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
Identifying major sedimentary basins beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet from aeromagnetic data analysis Identifying 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...
Authors
Robin E. Bell, M. Studinger, G.D. Karner, Carol A. Finn, D. D. Blankenship
Signs from the Precambrian: The geologic framework of Rocky Mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data Signs from the Precambrian: The geologic framework of Rocky Mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data
No abstract available.
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Paul K. Sims
Ground magnetic data from within the Long Valley caldera, California: A website for data distribution Ground magnetic data from within the Long Valley caldera, California: A website for data distribution
No abstract available.
Authors
E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn
Removal of subglacially erupted volcanic edifices beneath the divide of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet interpreted from aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding surveys 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.
Authors
John C. Behrendt, D. D. Blankenship, D. L. Morse, Carol A. Finn, R. E. Bell
REVEAL: REmote Views and Exploration of Antarctic Lithosphere Workshop: the future of Antarctic airborne geophysical capabilities, workshop report, August 5-8, 2002, Denver, Colorado REVEAL: REmote Views and Exploration of Antarctic Lithosphere Workshop: the future of Antarctic airborne geophysical capabilities, workshop report, August 5-8, 2002, Denver, Colorado
No abstract available.
Authors
Carol A. Finn
Potential of airborne geophysical capabilities discussed 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...
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Sridhar Anandakrishnan, John W. Goodge, Kurt S. Panter, Christine Siddoway, Terry Wilson
Exploration and discovery in Yellowstone Lake: Results from high-resolution sonar imaging, seismic reflection profiling, and submersible studies Exploration 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...
Authors
L. 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. Balistrieri
Aeromagnetic data centered over Skelton Neve, Antarctica; a web site for distribution of data and maps Aeromagnetic data centered over Skelton Neve, Antarctica; a web site for distribution of data and maps
No abstract available.
Authors
D. Damaske, Carol A. Finn, H.D. Moeller, C. Demosthenous, E. D. Anderson
Digital data grids for the magnetic anomaly map of North America Digital 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...
Authors
Viki 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. Ravat
Examples of the utility of magnetic anomaly data for geologic mapping Examples of the utility of magnetic anomaly data for geologic mapping
No abstract available.
Authors
Carol A. Finn
Geologic interpretation of aeromagnetic maps in the Santa Cruz basin: Patagonia Mountains area, south-central Arizona Geologic 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...
Authors
V. L. Rystrom, C. A. Finn, Trude V. V. King
New Mexico structural zone - An analogue of the Colorado mineral belt New 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...
Authors
P.K. Sims, H. J. Stein, Carol A. Finn
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 131
Identifying major sedimentary basins beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet from aeromagnetic data analysis Identifying 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...
Authors
Robin E. Bell, M. Studinger, G.D. Karner, Carol A. Finn, D. D. Blankenship
Signs from the Precambrian: The geologic framework of Rocky Mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data Signs from the Precambrian: The geologic framework of Rocky Mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data
No abstract available.
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Paul K. Sims
Ground magnetic data from within the Long Valley caldera, California: A website for data distribution Ground magnetic data from within the Long Valley caldera, California: A website for data distribution
No abstract available.
Authors
E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn
Removal of subglacially erupted volcanic edifices beneath the divide of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet interpreted from aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding surveys 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.
Authors
John C. Behrendt, D. D. Blankenship, D. L. Morse, Carol A. Finn, R. E. Bell
REVEAL: REmote Views and Exploration of Antarctic Lithosphere Workshop: the future of Antarctic airborne geophysical capabilities, workshop report, August 5-8, 2002, Denver, Colorado REVEAL: REmote Views and Exploration of Antarctic Lithosphere Workshop: the future of Antarctic airborne geophysical capabilities, workshop report, August 5-8, 2002, Denver, Colorado
No abstract available.
Authors
Carol A. Finn
Potential of airborne geophysical capabilities discussed 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...
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Sridhar Anandakrishnan, John W. Goodge, Kurt S. Panter, Christine Siddoway, Terry Wilson
Exploration and discovery in Yellowstone Lake: Results from high-resolution sonar imaging, seismic reflection profiling, and submersible studies Exploration 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...
Authors
L. 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. Balistrieri
Aeromagnetic data centered over Skelton Neve, Antarctica; a web site for distribution of data and maps Aeromagnetic data centered over Skelton Neve, Antarctica; a web site for distribution of data and maps
No abstract available.
Authors
D. Damaske, Carol A. Finn, H.D. Moeller, C. Demosthenous, E. D. Anderson
Digital data grids for the magnetic anomaly map of North America Digital 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...
Authors
Viki 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. Ravat
Examples of the utility of magnetic anomaly data for geologic mapping Examples of the utility of magnetic anomaly data for geologic mapping
No abstract available.
Authors
Carol A. Finn
Geologic interpretation of aeromagnetic maps in the Santa Cruz basin: Patagonia Mountains area, south-central Arizona Geologic 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...
Authors
V. L. Rystrom, C. A. Finn, Trude V. V. King
New Mexico structural zone - An analogue of the Colorado mineral belt New 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...
Authors
P.K. Sims, H. J. Stein, Carol A. Finn
*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