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
Hydrologic characterization of desert soils with varying degrees of pedogenesis: 1. field experiments evaluating plant-relevant soil water behavior Hydrologic characterization of desert soils with varying degrees of pedogenesis: 1. field experiments evaluating plant-relevant soil water behavior
To assess the eff ect of pedogenesis on the soil moisture dynamics infl uencing the character and quality of ecological habitat, we conducted infi ltration and redistribution experiments on three alluvial deposits in the Mojave National Preserve: (i) recently deposited active wash sediments, (ii) a soil of early Holocene age, and (iii) a highly developed soil of late Pleistocene age. At...
Authors
John R. Nimmo, Kim S. Perkins, Kevin M. Schmidt, David M. Miller, Jonathan D. Stock, Kamini Singha
Rapid measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization Rapid measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization
To provide an improved methodology for characterizing the field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) over broad areas with extreme spatial variability and ordinary limitations of time and resources, we developed and tested a simplified apparatus and procedure, correcting mathematically for the major deficiencies of the simplified implementation. The methodology includes use of a...
Authors
J. R. Nimmo, K. M. Schmidt, K. S. Perkins, J. D. Stock
Controls on alluvial fan long-profiles Controls on alluvial fan long-profiles
Water and debris flows exiting confined valleys have a tendency to deposit sediment on steep fans. On alluvial fans where water transport of gravel predominates, channel slopes tend to decrease downfan from ~0.10–0.04 to ~0.01 across wide ranges of climate and tectonism. Some have argued that this pattern reflects grain-size fining downfan such that higher threshold slopes are required...
Authors
J. D. Stock, K. M. Schmidt, D. M. Miller
Modeling Soil Moisture in the Mojave Desert Modeling Soil Moisture in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert is an arid region of southeastern California and parts of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah; the desert occupies more than 25,000 square miles (fig. 1). Ranging from below sea level to over 5,000 feet (1,524 m) in elevation, the Mojave Desert is considered a ?high desert.? On the west and southwest it is bounded by the Sierra Nevada, the San Gabriel, and the San Bernardino...
Authors
David M. Miller, Debra Hughson, Kevin M. Schmidt
Preliminary Surficial Geologic Map of the Mesquite Lake 30' X 60' Quadrangle, California and Nevada Preliminary Surficial Geologic Map of the Mesquite Lake 30' X 60' Quadrangle, California and Nevada
The Quaternary surficial geologic map of the Mesquite Lake, California-Nevada 30'X60' quadrangle depicts deposit age and geomorphic processes of erosion and deposition, as identified by a composite of remote sensing investigations, laboratory analyses, and field work, in the arid to semi-arid Mojave Desert area, straddling the California-Nevada border. Mapping was motivated by the need...
Authors
Kevin M. Schmidt, Matthew McMackin
Shallow landsliding, root reinforcement, and the spatial distribution of trees in the Oregon Coast Range Shallow landsliding, root reinforcement, and the spatial distribution of trees in the Oregon Coast Range
The influence of root reinforcement on shallow landsliding has been well established through mechanistic and empirical studies, yet few studies have examined how local vegetative patterns influence slope stability. Because root networks spread outward from trees, the species, size, and spacing of trees should influence the spatial distribution of root strength. We documented the...
Authors
J. J. Roering, K. M. Schmidt, J. D. Stock, W. E. Dietrich, D. R. Montgomery
Debris-flow deposits and watershed erosion rates near southern Death Valley, CA, United States Debris-flow deposits and watershed erosion rates near southern Death Valley, CA, United States
No abstract available.
Authors
K. M. Schmidt, C.M. Menges
Researchers consider U.S. Southwest's response to warmer, drier conditions Researchers consider U.S. Southwest's response to warmer, drier conditions
In 2000, the popular press frequently referred to reports that the southwestern United States might experience a shift from relatively wet to dry conditions during the next couple of decades (see http://topex‐www.jpl.nasa.gov/discover/PDO.html). These predictions stemmed from observations that the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) appeared to abruptly change from a “positive” to a...
Authors
Kevin M. Schmidt, Robert Webb
The variability of root cohesion as an influence on shallow landslide susceptibility in the Oregon Coast Range The variability of root cohesion as an influence on shallow landslide susceptibility in the Oregon Coast Range
Decades of quantitative measurement indicate that roots can mechanically reinforce shallow soils in forested landscapes. Forests, however, have variations in vegetation species and age which can dominate the local stability of landslide-initiation sites. To assess the influence of this variability on root cohesion we examined scarps of landslides triggered during large storms in February...
Authors
K. M. Schmidt, J. J. Roering, J. D. Stock, W. E. Dietrich, D. R. Montgomery, T. Schaub
Forest clearing and regional landsliding Forest clearing and regional landsliding
The influence of forest clearing on landsliding is central to long-standing concern over the effects of timber harvesting on slope stability. Here we document a strong topographic control on shallow landsliding by combining unique ground-based landslide surveys in an intensively monitored study area with digital terrain modeling using high-resolution laser altimetry and a coarser...
Authors
D. R. Montgomery, K. M. Schmidt, H. M. Greenberg, W. E. Dietrich
Neogene contraction between the San Andreas fault and the Santa Clara Valley, San Francisco Bay region, California Neogene contraction between the San Andreas fault and the Santa Clara Valley, San Francisco Bay region, California
In the southern San Francisco Bay region of California, oblique dextral reverse faults that verge northeastward from the San Andreas fault experienced triggered slip during the 1989 M7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake. The role of these range-front thrusts in the evolution of the San Andreas fault system and the future seismic hazard that they may pose to the urban Santa Clara Valley are poorly...
Authors
Robert J. McLaughlin, V.E. Langenheim, K. M. Schmidt, R.C. Jachens, R. G. Stanley, A. S. Jayko, K. A. McDougall, J. C. Tinsley, Z. C. Valin
Isostatic gravity map of the Las Vegas 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California and Nevada Isostatic gravity map of the Las Vegas 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California and Nevada
No abstract available.
Authors
V.E. Langenheim, R.I. Morin, J. G. Davidson, K. M. Schmidt, H. R. Blank
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 41
Hydrologic characterization of desert soils with varying degrees of pedogenesis: 1. field experiments evaluating plant-relevant soil water behavior Hydrologic characterization of desert soils with varying degrees of pedogenesis: 1. field experiments evaluating plant-relevant soil water behavior
To assess the eff ect of pedogenesis on the soil moisture dynamics infl uencing the character and quality of ecological habitat, we conducted infi ltration and redistribution experiments on three alluvial deposits in the Mojave National Preserve: (i) recently deposited active wash sediments, (ii) a soil of early Holocene age, and (iii) a highly developed soil of late Pleistocene age. At...
Authors
John R. Nimmo, Kim S. Perkins, Kevin M. Schmidt, David M. Miller, Jonathan D. Stock, Kamini Singha
Rapid measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization Rapid measurement of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization
To provide an improved methodology for characterizing the field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) over broad areas with extreme spatial variability and ordinary limitations of time and resources, we developed and tested a simplified apparatus and procedure, correcting mathematically for the major deficiencies of the simplified implementation. The methodology includes use of a...
Authors
J. R. Nimmo, K. M. Schmidt, K. S. Perkins, J. D. Stock
Controls on alluvial fan long-profiles Controls on alluvial fan long-profiles
Water and debris flows exiting confined valleys have a tendency to deposit sediment on steep fans. On alluvial fans where water transport of gravel predominates, channel slopes tend to decrease downfan from ~0.10–0.04 to ~0.01 across wide ranges of climate and tectonism. Some have argued that this pattern reflects grain-size fining downfan such that higher threshold slopes are required...
Authors
J. D. Stock, K. M. Schmidt, D. M. Miller
Modeling Soil Moisture in the Mojave Desert Modeling Soil Moisture in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert is an arid region of southeastern California and parts of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah; the desert occupies more than 25,000 square miles (fig. 1). Ranging from below sea level to over 5,000 feet (1,524 m) in elevation, the Mojave Desert is considered a ?high desert.? On the west and southwest it is bounded by the Sierra Nevada, the San Gabriel, and the San Bernardino...
Authors
David M. Miller, Debra Hughson, Kevin M. Schmidt
Preliminary Surficial Geologic Map of the Mesquite Lake 30' X 60' Quadrangle, California and Nevada Preliminary Surficial Geologic Map of the Mesquite Lake 30' X 60' Quadrangle, California and Nevada
The Quaternary surficial geologic map of the Mesquite Lake, California-Nevada 30'X60' quadrangle depicts deposit age and geomorphic processes of erosion and deposition, as identified by a composite of remote sensing investigations, laboratory analyses, and field work, in the arid to semi-arid Mojave Desert area, straddling the California-Nevada border. Mapping was motivated by the need...
Authors
Kevin M. Schmidt, Matthew McMackin
Shallow landsliding, root reinforcement, and the spatial distribution of trees in the Oregon Coast Range Shallow landsliding, root reinforcement, and the spatial distribution of trees in the Oregon Coast Range
The influence of root reinforcement on shallow landsliding has been well established through mechanistic and empirical studies, yet few studies have examined how local vegetative patterns influence slope stability. Because root networks spread outward from trees, the species, size, and spacing of trees should influence the spatial distribution of root strength. We documented the...
Authors
J. J. Roering, K. M. Schmidt, J. D. Stock, W. E. Dietrich, D. R. Montgomery
Debris-flow deposits and watershed erosion rates near southern Death Valley, CA, United States Debris-flow deposits and watershed erosion rates near southern Death Valley, CA, United States
No abstract available.
Authors
K. M. Schmidt, C.M. Menges
Researchers consider U.S. Southwest's response to warmer, drier conditions Researchers consider U.S. Southwest's response to warmer, drier conditions
In 2000, the popular press frequently referred to reports that the southwestern United States might experience a shift from relatively wet to dry conditions during the next couple of decades (see http://topex‐www.jpl.nasa.gov/discover/PDO.html). These predictions stemmed from observations that the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) appeared to abruptly change from a “positive” to a...
Authors
Kevin M. Schmidt, Robert Webb
The variability of root cohesion as an influence on shallow landslide susceptibility in the Oregon Coast Range The variability of root cohesion as an influence on shallow landslide susceptibility in the Oregon Coast Range
Decades of quantitative measurement indicate that roots can mechanically reinforce shallow soils in forested landscapes. Forests, however, have variations in vegetation species and age which can dominate the local stability of landslide-initiation sites. To assess the influence of this variability on root cohesion we examined scarps of landslides triggered during large storms in February...
Authors
K. M. Schmidt, J. J. Roering, J. D. Stock, W. E. Dietrich, D. R. Montgomery, T. Schaub
Forest clearing and regional landsliding Forest clearing and regional landsliding
The influence of forest clearing on landsliding is central to long-standing concern over the effects of timber harvesting on slope stability. Here we document a strong topographic control on shallow landsliding by combining unique ground-based landslide surveys in an intensively monitored study area with digital terrain modeling using high-resolution laser altimetry and a coarser...
Authors
D. R. Montgomery, K. M. Schmidt, H. M. Greenberg, W. E. Dietrich
Neogene contraction between the San Andreas fault and the Santa Clara Valley, San Francisco Bay region, California Neogene contraction between the San Andreas fault and the Santa Clara Valley, San Francisco Bay region, California
In the southern San Francisco Bay region of California, oblique dextral reverse faults that verge northeastward from the San Andreas fault experienced triggered slip during the 1989 M7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake. The role of these range-front thrusts in the evolution of the San Andreas fault system and the future seismic hazard that they may pose to the urban Santa Clara Valley are poorly...
Authors
Robert J. McLaughlin, V.E. Langenheim, K. M. Schmidt, R.C. Jachens, R. G. Stanley, A. S. Jayko, K. A. McDougall, J. C. Tinsley, Z. C. Valin
Isostatic gravity map of the Las Vegas 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California and Nevada Isostatic gravity map of the Las Vegas 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California and Nevada
No abstract available.
Authors
V.E. Langenheim, R.I. Morin, J. G. Davidson, K. M. Schmidt, H. R. Blank
*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