J. Wright Horton, Jr., Ph.D.
Wright is an emeritus Research Geologist in the USGS Florence Bascom Geoscience Center. He has decades of experience in southern and central Appalachian geology, served as co-leader and leader of the USGS Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater Project, is involved in eastern U.S. earthquake studies, and explores terranes and basins beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Research Interests
Structural geology and tectonics, metamorphic and igneous rocks, impact craters and crater materials, fault zones and fault rocks, Southern and Central Appalachian regional geology and tectonics, pre-Cretaceous terranes and basins beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain, significance of Mineral, Virginia, earthquake for understanding intraplate earthquakes in eastern North America, geologic mapping, hydrogeology, scientific drilling, geologic interpretation of potential-field geophysics, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
Projects
- Project Leader, USGS Coastal Basement Geology of the Southeastern U.S. Project. 2018-2020
- Task Leader, Central Virginia Seismic Zone Overview and Synthesis task of USGS Geologic Framework for Seismic Hazards in Central Virginia and the Eastern U.S. Project, 2014–2018
- Coastal Basement Task Leader, USGS Geology of Atlantic Watersheds Project, 2008–2014
- Project Leader (2007–2008) and Co-leader (2004–2007), USGS Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater Project
- Cooperating Principal Investigator, ICDP-USGS Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure Deep Drilling Project, 2004–2009
- Co-leader, Crater Materials Science Team, ICDP-USGS Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure Deep Drilling Project, 2004–2009
- Task Co-leader, USGS Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater Project, 2000–2004
- Task Co-leader, Hydrogeologic framework of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge, North Carolina task of USGS Bedrock Regional Aquifer Systematics Study (BRASS) Project, 2000–2005
- Staff Scientist, USGS Office of Eastern Regional Geology (2002)
- Task Leader, Geology of the Washington-Baltimore Urban Area task of USGS Appalachian Regional Geology and Hydrology Project, 1998–2002
- Project Chief, USGS Geology of the Mid-Atlantic Urban Corridor (GOMAC) Project, 1995–98
- Project Chief, USGS Geology of the South-Central Virginia Piedmont Project, 1991–95
- Assistant Branch Chief, USGS Branch of Eastern Regional Geology, 1984–85
- Project Chief, USGS Raleigh Belt and Eastern Slate Belt Project, 1983–91
- Geologic mapping, USGS projects in Charlotte (NC-SC) and Greenville (SC-GA) 1° × 2° quadrangles, 1980-89
Professional Experience
Scientist Emeritus, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, USGS, Reston, VA, 2020-present
Research Geologist, USGS, Reston, VA, 1980–2020
National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate at USGS, Reston, VA, 1978–80
Assistant Professor of Geology, Univ. Southern Maine, 1977–78
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Geology), 1977
M.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Geology), 1974
B.S., Furman University (Geology), 1972
Affiliations and Memberships*
AAAS, Am. Geophysical Union, Carolina Geol. Soc. (President, 1981–82)
Geol. Soc. America (Fellow)
Geol. Soc. Washington (Councilor, 2009–10)
Meteoritical Soc.
SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)
Sigma Xi
Science and Products
Database of the Geologic Map of the Greenville 1 degree x 2 degree Quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina Database of the Geologic Map of the Greenville 1 degree x 2 degree Quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina
Regional geologic investigations show that all the metamorphosed crystalline rocks underlying the Greenville 1 degree x 2 degree quadrangle are allochthonous. Seismic-reflection studies, the COCORP line (Cook and others, 1979), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) seismic lines (Harris and Bayer, 1979; Harris and others, 1981) present seismic profiles across different parts of the...
Borehole data for pre-Cretaceous basement rocks beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Georgia and South Carolina Borehole data for pre-Cretaceous basement rocks beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Georgia and South Carolina
Data from 391 boreholes (including coreholes) that penetrated buried pre-Cretaceous basement rocks that lie beneath Atlantic Coastal Plain sedimentary deposits in Georgia and South Carolina were compiled from non-proprietary, mostly published sources in order to support subsurface geologic mapping, geologic interpretation of geophysical data (aeromagnetic, gravity, seismic), topical...
Database for the Geologic Map of the South Boston 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Virginia and North Carolina Database for the Geologic Map of the South Boston 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Virginia and North Carolina
The 1:100,000-scale geologic map database of the South Boston 30' x 60' quadrangle, Virginia and North Carolina, provides geologic information for the Piedmont along the I-85 and U.S. Route 58 corridors and in the Roanoke River watershed, which includes the John H. Kerr Reservoir and Lake Gaston. The Raleigh terrane (located on the eastern side of the map) contains Neoproterozoic to...
Suitability of bedrock for construction stone in the Greenville 1° x 2° quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina Suitability of bedrock for construction stone in the Greenville 1° x 2° quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina
This map presents a qualitative regional assessment of the resource potential of bedrock for use as construction stone the the Greenville 1° by 2° quadrangle. Other studies will include metallic minerals (D'Agostine and others, in press a), gold (D'Agostino an others, in press b), and non-metallic commodities (D'Agostino and others, in press c). Construction stone, as used here in the...
Filter Total Items: 84
Chesapeake Bay impact structure—Development of "brim" sedimentation in a multilayered marine target Chesapeake Bay impact structure—Development of "brim" sedimentation in a multilayered marine target
The late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure was formed in a multilayered target of seawater underlain sequentially by a sediment layer and a rock layer in a continental-shelf environment. Impact effects in the “brim” (annular trough) surrounding and adjacent to the transient crater, between the transient crater rim and the outer margin, primarily were limited to the target-sediment...
Authors
Henning Dypvik, Gregory Gohn, Lucy Edwards, J. Wright Horton,, David Powars, Ronald Litwin
Amplification of earthquake ground motions in Washington, DC, and implications for hazard assessments in central and eastern North America Amplification of earthquake ground motions in Washington, DC, and implications for hazard assessments in central and eastern North America
The extent of damage in Washington, DC, from the 2011 Mw 5.8 Mineral, VA, earthquake was surprising for an epicenter 130 km away; U.S. Geological Survey “Did-You-Feel-It” reports suggest that Atlantic Coastal Plain and other unconsolidated sediments amplified ground motions in the city. We measure this amplification relative to bedrock sites using earthquake signals recorded on a...
Authors
Thomas L. Pratt, J. Wright Horton, Jessica Munoz, Susan E. Hough, Martin C. Chapman, C. Guney Olgun
Geologic map of the Washington West 30’ × 60’ quadrangle, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Geologic map of the Washington West 30’ × 60’ quadrangle, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
The Washington West 30’ × 60’ quadrangle covers an area of approximately 4,884 square kilometers (1,343 square miles) in and west of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The eastern part of the area is highly urbanized, and more rural areas to the west are rapidly being developed. The area lies entirely within the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin and mostly within the Potomac River...
Authors
Peter T. Lyttle, John N. Aleinikoff, William C. Burton, E. Allen Crider, Avery A. Drake, Albert J. Froelich, J. Wright Horton, Gregorios Kasselas, Robert B. Mixon, Lucy McCartan, Arthur E. Nelson, Wayne L. Newell, Louis Pavlides, David S. Powars, C. Scott Southworth, Robert E. Weems
Geology of the eastern Piedmont in Virginia Geology of the eastern Piedmont in Virginia
No abstract available.
Authors
J. Wright Horton, Brent E. Owens, Paul C. Hackley, William C. Burton, Paul E. Sacks, James P. Hibbard
Geology of the western Piedmont in Virginia Geology of the western Piedmont in Virginia
No abstract available.
Authors
James P. Hibbard, James S. Beard, William S. Henika, J. Wright Horton
Centimeter-scale surface deformation caused by the 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake sequence at the Carter farm site—Subsidiary structures with a quaternary history Centimeter-scale surface deformation caused by the 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake sequence at the Carter farm site—Subsidiary structures with a quaternary history
Centimeter-scale ground-surface deformation was produced by the August 23, 2011, magnitude (M) 5.8 earthquake that occurred in Mineral, Virginia. Ground-surface deformation also resulted from the earthquake aftershock sequence. This deformation occurred along a linear northeast-trend near Pendleton, Virginia. It is approximately 10 kilometers (km) northeast of the M5.8 epicenter and near...
Authors
Richard W. Harrison, J. Stephen Schindler, Milan J. Pavich, J. Wright Horton, Mark W. Carter
Science and Products
Database of the Geologic Map of the Greenville 1 degree x 2 degree Quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina Database of the Geologic Map of the Greenville 1 degree x 2 degree Quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina
Regional geologic investigations show that all the metamorphosed crystalline rocks underlying the Greenville 1 degree x 2 degree quadrangle are allochthonous. Seismic-reflection studies, the COCORP line (Cook and others, 1979), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) seismic lines (Harris and Bayer, 1979; Harris and others, 1981) present seismic profiles across different parts of the...
Borehole data for pre-Cretaceous basement rocks beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Georgia and South Carolina Borehole data for pre-Cretaceous basement rocks beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Georgia and South Carolina
Data from 391 boreholes (including coreholes) that penetrated buried pre-Cretaceous basement rocks that lie beneath Atlantic Coastal Plain sedimentary deposits in Georgia and South Carolina were compiled from non-proprietary, mostly published sources in order to support subsurface geologic mapping, geologic interpretation of geophysical data (aeromagnetic, gravity, seismic), topical...
Database for the Geologic Map of the South Boston 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Virginia and North Carolina Database for the Geologic Map of the South Boston 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Virginia and North Carolina
The 1:100,000-scale geologic map database of the South Boston 30' x 60' quadrangle, Virginia and North Carolina, provides geologic information for the Piedmont along the I-85 and U.S. Route 58 corridors and in the Roanoke River watershed, which includes the John H. Kerr Reservoir and Lake Gaston. The Raleigh terrane (located on the eastern side of the map) contains Neoproterozoic to...
Suitability of bedrock for construction stone in the Greenville 1° x 2° quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina Suitability of bedrock for construction stone in the Greenville 1° x 2° quadrangle, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina
This map presents a qualitative regional assessment of the resource potential of bedrock for use as construction stone the the Greenville 1° by 2° quadrangle. Other studies will include metallic minerals (D'Agostine and others, in press a), gold (D'Agostino an others, in press b), and non-metallic commodities (D'Agostino and others, in press c). Construction stone, as used here in the...
Filter Total Items: 84
Chesapeake Bay impact structure—Development of "brim" sedimentation in a multilayered marine target Chesapeake Bay impact structure—Development of "brim" sedimentation in a multilayered marine target
The late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure was formed in a multilayered target of seawater underlain sequentially by a sediment layer and a rock layer in a continental-shelf environment. Impact effects in the “brim” (annular trough) surrounding and adjacent to the transient crater, between the transient crater rim and the outer margin, primarily were limited to the target-sediment...
Authors
Henning Dypvik, Gregory Gohn, Lucy Edwards, J. Wright Horton,, David Powars, Ronald Litwin
Amplification of earthquake ground motions in Washington, DC, and implications for hazard assessments in central and eastern North America Amplification of earthquake ground motions in Washington, DC, and implications for hazard assessments in central and eastern North America
The extent of damage in Washington, DC, from the 2011 Mw 5.8 Mineral, VA, earthquake was surprising for an epicenter 130 km away; U.S. Geological Survey “Did-You-Feel-It” reports suggest that Atlantic Coastal Plain and other unconsolidated sediments amplified ground motions in the city. We measure this amplification relative to bedrock sites using earthquake signals recorded on a...
Authors
Thomas L. Pratt, J. Wright Horton, Jessica Munoz, Susan E. Hough, Martin C. Chapman, C. Guney Olgun
Geologic map of the Washington West 30’ × 60’ quadrangle, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Geologic map of the Washington West 30’ × 60’ quadrangle, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
The Washington West 30’ × 60’ quadrangle covers an area of approximately 4,884 square kilometers (1,343 square miles) in and west of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The eastern part of the area is highly urbanized, and more rural areas to the west are rapidly being developed. The area lies entirely within the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin and mostly within the Potomac River...
Authors
Peter T. Lyttle, John N. Aleinikoff, William C. Burton, E. Allen Crider, Avery A. Drake, Albert J. Froelich, J. Wright Horton, Gregorios Kasselas, Robert B. Mixon, Lucy McCartan, Arthur E. Nelson, Wayne L. Newell, Louis Pavlides, David S. Powars, C. Scott Southworth, Robert E. Weems
Geology of the eastern Piedmont in Virginia Geology of the eastern Piedmont in Virginia
No abstract available.
Authors
J. Wright Horton, Brent E. Owens, Paul C. Hackley, William C. Burton, Paul E. Sacks, James P. Hibbard
Geology of the western Piedmont in Virginia Geology of the western Piedmont in Virginia
No abstract available.
Authors
James P. Hibbard, James S. Beard, William S. Henika, J. Wright Horton
Centimeter-scale surface deformation caused by the 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake sequence at the Carter farm site—Subsidiary structures with a quaternary history Centimeter-scale surface deformation caused by the 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake sequence at the Carter farm site—Subsidiary structures with a quaternary history
Centimeter-scale ground-surface deformation was produced by the August 23, 2011, magnitude (M) 5.8 earthquake that occurred in Mineral, Virginia. Ground-surface deformation also resulted from the earthquake aftershock sequence. This deformation occurred along a linear northeast-trend near Pendleton, Virginia. It is approximately 10 kilometers (km) northeast of the M5.8 epicenter and near...
Authors
Richard W. Harrison, J. Stephen Schindler, Milan J. Pavich, J. Wright Horton, Mark W. Carter
*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