Research geologist specializing in the evolution of planetary landscapes using remote-sensing and comparative field-based geologic mapping and associated topical research. Topics of interest include evolution of planetary basins, GIS-based geospatial landform analyses, stratigraphic architectures, sedimentary processes, and cartographic representation of geologic environments.
Current Projects
- Mapping the Stratigraphy of the Olympia Cavi, Planum Boreum, Using High-Resolution Data. (NASA MDAP, 2013-2017; PI Skinner).
- Geologic History of the Runanga-Jorn Basin, Mars: Efficiency of Scale in the Mapping and Representation of Layered Sequences. (NASA PG&G, 2012-2015; PI Skinner).
- Analysis and Chronostratigraphic Implications of Secondary-to-Source Impact Feature Relationships. (NASA LASER, 2012-2015; PI Skinner).
- The Geomorphological and Compositional Geology of Libya Montes and the Interbasin Plains of Northern Terra Tyrrhena, Mars. (NASA PG&G, 2009-2013 +NCE; PI Skinner).
- Planetary Geologic Map Coordination. (NASA PG&G, Cartography, Ongoing; PI Skinner).
Professional Experience
- USGS Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ (May, 2004 to present)
- Research Geologist conducting and supporting individual and community scientific research of planetary surfaces through geologic mapping and map-based topical studies.
- MACTEC, Inc., Raleigh, NC (October, 2003 to January, 2004)
- Project Geologist coordinating Phase I and II field investigations for environmental remediation.
- USGS Astrogeology, Flagstaff, AZ (April, 2000 to May, 2003)
- Geological Technician assisting with planetary geologic mapping projects and map-based scientific studies.
- Municipal Engineering Services Company, Garner, NC (July, 1997 to August, 1999)
- Project Geologist coordinating field investigations and groundwater studies for the development of municipal landfills.
- Western Geophysical, Houston, TX (June, 1996 to June, 1997)
- Onboard Geophysicist coordinating multi-cable deep marine seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico onboard R/V Western Hercules.
Service
- USGS Planetary Geologic Map Coodinator (Feb., 2014 to present)
- NASA Planetary Cartography and Geologic Mapping Working Group, Geologic Mapping Subcommittee (GEMS) - Member (June, 2009 to present), Chair (June, 2011 to present)
- Licensed Geologist, State of North Carolina (#2051), since 2004
- Reviews Provided
- Journal Articles: Astrobiology, EPSL, GRL, GSA Special Issues, Icarus, JGR-Planets, USGS SIM
- NASA Program Panels - MDAP, MFRP, MSL PS, Dawn at Ceres Operational Review
- NASA Proposals (External) - LASER, MDAP, MFRP, MMAMA, PG&G
Scientific Publications
Peer-Reviewed Geologic Maps
- Skinner, J.A., Jr., and Tanaka, K.L., Geologic Map of the Nepenthes Planum Region, Mars, USGS Scientific Investigations Map (SIM), in prep.
- Tanaka, K.L., Skinner, J.A., Jr., Dohm, J.M., Irwin, R.P., III, Kolb, E.K., Fortezzo, C.M., Platz, T., Michael, G.G., and Hare, T.M., Geologic Map of Mars, USGS Scientific Investigations Map (SIM) 3292, scale 1:20,000,000, in press.
- Skinner, J.A., Jr., and Herkenhoff, K.E., 2
Education and Certifications
Northern Arizona University, M.S. Geology, 2002
•Thesis: Re-characterization of the materials of Utopia Pla
Honors and Awards
Awards
•NASA Group Achievement Award (Desert-RATS Science Team), 2010
•USGS Western Region Communicator of the Year, 2009
Science and Products
Appendices for Planetary Geologic Mapping: Program Status and Future Needs
Appendices include the original survey, response data, and collated results related to the Open File Report. Geoscience maps, regardless of target body, are spatial and temporal representations of materials and processes recorded on planetary surfaces (Varnes, 1973; Spencer, 2000). The information and context provided by these maps promote basic and applied research within and across various geosc
Geologic map of the Nepenthes Planum Region, Mars
This map product contains a map sheet at 1:1,506,000 scale that shows the geology of the Nepenthes Planum region of Mars, which is located between the cratered highlands that dominate the southern hemisphere and the less-cratered sedimentary plains that dominate the northern hemisphere. The map region contains cone- and mound-shaped landforms as well as lobate materials that are morphologically s
Geologic map of Mars
This global geologic map of Mars, which records the distribution of geologic units and landforms on the planet's surface through time, is based on unprecedented variety, quality, and quantity of remotely sensed data acquired since the Viking Orbiters. These data have provided morphologic, topographic, spectral, thermophysical, radar sounding, and other observations for integration, analysis, and i
Geologic map of the MTM 85200 quadrangle, Olympia Rupes region of Mars
The north polar region of Mars is dominated by Planum Boreum, a roughly circular, domical plateau that rises >2,500 m above the surrounding lowland. Planum Boreum is >1,500 km in diameter, contains deep, curvilinear troughs and chasmata, isolated cavi, and marginal scarps and slopes. The north polar plateau is surrounded by low-lying and nearly horizontal plains of various surface texture, geologi
Geologic map of the Metis Mons quadrangle (V–6), Venus
The Metis Mons quadrangle (V–6) in the northern hemisphere of Venus (lat 50° to 75° N., long 240° to 300° E.) includes a variety of coronae, large volcanoes, ridge and fracture (structure) belts, tesserae, impact craters, and other volcanic and structural features distributed within a plains setting, affording study of their detailed age relations and evolutionary development. Coronae in particula
Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
The northern plains of Mars cover nearly a third of the planet and constitute the planet's broadest region of lowlands. Apparently formed early in Mars' history, the northern lowlands served as a repository both for sediments shed from the adjacent ancient highlands and for volcanic flows and deposits from sources within and near the lowlands. Geomorphic evidence for extensive tectonic deformatio
Filter Total Items: 18
Workshop on terrestrial analogs for planetary exploration
Terrestrial analogs are an important part of the robotic and human exploration of the solar system. One of the main recommendations from a community survey conducted in 2019 was to hold a workshop to increase communication and share resources among scientists, engineers, data managers, educators, and students who are involved, or hope to be involved, in terrestrial analog studies.
A geologic field guide to S P Mountain and its lava flow, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona
IntroductionWe created this guide to introduce the user to the San Francisco Volcanic Field as a terrestrial analog site for planetary volcanic processes. For decades, the San Francisco Volcanic Field has been used to teach scientists to recognize the products of common types of volcanic eruptions and associated volcanic features. The volcanic processes and products observed in this volcanic field
Exposure of an early to middle Noachian valley network in three dimensions on Mars
We document a set of channels in a section of the Martian cratered highlands located between crustal massifs northeast of Hellas Planitia that are visible in cross section and planview >200 m below the surface. The morphometry and spatial distribution of the outcrops provide concrete geological evidence of a dynamic aqueous system in a structural sub-basin during the Early to Middle Noachian, bols
Planetary geologic mapping—Program status and future needs
The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Planetary Geologic Map Coordination Group (Flagstaff, Ariz.) surveyed planetary geoscience map makers and users to determine the importance, relevance, and usability of such products to their planetary science research and to current and future needs of the planetary science community. This survey was prepared because the planetary science community lac
Towards a planetary spatial data infrastructure
Planetary science is the study of planets, moons, irregular bodies such as asteroids and the processes that create and modify them. Like terrestrial sciences, planetary science research is heavily dependent on collecting, processing and archiving large quantities of spatial data to support a range of activities. To address the complexity of storing, discovering, accessing, and utilizing spatial da
Large crater clustering tool
In this paper we present the Large Crater Clustering (LCC) tool set, an ArcGIS plugin that supports the quantitative approximation of a primary impact location from user-identified locations of possible secondary impact craters or the long-axes of clustered secondary craters. The identification of primary impact craters directly supports planetary geologic mapping and topical science studies where
Crater-based dating of geological units on Mars: methods and application for the new global geological map
The new, post-Viking generation of Mars orbital imaging and topographical data provide significant higher-resolution details of surface morphologies, which induced a new effort to photo-geologically map the surface of Mars at 1:20,000,000 scale. Although from unit superposition relations a relative stratigraphical framework can be compiled, it was the ambition of this mapping project to provide ab
The role of photogeologic mapping in traverse planning: Lessons from DRATS 2010 activities
We produced a 1:24,000 scale photogeologic map of the Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) 2010 simulated lunar mission traverse area and surrounding environments located within the northeastern part of the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF), north-central Arizona. To mimic an exploratory mission, we approached the region “blindly” by rejecting prior knowledge or preconceived notions of
Widespread loess-like deposit in the Martian northern lowlands identifies Middle Amazonian climate change
Consistently mappable units critical to distinguishing the style and interplay of geologic processes through time are sparse in the Martian lowlands. This study identifies a previously unmapped Middle Amazonian (ca. 1 Ga) unit (Middle Amazonian lowland unit, mAl) that postdates the Late Hesperian and Early Amazonian lowland plains by >2 b.y. The unit is regionally defined by subtle marginal scarps
History of plains resurfacing in the Scandia region of Mars
We present a preliminary photogeologic map of the Scandia region of Mars with the objective of reconstructing its resurfacing history. The Scandia region includes the lower section of the regional lowland slope of Vastitas Borealis extending about 500–1800 km away from Alba Mons into the Scandia sub-basin below −4800 m elevation. Twenty mapped geologic units express the diverse stratigraphy of the
North polar region of Mars: Advances in stratigraphy, structure, and erosional modification
We have remapped the geology of the north polar plateau on Mars, Planum Boreum, and the surrounding plains of Vastitas Borealis using altimetry and image data along with thematic maps resulting from observations made by the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. New and revised geographic and geologic terminologies assist with effectively disc
Emplacement of the youngest flood lava on Mars: A short, turbulent story
Recently acquired data from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), Context (CTX) imager, and Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft were used to investigate the emplacement of the youngest flood-lava flow on Mars. Careful mapping finds that the Athabasca Valles flood lava is the product of a single eru
Science and Products
- Data
Appendices for Planetary Geologic Mapping: Program Status and Future Needs
Appendices include the original survey, response data, and collated results related to the Open File Report. Geoscience maps, regardless of target body, are spatial and temporal representations of materials and processes recorded on planetary surfaces (Varnes, 1973; Spencer, 2000). The information and context provided by these maps promote basic and applied research within and across various geosc - Maps
Geologic map of the Nepenthes Planum Region, Mars
This map product contains a map sheet at 1:1,506,000 scale that shows the geology of the Nepenthes Planum region of Mars, which is located between the cratered highlands that dominate the southern hemisphere and the less-cratered sedimentary plains that dominate the northern hemisphere. The map region contains cone- and mound-shaped landforms as well as lobate materials that are morphologically sGeologic map of Mars
This global geologic map of Mars, which records the distribution of geologic units and landforms on the planet's surface through time, is based on unprecedented variety, quality, and quantity of remotely sensed data acquired since the Viking Orbiters. These data have provided morphologic, topographic, spectral, thermophysical, radar sounding, and other observations for integration, analysis, and iGeologic map of the MTM 85200 quadrangle, Olympia Rupes region of Mars
The north polar region of Mars is dominated by Planum Boreum, a roughly circular, domical plateau that rises >2,500 m above the surrounding lowland. Planum Boreum is >1,500 km in diameter, contains deep, curvilinear troughs and chasmata, isolated cavi, and marginal scarps and slopes. The north polar plateau is surrounded by low-lying and nearly horizontal plains of various surface texture, geologiGeologic map of the Metis Mons quadrangle (V–6), Venus
The Metis Mons quadrangle (V–6) in the northern hemisphere of Venus (lat 50° to 75° N., long 240° to 300° E.) includes a variety of coronae, large volcanoes, ridge and fracture (structure) belts, tesserae, impact craters, and other volcanic and structural features distributed within a plains setting, affording study of their detailed age relations and evolutionary development. Coronae in particulaGeologic map of the northern plains of Mars
The northern plains of Mars cover nearly a third of the planet and constitute the planet's broadest region of lowlands. Apparently formed early in Mars' history, the northern lowlands served as a repository both for sediments shed from the adjacent ancient highlands and for volcanic flows and deposits from sources within and near the lowlands. Geomorphic evidence for extensive tectonic deformatio - Publications
Filter Total Items: 18
Workshop on terrestrial analogs for planetary exploration
Terrestrial analogs are an important part of the robotic and human exploration of the solar system. One of the main recommendations from a community survey conducted in 2019 was to hold a workshop to increase communication and share resources among scientists, engineers, data managers, educators, and students who are involved, or hope to be involved, in terrestrial analog studies.A geologic field guide to S P Mountain and its lava flow, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona
IntroductionWe created this guide to introduce the user to the San Francisco Volcanic Field as a terrestrial analog site for planetary volcanic processes. For decades, the San Francisco Volcanic Field has been used to teach scientists to recognize the products of common types of volcanic eruptions and associated volcanic features. The volcanic processes and products observed in this volcanic fieldExposure of an early to middle Noachian valley network in three dimensions on Mars
We document a set of channels in a section of the Martian cratered highlands located between crustal massifs northeast of Hellas Planitia that are visible in cross section and planview >200 m below the surface. The morphometry and spatial distribution of the outcrops provide concrete geological evidence of a dynamic aqueous system in a structural sub-basin during the Early to Middle Noachian, bolsPlanetary geologic mapping—Program status and future needs
The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Planetary Geologic Map Coordination Group (Flagstaff, Ariz.) surveyed planetary geoscience map makers and users to determine the importance, relevance, and usability of such products to their planetary science research and to current and future needs of the planetary science community. This survey was prepared because the planetary science community lacTowards a planetary spatial data infrastructure
Planetary science is the study of planets, moons, irregular bodies such as asteroids and the processes that create and modify them. Like terrestrial sciences, planetary science research is heavily dependent on collecting, processing and archiving large quantities of spatial data to support a range of activities. To address the complexity of storing, discovering, accessing, and utilizing spatial daLarge crater clustering tool
In this paper we present the Large Crater Clustering (LCC) tool set, an ArcGIS plugin that supports the quantitative approximation of a primary impact location from user-identified locations of possible secondary impact craters or the long-axes of clustered secondary craters. The identification of primary impact craters directly supports planetary geologic mapping and topical science studies whereCrater-based dating of geological units on Mars: methods and application for the new global geological map
The new, post-Viking generation of Mars orbital imaging and topographical data provide significant higher-resolution details of surface morphologies, which induced a new effort to photo-geologically map the surface of Mars at 1:20,000,000 scale. Although from unit superposition relations a relative stratigraphical framework can be compiled, it was the ambition of this mapping project to provide abThe role of photogeologic mapping in traverse planning: Lessons from DRATS 2010 activities
We produced a 1:24,000 scale photogeologic map of the Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) 2010 simulated lunar mission traverse area and surrounding environments located within the northeastern part of the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF), north-central Arizona. To mimic an exploratory mission, we approached the region “blindly” by rejecting prior knowledge or preconceived notions ofWidespread loess-like deposit in the Martian northern lowlands identifies Middle Amazonian climate change
Consistently mappable units critical to distinguishing the style and interplay of geologic processes through time are sparse in the Martian lowlands. This study identifies a previously unmapped Middle Amazonian (ca. 1 Ga) unit (Middle Amazonian lowland unit, mAl) that postdates the Late Hesperian and Early Amazonian lowland plains by >2 b.y. The unit is regionally defined by subtle marginal scarpsHistory of plains resurfacing in the Scandia region of Mars
We present a preliminary photogeologic map of the Scandia region of Mars with the objective of reconstructing its resurfacing history. The Scandia region includes the lower section of the regional lowland slope of Vastitas Borealis extending about 500–1800 km away from Alba Mons into the Scandia sub-basin below −4800 m elevation. Twenty mapped geologic units express the diverse stratigraphy of theNorth polar region of Mars: Advances in stratigraphy, structure, and erosional modification
We have remapped the geology of the north polar plateau on Mars, Planum Boreum, and the surrounding plains of Vastitas Borealis using altimetry and image data along with thematic maps resulting from observations made by the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. New and revised geographic and geologic terminologies assist with effectively discEmplacement of the youngest flood lava on Mars: A short, turbulent story
Recently acquired data from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), Context (CTX) imager, and Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft were used to investigate the emplacement of the youngest flood-lava flow on Mars. Careful mapping finds that the Athabasca Valles flood lava is the product of a single eru