Peter M Valley, Ph.D.
I am a research geologist and project leader at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center in Reston, VA. My work is focused on bedrock geologic mapping in polydeformed metamorphic and igneous terranes to address questions related to critical mineral resources.
Current Research
As a research geologist I conduct geologic mapping and research in New England and the northeastern United States. My research is focused on 1) the metamorphic, igneous, and tectonic history of the New England Appalachians, 2) geochronologic and geochemical evolution of orogenic events, and 3) critical mineral resources associated with orogenic events. In addition to mapping, I use whole rock and mineral geochemistry, uranium-lead geochronology, and igneous and metamorphic petrology to better understand complex terranes. Maps are produced in GIS.
I am the project leader for the USGS bedrock mapping project in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) of western Maine and New Hampshire. This area of western Maine is known for lithium and beryllium-bearing pegmatite bodies. Prior to the WMNF project I was mapping in the eastern Adirondack Mountains of New York. This area was the main source of iron in the United States for nearly 150 years. Associated with these magnetite ores is rare earth element-rich apatite. When the mines were active, the apatite was left in large tailings. These tailings piles are now a potential source for light rare earth elements.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (Current)
Visiting Assistant Professor, State University of New York at Potsdam (2016–2017)
Sedimentologist/Petrologist, Weatherford Labs (2013-2016)
Field Geologist/Mapping, U.S. Geological Survey (2011-2013)
Field Geologist/Mapping, Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador (2009-2011)
Research Scientist/Lab Manager, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2004)
Adjunct Professor, Laramie County Community College (2003)
Research Technician, University of Wyoming (2001-2003)
Research Assistant, State University of New York at Buffalo (1999)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Geology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2011
M.S. Geology, University of Minnesota, 2001
B.S. Geology, Castelton State College, 1999
National Freshman Honors Society (1995)
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Geological Association of Canada
Geological Society of America
Mineralogical Society of America
Honors and Awards
Distinction Award, PhD comprehensive exam (2005)
Summer Field Grant, University of Minnesota (2000)
Summa Cum Laude, Castleton State College (1999)
Presidential Scholarship Award, Castleton State College (1999)
Science Department Achievement Award, Castleton State College (1998)
Science and Products
Bedrock geologic map of the Springfield 7.5- x 15-minute quadrangle, Windsor County, Vermont, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Bedrock geologic map of the Mount Ascutney 7.5- x 15-minute quadrangle, Windsor County, Vermont, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Unmixing multiple metamorphic muscovite age populations with powder X-ray diffraction and 40Ar/39Ar analysis
A transect through Vermont's most famous volcano - Mount Ascutney
Geochronology of the Oliverian Plutonic Suite and the Ammonoosuc Volcanics in the Bronson Hill arc: Western New Hampshire, USA
Reaction softening by dissolution–precipitation creep in a retrograde greenschist facies ductile shear zone, New Hampshire, USA
A transect through the base of the Bronson Hill Terrane in western New Hampshire
Driving mechanisms for >40 km of exhumation during contraction and extension in a continental arc, Cascades core, Washington
Science and Products
Bedrock geologic map of the Springfield 7.5- x 15-minute quadrangle, Windsor County, Vermont, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Bedrock geologic map of the Mount Ascutney 7.5- x 15-minute quadrangle, Windsor County, Vermont, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Unmixing multiple metamorphic muscovite age populations with powder X-ray diffraction and 40Ar/39Ar analysis
A transect through Vermont's most famous volcano - Mount Ascutney
Geochronology of the Oliverian Plutonic Suite and the Ammonoosuc Volcanics in the Bronson Hill arc: Western New Hampshire, USA
Reaction softening by dissolution–precipitation creep in a retrograde greenschist facies ductile shear zone, New Hampshire, USA
A transect through the base of the Bronson Hill Terrane in western New Hampshire
Driving mechanisms for >40 km of exhumation during contraction and extension in a continental arc, Cascades core, Washington
*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