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
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
Meritorious Service Award, Dept. of the Interior (1995)
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: 170
Sediment magnetic, paleomagnetic, and geochemical data from Quaternary lacustrine sediment in a core from Grass Lake, Siskiyou County, California Sediment magnetic, paleomagnetic, and geochemical data from Quaternary lacustrine sediment in a core from Grass Lake, Siskiyou County, California
Sediment magnetic and geochemical results have been obtained from the top 60 meters of lacustrine sediments recovered in two cores from Tule Lake in northern California. The sediment magnetic and geochemical data, presented here in tabular form, complement studies of diatoms and pollen in the cores that are the bases for published paleoclimatic interpretations. This report also documents...
Authors
Patti J. Best, Richard L. Reynolds, Joseph G. Rosenbaum, John W. Drexler, David P. Adam
Environmental magnetic implications of greigite (Fe3S4) formation in a 3 m.y. lake sediment record from Butte Valley, northern California Andrew Environmental magnetic implications of greigite (Fe3S4) formation in a 3 m.y. lake sediment record from Butte Valley, northern California Andrew
Authigenic greigite (Fe3S4) has been identified in several horizons of lake beds in a 102-m core from Butte Valley, northern California, using mineral magnetic methods and x-ray diffraction analysis. The presence of greigite has several implications for the paleoenvironmental record from Butte Valley. First, its occurrence in 2.5–3.0 Ma strata confirms that greigite can persist in the...
Authors
P. Roberts, R. L. Reynolds, K.L. Verosub, D.P. Adam
Magnetic records of climate change Magnetic records of climate change
Sediments deposited on the sea floor, on lake bottoms, as well as on land as accumulations of windblown silt (loess) and as ancient soils (paleosols) formed in the loess possess many different properties that record past changes in climate. Geologically recoverable information on paleoclimate includes changes in global temperature as it may affect global ice volume and thus temperature...
Authors
R. L. Reynolds, J.W. King
Magnetization and geochemistry of greigite-bearing Cretaceous strata, North Slope basin, Alaska Magnetization and geochemistry of greigite-bearing Cretaceous strata, North Slope basin, Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Michele L. Tuttle, Cynthia A. Rice, Neil S. Fishman, John A. Karachewski, David M. Sherman
Lake Michigan's late Quaternary limnological and climate history from ostracode, oxygen isotope, and magnetic susceptibility Lake Michigan's late Quaternary limnological and climate history from ostracode, oxygen isotope, and magnetic susceptibility
The limnology of Lake Michigan has changed dramatically since the late Pleistocene in response to the expansion and contraction of continental glaciers, to differential isostatic rebound, and to climate change. The lake sediment's stratigraphic trends, magnetic susceptibility, δ18O, and ostracode species abundance ratios provide criteria to identify the lake's response to glacial ice and...
Authors
Richard M. Forester, Steven M. Colman, Richard L. Reynolds, Loyd D. Keigwin
Lake-level history of Lake Michigan for the past 12,000 years: the record from deep lacustrine sediments Lake-level history of Lake Michigan for the past 12,000 years: the record from deep lacustrine sediments
Collection and analysis of an extensive set of seismic-reflection profiles and cores from southern Lake Michigan have provided new data that document the history of the lake basin for the past 12,000 years. Analyses of the seismic data, together with radiocarbon dating, magnetic, sedimentologic, isotopic, and paleontologic studies of core samples, have allowed us to reconstruct lake...
Authors
Steven M. Colman, Richard M. Forester, Richard L. Reynolds, Donald S. Sweetkind, John W. King, Paul Gangemi, Glenn A. Jones, Loyd D. Keigwin, David S. Foster
Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the magnetization of the Oligocene Carpenter Ridge Tuff, Bachelor Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the magnetization of the Oligocene Carpenter Ridge Tuff, Bachelor Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Intracaldera Oligocene Carpenter Ridge Tuff fills the Bachelor caldera in the central San Juan caldera complex and hosts mineral deposits of the Creede mineral district. The Carpenter Ridge Tuff and unaltered portions of its intracaldera Bachelor Mountain Member, have strong, high‐coercivity, reverse magnetizations with average magnetic susceptibility (MS) and natural remanent...
Authors
Donald S. Sweetkind, Richard L. Reynolds, David A. Sawyer, Joseph G. Rosenbaum
Sulfidization and magnetization above hydrocarbon reservoirs Sulfidization and magnetization above hydrocarbon reservoirs
Post-depositional iron-sulfide (Fe-S) minerals that are related to hydrocarbon seepage have changed the original magnetizations at Cement oil field (Anadarko basin, Oklahoma), at Simpson oil field (North Slope basin, Alaska), and above deep Cretaceous oil and gas reservoirs, south Texas coastal plain. At Cement, ferrimagnetic pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) formed with pyrite and marcasite in Permian...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Martin B. Goldhaber, Michele L. Tuttle
Role of chemical change in the paleomagnetic record Role of chemical change in the paleomagnetic record
To produce an outline of how either to isolate or capitalize on changes in magnetic properties resulting from chemical changes, the workshop, “Effects of Chemical Changes on Magnetization,” was held in Santa Fe, N. Mex. from August 13 to 16. It was sponsored by the Institute for Rock Magnetism (IRM) in Minneapolis, Minn., and funded by the National Science Foundation. Graduate students...
Authors
S. Banerjee, Richard L. Reynolds
Crustal structure interpreted from magnetic anomalies Crustal structure interpreted from magnetic anomalies
In this review, we discuss publications during the last quadrennium (1987–1990) that used aeromagnetic data, marine magnetic data, satellite magnetic data, and rock magnetic and petrologic data to provide information on the sources of magnetic anomalies. Abstracts and papers by non‐U.S. authors are not described. The publications reviewed reflect increased integration of rock magnetic...
Authors
Jeffrey Phillips, Richard J. Reynolds, Herbert Frey
Relations among hydrocarbon reservoirs, epigenetic sulfidization, and rock magnetization; Examples from the South Texas coastal plain Relations among hydrocarbon reservoirs, epigenetic sulfidization, and rock magnetization; Examples from the South Texas coastal plain
This paper focuses on the association between concentrations of iron disulfide (FeS 2 ) minerals in the shallow subsurface and underlying hydrocarbon accumulations. Such FeS 2 concentrations are the result of migration of either H 2 S or organic constituents from the underlying hydrocarbons. The H 2 S from reservoirs is produced inorganically from sulfate in the reservoir rocks at high...
Authors
Martin B. Goldhaber, Richard L. Reynolds
Sources of aeromagnetic anomalies over Cement oil field (Oklahoma), Simpson oil field (Alaska), and the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt Sources of aeromagnetic anomalies over Cement oil field (Oklahoma), Simpson oil field (Alaska), and the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt
Geochemical and rock magnetic studies, undertaken to determine the causes of magnetic anomalies over Cement oil field (Anadarko basin, Oklahoma), Simpson oil field (North Slope basin, Alaska), and the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt, have revealed different magnetic sources developed under different sedimentologic, geochemical, and structural settings.At Cement, ferrimagnetic pyrrhotite...
Authors
R. L. Reynolds, N.S. Fishman, M.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: 170
Sediment magnetic, paleomagnetic, and geochemical data from Quaternary lacustrine sediment in a core from Grass Lake, Siskiyou County, California Sediment magnetic, paleomagnetic, and geochemical data from Quaternary lacustrine sediment in a core from Grass Lake, Siskiyou County, California
Sediment magnetic and geochemical results have been obtained from the top 60 meters of lacustrine sediments recovered in two cores from Tule Lake in northern California. The sediment magnetic and geochemical data, presented here in tabular form, complement studies of diatoms and pollen in the cores that are the bases for published paleoclimatic interpretations. This report also documents...
Authors
Patti J. Best, Richard L. Reynolds, Joseph G. Rosenbaum, John W. Drexler, David P. Adam
Environmental magnetic implications of greigite (Fe3S4) formation in a 3 m.y. lake sediment record from Butte Valley, northern California Andrew Environmental magnetic implications of greigite (Fe3S4) formation in a 3 m.y. lake sediment record from Butte Valley, northern California Andrew
Authigenic greigite (Fe3S4) has been identified in several horizons of lake beds in a 102-m core from Butte Valley, northern California, using mineral magnetic methods and x-ray diffraction analysis. The presence of greigite has several implications for the paleoenvironmental record from Butte Valley. First, its occurrence in 2.5–3.0 Ma strata confirms that greigite can persist in the...
Authors
P. Roberts, R. L. Reynolds, K.L. Verosub, D.P. Adam
Magnetic records of climate change Magnetic records of climate change
Sediments deposited on the sea floor, on lake bottoms, as well as on land as accumulations of windblown silt (loess) and as ancient soils (paleosols) formed in the loess possess many different properties that record past changes in climate. Geologically recoverable information on paleoclimate includes changes in global temperature as it may affect global ice volume and thus temperature...
Authors
R. L. Reynolds, J.W. King
Magnetization and geochemistry of greigite-bearing Cretaceous strata, North Slope basin, Alaska Magnetization and geochemistry of greigite-bearing Cretaceous strata, North Slope basin, Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Michele L. Tuttle, Cynthia A. Rice, Neil S. Fishman, John A. Karachewski, David M. Sherman
Lake Michigan's late Quaternary limnological and climate history from ostracode, oxygen isotope, and magnetic susceptibility Lake Michigan's late Quaternary limnological and climate history from ostracode, oxygen isotope, and magnetic susceptibility
The limnology of Lake Michigan has changed dramatically since the late Pleistocene in response to the expansion and contraction of continental glaciers, to differential isostatic rebound, and to climate change. The lake sediment's stratigraphic trends, magnetic susceptibility, δ18O, and ostracode species abundance ratios provide criteria to identify the lake's response to glacial ice and...
Authors
Richard M. Forester, Steven M. Colman, Richard L. Reynolds, Loyd D. Keigwin
Lake-level history of Lake Michigan for the past 12,000 years: the record from deep lacustrine sediments Lake-level history of Lake Michigan for the past 12,000 years: the record from deep lacustrine sediments
Collection and analysis of an extensive set of seismic-reflection profiles and cores from southern Lake Michigan have provided new data that document the history of the lake basin for the past 12,000 years. Analyses of the seismic data, together with radiocarbon dating, magnetic, sedimentologic, isotopic, and paleontologic studies of core samples, have allowed us to reconstruct lake...
Authors
Steven M. Colman, Richard M. Forester, Richard L. Reynolds, Donald S. Sweetkind, John W. King, Paul Gangemi, Glenn A. Jones, Loyd D. Keigwin, David S. Foster
Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the magnetization of the Oligocene Carpenter Ridge Tuff, Bachelor Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the magnetization of the Oligocene Carpenter Ridge Tuff, Bachelor Caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Intracaldera Oligocene Carpenter Ridge Tuff fills the Bachelor caldera in the central San Juan caldera complex and hosts mineral deposits of the Creede mineral district. The Carpenter Ridge Tuff and unaltered portions of its intracaldera Bachelor Mountain Member, have strong, high‐coercivity, reverse magnetizations with average magnetic susceptibility (MS) and natural remanent...
Authors
Donald S. Sweetkind, Richard L. Reynolds, David A. Sawyer, Joseph G. Rosenbaum
Sulfidization and magnetization above hydrocarbon reservoirs Sulfidization and magnetization above hydrocarbon reservoirs
Post-depositional iron-sulfide (Fe-S) minerals that are related to hydrocarbon seepage have changed the original magnetizations at Cement oil field (Anadarko basin, Oklahoma), at Simpson oil field (North Slope basin, Alaska), and above deep Cretaceous oil and gas reservoirs, south Texas coastal plain. At Cement, ferrimagnetic pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) formed with pyrite and marcasite in Permian...
Authors
Richard L. Reynolds, Martin B. Goldhaber, Michele L. Tuttle
Role of chemical change in the paleomagnetic record Role of chemical change in the paleomagnetic record
To produce an outline of how either to isolate or capitalize on changes in magnetic properties resulting from chemical changes, the workshop, “Effects of Chemical Changes on Magnetization,” was held in Santa Fe, N. Mex. from August 13 to 16. It was sponsored by the Institute for Rock Magnetism (IRM) in Minneapolis, Minn., and funded by the National Science Foundation. Graduate students...
Authors
S. Banerjee, Richard L. Reynolds
Crustal structure interpreted from magnetic anomalies Crustal structure interpreted from magnetic anomalies
In this review, we discuss publications during the last quadrennium (1987–1990) that used aeromagnetic data, marine magnetic data, satellite magnetic data, and rock magnetic and petrologic data to provide information on the sources of magnetic anomalies. Abstracts and papers by non‐U.S. authors are not described. The publications reviewed reflect increased integration of rock magnetic...
Authors
Jeffrey Phillips, Richard J. Reynolds, Herbert Frey
Relations among hydrocarbon reservoirs, epigenetic sulfidization, and rock magnetization; Examples from the South Texas coastal plain Relations among hydrocarbon reservoirs, epigenetic sulfidization, and rock magnetization; Examples from the South Texas coastal plain
This paper focuses on the association between concentrations of iron disulfide (FeS 2 ) minerals in the shallow subsurface and underlying hydrocarbon accumulations. Such FeS 2 concentrations are the result of migration of either H 2 S or organic constituents from the underlying hydrocarbons. The H 2 S from reservoirs is produced inorganically from sulfate in the reservoir rocks at high...
Authors
Martin B. Goldhaber, Richard L. Reynolds
Sources of aeromagnetic anomalies over Cement oil field (Oklahoma), Simpson oil field (Alaska), and the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt Sources of aeromagnetic anomalies over Cement oil field (Oklahoma), Simpson oil field (Alaska), and the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt
Geochemical and rock magnetic studies, undertaken to determine the causes of magnetic anomalies over Cement oil field (Anadarko basin, Oklahoma), Simpson oil field (North Slope basin, Alaska), and the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt, have revealed different magnetic sources developed under different sedimentologic, geochemical, and structural settings.At Cement, ferrimagnetic pyrrhotite...
Authors
R. L. Reynolds, N.S. Fishman, M.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