Paul Stone
Paul Stone is a Research Geologist in the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He received a Ph.D. in Geology from Stanford University. Since joining the USGS in 1984, he has studied the geology and tectonic evolution of the southwestern United States, especially in the Owens Valley, Death Valley, and Mojave Desert regions.
Paul Stone majored in Paleontology at U.C. Berkeley where he earned his A.B. and M.A. degrees. He later switched to Geology at Stanford where he earned his Ph.D. As a research geologist with the USGS, he has focused on developing a better understanding of the paleogeographic and paleotectonic evolution of the southwestern U.S., concentrating mainly on the Paleozoic and Mesozoic intervals of geologic time. His main goal has been to produce high-quality, multipurpose geologic maps and associated reports that clarify the geologic framework, interpret the geologic history, and provide a basis for future scientific studies.
Professional Experience
1984 - Present, Research Geologist, USGS, Menlo Park, CA, with temporary management positions in 1990-1994 (Reston, VA), 2002 (Menlo Park), and 2011-2012 (Menlo Park).
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geology, Stanford, 1985
M.A., Paleontology, U.C. Berkeley, 1977
A.B., Paleontology, U.C. Berkeley, 1969
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America, 1981 - Present
Pacific Section SEPM, 1993 - Present
San Jose State University
Northern Arizona University
California State University Northridge
Science and Products
Stratigraphy and paleogeographic significance of the Pennsylvanian-Permian Bird Spring Formation in the Ship Mountains, southeastern California
Publications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2006
Publications of the Western Earth Surfaces Processes Team 2005
Preliminary geologic map of the Black Mountain area northeast of Victorville, San Bernardino County, California
Database for the east half of "Preliminary Geologic Map of the Blythe 30' by 60' quadrangle, California and Arizona"
Preliminary integrated geologic map databases for the United States - Western states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah
Publications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2004
Interpretation of the Last Chance thrust, Death Valley region, California, as an Early Permian décollement in a previously undeformed shale basin
Publications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2003
Preliminary geologic map of the Santa Barbara coastal plain area, Santa Barbara County, California
Publications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2000
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 39
Stratigraphy and paleogeographic significance of the Pennsylvanian-Permian Bird Spring Formation in the Ship Mountains, southeastern California
A thick sequence of limestone, dolomite, and minor sandstone assigned to the Pennsylvanian and lower Permian Bird Spring Formation is exposed in the Ship Mountains about 85 kilometers (km) southwest of Needles, California, in the eastern Mojave Desert. These strata provide a valuable reference section of the Bird Spring Formation in a region where rocks of this age are not extensively exposed. ThiAuthorsPaul Stone, Calvin H. Stevens, Keith A. Howard, Thomas D. HoischPublications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2006
The Western Earth Surface Processes Team (WESPT) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts geologic mapping, earth-surface process investigations, and related topical earth science studies in the western United States. This work is focused on areas where modern geologic maps and associated earth-science data are needed to address key societal and environmental issues such as ground-water qualiAuthorsCharles L. Powell, Paul StonePublications of the Western Earth Surfaces Processes Team 2005
Introduction The Western Earth Surface Processes Team (WESPT) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts geologic mapping, earth-surface process investigations, and related topical earth science studies in the western United States. This work is focused on areas where modern geologic maps and associated earth-science data are needed to address key societal and environmental issues such as grAuthorsCharles Powell, Paul StonePreliminary geologic map of the Black Mountain area northeast of Victorville, San Bernardino County, California
The Black Mountain area is in the Mojave Desert about 20 km northeast of Victorville, California. The geology of this area is of interest primarily for its excellent exposures of the early Mesozoic Fairview Valley Formation, a sequence of weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks including a thick, commercially important unit of limestone conglomerate that has been mined for cement at Black MountainAuthorsPaul StoneDatabase for the east half of "Preliminary Geologic Map of the Blythe 30' by 60' quadrangle, California and Arizona"
This digital map database was prepared from the published Preliminary Geologic Map of the Blythe 30' by 60' Quadrangle, California and Arizona (U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-497). This database represents the east half of the original published map. The database contains exactly the same scientific content as the original map; no data have been added to, subtracted from, or modifiedAuthorsPaul StonePreliminary integrated geologic map databases for the United States - Western states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah
No abstract available.AuthorsSteve Ludington, Barry C. Moring, Robert J. Miller, Kathryn Flynn, Melanie J. Hopkins, Paul Stone, David R. Bedford, Gordon A. HaxelPublications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2004
No abstract available.AuthorsCharles Powell, Paul StoneInterpretation of the Last Chance thrust, Death Valley region, California, as an Early Permian décollement in a previously undeformed shale basin
The Last Chance thrust, discontinuously exposed over an area of at least 2500 km2 near the south end of the Cordilleran foreland thrust belt in the Death Valley region of east-central California, is controversial because of its poorly constrained age and its uncertain original geometry and extent. We interpret this thrust to be Early Permian in age, to extend throughout a sedimentary basin in whicAuthorsCalvin H. Stevens, Paul StonePublications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2003
No abstract available.AuthorsCharles L. Powell, Paul Stone, Russell W. GraymerPreliminary geologic map of the Santa Barbara coastal plain area, Santa Barbara County, California
This report presents a new geologic digital map of the Santa Barbara coastal plain area at a compilation scale of 1:24,000 (one inch on the map = 2,000 feet on the ground) and with a horizontal positional accuracy of at least 20 m. This preliminary map depicts the distribution of bedrock units and surficial deposits and associated deformation underlying and adjacent to the coastal plain within thAuthorsScott A. Minor, Karl S. Kellogg, Richard G. Stanley, Paul Stone, Charles L. Powell, Larry D. Gurrola, Amy J. Selting, Theodore R. BrandtPublications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team 2000
The Western Earth Surface Processes Team (WESP) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts geologic mapping and related topical earth science studies in the western United States. This work is focused on areas where modern geologic maps and associated earth-science data are needed to address key societal and environmental issues such as ground-water quality, potential geologic hazards, and landAuthorsCharles L. Powell, Paul Stone - Data
- Maps
- Multimedia
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government