Kevin Schmidt
Kevin Schmidt is a Research Geologist at the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. Kevin received a MSc and a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Washington. Since joining the USGS in 1989, he has devoted his career to studying geomorphology and Quaternary studies and specializes in landslide geology and geologic mapping.
Kevin researches geomorphic processes and rates ranging from slope stability and erosion in post-fire steeplands to Quaternary tectonic deformation. He uses Quaternary geologic mapping to elucidate research topics in the contexts of geologic and tectonic evolution, hydrologic routing and storage, vegetation cover and root reinforcement, and landscape recovery from disturbance.
Presently, his research focuses on interpreting the geologic history of Channel Islands National Park.
Professional Experience
1989-1991, 1997-Current, Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, 1999
M.Sc., Geological Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, 1994
B.Sc., Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of California, Berkeley, 1989
Affiliations and Memberships*
2013-present, ecorisQ- International Association for Natural Hazard Risk Management, U.S. Federal Liaison
1999-present, Geological Society of America
1991-present, American Geophysical Union
National Park Service
California Geological Survey
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 41
Renewing the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program as the Nation’s authoritative source for modern geologic knowledge Renewing the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program as the Nation’s authoritative source for modern geologic knowledge
This document presents the renewed vision, mission, and goals for the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). The NCGMP, as authorized by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-285, 106 Stat. 166 and its reauthorizations), is tasked with expediting the production of a geologic database for the Nation based on modern geologic maps and their...
Authors
John Brock, Karen Berry, James Faulds, Richard Berg, Kyle House, Michael Marketti, Darcy McPhee, Kevin M. Schmidt, James Schmitt, David R. Soller, David Spears, Ren A. Thompson, Harvey Thorleifson, Gregory J. Walsh
Influence of pre-existing structure on pluton emplacement and geomorphology: The Merrimac plutons, northern Sierra Nevada, California (USA) Influence of pre-existing structure on pluton emplacement and geomorphology: The Merrimac plutons, northern Sierra Nevada, California (USA)
In much of the western Cordillera of North America, the geologic framework of crustal structure generated in the Mesozoic leaves an imprint on later plutonic emplacement, subsequent structural setting, and present landscape morphology. The Merrimac plutons in the northern Sierra Nevada (California, USA) are a good example of the influence of pre-existing structure at a larger scale. This...
Authors
Victoria Langenheim, Jorge A. Vazquez, Kevin M. Schmidt, Giovanni Guglielmo, Donald S. Sweetkind
Ten-million years of activity within the Eastern California Shear Zone from U-Pb dating of fault-zone opal Ten-million years of activity within the Eastern California Shear Zone from U-Pb dating of fault-zone opal
Reconstructions of long-term fault activity are essential for understanding both the mechanisms controlling fault behavior and accurate earthquake hazard assessments. Increasing evidence for temporal variations in strain accumulation suggests non-uniform strain rates over a range of historic to geologic timescales. The paucity of long-term records of fault activity has limited our...
Authors
Perach Nuriel, David M. Miller, Kevin M. Schmidt, Matthew A. Coble, Kate Maher
Characterizing the catastrophic 2017 Mud Creek Landslide, California, using repeat Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry Characterizing the catastrophic 2017 Mud Creek Landslide, California, using repeat Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry
Along the rugged coast of Big Sur, California, the Mud Creek landslide failed catastrophically on May 20, 2017 and destroyed over 400 m of scenic California State Highway 1. We collected structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry data using airborne platforms that, when combined with existing airborne lidar data, revealed that the area exhibited significant topographic change and...
Authors
Jonathan A. Warrick, Andrew C. Ritchie, Mark E. Reid, Kevin M. Schmidt, Joshua B. Logan
Hunting for landslides from Cascadia's great earthquakes Hunting for landslides from Cascadia's great earthquakes
No abstract available.
Authors
Jonathan P. Perkins, Joshua J. Roering, William J. Burns, William Strubel, Bryan A. Black, Kevin Schmidt, Alison Duvall, Nancy C. Calhoun
Analysis of the age and paleomagnetic orientation of the Broadwell Mesa Basalt, Bristol Mountains, CA Analysis of the age and paleomagnetic orientation of the Broadwell Mesa Basalt, Bristol Mountains, CA
To add to the regional paleomagnetic data documenting block rotation in eastern California, we determined the age and paleomagnetic rotation of the Broadwell Mesa basalt, a basalt in the Bristol Mountains, CA as part of an effort to constrain the timing and rotation of blocks adjacent to the fault. The east-striking sinistral Broadwell Mesa fault cuts and separates the basalt into two...
Authors
Geoffrey Phelps, John Hillhouse, Robert J. Fleck, David M. Miller, David C. Buesch, Andrew J. Cyr, Kevin M. Schmidt
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 41
Renewing the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program as the Nation’s authoritative source for modern geologic knowledge Renewing the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program as the Nation’s authoritative source for modern geologic knowledge
This document presents the renewed vision, mission, and goals for the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). The NCGMP, as authorized by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-285, 106 Stat. 166 and its reauthorizations), is tasked with expediting the production of a geologic database for the Nation based on modern geologic maps and their...
Authors
John Brock, Karen Berry, James Faulds, Richard Berg, Kyle House, Michael Marketti, Darcy McPhee, Kevin M. Schmidt, James Schmitt, David R. Soller, David Spears, Ren A. Thompson, Harvey Thorleifson, Gregory J. Walsh
Influence of pre-existing structure on pluton emplacement and geomorphology: The Merrimac plutons, northern Sierra Nevada, California (USA) Influence of pre-existing structure on pluton emplacement and geomorphology: The Merrimac plutons, northern Sierra Nevada, California (USA)
In much of the western Cordillera of North America, the geologic framework of crustal structure generated in the Mesozoic leaves an imprint on later plutonic emplacement, subsequent structural setting, and present landscape morphology. The Merrimac plutons in the northern Sierra Nevada (California, USA) are a good example of the influence of pre-existing structure at a larger scale. This...
Authors
Victoria Langenheim, Jorge A. Vazquez, Kevin M. Schmidt, Giovanni Guglielmo, Donald S. Sweetkind
Ten-million years of activity within the Eastern California Shear Zone from U-Pb dating of fault-zone opal Ten-million years of activity within the Eastern California Shear Zone from U-Pb dating of fault-zone opal
Reconstructions of long-term fault activity are essential for understanding both the mechanisms controlling fault behavior and accurate earthquake hazard assessments. Increasing evidence for temporal variations in strain accumulation suggests non-uniform strain rates over a range of historic to geologic timescales. The paucity of long-term records of fault activity has limited our...
Authors
Perach Nuriel, David M. Miller, Kevin M. Schmidt, Matthew A. Coble, Kate Maher
Characterizing the catastrophic 2017 Mud Creek Landslide, California, using repeat Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry Characterizing the catastrophic 2017 Mud Creek Landslide, California, using repeat Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry
Along the rugged coast of Big Sur, California, the Mud Creek landslide failed catastrophically on May 20, 2017 and destroyed over 400 m of scenic California State Highway 1. We collected structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry data using airborne platforms that, when combined with existing airborne lidar data, revealed that the area exhibited significant topographic change and...
Authors
Jonathan A. Warrick, Andrew C. Ritchie, Mark E. Reid, Kevin M. Schmidt, Joshua B. Logan
Hunting for landslides from Cascadia's great earthquakes Hunting for landslides from Cascadia's great earthquakes
No abstract available.
Authors
Jonathan P. Perkins, Joshua J. Roering, William J. Burns, William Strubel, Bryan A. Black, Kevin Schmidt, Alison Duvall, Nancy C. Calhoun
Analysis of the age and paleomagnetic orientation of the Broadwell Mesa Basalt, Bristol Mountains, CA Analysis of the age and paleomagnetic orientation of the Broadwell Mesa Basalt, Bristol Mountains, CA
To add to the regional paleomagnetic data documenting block rotation in eastern California, we determined the age and paleomagnetic rotation of the Broadwell Mesa basalt, a basalt in the Bristol Mountains, CA as part of an effort to constrain the timing and rotation of blocks adjacent to the fault. The east-striking sinistral Broadwell Mesa fault cuts and separates the basalt into two...
Authors
Geoffrey Phelps, John Hillhouse, Robert J. Fleck, David M. Miller, David C. Buesch, Andrew J. Cyr, Kevin M. Schmidt
*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