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Kristine Zellman

I am a Research Geologist with interests in sedimentary geology, paleoclimate proxy analysis, geologic mapping, and 3D modelling of subsurface geology.

My current research activities are focused on the sedimentary basins of the contiguous United States. As a member of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s (NCGMP) National Geologic Synthesis (NGS) project, I am tasked with leading an effort to compile data and develop methods for mapping and modeling the subsurface geology of sedimentary basins at scales relevant to regional and national synthesis products. I also collaborate with researchers from a variety of disciplines and institutions to conduct detailed investigations of paleoenvironmental change recorded in terrestrial sedimentary basin deposits.

Previously, I studied the role of recovering (post-drought and -grazing) vegetation and biological soil crust communities on the landscape evolution of sand dunes on the California Channel Islands using field investigations and remote sensing. I have also been involved in the creation of a wide variety of USGS geologic map publications.

 

Professional Experience

  • Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, May 2020 - Present

  • Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, December 2013 - May 2020

  • Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, July 2010 - December 2013

  • Teaching Assistant, University of Colorado Denver, August 2010 - December 2010

Education and Certifications

  • PhD, Geology, Colorado School of Mines

  • MS, Environmental Science, University of Colorado Denver

  • BA, Anthropology and Spatial Information Management, Colorado State University

Science and Products

The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program's U.S. GeoFramework Initiative responds to Congressional direction to implement the National Geologic Map Database Phase Three. The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative aims to create and deliver a new digital geologic framework of the United States by 2030. This Fact Sheet outlines the collaborations needed and plans taken to achi
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS)

Geologic maps are the fundamental building blocks of surface and subsurface three-dimensional geologic framework models of the Earth’s crust. However, as the production and availability of geologic map databases continues to increase, inconsistent data models and the lack of synthesized, national geologic map data at scales appropriate for informed decision making negatively affect the functional
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Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Evidence for variable precipitation and discharge from Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene fluvial deposits of the Raton Basin, Colorado–New Mexico, U.S.A.

The Raton Basin of Colorado–New Mexico, USA, is the southeasternmost basin of the Laramide intraforeland province of North America. It hosts a thick succession (4.5 km or 15,000 ft) of Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene marine and continental strata that were deposited in response to the final regression of the Western Interior Seaway and the onset of Laramide intraforeland deformation. The Upper Creta
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Testing hypotheses on signatures of precipitation variability in the river and floodplain deposits of the Paleogene San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA

Much progress has been made in recent years towards a set of recognition criteria for river discharge variability in river channel deposits, and thus sedimentary proxies for precipitation variability. Despite this progress, there is currently no consensus on how different styles of discharge variability are reflected in river sedimentary records, and whether variable-discharge river records from d
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Changes in vegetation and biological soil crust communities on sand dunes stabilizing after a century of grazing on San Miguel Island, Channel Island National Park, California

San Miguel Island is the westernmost of the California Channel Islands and one of the windiest areas on the west coast of North America. The majority of the island is covered by coastal sand dunes, which were stripped of vegetation and subsequently mobilized due to droughts and sheep ranching during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Since the removal of grazing animals, vegetation and
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Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
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3D perspective view of the Colorado Plateau

3D Sedimentary Basins

Detailed analysis and modeling of 3D basin architecture is a critical tool in the assessment of water, energy, and mineral resources, as well as paleoclimate and paleotectonic reconstructions. Sedimentary basins are of particular interest because they are repositories of economically important byproducts of sedimentary processes and are commonly rich in subsurface data. Due to the importance of...
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Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
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3D Sedimentary Basins

Detailed analysis and modeling of 3D basin architecture is a critical tool in the assessment of water, energy, and mineral resources, as well as paleoclimate and paleotectonic reconstructions. Sedimentary basins are of particular interest because they are repositories of economically important byproducts of sedimentary processes and are commonly rich in subsurface data. Due to the importance of...
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View toward Blanca Peak, Colorado

National Geologic Synthesis

The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) Strategic Plan of 2020 calls for the creation of a “variable-scale, national, integrated 2D and 3D geologic-framework model that enables the seamless construction of geologic maps within user-defined regions of interest across the United States by the year 2030” (USGS Open-File Report 2021-1013*). Congress recently directed NCGMP to “bring...
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
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National Geologic Synthesis

The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) Strategic Plan of 2020 calls for the creation of a “variable-scale, national, integrated 2D and 3D geologic-framework model that enables the seamless construction of geologic maps within user-defined regions of interest across the United States by the year 2030” (USGS Open-File Report 2021-1013*). Congress recently directed NCGMP to “bring...
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Mt. Ouray, Colorado with aspen colors

Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West

The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West project was launched with the goal of producing a new digital geologic map database and 3D geologic model of a transect from the Rio Grande rift to the Basin and Range, based on a synthesis of existing geologic maps with new targeted new mapping, subsurface data, and other data sets. This database will integrate disparate map data, resolve...
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Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
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Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West

The Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West project was launched with the goal of producing a new digital geologic map database and 3D geologic model of a transect from the Rio Grande rift to the Basin and Range, based on a synthesis of existing geologic maps with new targeted new mapping, subsurface data, and other data sets. This database will integrate disparate map data, resolve...
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Spatial data from An Inventory of U.S. Geological Survey Three-Dimensional Geologic Models, Volume 1, 2004–2022

Within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), three-dimensional (3D) geologic models are created as part of geologic framework studies, to support energy, minerals, or water resource assessments, and to inform geologic hazard assessments. Such models are often used within the organization as digital input into process and predictive models. 3D geological modeling typically supports research and projec
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Digital database of the previously published Geologic maps and cross sections showing configurations of bedrock surfaces, Broken Bow 1 degree x 2 degree quadrangle, east-central Nebraska

This digital data release contains spatial datasets of bedrock geology, volcanic ash bed locations, test hole locations, bedrock outcrops, and structure contours of the top of bedrock and the base of the Ogallala Group from a previously published map (Souders, 2000). The GeologicMap feature dataset contains separate feature classes for the Ogallala Group map unit (ContactsAndFaults and MapUnitPoly
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Measured sections and paleocurrent data from fluvial deposits of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene Raton and Poison Canyon Formations, Raton Basin, Colorado-New Mexico, USA

This document provides two data sets that characterize outcrops of fluvial deposits of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene Raton and Poison Canyon Formations of the Raton Basin of Colorado-New Mexico, USA. First, the dataset includes stratigraphic sections measured through fluvial deposits of the Raton and Poison Canyon Formations (ten unique .tif files), currently exposed in roadside outcrops. Second,
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
3D geologic framework model from west-central New Mexico
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3D Geologic Framework Model of the San Jose Groundwater basin, New Mexico
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Science and Products