Paul A Bedrosian
Biography
Paul is an expert in the development and application of electromagnetic geophysical methods to framework tectonics, resource assessment, natural hazards and fundamental Earth processes. His work has investigated seismic variability along the San Andreas Fault, tectonics of the Pacific Northwest and Upper Midwest, and the structure of Mount St. Helens. His current research is on regional-scale mineral-resource investigations, the magmatic/hydrothermal systems of active volcanoes and the importance of solid-earth conductivity to space-weather hazards.
Education
- Ph.D. Physics, University of Washington, 2002
- M.S. Physics, University of Washington, 1998
- B.S. Physics, University Of Minnesota, 1996
- B.S. Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 1996
Professional Experience
- 2008-present, Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
- 2005-2007, Mendenhall Fellow, U.S Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
- 2002-2004, Humboldt Fellow, GeoForschungsZentrum, Potsdam Germany
- 1998-2002, Research Assistant, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Research Interests
- Structure and evolution of active and fossil tectonic margins
- Geophysical imaging of hydrothermal and magmatic systems
- Joint interpretation of coincident geophysical data sets
- Advanced processing and modeling techniques for imaging earth structure
Affiliations
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2010-present, Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (faculty)
Professional Societies
- American Geophysical Union
- Geological Society of America
Academic and Professional Service
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2018-present, Earth, Planets and Space Journal (editor)
Science and Products
Segmentation of plate coupling, fate of subduction fluids, and modes of arc magmatism in Cascadia, inferred from magnetotelluric resistivity
Five magnetotelluric (MT) profiles have been acquired across the Cascadia subduction system and transformed using 2-D and 3-D nonlinear inversion to yield electrical resistivity cross sections to depths of ∼200 km. Distinct changes in plate coupling, subduction fluid evolution, and modes of arc magmatism along the length of Cascadia are clearly...
Wannamaker, Philip E.; Evans, Rob L.; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Unsworth, Martyn J.; Maris, Virginie; McGary, R. ShaneIntegrated geophysical imaging of a concealed mineral deposit: a case study of the world-class Pebble porphyry deposit in southwestern Alaska
We combined aeromagnetic, induced polarization, magnetotelluric, and gravity surveys as well as drillhole geologic, alteration, magnetic susceptibility, and density data for exploration and characterization of the Cu-Au-Mo Pebble porphyry deposit. This undeveloped deposit is almost completely concealed by postmineralization sedimentary and...
Shah, Anjana K.; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Anderson, Eric D.; Kelley, Karen D.; Lang, JamesAdvancements in understanding the aeromagnetic expressions of basin-margin faults—An example from San Luis Basin, Colorado
Advancements in aeromagnetic acquisition technology over the past few decades have led to greater resolution of shallow geologic sources with low magnetization, such as intrasedimentary faults and paleochannels. Detection and mapping of intrasedimentary faults in particular can be important for understanding the overall structural setting of an...
Grauch, V. J.; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Drenth, Benjamin J.Geological analysis of aeromagnetic data from southwestern Alaska: Implications for exploration in the area of the Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit
Aeromagnetic data are used to better understand the geology and mineral resources near the Late Cretaceous Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit in southwestern Alaska. The reduced-to-pole (RTP) transformation of regional-scale aeromagnetic data shows that the Pebble deposit is within a cluster of magnetic anomaly highs. Similar to Pebble, the Iliamna...
Anderson, Eric D.; Hitzman, Murray W.; Monecke, Thomas; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Shah, Anjana K.; Kelley, Karen D.Faulting and groundwater in a desert environment: constraining hydrogeology using time-domain electromagnetic data
Within the south-western Mojave Desert, the Joshua Basin Water District is considering applying imported water into infiltration ponds in the Joshua Tree groundwater sub-basin in an attempt to artificially recharge the underlying aquifer. Scarce subsurface hydrogeological data are available near the proposed recharge site; therefore, time-domain...
Bedrosian, Paul A.; Burgess, Matthew K.; Nishikawa, TracyHelicopter electromagnetic data map ice thickness at Mount Adams and Mount Baker, Washington, USA
Ice-thickness measurements critical for flood and mudflow hazard studies are very sparse on Cascade Range (North America) volcanoes. Helicopter electromagnetic (HEM) data collected to detect hydrothermal alteration are used to determine ice thickness over portions of Mount Baker and Mount Adams volcanoes. A laterally continuous inversion method...
Finn, Carol A.; Deszcz-Pan, Maria; Bedrosian, Paul A.Hydrostratigraphic interpretation of test-hole and surface geophysical data, Elkhorn and Loup River Basins, Nebraska, 2008 to 2011
The Elkhorn-Loup Model (ELM) was begun in 2006 to understand the effect of various groundwater-management scenarios on surface-water resources. During phase one of the ELM study, a lack of subsurface geological information was identified as a data gap. Test holes drilled to the base of the aquifer in the ELM study area are spaced as much as 25...
Hobza, Christopher M.; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Bloss, Benjamin R.Airborne electromagnetic mapping of the base of aquifer in areas of western Nebraska
Airborne geophysical surveys of selected areas of the North and South Platte River valleys of Nebraska, including Lodgepole Creek valley, collected data to map aquifers and bedrock topography and thus improve the understanding of groundwater - surface-water relationships to be used in water-management decisions. Frequency-domain helicopter...
Abraham, Jared D.; Cannia, James C.; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Johnson, Michaela R.; Ball, Lyndsay B.; Sibray, Steven S.Evaluation of geophysical techniques for the detection of paleochannels in the Oakland area of eastern Nebraska as part of the Eastern Nebraska Water Resource Assessment
Over the winter and spring of 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a general assessment of the capabilities of several geophysical tools to delineate buried paleochannel aquifers in the glacial terrain of eastern Nebraska. Mapping these paleochannels is an important objective for the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment group....
Abraham, Jared D.; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Asch, Theodore H.; Ball, Lyndsay B.; Cannia, James C.; Phillips, Jeffery D.; Lackey, SusanGeophysical investigations of geology and structure at the Martis Creek Dam, Truckee, California
A recent evaluation of Martis Creek Dam highlighted the potential for dam failure due to either seepage or an earthquake on nearby faults. In 1972, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed this earthen dam, located within the Truckee Basin to the north of Lake Tahoe, CA for water storage and flood control. Past attempts to raise the level of...
Bedrosian, P.A.; Burton, B.L.; Powers, M.H.; Minsley, B.J.; Phillips, J.D.; Hunter, L.E.Hydrostratigraphic interpretation of test-hole and geophysical data, Upper Loup River Basin, Nebraska, 2008-10
Nebraska's Upper Loup Natural Resources District is currently (2011) participating in the Elkhorn-Loup Model to understand the effect of various groundwater-management scenarios on surface-water resources. During Phase 1 of the Elkhorn-Loup Model, a lack of subsurface geological information in the Upper Loup Natural Resources District, hereafter...
Hobza, Christopher M.; Asch, Theodore H.; Bedrosian, Paul A.Geophysical and geochemical data from the area of the Pebble Cu-Au-Mo porphyry deposit, southwestern Alaska: Contributions to assessment techniques for concealed mineral resources
In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey began a multidisciplinary study in southwest Alaska to investigate the setting and detectability of mineral deposits in concealed volcanic and glacial terranes. The study area hosts the world-class Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit, and through collaboration with the Pebble Limited Partnership, a range of...
Anderson, E.D.; Smith, S.M.; Giles, S.A.; Granitto, Matthew; Eppinger, R.G.; Bedrosian, P.A.; Shah, A.K.; Kelley, K.D.; Fey, D.L.; Minsley, B.J.; Brown, P.J.