Perspective view of the map area looking toward the northeast, with the Candor Colles (low hills) in the foreground.
Chris H Okubo, PhD
Deputy Astrogeology Science Center Director and Research Operations Lead.
Chris helps to oversee management of the Astrogeology Science Center. He currently serves as chief for the Research Operations branch of the Astrogeology Science Center and continues research activities as time permits.
Chris has studied thermal characterization of pit craters on Kīlauea volcano, Hawai‘i, high resolution structural mapping in west Candor Chasma, Mars, stability analyses of Martian “gullies” and investigation of formation mechanisms and geotechnical assessments of planetary soils and rock masses. He has also studied fracture-controlled fluid flow on Mars, strain localization in porous rocks and implications for deformation band formation, structural analysis of thrust fault-related folds on Mars and satellite monitoring of active terrestrial volcanoes.
Science and Products
Caves
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on caves. In particular, we are interested in the physics of caves, which involves the application of the principles of heat transfer, mass transfer and meteorology to understand how cave climates evolve. We are also interested in caves on other planetary bodies and moons, and how they may be used as resources for future missions.
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with...
Candor Colles of Mars
Perspective view of the map area looking toward the northeast, with the Candor Colles (low hills) in the foreground.
Candor Colles of Candor Chasma, Mars
Enhanced color image of a hill in the Candor Colles region of Candor Chasma, Mars. Image is 1 km (0.62 miles) across.
Enhanced color image of a hill in the Candor Colles region of Candor Chasma, Mars. Image is 1 km (0.62 miles) across.
Science and Products
Caves
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on caves. In particular, we are interested in the physics of caves, which involves the application of the principles of heat transfer, mass transfer and meteorology to understand how cave climates evolve. We are also interested in caves on other planetary bodies and moons, and how they may be used as resources for future missions.
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with...
Candor Colles of Mars
Perspective view of the map area looking toward the northeast, with the Candor Colles (low hills) in the foreground.
Perspective view of the map area looking toward the northeast, with the Candor Colles (low hills) in the foreground.
Candor Colles of Candor Chasma, Mars
Enhanced color image of a hill in the Candor Colles region of Candor Chasma, Mars. Image is 1 km (0.62 miles) across.
Enhanced color image of a hill in the Candor Colles region of Candor Chasma, Mars. Image is 1 km (0.62 miles) across.
*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