Jeff Pigati
I study geologic deposits associated with springs and desert wetlands to understand how hydrologic systems in arid environments responded to past episodes of abrupt climate change. I also develop and test innovative methods and materials for radiocarbon dating.
I am also part of an international team of researchers studying ancient human footprints in White Sands National Park. The results of our investigations have shown that humans were in continental North America during the Last Glacial Maximum, between 23,000 and 21,000 years ago, which fundamentally changes our understanding of the peopling of the Americas.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, 2007-present
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., University of Arizona. 2004
M.S., University of Arizona. 1996
B.S., Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 1992
Science and Products
Quaternary Hydroclimate Records of Spring Ecosystems
Geologic Records of High Sea Levels
Paleohydrology of Desert Wetlands
Data release for An early Holocene wet period from the southwestern U.S. Data release for An early Holocene wet period from the southwestern U.S.
Data release for New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum Data release for New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Data release for The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology? Data release for The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology?
Silicified wood from around Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park Silicified wood from around Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Data release for Late glacial-Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells Data release for Late glacial-Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells
Data release for Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel Data release for Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel
Data release for Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America Data release for Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America
Data release for Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions Data release for Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions
Data release for Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA Data release for Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Data release for Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum Data release for Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum
Radiocarbon dating of an alluvial deposit with associated faunal remains Radiocarbon dating of an alluvial deposit with associated faunal remains
Data release for Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest Data release for Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest
An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States
New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): Linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology? The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): Linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology?
The geochronology of White Sands Locality 2 is resolved The geochronology of White Sands Locality 2 is resolved
Late glacial–Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells Late glacial–Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells
Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands
Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel
Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America
Reply to “Evidence for humans at White Sands National Park during the Last Glacial Maximum could actually be for Clovis people ~13,000 years ago” by C. Vance Haynes, Jr. Reply to “Evidence for humans at White Sands National Park during the Last Glacial Maximum could actually be for Clovis people ~13,000 years ago” by C. Vance Haynes, Jr.
Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions
Response to comment on “Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum” Response to comment on “Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum”
Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Quaternary Hydroclimate Records of Spring Ecosystems
Geologic Records of High Sea Levels
Paleohydrology of Desert Wetlands
Data release for An early Holocene wet period from the southwestern U.S. Data release for An early Holocene wet period from the southwestern U.S.
Data release for New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum Data release for New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
Data release for The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology? Data release for The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology?
Silicified wood from around Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park Silicified wood from around Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Data release for Late glacial-Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells Data release for Late glacial-Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells
Data release for Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel Data release for Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel
Data release for Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America Data release for Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America
Data release for Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions Data release for Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions
Data release for Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA Data release for Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Data release for Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum Data release for Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum
Radiocarbon dating of an alluvial deposit with associated faunal remains Radiocarbon dating of an alluvial deposit with associated faunal remains
Data release for Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest Data release for Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest
An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States
New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum New evidence for eolian activity and mammoths on Santa Rosa Island prior to the Last Glacial Maximum
The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): Linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology? The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): Linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology?
The geochronology of White Sands Locality 2 is resolved The geochronology of White Sands Locality 2 is resolved
Late glacial–Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells Late glacial–Younger Dryas climate in interior Alaska as inferred from the isotope values of land snail shells
Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands
Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel Seasonality of precipitation in the southwestern United States during the late Pleistocene inferred from stable isotopes in herbivore tooth enamel
Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America
Reply to “Evidence for humans at White Sands National Park during the Last Glacial Maximum could actually be for Clovis people ~13,000 years ago” by C. Vance Haynes, Jr. Reply to “Evidence for humans at White Sands National Park during the Last Glacial Maximum could actually be for Clovis people ~13,000 years ago” by C. Vance Haynes, Jr.
Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions Oxygen isotopes of land snail shells in high latitude regions
Response to comment on “Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum” Response to comment on “Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum”
Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA Evidence of glacial activity during MIS 4 in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.