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Grant Colip is a Physical Scientist with the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center (FBGC) at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia.
I am a geologist at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center in Reston, Virginia, where I work on the USGS Quaternary Geologic Mapping of the Glaciated Regions Project with Dr. Brandon Graham and other USGS scientists. Our research focuses on applying methods in stratigraphy, sedimentology, chronology, and geophysics to conduct Quaternary geologic mapping and associated research projects. These mapping and research efforts aim to address societally relevant issues and inform decisions surrounding aggregate resources, water security, and infrastructure for national defense.
At the USGS in Reston, I manage two laboratories: (1) the Bascom Multi-Sensor Core Logger (BASCORE) Laboratory, which houses state-of-the-art GeoTek core logging equipment used to collect high-resolution line-scan images and geophysical and geochemical measurements on sediment and rock cores; and (2) the Bascom Laser Diffraction Sedimentology Laboratory, which houses instrumentation for laser diffraction particle size analysis, portable X-ray fluorescence, sieving, and microscopy. These laboratories support a wide variety of geologic mapping and research applications. For more information, please visit the respective lab websites.
I joined the U.S. Geological Survey in 2018 during my time at James Madison University as an undergraduate student trainee via the Pathways program, and became a full-time researcher in 2023 after completing my master's degree at North Carolina State University.
2018 - present: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Reston, Virginia.
2020 - 2023: Graduate Research / Teaching Assistant, North Carolina State University, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2017 - 2019: Undergraduate Laboratory Assistant, James Madison University, Department of Geology & Environmental Science, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Scanning whole cores in aluminum liners on the GeoTek MSCL-S
Scanning whole cores in aluminum liners on the GeoTek MSCL-S
Imaging a split speleothem (stalagmite) section using the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system mounted on the GeoTek MSCL-S in the BASCORE Lab
Imaging a split speleothem (stalagmite) section using the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system mounted on the GeoTek MSCL-S in the BASCORE Lab
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Real-time data output graphs (for a split sediment core) from the GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab: laser profile (core surface height), magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Real-time data output graphs (for a split sediment core) from the GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab: laser profile (core surface height), magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Split-core imaging with the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system on the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger in the BASCORE Lab.
Split-core imaging with the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system on the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger in the BASCORE Lab.
The Bascom Multi-Sensor Core Logger (BASCORE) Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia.
The Bascom Multi-Sensor Core Logger (BASCORE) Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan.
Real-time data output graphs and computer hardware rack for the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab.
Real-time data output graphs and computer hardware rack for the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab.
Sediment cores containing glaciolacustrine rhythmic laminations interpreted as annual layers (varves) that have been split and prepared for multi-sensor core logging in the BASCORE Lab. The data generated from these cores is used to support surficial geologic mapping and associated research related to the evolution of the Laurentide ice sheet and glacial Lake
Sediment cores containing glaciolacustrine rhythmic laminations interpreted as annual layers (varves) that have been split and prepared for multi-sensor core logging in the BASCORE Lab. The data generated from these cores is used to support surficial geologic mapping and associated research related to the evolution of the Laurentide ice sheet and glacial Lake
Block diagram illustrating the principle of seismic reflection surveying, a geophysical technique used to identify major acoustic transitions in the subsurface at basin scale.
Block diagram illustrating the principle of seismic reflection surveying, a geophysical technique used to identify major acoustic transitions in the subsurface at basin scale.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan. The logger contains instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan. The logger contains instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Scanning whole cores in aluminum liners on the GeoTek MSCL-S
Scanning whole cores in aluminum liners on the GeoTek MSCL-S
Imaging a split speleothem (stalagmite) section using the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system mounted on the GeoTek MSCL-S in the BASCORE Lab
Imaging a split speleothem (stalagmite) section using the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system mounted on the GeoTek MSCL-S in the BASCORE Lab
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) housed in the BASCORE Lab is equipped with instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Real-time data output graphs (for a split sediment core) from the GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab: laser profile (core surface height), magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Real-time data output graphs (for a split sediment core) from the GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab: laser profile (core surface height), magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
Split-core imaging with the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system on the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger in the BASCORE Lab.
Split-core imaging with the GeoScan V line-scan imaging system on the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger in the BASCORE Lab.
The Bascom Multi-Sensor Core Logger (BASCORE) Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia.
The Bascom Multi-Sensor Core Logger (BASCORE) Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan.
Real-time data output graphs and computer hardware rack for the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab.
Real-time data output graphs and computer hardware rack for the GeoTek MSCL-S multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab.
Sediment cores containing glaciolacustrine rhythmic laminations interpreted as annual layers (varves) that have been split and prepared for multi-sensor core logging in the BASCORE Lab. The data generated from these cores is used to support surficial geologic mapping and associated research related to the evolution of the Laurentide ice sheet and glacial Lake
Sediment cores containing glaciolacustrine rhythmic laminations interpreted as annual layers (varves) that have been split and prepared for multi-sensor core logging in the BASCORE Lab. The data generated from these cores is used to support surficial geologic mapping and associated research related to the evolution of the Laurentide ice sheet and glacial Lake
Block diagram illustrating the principle of seismic reflection surveying, a geophysical technique used to identify major acoustic transitions in the subsurface at basin scale.
Block diagram illustrating the principle of seismic reflection surveying, a geophysical technique used to identify major acoustic transitions in the subsurface at basin scale.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan. The logger contains instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.
The GeoTek MSCL-XZ multi-sensor core logger housed in the BASCORE Lab, seen midway through a split-core scan. The logger contains instrumentation for magnetic susceptibility, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and color spectrophotometry.