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.
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
3D Sedimentary Basins
National Geologic Synthesis
The U.S. GeoFramework Initiative
Geologic Framework of the Intermountain West
Bedrock geologic map database for the Durango 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, southern Colorado: Contributions to the National Geologic Map
An inventory of subsurface geologic data: structure contour and isopach datasets
Digital database of previously published subsurface unit tops from a 3D Model of the Anadarko Basin Province
Spatial data from An Inventory of U.S. Geological Survey Three-Dimensional Geologic Models, Volume 1, 2004–2022
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
Measured sections and paleocurrent data from fluvial deposits of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene Raton and Poison Canyon Formations, Raton Basin, Colorado-New Mexico, USA


An inventory of three-dimensional geologic models—U.S. Geological Survey, 2004–22
Progradational-to-retrogradational styles of Palaeogene fluvial fan successions in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico
The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program’s U.S. GeoFramework Initiative — Delivering a digital database of geologic map information by 2030
The Seamless Integrated Geologic Mapping (SIGMa) extension to the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS)
Evidence for variable precipitation and discharge from Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene fluvial deposits of the Raton Basin, Colorado–New Mexico, U.S.A.
Testing hypotheses on signatures of precipitation variability in the river and floodplain deposits of the Paleogene San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA
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
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
Bedrock geologic map database for the Durango 1-degree x 2-degree quadrangle, southern Colorado: Contributions to the National Geologic Map
This data release presents geologic map data for the bedrock geology of the Durango 1-degree by 2-degree quadrangle. Geologic mapping incorporates new interpretive contributions and compilation from published geologic map data sources primarily ranging from 1:24,000 to 1:50,000 scale. Much of the geology incorporated from published geologic maps is adjusted based on digital elevation model and natAn inventory of subsurface geologic data: structure contour and isopach datasets
Under the direction and funding of the National Cooperative Mapping Program with guidance and encouragement from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a digital database of three-dimensional (3D) vector data, displayed as two-dimensional (2D) data-extent bounding polygons. This geodatabase is to act as a virtual and digital inventory of 3D structure contour and isopach vector data for the USDigital database of previously published subsurface unit tops from a 3D Model of the Anadarko Basin Province
This digital data release contains gridded elevation surfaces for twenty-six (26) subsurface horizons, a grid of the estimated thickness of strata eroded during the Cenozoic, and fault traces at the level of the Precambrian surface from a previously published 3D geologic model of the Anadarko Basin Province (Higley and others, 2014). In the original release of the 3D model, elevation surfaces wereSpatial 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 projecDigital 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 MapUnitPolyMeasured 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, - Multimedia
Digital data for three-dimensional geologic framework model of the Rio San Jose groundwater basin, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey data release (Sweetkind and others, 2020, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9MPAGA7)Three-dimensional (3D) geologic framework model of the Rio San Jose groundwater basin, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9MPAGA7
- Publications
An inventory of three-dimensional geologic models—U.S. Geological Survey, 2004–22
A database of spatial footprints and characteristics of three-dimensional geological models that were constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey between 2004 and 2022 was compiled as part of ongoing development of subsurface geologic information by the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. This initial inventory resulted in the compilation of 38 three-dimensional geological models thaAuthorsDonald S. Sweetkind, Kristine L. ZellmanProgradational-to-retrogradational styles of Palaeogene fluvial fan successions in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico
Basin-scale outcrop analyses of fluvial architecture in the Palaeogene San Juan Basin, New Mexico, document lateral and vertical trends in channel, floodplain and palaeosol characteristics. Herein, the uppermost part of the Palaeocene Nacimiento Formation and lower Eocene Cuba Mesa and Regina Members of the San Jose Formation are identified as deposits of large fluvial fans based on trends observeAuthorsKristine L. Zellman, Piret Plink-Bjorklund, Leland Robson SpanglerThe 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 achiAuthorsJenna L. Shelton, William Andrews, Joseph Colgan, Samuel Johnstone, David R. Soller, Richard Berg, Donald S. Sweetkind, Kristine L. Zellman, John Brock, Kate RitzelThe 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 functionalAuthorsKenzie J. Turner, Jeremiah B. Workman, Joseph Colgan, Amy K. Gilmer, Margaret E. Berry, Samuel Johnstone, Kathleen F. Warrell, Marieke Dechesne, D. Paco VanSistine, Ren A. Thompson, Adam M. Hudson, Kristine L. Zellman, Donald S. Sweetkind, Chester A. RulemanEvidence 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 CretaAuthorsTheresa Maude Schwartz, Marieke Dechesne, Kristine L. ZellmanTesting 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 dAuthorsKristine L. Zellman, Piret Plink-Bjorklund, Henry FrickeChanges 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 andAuthorsKristine L. Zellman