I am a Research Geologist with interests in sedimentary geology, paleoclimate proxy analysis, geologic mapping, and 3D modeling 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.
Science and Products
3D Sedimentary Basins
National Geologic Synthesis
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
Science and Products
- Science
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...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...The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative (USGI) is constructing a multi-resolution, seamless national 2D and 3D geologic maps and framework models by leveraging previous and existing geologic mapping efforts by both the USGS and State Geological Surveys to provide new regional- to National-scale geologic syntheses and support digital databases for 21st Century geologic mappers and many end users. By...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... - Data
- Multimedia
- Publications