Edward A Mankinen
Ed is a Scientist Emeritus with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center in Menlo Park, CA. He joined the USGS in 1964, retired in 2010, and returned as Emeritus in 2011. His career and current work focus in paleomagnetism/rock magnetism and conducting and interpreting gravity and aeromagnetic surveys through the Geophysical Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP).
For most of Edward Mankinen's 47-year career, he was associated with the Menlo Park Rock Magnetic Laboratory conducting various research projects in paleomagnetism/rock magnetism. Most of these studies were concentrated in the western U.S. but also included field work in Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, and Antarctica. Beginning in 1996, Ed also became associated with the Geophysical Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP) and began conducting and interpreting gravity and aeromagnetic surveys. Most of these studies were conducted in and around the Nevada Test Site and in the eastern Great Basin. As an emeritus, he has continued work on projects in both disciplines.
Professional Experience
2011 - present, Emeritus Research Geologist, GMEG Science Center
2006 - 2008, Chief, Geophysical Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP)
1988 - 1992, Chief, Paleomagnetism—Menlo Park Project
1969 - 2010, Research Geologist, Branches of: Theoretical Geophysics, Theoretical & Applied Geophysics, Petrophysics & Remote Sensing, and Isotope Geology; now with the GMEG Science Center, all USGS, Menlo Park, CA
1965 - 1969, Laboratory manager, Rock Magnetic Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA
1964 - 1965, Physical Science Technician, USGS, Menlo Park, CA
Education and Certifications
M.S., Geology, San Jose State College, 1971
B.S., Geology, San Jose State College, 1963
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
Honors and Awards
2004, 2005, 2006 - USGS Star Awards
1972 - USGS Quality Increase
1970 - Department of Interior Antarctic Service Award
1970 - Congressional Antarctic Medal
Science and Products
Quickly erupted volcanic sections of the Steens Basalt, Columbia River Basalt Group: Secular variation, tectonic rotation, and the Steens Mountain reversal
Gravity Data from Newark Valley, White Pine County, Nevada
Geophysical Data from Spring Valley to Delamar Valley, East-Central Nevada
Gravity and magnetic studies to characterize the geologic framework of the Spring Valley region
Inversion of Gravity Data to Define the Pre-Cenozoic Surface and Regional Structures Possibly Influencing Groundwater Flow in the Rainier Mesa Region, Nye County, Nevada
Geophysical Data from the Spring and Snake Valleys Area, Nevada and Utah
Gravity and ground magnetic data from selected traverses in the Amargosa desert and vicinity, Nevada and California
Mono Lake excursion recorded in sediment of the Santa Clara Valley, California
Guide to geophysical data for the northern Rocky Mountains and adjacent areas, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming
Paleomagnetism and 40Ar/39Ar ages from volcanics extruded during the Matuyama and Brunhes Chrons near McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Late Eocene impacts: Geologic record, correlation, and paleoenvironmental consequences
Preliminary paleomagnetic results from the Coyote Creek Outdoor Classroom drill hole, Santa Clara Valley, California
Science and Products
- Data
- Maps
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 75
Quickly erupted volcanic sections of the Steens Basalt, Columbia River Basalt Group: Secular variation, tectonic rotation, and the Steens Mountain reversal
The Steens Basalt, now considered part of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), contains the earliest eruptions of this magmatic episode. Lava flows of the Steens Basalt cover about 50,000 km2 of the Oregon Plateau in sections up to 1000 m thick. The large number of continuously exposed, quickly erupted lava flows (some sections contain over 200 flows) allows for small loops in the magnetic fielAuthorsNicholas A. Jarboe, Robert S. Coe, Paul R. Renne, Jonathan M. G. Glen, Edward A. MankinenGravity Data from Newark Valley, White Pine County, Nevada
The Newark Valley area, eastern Nevada is one of thirteen major ground-water basins investigated by the BARCAS (Basin and Range Carbonate Aquifer Study) Project. Gravity data are being used to help characterize the geophysical framework of the region. Although gravity coverage was extensive over parts of the BARCAS study area, data were sparse for a number of the valleys, including the northern paAuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Edwin H. McKeeGeophysical Data from Spring Valley to Delamar Valley, East-Central Nevada
Cenozoic basins in eastern Nevada and western Utah constitute major ground-water recharge areas in the eastern part of the Great Basin and these were investigated to characterize the geologic framework of the region. Prior to these investigations, regional gravity coverage was variable over the region, adequate in some areas and very sparse in others. Cooperative studies described herein have estaAuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Carter W. Roberts, Edwin H. McKee, Bruce A. Chuchel, Robert L. MorinGravity and magnetic studies to characterize the geologic framework of the Spring Valley region
No abstract available.AuthorsEdward A. MankinenInversion of Gravity Data to Define the Pre-Cenozoic Surface and Regional Structures Possibly Influencing Groundwater Flow in the Rainier Mesa Region, Nye County, Nevada
A three-dimensional inversion of gravity data from the Rainier Mesa area and surrounding regions reveals a topographically complex pre-Cenozoic basement surface. This model of the depth to pre-Cenozoic basement rocks is intended for use in a 3D hydrogeologic model being constructed for the Rainier Mesa area. Prior to this study, our knowledge of the depth to pre-Cenozoic basement rocks was based oAuthorsThomas G. Hildenbrand, Geoffrey A. Phelps, Edward A. MankinenGeophysical Data from the Spring and Snake Valleys Area, Nevada and Utah
No abstract available.AuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Carter W. Roberts, Edwin H. McKee, Bruce A. Chuchel, Barry C. MoringGravity and ground magnetic data from selected traverses in the Amargosa desert and vicinity, Nevada and California
No abstract available.AuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Donald S. Sweetkind, Edwin H. McKee, Robert L. MorinMono Lake excursion recorded in sediment of the Santa Clara Valley, California
Two intervals recording anomalous paleomagnetic inclinations were encountered in the top 40 meters of research drill hole CCOC in the Santa Clara Valley, California. The younger of these two intervals has an age of 28,090 ± 330 radiocarbon years B.P. (calibrated age ∼32.8 ka). This age is in excellent agreement with the latest estimate for the Mono Lake excursion at the type locality and confirmsAuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Carl M. WentworthGuide to geophysical data for the northern Rocky Mountains and adjacent areas, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming
No abstract available.AuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Thomas G. Hildenbrand, Michael L. Zientek, Stephen E. Box, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Mary H. Carlson, Jeremy C. LarsenPaleomagnetism and 40Ar/39Ar ages from volcanics extruded during the Matuyama and Brunhes Chrons near McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Maps of virtual geomagnetic poles derived from international geomagnetic reference field models show large lobes with significant departures from the spin axis. These lobes persist in field models for the last few millenia. The anomalous lobes are associated with observation sites at extreme southerly latitudes. To determine whether these features persist for millions of years, paleomagnetic vectoAuthorsL. Tauxe, Philip B. Gans, Edward A. MankinenLate Eocene impacts: Geologic record, correlation, and paleoenvironmental consequences
We present new magnetostratigraphic and stable isotopic (𝜹18C, 𝜹13Ccarb) data to help improve correlations among three late Eocene impact craters and their inferred breccia and ejecta deposits. Our analyses also shed light on potential global environmental consequences attributable to the impacts. The new data come from a continuously cored interval of the subsurface Chickahominy Formation, whichAuthorsC. Wylie Poag, Edward A. Mankinen, Richard D. NorrisPreliminary paleomagnetic results from the Coyote Creek Outdoor Classroom drill hole, Santa Clara Valley, California
Paleomagnetic samples were obtained from cores taken during the drilling of a research well along Coyote Creek in San Jose, California, in order to use the geomagnetic field behavior recorded in those samples to provide age constraints for the sediment encountered. The well reached a depth of 308 meters and material apparently was deposited largely (entirely?) during the Brunhes Normal Polarity ChAuthorsEdward A. Mankinen, Carl M. Wentworth
*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