend National Park, Texas Integrated Geologic, Geochemical, and Geophysical Studies of Big Bend National Park, Texas
Introduction Big Bend National Park (BBNP), Texas, covers 801,163 acres (3,242 km2) and was established in 1944 through a transfer of land from the State of Texas to the United States. The park is located along a 118-mi (190-km) stretch of the Rio Grande at the United States border with Mexico. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a 5-year project in 2003 with the objective of...
Authors
John E. Gray, Carol A. Finn, Lisa A. Morgan, William R. Page, Wayne C. Shanks
Radiometric Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data Radiometric Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data
Radiometric (uranium content, thorium content, potassium content, and gamma-ray intensity) and related data were digitized from radiometric and survey route location maps of western Afghanistan published in 1976. The uranium content data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Uranium (Radium) Contents of Afghanistan (Western Area),' compiled by V. N...
Authors
Ronald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. Finn
Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of rock alteration and water content at Mount Adams, Washington: Implications for lahar hazards Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of rock alteration and water content at Mount Adams, Washington: Implications for lahar hazards
[1] 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. Evaluating the hazards associated with such alteration is difficult because alteration has been mapped on few active volcanoes and the distribution and intensity of...
Authors
C. A. Finn, M. Deszcz-Pan, E. D. Anderson, D. A. John
Aeromagnetic mapping of the structure of Pine Canyon caldera and Chisos Mountains intrusion, Big Bend National Park, Texas Aeromagnetic mapping of the structure of Pine Canyon caldera and Chisos Mountains intrusion, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Analysis of aeromagnetic and gravity data reveals new details of the structure, igneous geology, and temporal evolution of the prominent, enigmatic ca.32 Ma Pine Canyon caldera and the Chisos Mountains (Big Bend National Park, Texas). The main caldera-filling Pine Canyon Rhyolite, the oldest member of the South Rim Formation, is reversely magnetized, allowing it to be used as a key...
Authors
B. J. Drenth, C. A. Finn
Aeromagnetic and Gravity Surveys in Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data 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
Authors
Ronald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. Finn
Aeromagnetic and gravity data over the Central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), Antarctica: a website for the distribution of data and maps Aeromagnetic 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...
Authors
E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn, D. Damaske, J.D. Abraham, F. Goldmann, J. W. Goodge, P. Braddock
Applications of geophysical methods to volcano monitoring Applications 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...
Authors
Jeff Wynn, Daniel Dzurisin, Carol A. Finn, James P. Kauahikaua, Richard G. Lahusen
ADMAP: A Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map of the Antarctic ADMAP: 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...
Authors
Alexander 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 Frese
Scouting craton’s edge in Paleo-Pacific Gondwana Scouting 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
Authors
Carol A. Finn, John W. Goodge, Detlef Damaske, C. Mark Fanning
Negative magnetic anomaly over Mt. Resnik, a subaerially erupted volcanic peak beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Negative 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...
Authors
John C. Behrendt, Carol A. Finn, D. L. Morse, D. D. Blankenship
Aeromagnetic Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Web Site for Distribution of Data Aeromagnetic 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 location
Authors
Ronald E. Sweeney, Robert P. Kucks, Patricia L. Hill, Carol A. Finn
A Cenozoic diffuse alkaline magmatic province (DAMP) in the southwest Pacific without rift or plume origin A 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...
Authors
Carol A. Finn, R. Dietmar Muller, Kurt S. Panter
*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