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Laura C Walkup

Laura C. Walkup at the Geology, Energy, Minerals, and Geophysics Science Center. Laura received a bachelors degree in geology from West Virginia University and a masters degree in volcanology from Miami University. Since joining the USGS in 2015, she has worked in the tephrochronology lab and specializes in volcanic glass geochemistry and tephra correlation.

Professional Experience

  • 2019 – Present, Geologist, Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Menlo Park, CA.

  • 2015 – 2019, Physical Science Technician, Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Menlo Park, CA.

  • 2014 – 2014, Physical Science Technician, Yosemite National Park, CA

  • 2014 – 2014, Education Technician, Mount Rainier National Park, WA

  • 2013 – 2014, Park Ranger (Interpretation), Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and Minidoka National Historic Monument, ID

  • 2012 – 2013, Physical Science Technician, Mount Rainier National Park, WA

  • 2012 – 2012, GeoCorps Guest Scientist (Volcanologist), National Park Service Geologic Resource Division, VA

  • 2010 – 2011, GeoCorps Geomorphology Technician, Mount Rainier National Park, WA

  • 2007 – 2007, Geology Intern, NiSource Columbia Gas, WV

  • 2006 – 2006, Geology Intern, Energy Corporation of America, WV

  • 2004 – 2005, Field Work Assistant, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, WV

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. in Volcanology, Miami University, 2013

  • B.S. in Geology, West Virginia University, 2006

Science and Products

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Tephra-jet explosion, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i...

USGS Tephrochronology (Tephra) Project

Tephrochronology is the study of volcanic ash deposits, combining petrology, geochemistry, and isotopic dating methods. We use tephrochronology, along with other chronostratigraphic techniques, to (1) determine the ages of coincident deposits, and, when multiple tephra layers are present, determine the history of geologic events and rates of geologic processes; and (2) correlate sediments from...
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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USGS Tephrochronology (Tephra) Project

Tephrochronology is the study of volcanic ash deposits, combining petrology, geochemistry, and isotopic dating methods. We use tephrochronology, along with other chronostratigraphic techniques, to (1) determine the ages of coincident deposits, and, when multiple tephra layers are present, determine the history of geologic events and rates of geologic processes; and (2) correlate sediments from...
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Tephra geochemistry of the Ibex Hollow Tuff, a 12-Ma super-eruption

These tables contain geochemical data collected for tephra samples either correlated with or in the same type section with the Ibex Hollow Tuff. Most samples were collected by Andrei Sarna-Wojcicki and Mike Perkins, but some were submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey Tephrochronology Project for analysis by other persons. Electron microprobe analysis (EMA) was performed at the U.S. Geological Su
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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Ibex Hollow Tuff from ca. 12 Ma supereruption, southern Idaho, identified across North America, eastern Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico

The Ibex Hollow Tuff, 12.08 ± 0.03 Ma (40Ar/39Ar), is a widespread tephra layer erupted from the Bruneau-Jarbidge volcanic field of southern Idaho. Tephra from this eruption was deposited across much of western and central North America and adjacent ocean areas. We identified the Ibex Hollow Tuff at Trapper Creek, Idaho, near its eruption site, and at 15 distal sites, from the Pacific Ocean to the
Authors
Andrei M. Sarna-Wojcicki, Jeffrey R. Knott, John A. Westgate, James R. Budahn, John A. Barron, Colin J. Bray, Greg A. Ludvigson, Charles E. Meyer, David M. Miller, Rick E. Otto, Nicholas J.G. Pearce, Charles C. Smith, Laura Walkup, Elmira Wan, James Yount
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Climate Research and Development Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The curious case of the old dog in the sand

The discovery of a large fossil canid jawbone in Idaho gives clues to the region’s diverse, verdant past.
Authors
Kari A. Prassack, Laura Walkup
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Maybe so, maybe not: Canis lepophagus at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Idaho, USA

A canid dentary is described from the Pliocene Glenns Ferry Formation at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, south-central Idaho, USA. The specimen possesses traits in alliance with and measurements falling within or exceeding those of Canis lepophagus. The dentary, along with a tarsal IV (cuboid) and an exploded canine come from the base of the fossiliferous Sahara complex within the monument
Authors
Kari A Prassack, Laura Walkup
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Late Cenozoic tephrochronology of the Mount Diablo area within the evolving plate-tectonic boundary zone of northern California

We present a tephrochronologic/chronostratigraphic database for the Mount Diablo area and greater San Francisco Bay region that provides a spatial and temporal framework for geologic studies in the region, including stratigraphy, paleogeography, tectonics, quantification of earth surface processes, recurrence of natural hazards, and climate change. We identified and correlated 34 tephra layers wit

Authors
Andrei Sarna-Wojcicki, Raymond Sullivan, Alan L. Deino, Laura Walkup, J. Ross Wagner, Elmira Wan
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Lake Andrei: A pliocene pluvial lake in Eureka Valley, Eastern California

We used geologic mapping, tephrochronology and 40Ar/39Ar dating to describe evidence of a ca. 3.5 Ma pluvial lake in Eureka Valley, eastern California, that we informally name herein Lake Andrei. We identified six different tuffs in the Eureka Valley drainage basin including two previously undescribed tuffs: the 3.509 ± 0.009 Ma tuff of Hanging Rock Canyon and the 3.506 ± 0.010 Ma tuff of Last Cha
Authors
Jeffrey R. Knott, Elmira Wan, Alan L. Deino, Mitch Casteel, Marith C. Reheis, Fred Phillips, Laura Walkup, Kyle McCarty, David N. Manoukian, Ernest Nuñez
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Climate Research and Development Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Middle Pleistocene infill of Hinkley Valley by Mojave River sediment and associated lake sediment: Depositional architecture and deformation by strike-slip faults

Hinkley Valley in the Mojave Desert, near Barstow about 140 km northeast of Los Angeles and midway between Victorville Valley and the Lake Manix basin, contains a thick sedimentary sequence delivered by the Mojave River. Our study of sediment cores drilled in the valley indicates that Hinkley Valley was probably a closed playa basin with stream inflow from four directions prior to Mojave River inf
Authors
David M. Miller, Elizabeth Haddon, Victoria E. Langenheim, Andrew J. Cyr, Elmira Wan, Laura Walkup, Scott W. Starratt
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Born of fire: In search of volcanoes in U.S. national parks, four striking examples

Geologic features, particularly volcanic features, have been protected by the National Park Service since its inception. Some volcanic areas were nationally protected even before the National Park Service was established. The first national park, Yellowstone National Park, is one of the most widely known geothermal and volcanic areas in the world. It contains the largest volcanic complex in North
Authors
Laura Walkup, Thomas Casadevall, Vincent L. Santucci
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Science and Products