Richard L Reynolds
I investigate how climatic variability, weather, and land uses affect surfaces and ecosystems of deserts, with emphasis on sediment eroded, transported, and deposited by wind, mostly as atmospheric dust.
My studies probe the geologic, biologic, and human controls on dust generation as well as the mineralogic and geochemical properties of dust that in turn affect climate, weather, ecosystem health, water resources (effects of dust on melting of snow and ice), ocean fertility, and the health of a large proportion of earth’s people. I have also conducted research on:
- Hawaiian coral-reef health in settings of coastal erosion
- Quaternary climate and responses of landscapes to climatic change and human activities
- Iron-sulfur diagenesis and its effects on lake-sediment paleoenvironmental records
- Magnetic and chemical records of airborne pollution and environmental change
- Paleomagnetism of Tertiary and Quaternary sedimentary and igneous rocks
- Sources of magnetic anomalies in the shallow crust
- Field geology, Antarctica (1970-1971; 1978-1979)
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, USGS (periodic supervisory positions) 1975-2012
Acting Program Manager, Global Change Program USGS 2002
Senior Scientist, USGS 2012-2013 Emeritus since 2013
Adjunct Research Professor, Univ. of Minnesota
Affiliate, Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research Univ. of Colorado
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Univ. of Colorado, 1975
M.S., Univ. of Colorado, 1970
A.B., Princeton University, 1968
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America; Fellow
American Geophysical Union. Assoc. Editor, Jour. Geophysical Res. 1992-1995
Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Assoc.
American Quaternary Assoc.
International Medical Geology Assoc.
International Society for Aeolian Research (guest editor, 2013-14; Board of Directors, 2014-2016)
Honors and Awards
2026 Distinguished Career Award, International Society for Aeolian Research
2012 Elected Senior Scientist, USGS
2012-2014 Distinguished Visiting Scholar, School of Geography and the Environment, Univ. of Oxford
2011 Astor Visiting Lecturer for the Humanities, Univ. of Oxford
2007 Co-recipient, Kirk Bryan Award; best publication in Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology, Geological Society of America
1995 Meritorious Service Award, Dept. of the Interior
1995 Best Paper Award, Jour. Great Lakes Res.
1994 Elected Fellow, Geological Society of America
1993 Visiting Fellow, Institute for Rock Magnetism, Univ. Minnesota
1992 Best Paper Award, Geophysics
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 179
Source of anomalous magnetization in an area of hydrocarbon potential: Petrologic evidence from the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming-Idaho thrust belt Source of anomalous magnetization in an area of hydrocarbon potential: Petrologic evidence from the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming-Idaho thrust belt
The Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, which crops out in the central part of the Wyoming-Idaho thrust belt on trend with a hydrocarbon-producing region to the south, has been previously identified as the source of anomalous magnetization in the area. Elsewhere, anomalous magnetization in sedimentary rocks near hydrocarbon accumulations has been attributed to hydrocarbon-engendered magnetic...
Authors
Neil S. Fishman, Richard L. Reynolds, Mark R. Hudson, Vito F. Nuccio
Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida County, New York — Part 1 (west) Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida County, New York — Part 1 (west)
No abstract available.
Authors
George D. Casey, Richard J. Reynolds
Synfolding magnetization in the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming- Idaho-Utah thrust belt Synfolding magnetization in the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming- Idaho-Utah thrust belt
The Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, exposed in five thrust plates of the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt, carries directions of remanent magnetization that group most tightly after only partial unfolding. Field, petrographic, and rock magnetic evidence indicates that the carrier of this magnetization is detrital, low-Ti titanomagnetite. The detrital titanomagnetite was remagnetized at low...
Authors
M.R. Hudson, R. L. Reynolds, N.S. Fishman
Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Rome area, Oneida County, New York Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Rome area, Oneida County, New York
No abstract available.
Authors
George D. Casey, Richard J. Reynolds
Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida and Herkimer Counties, New York — Part 2 (east) Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida and Herkimer Counties, New York — Part 2 (east)
No abstract available.
Authors
George D. Casey, Richard J. Reynolds
Sulfide mineralization and magnetization, Cement oil field, Oklahoma Sulfide mineralization and magnetization, Cement oil field, Oklahoma
Geochemical, petrographic, and rock-magnetic studies were undertaken to investigate possible sources for reported positive aeromagnetic anomalies over the Cement oil field, Oklahoma. Ferrimagnetic pyrrhotite (monoclinic, Fe7S8 ), intergrown with more-abundant, nonmagnetic pyrite (FeS2), is present in well-cutting, core, and quarry samples at Cement, and it is the only identified source...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Neil S. Fishman, Michael W. Webring, Richard B. Wanty, Martin B. Goldhaber
Hydrogeology of the Croton-Ossining area, Westchester County, New York Hydrogeology of the Croton-Ossining area, Westchester County, New York
The hydrogeology of a 29-sq-mi area surrounding the village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is summarized on 6 sheets at 1:12 ,000 scale that show locations of wells and test holes, surficial geology, geologic sections, bedrock geology, land use, and soil permeability. The primary stratified-drift aquifer in this area is the Croton River aquifer, which consists of outwash sand and gravel...
Authors
Richard J. Reynolds
Origin of coffinite in sedimentary rocks by a sequential adsorption-reduction mechanism. Origin of coffinite in sedimentary rocks by a sequential adsorption-reduction mechanism.
Coffinite is the dominant ore mineral in the V-U ores of the Tony-M mine in the Henry Mts mineral belt of the Colorado Plateau. This orebody was formed at a density-stratified solution interface between uranyl-ion-bearing meteoric water and a saline fluid which was locally reducing. The localization of U at this solution interface occurred by adsorption onto the surfaces of detrital...
Authors
Martin B. Goldhaber, B. S. Hemingway, A. Mohagheghi, R. L. Reynolds, H. R. Northrop
Hydrogeology of the Olean area, Cattaraugus County, New York Hydrogeology of the Olean area, Cattaraugus County, New York
Most principal aquifers in upstate New York are unconsolidated glacial and alluvial deposits within bedrock valleys. Groundwater in these aquifers can be under either water table (unconfined) or artesian (confined) conditions. Farms, industries, or towns and cities have been built upon many of these aquifers because they form level areas suitable for development and generally provide an...
Authors
Phillip J. Zarriello, Richard J. Reynolds
Paleomagnetic evidence for the timing of collapse and resurgence of the Lake City Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado Paleomagnetic evidence for the timing of collapse and resurgence of the Lake City Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Rocks of the 23.1‐m.y.‐old Lake City caldera consist of the compositionally zoned Sunshine Peak Tuff, postcollapse intracaldera lava flows, and resurgent quartz syenite intrusions. Declinations of reversely magnetized (I = −45° to −75°) Sunshine Peak Tuff change from easterly (D = 93°–130°) throughout most of the tuff to southerly (D = 195°–207°) within the late eruptive phases. The...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Mark R. Hudson, Ken Hon
Origin of the Mariano Lake uranium deposit, McKinley County, New Mexico Origin of the Mariano Lake uranium deposit, McKinley County, New Mexico
The Mariano Lake uranium deposit, hosted by the Brushy Basin Member of the Jurassic Morrison Formation, occurs in the Smith Lake district of the Grants uranium region, New Mexico. The orebody, contains abundant amorphous organic material, which suggests that it represents a primary-type deposit; however, the orebody is close to a regional reduction-oxidation interface, which suggests...
Authors
Neil S. Fishman, Richard L. Reynolds
Iron-titanium oxide minerals and magnetic susceptibility anomalies in the Mariano Lake-Lake Valley cores-Constraints on conditions of uranium mineralization in the Morrison Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico Iron-titanium oxide minerals and magnetic susceptibility anomalies in the Mariano Lake-Lake Valley cores-Constraints on conditions of uranium mineralization in the Morrison Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico
Petrographic study of the Mariano Lake-Lake Valley cores reveals three distinct zones of postdepositional alteration of detrital Fe-Ti (iron-titanium) oxide minerals in the Westwater Canyon Member of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation. In the uranium-bearing and adjacent portions of the Westwater Canyon, these detrital Fe-Ti oxide minerals have been thoroughly altered by leaching of...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Neil S. Fishman, James H. Scott, Mark R. Hudson
Non-USGS Publications**
Larson, E.E., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Major element petrochemistry of some extrusive rocks from the volcanically active Mariana Islands: Bulletin Volcanologique, v. 39, p. 361-377.
Larson, E.E., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanics of Guam and the curvature of the southern Mariana Island Arc: Geological Society America Bulletin, v. 86, p. 346‑350.
Levi, S., Merrill, R.T., Larson, E.E., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Paleosecular variation of lavas from the Marianas in the Western Pacific Ocean: Journal Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity, v. 27, p. 57-66.
Rowley, P.D., Williams, P.L., Schmidt, D.L., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Copper mineralization along the Lassiter Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula: Economic Geology, v. 70, p. 982‑992.
**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
Filter Total Items: 179
Source of anomalous magnetization in an area of hydrocarbon potential: Petrologic evidence from the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming-Idaho thrust belt Source of anomalous magnetization in an area of hydrocarbon potential: Petrologic evidence from the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming-Idaho thrust belt
The Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, which crops out in the central part of the Wyoming-Idaho thrust belt on trend with a hydrocarbon-producing region to the south, has been previously identified as the source of anomalous magnetization in the area. Elsewhere, anomalous magnetization in sedimentary rocks near hydrocarbon accumulations has been attributed to hydrocarbon-engendered magnetic...
Authors
Neil S. Fishman, Richard L. Reynolds, Mark R. Hudson, Vito F. Nuccio
Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida County, New York — Part 1 (west) Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida County, New York — Part 1 (west)
No abstract available.
Authors
George D. Casey, Richard J. Reynolds
Synfolding magnetization in the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming- Idaho-Utah thrust belt Synfolding magnetization in the Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, Wyoming- Idaho-Utah thrust belt
The Jurassic Preuss Sandstone, exposed in five thrust plates of the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt, carries directions of remanent magnetization that group most tightly after only partial unfolding. Field, petrographic, and rock magnetic evidence indicates that the carrier of this magnetization is detrital, low-Ti titanomagnetite. The detrital titanomagnetite was remagnetized at low...
Authors
M.R. Hudson, R. L. Reynolds, N.S. Fishman
Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Rome area, Oneida County, New York Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Rome area, Oneida County, New York
No abstract available.
Authors
George D. Casey, Richard J. Reynolds
Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida and Herkimer Counties, New York — Part 2 (east) Hydrogeology of the stratified-drift aquifers in the Utica area, Oneida and Herkimer Counties, New York — Part 2 (east)
No abstract available.
Authors
George D. Casey, Richard J. Reynolds
Sulfide mineralization and magnetization, Cement oil field, Oklahoma Sulfide mineralization and magnetization, Cement oil field, Oklahoma
Geochemical, petrographic, and rock-magnetic studies were undertaken to investigate possible sources for reported positive aeromagnetic anomalies over the Cement oil field, Oklahoma. Ferrimagnetic pyrrhotite (monoclinic, Fe7S8 ), intergrown with more-abundant, nonmagnetic pyrite (FeS2), is present in well-cutting, core, and quarry samples at Cement, and it is the only identified source...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Neil S. Fishman, Michael W. Webring, Richard B. Wanty, Martin B. Goldhaber
Hydrogeology of the Croton-Ossining area, Westchester County, New York Hydrogeology of the Croton-Ossining area, Westchester County, New York
The hydrogeology of a 29-sq-mi area surrounding the village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is summarized on 6 sheets at 1:12 ,000 scale that show locations of wells and test holes, surficial geology, geologic sections, bedrock geology, land use, and soil permeability. The primary stratified-drift aquifer in this area is the Croton River aquifer, which consists of outwash sand and gravel...
Authors
Richard J. Reynolds
Origin of coffinite in sedimentary rocks by a sequential adsorption-reduction mechanism. Origin of coffinite in sedimentary rocks by a sequential adsorption-reduction mechanism.
Coffinite is the dominant ore mineral in the V-U ores of the Tony-M mine in the Henry Mts mineral belt of the Colorado Plateau. This orebody was formed at a density-stratified solution interface between uranyl-ion-bearing meteoric water and a saline fluid which was locally reducing. The localization of U at this solution interface occurred by adsorption onto the surfaces of detrital...
Authors
Martin B. Goldhaber, B. S. Hemingway, A. Mohagheghi, R. L. Reynolds, H. R. Northrop
Hydrogeology of the Olean area, Cattaraugus County, New York Hydrogeology of the Olean area, Cattaraugus County, New York
Most principal aquifers in upstate New York are unconsolidated glacial and alluvial deposits within bedrock valleys. Groundwater in these aquifers can be under either water table (unconfined) or artesian (confined) conditions. Farms, industries, or towns and cities have been built upon many of these aquifers because they form level areas suitable for development and generally provide an...
Authors
Phillip J. Zarriello, Richard J. Reynolds
Paleomagnetic evidence for the timing of collapse and resurgence of the Lake City Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado Paleomagnetic evidence for the timing of collapse and resurgence of the Lake City Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Rocks of the 23.1‐m.y.‐old Lake City caldera consist of the compositionally zoned Sunshine Peak Tuff, postcollapse intracaldera lava flows, and resurgent quartz syenite intrusions. Declinations of reversely magnetized (I = −45° to −75°) Sunshine Peak Tuff change from easterly (D = 93°–130°) throughout most of the tuff to southerly (D = 195°–207°) within the late eruptive phases. The...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Mark R. Hudson, Ken Hon
Origin of the Mariano Lake uranium deposit, McKinley County, New Mexico Origin of the Mariano Lake uranium deposit, McKinley County, New Mexico
The Mariano Lake uranium deposit, hosted by the Brushy Basin Member of the Jurassic Morrison Formation, occurs in the Smith Lake district of the Grants uranium region, New Mexico. The orebody, contains abundant amorphous organic material, which suggests that it represents a primary-type deposit; however, the orebody is close to a regional reduction-oxidation interface, which suggests...
Authors
Neil S. Fishman, Richard L. Reynolds
Iron-titanium oxide minerals and magnetic susceptibility anomalies in the Mariano Lake-Lake Valley cores-Constraints on conditions of uranium mineralization in the Morrison Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico Iron-titanium oxide minerals and magnetic susceptibility anomalies in the Mariano Lake-Lake Valley cores-Constraints on conditions of uranium mineralization in the Morrison Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico
Petrographic study of the Mariano Lake-Lake Valley cores reveals three distinct zones of postdepositional alteration of detrital Fe-Ti (iron-titanium) oxide minerals in the Westwater Canyon Member of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation. In the uranium-bearing and adjacent portions of the Westwater Canyon, these detrital Fe-Ti oxide minerals have been thoroughly altered by leaching of...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Neil S. Fishman, James H. Scott, Mark R. Hudson
Non-USGS Publications**
Larson, E.E., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Major element petrochemistry of some extrusive rocks from the volcanically active Mariana Islands: Bulletin Volcanologique, v. 39, p. 361-377.
Larson, E.E., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanics of Guam and the curvature of the southern Mariana Island Arc: Geological Society America Bulletin, v. 86, p. 346‑350.
Levi, S., Merrill, R.T., Larson, E.E., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Paleosecular variation of lavas from the Marianas in the Western Pacific Ocean: Journal Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity, v. 27, p. 57-66.
Rowley, P.D., Williams, P.L., Schmidt, D.L., Reynolds, R.L., and others, 1975, Copper mineralization along the Lassiter Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula: Economic Geology, v. 70, p. 982‑992.
**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.
*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