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Grant Rea-Downing, PhD

Grant Rea-Downing is a Geophysicist with the GMEG Science Center in Moffett Field, CA.  He received his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Utah and his B.S. in Earth and Planetary Science from UC Santa Cruz. Since joining the USGS in 2022, his research has focused on applying geophysical techniques to further our understanding of geothermal processes in the western U.S.

Grant’s work involves studies in rock and paleomagnetism as well as structural geology and potential-field geophysics. He applies these methods to a broad range of research interests including continental tectonics, urban air pollution monitoring, and geothermal resources. He has recently begun exploring use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as tools for obtaining a wide variety of geological and geophysical data with applications for long-term geothermal system monitoring and characterization, as well as improved structural corrections during paleomagnetic sampling. 

Professional Experience

  • 2022 - Present, Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, Moffett Field, California

  • 2020-2022, Graduate Student Intern, U.S. Geological Survey, Moffett Field, California

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geology, University of Utah, 2022

  • B.S., Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2014

Science and Products

Development of small uncrewed aerial systems for multi-instrument geophysical data acquisition in active geothermal systems

Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) serve as critical platforms for geophysical data collection at an intermediate scale between lower resolution, regional datasets collected via crewed aerial surveys, and high resolution, but spatially sparse sampling of ground-based data collection methods. Advances in sensor design and sUAS capabilities have led to rapid advances in the amount and type of geop
Authors
Grant Harold Rea-Downing, Claire Bouligand, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, Laurie A. Zielinski, Jacob Elliott Anderson, Peter J. Kelly
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

UAS-based tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems: An example from Mammoth Lakes, California

Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) can accommodate a variety of tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems (e.g., magnetic, gas, photogrammetry, and thermal infrared [TIR]). These platforms offer increased speed, coverage area, and uniformity compared to ground-based measurements, as well as lower flight height – and therefore higher resolution – than occupied aircraft. We adapted a suite
Authors
Laurie Antoinette Zielinski, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, Grant H. Rea-Downing, R. Greg Vaughan, Peter J. Kelly, Gordon H. Keller, Branden James Dean, William Schermerhorn
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Science and Products

Development of small uncrewed aerial systems for multi-instrument geophysical data acquisition in active geothermal systems

Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) serve as critical platforms for geophysical data collection at an intermediate scale between lower resolution, regional datasets collected via crewed aerial surveys, and high resolution, but spatially sparse sampling of ground-based data collection methods. Advances in sensor design and sUAS capabilities have led to rapid advances in the amount and type of geop
Authors
Grant Harold Rea-Downing, Claire Bouligand, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, Laurie A. Zielinski, Jacob Elliott Anderson, Peter J. Kelly
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

UAS-based tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems: An example from Mammoth Lakes, California

Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) can accommodate a variety of tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems (e.g., magnetic, gas, photogrammetry, and thermal infrared [TIR]). These platforms offer increased speed, coverage area, and uniformity compared to ground-based measurements, as well as lower flight height – and therefore higher resolution – than occupied aircraft. We adapted a suite
Authors
Laurie Antoinette Zielinski, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, Grant H. Rea-Downing, R. Greg Vaughan, Peter J. Kelly, Gordon H. Keller, Branden James Dean, William Schermerhorn
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center