Kathleen Springer
I study geologic deposits associated with springs and desert wetlands and pluvial lakes to develop paleoclimate records for the American Southwest.
I specialize in deciphering complex stratigraphic sequences, reconstructing paleoenvironmental conditions, and studying how springs and other groundwater dependent ecosystems responded to climate change in the recent geologic past. My research takes me all over the deserts of the southwest to places like Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Death Valley National Park, White Sands National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Channel Islands National Park.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Education and Certifications
1989: M.S., Geological Sciences, University of California, Riverside
1985: B.S., Geological Sciences, University of California, Riverside
Science and Products
Quaternary Hydroclimate Records of Spring Ecosystems
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 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?
Data release for Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands Data release for Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands
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 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
Data release for Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Data release for Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States
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
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.
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 for humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum Evidence for humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum
Aeolian sediments in paleowetland deposits of the Las Vegas Formation Aeolian sediments in paleowetland deposits of the Las Vegas Formation
Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest
Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada
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
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 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?
Data release for Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands Data release for Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands
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 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
Data release for Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Data release for Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States An early Holocene wet period in the southwestern United States
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
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.
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 for humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum Evidence for humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum
Aeolian sediments in paleowetland deposits of the Las Vegas Formation Aeolian sediments in paleowetland deposits of the Las Vegas Formation
Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest Oxygen isotopes in terrestrial gastropod shells track Quaternary climate change in the American Southwest
Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada
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.