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
Honors and Awards
2024: USGS Eugene M. Shoemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Communications
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 25
Dynamic response of desert wetlands to abrupt climate change Dynamic response of desert wetlands to abrupt climate change
Desert wetlands are keystone ecosystems in arid environments and are preserved in the geologic record as groundwater discharge (GWD) deposits. GWD deposits are inherently discontinuous and stratigraphically complex, which has limited our understanding of how desert wetlands responded to past episodes of rapid climate change. Previous studies have shown that wetlands responded to climate...
Authors
Kathleen B. Springer, Craig R. Manker, Jeffrey S. Pigati
Non-USGS Publications**
Ramelli, R.A., Page, R.W., Manker, C.R., Springer, K.B., 2012, Preliminary geologic map of the Corn Creek Springs, NW quadrangle, Clark County, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Map 175, scale 1:24,000.
Ramelli, Alan R.; Page, William R.; Manker, Craig R.; Springer, Kathleen B., 2011, Geologic map of the Gass Peak SW quadrangle, Clark County, Nevada; 2011; Other Government Series; 175.
Springer, K.B., Scott, E., Manker C.R., Rowland, S., 2011, Vertebrate paleontology of Pleistocene lakes and groundwater discharge deposits of the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin: Nevada State Museum Paleontological Papers no. 1, 168-243.
Springer, K.B., Scott, Eric, Sagabiel, J.C., and Murray, L.K., 2010, Late Pleistocene large mammal faunal dynamics from inland southern California: The Diamond Valley Lake local fauna: Quaternary International, v. 217, iss. 1-2, p. 256-265.
Springer, K.B., Scott, E., Sagebiel, J.C., Murray, L.K., 2009, The Diamond Valley Lake local fauna: late Pleistocene vertebrates from inland southern California: Papers on Geology, Vertebrate Paleontology and Biostratigraphy in Honor of Michael O. Woodburne (L.B. Albright III, ed). Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin 65, 217-235.
Scott, E., Springer, K.B., Sagebiel, J.C., Manker, C.R., 2006, Planning for the future: preserving and interpreting paleontology and geology in Joshua Tree National Park. America’s Antiquities: 100 Years of Managing Fossils on Federal Lands (Lucas, S.G., Spielmann, J.A., Hester, P.M., Kenworthy, J.P., Santucci, V.L., eds). New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 34, 159-164.
Scott, E., Springer, K.B., and Sagebiel, J.C., 2004, Vertebrate paleontology in the Mojave Desert: the continuing importance of “follow-through” in preserving paleontologic resources. The Human Journey and Ancient Life in California’s Deserts: Proceedings from the 2001 Millennium Conference (Allen, M.W., Reed, J., eds.). Maturango Museum Publication no. 15, 65-70.
Scott, E., and Springer, K.B., 2003, CEQA and fossil preservation in southern California: The Environmental Monitor 17, 4-10.
Anderson, R., Power, M., Smith, S., Springer, K., and Scott, E., 2002, Paleoecology of a Middle Wisconsin Deposit from Southern California: Quaternary Research, 58(3), 310-317. doi:10.1006/qres.2002.2388
Campbell, Kenneth, Scott, Eric, and Springer, Kathleen, 1999, A New Genus for the Incredible Teratorn (Aves: Teratornithidae): Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology. 89.
Springer, K.B. and Murphy, Michael, 1994, Punctuated stasis and collateral evolution in the Devonian lineage of Monograptus hercynicus: Lethaia. 27. 119-128.
Woodburne, M.O., Case, J.A., Springer, M.S., Woodburne, J., Springer, K.B., and Power, J.D., 1993, Biostratigraphy and paleontology of the Etadunna Formation, South Australia: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 13(4), 483-515.
Murphy, M., & Springer, K., 1989, Morphometric study of the platform elements of Amydrotaxis praejohnsoni n. sp. (Lower Devonian, conodonts, Nevada): Journal of Paleontology, 63(3), 349-355. doi:10.1017/S002233600001951X
**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
Filter Total Items: 25
Dynamic response of desert wetlands to abrupt climate change Dynamic response of desert wetlands to abrupt climate change
Desert wetlands are keystone ecosystems in arid environments and are preserved in the geologic record as groundwater discharge (GWD) deposits. GWD deposits are inherently discontinuous and stratigraphically complex, which has limited our understanding of how desert wetlands responded to past episodes of rapid climate change. Previous studies have shown that wetlands responded to climate...
Authors
Kathleen B. Springer, Craig R. Manker, Jeffrey S. Pigati
Non-USGS Publications**
Ramelli, R.A., Page, R.W., Manker, C.R., Springer, K.B., 2012, Preliminary geologic map of the Corn Creek Springs, NW quadrangle, Clark County, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Map 175, scale 1:24,000.
Ramelli, Alan R.; Page, William R.; Manker, Craig R.; Springer, Kathleen B., 2011, Geologic map of the Gass Peak SW quadrangle, Clark County, Nevada; 2011; Other Government Series; 175.
Springer, K.B., Scott, E., Manker C.R., Rowland, S., 2011, Vertebrate paleontology of Pleistocene lakes and groundwater discharge deposits of the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin: Nevada State Museum Paleontological Papers no. 1, 168-243.
Springer, K.B., Scott, Eric, Sagabiel, J.C., and Murray, L.K., 2010, Late Pleistocene large mammal faunal dynamics from inland southern California: The Diamond Valley Lake local fauna: Quaternary International, v. 217, iss. 1-2, p. 256-265.
Springer, K.B., Scott, E., Sagebiel, J.C., Murray, L.K., 2009, The Diamond Valley Lake local fauna: late Pleistocene vertebrates from inland southern California: Papers on Geology, Vertebrate Paleontology and Biostratigraphy in Honor of Michael O. Woodburne (L.B. Albright III, ed). Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin 65, 217-235.
Scott, E., Springer, K.B., Sagebiel, J.C., Manker, C.R., 2006, Planning for the future: preserving and interpreting paleontology and geology in Joshua Tree National Park. America’s Antiquities: 100 Years of Managing Fossils on Federal Lands (Lucas, S.G., Spielmann, J.A., Hester, P.M., Kenworthy, J.P., Santucci, V.L., eds). New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 34, 159-164.
Scott, E., Springer, K.B., and Sagebiel, J.C., 2004, Vertebrate paleontology in the Mojave Desert: the continuing importance of “follow-through” in preserving paleontologic resources. The Human Journey and Ancient Life in California’s Deserts: Proceedings from the 2001 Millennium Conference (Allen, M.W., Reed, J., eds.). Maturango Museum Publication no. 15, 65-70.
Scott, E., and Springer, K.B., 2003, CEQA and fossil preservation in southern California: The Environmental Monitor 17, 4-10.
Anderson, R., Power, M., Smith, S., Springer, K., and Scott, E., 2002, Paleoecology of a Middle Wisconsin Deposit from Southern California: Quaternary Research, 58(3), 310-317. doi:10.1006/qres.2002.2388
Campbell, Kenneth, Scott, Eric, and Springer, Kathleen, 1999, A New Genus for the Incredible Teratorn (Aves: Teratornithidae): Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology. 89.
Springer, K.B. and Murphy, Michael, 1994, Punctuated stasis and collateral evolution in the Devonian lineage of Monograptus hercynicus: Lethaia. 27. 119-128.
Woodburne, M.O., Case, J.A., Springer, M.S., Woodburne, J., Springer, K.B., and Power, J.D., 1993, Biostratigraphy and paleontology of the Etadunna Formation, South Australia: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 13(4), 483-515.
Murphy, M., & Springer, K., 1989, Morphometric study of the platform elements of Amydrotaxis praejohnsoni n. sp. (Lower Devonian, conodonts, Nevada): Journal of Paleontology, 63(3), 349-355. doi:10.1017/S002233600001951X
**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.