Jean M Self-Trail, Ph.D.
Jean M Self-Trail is a Research Geologist, USGS Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.
I conduct basic research on calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, paleoclimate, lithostratigraphy, and sequence stratigraphy. This work is focused primarily on the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain, for the purpose of understanding the geologic framework, the effect that changing climate had on shallow marine systems and coastal regions, and for characterizing strata that are major aquifers for water resources.
Employment
- 2001-Present: Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Geology & Paleoclimate Science Center, Reston, Virginia.
- Project Chief (2021-present), Atlantic Subsurface Stratigraphic Initiative
- Staff Geologist (2018-present), Gulf Coast Project
- Staff Geologist (2017-2018) Eastern Coastal Plain Geologic Mapping Project
- Staff Geologist (2017-2018) Eocene Hyperthermals Project
- Staff Geologist (2015-2017), Eastern Coastal Plain Studies Project.
- Co-Project Chief (2008-2015), Atlantic Watersheds Project.
- Co-Project Chief (1999-2008), Carolina Conitnental Margin Project.
- Staff Geologist (1999-2008), Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater Project.
- 2007-2016: Adjunct Professor, Northern Virginia Community College, Sterling, VA, (Historical Geology, Physical Geology, Microfossil Laboratory Techniques).
- 2007-2013: Graduate Faculty Appointment, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC.
- 1994-2001: Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team, Reston, Virginia.
- Staff Geologist (1995-2000), Southeastern Coastal Plain Project.
- 1997: Research Assistant, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
- 1991-1993: Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Paleontology).
- 1988-1995: Physical Science Technician, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Branch of Paleontology and Stratigraphy, Reston, Virginia.
Other Activities
- 2017-Present: Board of Directors, Micropaleontology Press (journals Stratigraphy and Micropaleontology).
- 2016-Present: Editor for the journal Stratigraphy.
- 2014-Present: Board of Trustees, Katharina von Salis Endowment, International Nannoplankton Association Foundation. We provide a yearly grant to one graduate student for research on any subject pertaining to fossil calcareous nannoplankton.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (2001) – Geology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
M.S. (1994) – Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
B.S. (1988) – Geology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America (GSA)
International Nannoplankton Association (INA)
Paleontological Society of Washington (PSW)
Honors and Awards
2014 Superior Service Award (for work on PETM and Eocene hyperthermals), USGS.
2012 Adjunct Faculty of the Year (nominated), Northern Virginia Community College.
1993 Best Teaching Assistant, Department of Geology, University of Delaware.
1991 Department Scholarship, Department of Geology, University of Delaware.
1991 Women in Sciences Award, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Delaware.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 13
Microfossil, grain size, and petrographic data for the Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops, Prince George's County, Maryland Microfossil, grain size, and petrographic data for the Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops, Prince George's County, Maryland
The Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops are located along two small creeks in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Cabin Branch outcrop contains exposures of silty sands of the Upper Cretaceous Severn Formation, and both outcrops contain Paleocene silty quartz and glauconitic sands of the Danian Brightseat Formation and highly fossiliferous glauconitic quartz sands of...
Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores, Wells, and Outcrops Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores, Wells, and Outcrops
In this data release, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil occurrence charts are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for 57 cores, wells, or outcrops from the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey) and one core from offshore New Jersey. Samples have been assigned a USGS sample number and are organized by depth below (cores and wells) or height above...
Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from South Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from South Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores
In this data release, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil occurrence charts are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for 17 cores from the South Atlantic Coastal Plain (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) Samples have been assigned a USGS sample number and are organized by depth below the land surface. Based on their known stratigraphic position, lithology, and specific...
Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Gulf Coastal Plain Cores and Outcrops Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Gulf Coastal Plain Cores and Outcrops
In this data release, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil occurrence charts are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for 15 cores or outcrops from the Gulf Coastal Plain (Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia). Samples have been assigned a USGS sample number and are organized by depth below (cores and wells) or height above (outcrops) the land surface. Based on their known stratigraphic...
Isotope, organic carbon, and biostratigraphic data for the Hope Plantation (BE-110) and Smith Elementary School (CR-675) cores, North Carolina Isotope, organic carbon, and biostratigraphic data for the Hope Plantation (BE-110) and Smith Elementary School (CR-675) cores, North Carolina
Isotopic, geochemical, and calcareous nannofossil data for the Hope Plantation and Smith Elementary School cores
Grain size, microfossil, and strontium data for the Kure Beach and Elizabethtown cores, North Carolina Grain size, microfossil, and strontium data for the Kure Beach and Elizabethtown cores, North Carolina
Grain size, calcareous nannofossil, and strontium data for the Cenomanian to Santonian sediments of the Kure Beach and Elizabethtown cores in North Carolina.
Filter Total Items: 61
Designation of a composite-stratotype section for the lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, U.S.A. Designation of a composite-stratotype section for the lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, U.S.A.
The lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation consists of fine-grained, dark-gray, micaceous sand and silty clay, with glauconite and abundant, but generally poorly preserved, fossils. The Brightseat Formation represents deposition of lower, but not lowermost, Paleocene sediments that were deposited on the middle to outer shelf of what is now the Atlantic Coastal Plain. A basal...
Authors
Jean Self-Trail, Mercer Parker, David L. Govoni, Laurel M. Bybell, Kristina Frank Gardner, Gregory S. Gohn
Insights into glendonite formation from the upper Oligocene Sagavanirktok Formation, North Slope, Alaska Insights into glendonite formation from the upper Oligocene Sagavanirktok Formation, North Slope, Alaska
The type locality for the upper Oligocene Nuwok Member of the Sagavanirktok Formation (Carter Creek, North Slope, Alaska, USA) contains abundant occurrence of glendonite, a pseudomorph after the calcium carbonate mineral ikaite, which typically forms in the shallow subsurface of cold marine sediments. The region during the time of Nuwok Member deposition was located at a high latitude...
Authors
John W. Counts, Madeleine Vickers, Martha Stokes, Whittney Spivey, Kristina Frank Gardner, Jean Self-Trail, Jared T. Gooley, Ryan J. McAleer, Aaron M. Jubb, David W. Houseknecht, Richard O. Lease, Neil Patrick Griffis, Martin S. Vickers, Kasia Sliwinska, Hannah Gail Dooley Tompkins, Adam M. Hudson
Assessing environmental change associated with early Eocene hyperthermals in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA Assessing environmental change associated with early Eocene hyperthermals in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA
Eocene transient global warming events (hyperthermals) can provide insight into a future warmer world. While much research has focused on the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), hyperthermals of a smaller magnitude can be used to characterize climatic responses over different magnitudes of forcing. This study identifies two events, namely the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2 and H2)...
Authors
William Rush, Jean Self-Trail, Yan Zhan, Appy Sluijs, Henk Brinkhuis, James Zachos, James G. Ogg, Marci M. Robinson
Geology and paleontology of Cretaceous and Paleocene sediments of the Cabin Branch, Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue), and Tinkers Creek outcrops, Prince George’s County, Maryland Geology and paleontology of Cretaceous and Paleocene sediments of the Cabin Branch, Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue), and Tinkers Creek outcrops, Prince George’s County, Maryland
This field guide presents a one-day excursion in Prince George’s County, Maryland, USA, and documents the transition across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary by examining sediments from the upper Maastrichtian of the Severn Formation to the Paleocene sediments of the Brightseat and Aquia formations. Emphasis is placed on understanding how differences in depositional character and...
Authors
Jean Self-Trail, David L. Govoni, Laurel M. Bybell, Kristina Frank Gardner
Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain
The chronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ~56 Ma) remains disputed, hampering complete understanding of the possible trigger mechanisms of this event. Here we present an astrochronology for the PETM carbon isotope excursion from Howards Tract, Maryland a paleoshelf environment, on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Statistical evaluation of variations in calcium content...
Authors
Mingsong Li, Timothy J. Bralower, Lee R. Kump, Jean Self-Trail, James C. Zachos, William D. Rush, Marci M. Robinson
Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is recognized by a major negative carbon isotope (δ13C) excursion (CIE) signifying an injection of isotopically light carbon into exogenic reservoirs, the mass, source, and tempo of which continue to be debated. Evidence of a transient precursor carbon release(s) has been identified in a few localities, although it remains equivocal whether...
Authors
Tali L. Babila, Don E Penman, CD Standish, Monica Doubrawa, Tim J Bralower, Marci M. Robinson, Jean Self-Trail, Robert P. Speijer, Peter Stassen, Gavin L Foster, James C. Zachos
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 13
Microfossil, grain size, and petrographic data for the Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops, Prince George's County, Maryland Microfossil, grain size, and petrographic data for the Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops, Prince George's County, Maryland
The Cabin Branch and Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue) outcrops are located along two small creeks in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Cabin Branch outcrop contains exposures of silty sands of the Upper Cretaceous Severn Formation, and both outcrops contain Paleocene silty quartz and glauconitic sands of the Danian Brightseat Formation and highly fossiliferous glauconitic quartz sands of...
Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores, Wells, and Outcrops Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores, Wells, and Outcrops
In this data release, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil occurrence charts are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for 57 cores, wells, or outcrops from the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey) and one core from offshore New Jersey. Samples have been assigned a USGS sample number and are organized by depth below (cores and wells) or height above...
Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from South Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from South Atlantic Coastal Plain Cores
In this data release, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil occurrence charts are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for 17 cores from the South Atlantic Coastal Plain (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) Samples have been assigned a USGS sample number and are organized by depth below the land surface. Based on their known stratigraphic position, lithology, and specific...
Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Gulf Coastal Plain Cores and Outcrops Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Occurrences from Gulf Coastal Plain Cores and Outcrops
In this data release, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil occurrence charts are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for 15 cores or outcrops from the Gulf Coastal Plain (Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia). Samples have been assigned a USGS sample number and are organized by depth below (cores and wells) or height above (outcrops) the land surface. Based on their known stratigraphic...
Isotope, organic carbon, and biostratigraphic data for the Hope Plantation (BE-110) and Smith Elementary School (CR-675) cores, North Carolina Isotope, organic carbon, and biostratigraphic data for the Hope Plantation (BE-110) and Smith Elementary School (CR-675) cores, North Carolina
Isotopic, geochemical, and calcareous nannofossil data for the Hope Plantation and Smith Elementary School cores
Grain size, microfossil, and strontium data for the Kure Beach and Elizabethtown cores, North Carolina Grain size, microfossil, and strontium data for the Kure Beach and Elizabethtown cores, North Carolina
Grain size, calcareous nannofossil, and strontium data for the Cenomanian to Santonian sediments of the Kure Beach and Elizabethtown cores in North Carolina.
Filter Total Items: 61
Designation of a composite-stratotype section for the lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, U.S.A. Designation of a composite-stratotype section for the lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, U.S.A.
The lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation consists of fine-grained, dark-gray, micaceous sand and silty clay, with glauconite and abundant, but generally poorly preserved, fossils. The Brightseat Formation represents deposition of lower, but not lowermost, Paleocene sediments that were deposited on the middle to outer shelf of what is now the Atlantic Coastal Plain. A basal...
Authors
Jean Self-Trail, Mercer Parker, David L. Govoni, Laurel M. Bybell, Kristina Frank Gardner, Gregory S. Gohn
Insights into glendonite formation from the upper Oligocene Sagavanirktok Formation, North Slope, Alaska Insights into glendonite formation from the upper Oligocene Sagavanirktok Formation, North Slope, Alaska
The type locality for the upper Oligocene Nuwok Member of the Sagavanirktok Formation (Carter Creek, North Slope, Alaska, USA) contains abundant occurrence of glendonite, a pseudomorph after the calcium carbonate mineral ikaite, which typically forms in the shallow subsurface of cold marine sediments. The region during the time of Nuwok Member deposition was located at a high latitude...
Authors
John W. Counts, Madeleine Vickers, Martha Stokes, Whittney Spivey, Kristina Frank Gardner, Jean Self-Trail, Jared T. Gooley, Ryan J. McAleer, Aaron M. Jubb, David W. Houseknecht, Richard O. Lease, Neil Patrick Griffis, Martin S. Vickers, Kasia Sliwinska, Hannah Gail Dooley Tompkins, Adam M. Hudson
Assessing environmental change associated with early Eocene hyperthermals in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA Assessing environmental change associated with early Eocene hyperthermals in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA
Eocene transient global warming events (hyperthermals) can provide insight into a future warmer world. While much research has focused on the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), hyperthermals of a smaller magnitude can be used to characterize climatic responses over different magnitudes of forcing. This study identifies two events, namely the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2 and H2)...
Authors
William Rush, Jean Self-Trail, Yan Zhan, Appy Sluijs, Henk Brinkhuis, James Zachos, James G. Ogg, Marci M. Robinson
Geology and paleontology of Cretaceous and Paleocene sediments of the Cabin Branch, Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue), and Tinkers Creek outcrops, Prince George’s County, Maryland Geology and paleontology of Cretaceous and Paleocene sediments of the Cabin Branch, Cabin Creek (Cappy Avenue), and Tinkers Creek outcrops, Prince George’s County, Maryland
This field guide presents a one-day excursion in Prince George’s County, Maryland, USA, and documents the transition across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary by examining sediments from the upper Maastrichtian of the Severn Formation to the Paleocene sediments of the Brightseat and Aquia formations. Emphasis is placed on understanding how differences in depositional character and...
Authors
Jean Self-Trail, David L. Govoni, Laurel M. Bybell, Kristina Frank Gardner
Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain Astrochronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum on the Atlantic Coastal Plain
The chronology of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ~56 Ma) remains disputed, hampering complete understanding of the possible trigger mechanisms of this event. Here we present an astrochronology for the PETM carbon isotope excursion from Howards Tract, Maryland a paleoshelf environment, on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Statistical evaluation of variations in calcium content...
Authors
Mingsong Li, Timothy J. Bralower, Lee R. Kump, Jean Self-Trail, James C. Zachos, William D. Rush, Marci M. Robinson
Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum Surface ocean warming and acidification driven by rapid carbon release precedes Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is recognized by a major negative carbon isotope (δ13C) excursion (CIE) signifying an injection of isotopically light carbon into exogenic reservoirs, the mass, source, and tempo of which continue to be debated. Evidence of a transient precursor carbon release(s) has been identified in a few localities, although it remains equivocal whether...
Authors
Tali L. Babila, Don E Penman, CD Standish, Monica Doubrawa, Tim J Bralower, Marci M. Robinson, Jean Self-Trail, Robert P. Speijer, Peter Stassen, Gavin L Foster, James C. Zachos
*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