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David J Weary

David J. Weary is a Scientist Emeritus at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.

 

David Weary earned a BS degree in geology from George Mason Univ. in 1982; MS in geology from Virginia Tech in 1988. Started at the USGS in 1988 as a PST for the Paleontology and Stratigraphy Branch, specializing in conodont sample processing and biostratigraphy. In 1996 David joined the Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team. Since 1998 David has worked as a geologic mapper, specializing in geohydrologic framework studies in karstic rocks. Field areas included: Ozarks of southern MO; Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands; and the Shenandoah Valley area of VA and WV. David has also worked in the southern Great Basin and the Black Hills. Since 2003 David has served as a research geologist and Project Chief of the KARST Project out of the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, Reston, VA. David also represented the USGS on the Board of directors of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute From 2009 to 2018.

 

Professional Studies/Experience

  • Physical Science Technician:  USGS Paleontology & Stratigraphy Branch (1988 – 1997). PST. Conodont biostratigraphic and thermal alteration research. Worked for Anita Harris and John Repetski.
  • Associate Instructor: Paleontology and Geology, Northern Virginia Community College (1989 – 1991).
  • Project Geologist:  Midcontinent Karst Systems and Geologic Mapping (1997 - 2003) geologic mapping and hydrogeologic studies in the area of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways park (NPS), Missouri. Developed early digital mapping and GIS/GPS techniques.
  • Task 1, Geologic mapping in VA and WV: The primary goal is to produce 1:24,000 & 1:100,000 scale geologic maps of selected areas in the Shenandoah Valley of VA and WV. Work in cooperation with the VA and WV, USGS WSC’s and with local and state governments to develop a better understanding of the role of the bedrock geology in guiding groundwater flow characteristics.
  • Task 2, U.S. National Karst Map: Our goal is to produce a new, GIS-based national karst map. This map will serve both as a small-scale graphic representation of the extent of karstic rocks in the United States (National Atlas) and as GIS data that will be linked to more detailed, site-specific databases. This work involves interaction with state geological surveys, the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), and karst experts from academia and the National Speleological Society.
  • Task 3, Geologic mapping in the Ozarks of MO: geologic mapping in areas of Paleozoic carbonate and clastic rocks and Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks at scales of 1:24,000 and 1:100,000. Investigation of geologic controls on groundwater flow, karstification, and speleogenesis in the Ozark Aquifer. This work addresses two priority needs:  1) Developing a hydrogeologic framework for the St. Fraincois and Ozark aquifers in southern MO and potential impacts on groundwater quality by proposed base-metal mining in the Mark Twain National Fo

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Filter Total Items: 24

Memorial to Jack B. Epstein 1935-2020

Jack Burton Epstein, a career geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) passed away in May 2020 at his home in Great Falls, Virginia. His career and contributions to the USGS spanned more than 60 years from his time as a summer field assistant while attending college, through 40 years as a research geologist, and more than 15 years as an emeritus scientist. Jack was born December 27, 1935
Authors
Randall C. Orndorff, David J. Weary, Peter T. Lyttle
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Digital geologic map data for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and adjacent areas along the Current River and Jacks Fork, Missouri

The geology of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) in southern Missouri has been mapped at 1:24,000 scale. This endeavor was achieved through the combined efforts of U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Geological Survey individual quadrangle mapping and additional fieldwork by the authors of this report. Geologic data covering the area of the ONSR and a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) buffer zone su
Authors
David J. Weary, Randall C. Orndorff, Richard W. Harrison, Robert E. Weems
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Predicting the occurrence of cave-inhabiting fauna based on features of the earth surface environment

One of the most challenging fauna to study in situ is the obligate cave fauna because of the difficulty of sampling. Cave-limited species display patchy and restricted distributions, but it is often unclear whether the observed distribution is a sampling artifact or a true restriction in range. Further, the drivers of the distribution could be local environmental conditions, such as cave humidity,
Authors
Mary C. Christman, Daniel H. Doctor, Matthew L. Niemiller, David J. Weary, John A. Young, Kirk S. Zigler, David C. Culver
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Geologic context of large karst springs and caves in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri

The ONSR is a karst park, containing many springs and caves. The “jewels” of the park are large springs, several of first magnitude, that contribute significantly to the flow and water quality of the Current River and its tributaries. Completion of 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of the park and surrounding river basin, along with synthesis of published hydrologic data, allows us to examine the sp
Authors
David J. Weary, Randall C. Orndorff
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

The cost of karst subsidence and sinkhole collapse in the United States compared with other natural hazards

Rocks with potential for karst formation are found in all 50 states. Damage due to karst subsidence and sinkhole collapse is a natural hazard of national scope. Repair of damage to buildings, highways, and other infrastructure represents a significant national cost. Sparse and incomplete data show that the average cost of karst-related damages in the United States over the last 15 years is estimat
Authors
David J. Weary
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

The current status of mapping karst areas and availability of public sinkhole-risk resources in karst terrains of the United States

Subsidence from sinkhole collapse is a common occurrence in areas underlain by water-soluble rocks such as carbonate and evaporite rocks, typical of karst terrain. Almost all 50 States within the United States (excluding Delaware and Rhode Island) have karst areas, with sinkhole damage highest in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. A conservative estimate of l
Authors
Eve L. Kuniansky, David J. Weary, James E. Kaufmann
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Water Resources Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Karst mapping in the United States: Past, present and future

The earliest known comprehensive karst map of the entire USA was published by Stringfield and LeGrand (1969), based on compilations of William E. Davies of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Various versions of essentially the same map have been published since. The USGS recently published new digital maps and databases depicting the extent of known karst, potential karst, and pseudokarst areas of
Authors
David J. Weary, Daniel H. Doctor
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Karst of the Mid-Atlantic region in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia

The Mid-Atlantic region hosts some of the most mature karst landscapes in North America, developed in highly deformed rocks within the Piedmont and Valley and Ridge physiographic provinces. This guide describes a three-day excursion to examine karst development in various carbonate rocks by following Interstate 70 west from Baltimore across the eastern Piedmont, across the Frederick Valley, and in
Authors
Daniel H. Doctor, David J. Weary, David K. Brezinski, Randall C. Orndorff, Lawrence E. Spangler
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Karst in the United States: A digital map compilation and database

This report describes new digital maps delineating areas of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, having karst or the potential for development of karst and pseudokarst. These maps show areas underlain by soluble rocks and also by volcanic rocks, sedimentary deposits, and permafrost that have potential for karst or pseudokarst development. All 50 States contain rock
Authors
David J. Weary, Daniel H. Doctor
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Thermal maturity patterns (conodont color alteration index and vitrinite reflectance) in Upper Ordovician and Devonian rocks of the Appalachian basin: A major revision of USGS Map I-917-E using new subsurface collections

Introduction The conodont color alteration index (CAI) introduced by Epstein and others (1977) and Harris and others (1978) is an important criterion for estimating the thermal maturity of Ordovician to Mississippian rocks in the Appalachian basin. Consequently, the CAI isograd maps of Harris and others (1978) are commonly used by geologists to characterize the thermal and burial history of the Ap
Authors
John E. Repetski, Robert T. Ryder, David J. Weary, Anita G. Harris, Michael H. Trippi
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

USGS geologic Mapping and karst research in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, USA

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) was created in 1964 to protect 134 miles of the Current River and its major tributary, the Jacks Fork, that are located in south-central Missouri (fig. 1). The park includes numerous large karst springs including Big Spring, by flow volume this is the largest spring in the National Park system. The National Park Service (NPS) administers a narrow, nearly
Authors
David J. Weary, Victoria M Grant
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Preliminary geologic map of the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

This map provides an update and reinterpretation of the geology of the island of Saipan. The geology of the island was previously documented in 1956 in U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Professional Paper 280-A by Preston E. Cloud, Jr., and others. This report includes a geologic map at a scale of 1:20,000. The fieldwork for this project was performed in 2006 and 2007.
Authors
David J. Weary, William C. Burton
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Team of scientists stand in front of outcrop

Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project

The Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project performs geologic mapping at local and regional scales, and geologic research in The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateaus physiographic provinces. These provinces include parts of 11 states and mainly borders the Blue Ridge / Piedmont and North Interior Lowlands Provinces. Only one state has Valley and Ridge geology (NJ), two have Appalachian...
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
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Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project

The Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project performs geologic mapping at local and regional scales, and geologic research in The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateaus physiographic provinces. These provinces include parts of 11 states and mainly borders the Blue Ridge / Piedmont and North Interior Lowlands Provinces. Only one state has Valley and Ridge geology (NJ), two have Appalachian...
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GIS data for predicting the occurrence of cave-inhabiting fauna based on features of the Earth surface environment in the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) Region

Cave-limited species display patchy and restricted distributions, but are challenging to study in situ because of the difficulty of sampling. It is often unclear whether the observed distribution is a sampling artifact or a true restriction in range. Further, the drivers of the distribution could be local environmental conditions, such as cave humidity, or they could be associated with surface fea
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
Filter Total Items: 15

Geologic maps of the Stephenson and Winchester quadrangles, Frederick and Clarke Counties, Virginia, and Inwood and White Hall quadrangles, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia

The study area consists of four contiguous 7.5-minute quadrangles and is located in Frederick and Clarke Counties, Virginia, and Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia. The individual quadrangles are Stephenson, Winchester, Inwood, and White Hall. The study area lies within the Great Valley subprovince of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province where about 23,000 feet (ft) (7,000 meter
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Geologic map of the Montauk quadrangle, Dent, Texas, and Shannon Counties, Missouri

The Montauk 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 2,000 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic igneous basement rocks. Unconsolidated residuum, colluvium, terrace deposits, and a
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Bedrock geologic map of the Spring Valley, West Plains, and parts of the Piedmont and Poplar Bluff 30'x60' quadrangles, Missouri, including the upper Current River and Eleven Point River drainage basins

This map covers the drainage basins of the upper Current River and the Eleven Point River in the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province of southeastern Missouri. The two surface drainage basins are contiguous in their headwaters regions, but are separated in their lower reaches by the lower Black River basin in the southeast corner of the map area. Numerous dye-trace studies demonstrate that in the
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Geologic map of the Jam Up Cave and Pine Crest quadrangles, Shannon, Texas, and Howell Counties, Missouri

The Jam Up Cave and Pine Crest 7.5-minute quadrangles are located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 2,400 to 3,100 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic igneous basement rocks. Unconsolidated residuum, coll
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Geologic map of the Alley Spring quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri

The Alley Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 1,990 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. A small exposure of the volcanic rocks exists near the eastern

Geologic map of the Alley Spring quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri

The Alley Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 1,990 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. A small exposure of the volcanic rocks exists near the eastern

Geologic Map of the Round Spring Quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri

The Round Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in Shannon County, south-central Missouri on the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. As much as 1,350 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks, mostly dolomite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. The bedrock is overlain by unconsolidated residuum, colluvium, terrace deposits, a

Geologic Map of the Cedargrove Quadrangle, Dent and Shannon Counties, Missouri

The Cedargrove 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. Most of the land in the quadrangle is privately owned and used primarily for grazing cattle and horses and growing timber. The map area has topographic relief of about 565 feet (ft), with elevations ranging from about 760 ft at Akers Ferry on the c

Geologic Map of the Piedmont Hollow Quadrangle, Oregon County, Missouri

The Piedmont Hollow 7.5-min quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province (Fenneman, 1938; Bretz, 1965) (fig. 1). Almost all of the land in the quadrangle north of the Eleven Point River is part of the Mark Twain National Forest. Most of the land immediately adjoining the river is part of the Eleven Point National Sceni

Thermal Maturity Patterns (CAI and %Ro) in Upper Ordovician and Devonian Rocks of the Appalachian Basin: A Major Revision of USGS Map I-917-E Using New Subsurface Collections

The conodont color alteration index (CAI) introduced by Epstein and others (1977) and Harris and others (1978) is an important criterion for estimating the thermal maturity of Ordovician to Mississippian rocks in the Appalachian basin. Consequently, the CAI isograd maps of Harris and others (1978) are commonly used by geologists to characterize the thermal and burial history of the Appalachian bas
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Reston Electron Microbeam Laboratory

Geologic Map of the Big Spring Quadrangle, Carter County, Missouri

The bedrock exposed in the Big Spring quadrangle of Missouri comprises Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician aged dolomite, sandstone, and chert. The sedimentary rocks are nearly flat lying except where they are adjacent to faults. The carbonate rocks are karstified, and the area contains numerous sinkholes, springs, caves, and losing streams. This map is one of several being produced under the U

Geologic Map of the Big Spring Quadrangle, Carter County, Missouri

The bedrock exposed in the Big Spring quadrangle of Missouri comprises Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician aged dolomite, sandstone, and chert. The sedimentary rocks are nearly flat lying except where they are adjacent to faults. The carbonate rocks are karstified, and the area contains numerous sinkholes, springs, caves, and losing streams. This map is one of several being produced under the U.
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Memorial to Jack B. Epstein (1935-2020)

Recently, the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, USGS lost Jack Epstein, a colleague, mentor, and friend. Here is a fitting tribute and memorial to...

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