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
Images of the World Trade Center site show thermal hot spots on September 16 and 23, 2001
Environmental studies of the World Trade Center area after the September 11, 2001 attack
Application of geophysical techniques to minerals-related environmental problems
Leaching studies of schwertmannite-rich precipitates from the Animas River Headwaters, Colorado and Boulder River Headwaters, Montana
Applications of imaging spectroscopy data: A case study at Summitville, Colorado
Using imaging spectroscopy to map acidic mine waste
The U. S. Geological Survey, Digital Spectral Library: Version 1 (0.2 to 3.0um)
High spectral resolution reflectance spectroscopy of minerals
Infrared spectra and crystal chemistry of scapolites: implications for Martian mineralogy
High-resolution reflectance spectra of Mars in the 2.3-μm region: evidence for the mineral scapolite
Shawangunk ore district, New York; geochemical and spectral data
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 71
Images of the World Trade Center site show thermal hot spots on September 16 and 23, 2001
No abstract available.AuthorsRoger N. Clark, Robert O. Green, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, K. Eric Livo, Betina Pavi, Chuck Sarcher, Joe Boardman, J. Sam VanceEnvironmental studies of the World Trade Center area after the September 11, 2001 attack
This web site describes the results of an interdisciplinary environmental characterization of the World Trade Center (WTC) area after September 11, 2001.Information presented in this site was first made available to the World Trade Center emergency response teams on September 18, 2001 (Thermal hot spot information), and September 27, 2001 (maps and compositional results).The Airborne Visible / InfAuthorsRoger N. Clark, Robert O. Green, Gregg A. Swayze, Greg Meeker, Steve Sutley, Todd M. Hoefen, K. Eric Livo, Geoff Plumlee, Betina Pavri, Chuck Sarture, Steve Wilson, Phil Hageman, Paul Lamothe, J. Sam Vance, Joe Boardman, Isabelle Brownfield, Carol Gent, Laurie C. Morath, Joseph Taggart, Peter M. Theodorakos, Monique AdamsApplication of geophysical techniques to minerals-related environmental problems
No abstract available.AuthorsKen Watson, David Fitterman, R. W. Saltus, Anne McCafferty, Gregg A. Swayze, Stan Church, Kathy Smith, Marty Goldhaber, Stan Robson, Pete McMahanLeaching studies of schwertmannite-rich precipitates from the Animas River Headwaters, Colorado and Boulder River Headwaters, Montana
No abstract available.AuthorsGeorge A. Desborough, R. W. Leinz, S. J. Sutley, Paul H. Briggs, G.A. Swayze, K. S. Smith, G. N. BreitApplications of imaging spectroscopy data: A case study at Summitville, Colorado
From 1985 through 1992, the Summitville open-pit mine produced gold from lowgrade ore using cyanide heap-leach techniques, a method to extract gold whereby the ore pile is sprayed with water containing cyanide, which dissolves the minute gold grains. Environmental problems due to mining activity at Summitville include significant increases in acidic and metal-rich drainage from the site, leakage oAuthorsTrude V.V. King, Roger N. Clark, Gregg A. SwayzeUsing imaging spectroscopy to map acidic mine waste
The process of pyrite oxidation at the surface of mine waste may produce acidic water that is gradually neutralized as it drains away from the waste, depositing different Fe-bearing secondary minerals in roughly concentric zones that emanate from mine-waste piles. These Fe-bearing minerals are indicators of the geochemical conditions under which they form. Airborne and orbital imaging spectrometerAuthorsG.A. Swayze, K. S. Smith, R. N. Clark, S. J. Sutley, R.M. Pearson, J.S. Vance, P. L. Hageman, Paul H. Briggs, A. L. Meier, M.J. Singleton, S. RothThe U. S. Geological Survey, Digital Spectral Library: Version 1 (0.2 to 3.0um)
We have developed a digital reflectance spectral library, with management and spectral analysis software. The library includes 498 spectra of 444 samples (some samples include a series of grain sizes) measured from approximately 0.2 to 3.0 um . The spectral resolution (Full Width Half Maximum) of the reflectance data isAuthorsRoger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, Andrea J. Gallagher, Trude V.V. King, Wendy M. CalvinHigh spectral resolution reflectance spectroscopy of minerals
The reflectance spectra of minerals are studied as a function of spectral resolution in the range from 0.2 to 3.0 μm. Selected absorption bands were studied at resolving powers (λ/Δλ) as high as 2240. At resolving powers of approximately 1000, many OH‐bearing minerals show diagnostic sharp absorptions at the resolution limit. At low resolution, some minerals may not be distinguishable, but as theAuthorsR. N. Clark, T. V. V. King, M. Klejwa, Gregg A. Swayze, N. VergoInfrared spectra and crystal chemistry of scapolites: implications for Martian mineralogy
Near‐infrared and midinfrared spectra of a wide range of scapolite compositions were studied to determine the cause of the 2.36‐μm features that have been correlated with similar features in the near‐IR spectrum of Mars. We attribute the 2.36−μm features to vibrations caused by HCO3− and HSO4− in the anion sites of scapolite. The 2.36‐μm absorption complex consists of four overlapping bands with tAuthorsGregg A. Swayze, Roger N. ClarkHigh-resolution reflectance spectra of Mars in the 2.3-μm region: evidence for the mineral scapolite
patially resolved reflectance spectra of Mars in the 2.2- to 2.4-μm spectral region were obtained in August 1988 using the NASA 3-m Infrared Telescope Facility. The spectra show weak absorption features due to Martian atmospheric carbon monoxide and a surface mineral. Both CO and the mineral absorptions are composed of overlapping narrow features, but in many locations, such as Hellas, Chryse, EdeAuthorsRoger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, Robert B. Singer, James B. PollackShawangunk ore district, New York; geochemical and spectral data
No abstract available.AuthorsJules D. Friedman, F.E. Mutschler, R. E. Zartman, Paul H. Briggs, G.A. Swayze, A.F. Thiesen - Web Tools
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