Gregg A Swayze, Ph.D.
Gregg Swayze is a Scientist Emeritus in Denver. Gregg received a Doctorate in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1997. Since joining the USGS in 1985, Gregg has devoted his career to studying Remote Sensing and specializes in Imaging Spectroscopy. Presently, his science focuses on environmental and mineral exploration applications of imaging spectroscopy.
Research Interests
Over the years, Gregg has developed methods to spectrally map acid-mine drainage in Leadville, Colorado, naturally-occurring asbestos in the foothills of California, insulation asbestos in the World Trade Center dust, and oil emulsions formed during the 2010 BP oil spill. He has also developed a portable spectral fingerprinting technique to identify asbestos-bearing vermiculite in attic insulation. Gregg has used his imaging spectroscopy experience with relict hydrothermal systems in Nevada and Hawaii to help map similar mineral deposits on the surface of Mars with the NASA CRISM orbital spectrometer. His most recent focus is on spectrally mapping REE-bearing minerals at the Mt. Pass Mine in California. He was recently selected as a Co-Investigator of the NASA/JPL Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) team with the goal of putting an imaging spectrometer on the International Space Station to map the mineralogy of dust source regions on a global basis.
Professional Experience
1985 to present, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. degree/Geology, University of Colorado, 1997
M.S. degree/Geology, Colorado School of Mines, 1985
B.S. degree/Geology, Grand Valley State University, 1982
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
Colorado Scientific Society
Society of Economic Geologists
Science and Products
Spectral properties of Ca-sulfates: Gypsum, bassanite, and anhydrite
Asphaltene content and composition as a measure of Deepwater Horizon oil spill losses within the first 80 days
Spectroscopy from Space
Mapping advanced argillic alteration at Cuprite, Nevada, using imaging spectroscopy
Science applications of a multispectral microscopic imager for the astrobiological exploration of Mars
Prolonged magmatic activity on Mars inferred from the detection of felsic rocks
State of the art satellite and airborne marine oil spill remote sensing: Application to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Aqueous mineralogy and stratigraphy at and around the proposed Mawrth Vallis MSL Landing Site: New insights into the aqueous history of the region
Columbus crater and other possible groundwater-fed paleolakes of Terra Sirenum, Mars
Satellite and airborne oil spill remote sensing: State of the art and application to the BP DeepWater Horizon oil spill
Evidence for low-grade metamorphism, hydrothermal alteration, and diagenesis on Mars from phyllosilicate mineral assemblages
A method for quantitative mapping of thick oil spills using imaging spectroscopy
Science and Products
Spectral properties of Ca-sulfates: Gypsum, bassanite, and anhydrite
Asphaltene content and composition as a measure of Deepwater Horizon oil spill losses within the first 80 days
Spectroscopy from Space
Mapping advanced argillic alteration at Cuprite, Nevada, using imaging spectroscopy
Science applications of a multispectral microscopic imager for the astrobiological exploration of Mars
Prolonged magmatic activity on Mars inferred from the detection of felsic rocks
State of the art satellite and airborne marine oil spill remote sensing: Application to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Aqueous mineralogy and stratigraphy at and around the proposed Mawrth Vallis MSL Landing Site: New insights into the aqueous history of the region
Columbus crater and other possible groundwater-fed paleolakes of Terra Sirenum, Mars
Satellite and airborne oil spill remote sensing: State of the art and application to the BP DeepWater Horizon oil spill
Evidence for low-grade metamorphism, hydrothermal alteration, and diagenesis on Mars from phyllosilicate mineral assemblages
A method for quantitative mapping of thick oil spills using imaging spectroscopy
*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