MacKenzie M Mills
Physical Scientist for the Washington Water Science Center
Professional Experience
Physical Scientist, USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA, 2024-Present
Hydrologic Field Assistant, USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA, 2023-2024
Education and Certifications
PhD, Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona, 2024
MS, Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona, 2022
BA, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 2020
Science and Products
Darcy flux and PFAS mass flux in groundwater at Yakima Training Center, Washington Darcy flux and PFAS mass flux in groundwater at Yakima Training Center, Washington
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release contains Darcy flux and mass flux of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) data measured using passive flux meters (PFMs) in monitoring wells at the Yakima Training Center (YTC) in Yakima, Washington. The measurements were conducted by the USGS in cooperation with the U.S. Army Environmental Command. This data release contains PFM data...
Ground-based magnetic survey in the southwest corner of Yakima Training Center, Washington, 2025 Ground-based magnetic survey in the southwest corner of Yakima Training Center, Washington, 2025
A ground-based magnetic survey was conducted in the southwest corner of Yakima Training Center, Washington, in 2025. Magnetic surveys are passive, non-contact, surface geophysical methods that measure the total ambient magnetic field. The magnetic survey utilized a Geometrics G-864 cesium magnetometer. Survey lines were carried out to better understand the subsurface along a prominent...
Analyzing spatial distributions and alignments of pitted cone features in Utopia Planitia on Mars Analyzing spatial distributions and alignments of pitted cone features in Utopia Planitia on Mars
Martian geomorphology and surface features provide links to understanding past geologic processes such as fluid movement, local and regional tectonics, and feature formation mechanisms. Pitted cones are common features in the northern plains basins of Mars. They have been proposed to have formed from upwelling volatile-rich fluids, such as magma or water-sediment slurries. In this study...
Authors
Mackenzie M. Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Amanda N. Hughes, Ji-Eun Kim, Chris Okubo
A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region
A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen-1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate...
Authors
Mackenzie M Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Chris Okubo
Non-USGS Publications**
Mills, M.M. et al. (2023), Moonquake-triggered mass wasting processes on icy satellites, Icarus, 399, 115534, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115534
Mills, M.M. et al. (2024), A global dataset of pitted cones on Mars, Icarus, 418, 116145, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116145
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Darcy flux and PFAS mass flux in groundwater at Yakima Training Center, Washington Darcy flux and PFAS mass flux in groundwater at Yakima Training Center, Washington
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release contains Darcy flux and mass flux of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) data measured using passive flux meters (PFMs) in monitoring wells at the Yakima Training Center (YTC) in Yakima, Washington. The measurements were conducted by the USGS in cooperation with the U.S. Army Environmental Command. This data release contains PFM data...
Ground-based magnetic survey in the southwest corner of Yakima Training Center, Washington, 2025 Ground-based magnetic survey in the southwest corner of Yakima Training Center, Washington, 2025
A ground-based magnetic survey was conducted in the southwest corner of Yakima Training Center, Washington, in 2025. Magnetic surveys are passive, non-contact, surface geophysical methods that measure the total ambient magnetic field. The magnetic survey utilized a Geometrics G-864 cesium magnetometer. Survey lines were carried out to better understand the subsurface along a prominent...
Analyzing spatial distributions and alignments of pitted cone features in Utopia Planitia on Mars Analyzing spatial distributions and alignments of pitted cone features in Utopia Planitia on Mars
Martian geomorphology and surface features provide links to understanding past geologic processes such as fluid movement, local and regional tectonics, and feature formation mechanisms. Pitted cones are common features in the northern plains basins of Mars. They have been proposed to have formed from upwelling volatile-rich fluids, such as magma or water-sediment slurries. In this study...
Authors
Mackenzie M. Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Amanda N. Hughes, Ji-Eun Kim, Chris Okubo
A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region
A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen-1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate...
Authors
Mackenzie M Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Chris Okubo
Non-USGS Publications**
Mills, M.M. et al. (2023), Moonquake-triggered mass wasting processes on icy satellites, Icarus, 399, 115534, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115534
Mills, M.M. et al. (2024), A global dataset of pitted cones on Mars, Icarus, 418, 116145, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116145
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.