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
Potential of airborne geophysical capabilities discussed
Exploration and discovery in Yellowstone Lake: Results from high-resolution sonar imaging, seismic reflection profiling, and submersible studies
Digital data grids for the magnetic anomaly map of North America
Aeromagnetic data centered over Skelton Neve, Antarctica; a web site for distribution of data and maps
Examples of the utility of magnetic anomaly data for geologic mapping
Geologic interpretation of aeromagnetic maps in the Santa Cruz basin: Patagonia Mountains area, south-central Arizona
Subglacial volcanic features beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet interpreted from aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding
High-resolution aeromagnetic mapping of volcanic terrain, Yellowstone National Park
Draped aeromagnetic survey in Transantarctic Mountains over the area of the Butcher Ridge igneous complex showing extent of underlying mafic intrusion
New Mexico structural zone - An analogue of the Colorado mineral belt
New digital data base helps to map North America
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Maps
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 115
Potential of airborne geophysical capabilities discussed
Antarctica is a key element in Earth's geodynamic and climatic systems. Nevertheless, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, we lack fundamental geologic and geophysical data from the deep interior of this vast continent. Meager exposures record the 3500-million-year history of a continent that participated in the formation and breakup of both the Rodinia and GonAuthorsCarol A. Finn, Sridhar Anandakrishnan, John W. Goodge, Kurt S. Panter, Christine Siddoway, Terry WilsonExploration and discovery in Yellowstone Lake: Results from high-resolution sonar imaging, seismic reflection profiling, and submersible studies
Discoveries from multi-beam sonar mapping and seismic reflection surveys of the northern, central, and West Thumb basins of Yellowstone Lake provide new insight into the extent of post-collapse volcanism and active hydrothermal processes occurring in a large lake environment above a large magma chamber. Yellowstone Lake has an irregular bottom covered with dozens of features directly related to hyAuthorsL. A. Morgan, Wayne C. Shanks, D. A. Lovalvo, S. Y. Johnson, W. J. Stephenson, K. L. Pierce, S. S. Harlan, C. A. Finn, G. Lee, M. Webring, B. Schulze, J. Duhn, R. Sweeney, L. BalistrieriDigital data grids for the magnetic anomaly map of North America
The 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). This integrated, readily accessible, modern digital database of magnetic anomaly data is a powerful tool for further evaluation of the structure, geologic processesAuthorsViki Bankey, Alejandro Cuevas, David Daniels, Carol A. Finn, Israel Hernandez, Patricia Hill, Robert Kucks, Warner Miles, Mark Pilkington, Carter Roberts, Walter Roest, Victoria Rystrom, Sarah Shearer, Stephen Snyder, Ronald E. Sweeney, Julio Velez, J. D. Phillips, D.K.A. RavatAeromagnetic data centered over Skelton Neve, Antarctica; a web site for distribution of data and maps
No abstract available.AuthorsD. Damaske, Carol A. Finn, H.D. Moeller, C. Demosthenous, E. D. AndersonExamples of the utility of magnetic anomaly data for geologic mapping
No abstract available.AuthorsCarol A. FinnGeologic interpretation of aeromagnetic maps in the Santa Cruz basin: Patagonia Mountains area, south-central Arizona
High resolution aeromagnetic data for the Santa Cruz basin - Patagonia Mountains region of south-central Arizona (USGS, 2000) can be combined with geologic mapped regions to reconfirm known geologic features, extend known features, and suggest new possibilities. These include mapping of lava flows, mapping of igneous intrusions, mapping of faults, and the mapping of basement rocks which lie beneatAuthorsV. L. Rystrom, C. A. Finn, Trude V. V. KingSubglacial volcanic features beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet interpreted from aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) flows through the volcanically active, late Cenozoic West Antarctic rift system. Active subglacial volcanism and a vast (>106 km3) extent of subglacial volcanic structures have been interpreted from aerogeophysical surveys over central West Antarctica in the past decade, combined with results from 1960s and 1970s aeromagnetic profiles over the WAIS. Modelling ofAuthorsJohn C. Behrendt, D. D. Blankenship, D. L. Morse, C. A. Finn, R.E. BellHigh-resolution aeromagnetic mapping of volcanic terrain, Yellowstone National Park
High-resolution aeromagnetic data acquired over Yellowstone National Park (YNP) show contrasting patterns reflecting differences in rock composition, types and degree of alteration, and crustal structures that mirror the variable geology of the Yellowstone Plateau. The older, Eocene, Absaroka Volcanic Supergroup, a series of mostly altered, andesitic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks partially expAuthorsC. A. Finn, L. A. MorganDraped aeromagnetic survey in Transantarctic Mountains over the area of the Butcher Ridge igneous complex showing extent of underlying mafic intrusion
A draped aeromagnetic survey over the area surrounding the Butcher Ridge igneous complex (BRIC), Transantarctic Mountains, was acquired in 1997–1998 as part of a larger Transantarctic Mountains Aerogeophysical Research Activity survey. The BRIC is a sill-like hypoabyssal intrusion ranging in composition from tholeiitic basalt to rhyolite. An 40Ar/39Ar age of 174 Ma and the chemical character of thAuthorsJohn C. Behrendt, D. Damaske, C. A. Finn, P. Kyle, T. J. WilsonNew Mexico structural zone - An analogue of the Colorado mineral belt
Updated aeromagnetic maps of New Mexico together with current knowledge of the basement geology in the northern part of the state (Sangre de Cristo and Sandia–Manzano Mountains)—where basement rocks were exposed in Precambrian-cored uplifts—indicate that the northeast-trending Proterozoic shear zones that controlled localization of ore deposits in the Colorado mineral belt extend laterally into NeAuthorsP. K. Sims, H. J. Stein, Carol A. FinnNew digital data base helps to map North America
A new effort is underway to compile an upgraded digital magnetic anomaly data base and map for the North American continent by 2002. This program is a joint effort by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and Consejo de Recursos Minerales de Mexico (CRM). An integrated, readily accessible, modern digital data base of magnetic anomaly data spanning North AmericaAuthorsCarol A. Finn, Mark Pilkington, Alejandro Cuevas, Jaime Urrutia
*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