Robert Wardwell
Robert Wardwell is Geologist for the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center stationed at the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) in Vancouver, WA.
Biography
Rob is a member of the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) project with experience in computer programming, database management, Web application development, and GIS. He is currently focused on developing and maintaining NGMDB Web sites, and processing thousands of digital geologic map images for integration into the NGMDB Map Catalog and MapView products.
In addition to his work with the NGMDB, Rob has teamed up with members of the Volcano Hazards Program to work on software projects related to field work reporting, digital image management, real-time data analysis and visualization, and predicted ash plume mapping.
Skills
- 7+ years of Web development work on both Linux and Windows OS using Apache, MySQL, Oracle, HTML / XHTML , CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, Perl / Perl DBIx, PHP / PEAR, Zope / Plone, XML, SVG, LizardTech Express Server, and MapServer.
- Relational Database design and administration using Oracle, Access, MySQL, and SQLite. Expertise in writing SQL statements and scripts to retrieve and analyze data.
- Digital Imagery processing and data management experience using Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat, ImageMagick, Ghostscript, Python Imaging Library (PIL), and MrSid GeoExpress.
- 5+ years of GIS experience using ArcGIS with ArcInfo, Spatial and 3D Analyst, and Arc Geo-database to create and analyze geologic data.
- Leverages programming skills in Python, Perl, PHP, and Visual Basic to automate processes, create scripts and batch jobs, and interact with relational databases.
- Knowledgeable in the principles of Geology, Geologic mapping, and USGS mapping products.
- Provides excellent documentation on all aspects of work.
- Team player who values sharing ideas, learning from others, creative thinking, and problem solving.
Experience
Geologist Vancouver, WA - June 2003 to Present
US Geological Survey Reston, VA - April 2002 to June 2003
- Responsible for designing, populating, and maintaining a growing collection of over 25,000 full-sized, high resolution, digital geologic map images for the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) project.
- Administers NGMDB project databases and 508 compliant Web sites. Oversees all scanning and file processing efforts for digital imagery. Designed internal Web interfaces and scripts to facilitate data management and project workflow.
- Makes critical hardware and software decisions related to project Web servers, database servers, and RAID storage arrays for hosting, organizing, and disseminating over 10 TB of compressed and uncompressed image data.
- Works with scientists from the USGS and State Geological Surveys to ensure a positive working relationship and high level of data quality for the NGMDB.
GIS Technician June 2001 to April 2002
US Geological Survey – Energy Resources Program
- Worked with a Web development team to prepare GIS data sets for Web publication. Duties included creating spatial data layers, preparing maps, and coordinating data collection efforts with scientists, managers, and technical team members.
- Implemented a set of processes, file naming conventions, and backup solutions to facilitate team workflow.
Surveyor Assistant June 2000 to September 2000
Hood River County, Oregon
- Collected GPS data utilized in the County GIS and Access database.
- Investigated survey partitions, roads, bridges, monuments, and forest boundaries with the county surveyor and engineer.
Education
Masters in Geology / GIS Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 2000
- Graduate research in GIS involved creating digital elevation models to analyze coastal landforms.
- Completed credits for certification in “GIS and remote sensing of coastal environments.”
- Instructed lab and lecture courses as a graduate teaching assistant.
Bachelors in Geology Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 1997
- Graduated Cum Laude.
- Team Captain: NCAA Division 1 Sailing Team 1997.
- Scholar Athlete of the Year Award 1997.
Publications
Robert S. Wardwell, Kevin W. Laurent, Jeremy O. Skog, and David R. Soller, 2003, The National Geologic Map Database Image Library—Technical Details, Digital Mapping Techniques '03 — Workshop Proceedings: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03–471
Robert S. Wardwell and Kevin W. Laurent , 2006, Banding Birds with MapServer CGI , Digital Mapping Techniques '06— Workshop Proceedings: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1285
Ramsey, D. W., Schilling, S. P., Robinson, J. E., Griswold, J. P., Wardwell, R. S., and Ewert, J. W., 2007, Mount St. Helens Reloaded: Applying GIS to the ongoing eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington: ESRI Map Book, v. 22, p. 6.
Posters / Abstracts
David R. Soller, Wardwell, R.S., and Stamm, N.R., 2011, Accessing Two Centuries of Science, Through the National Geologic Map Database: Geological Society of America Paper No. 263-11
Nancy R. Stamm, Soller, D.R., Wardlaw, B.R, Orndorff, R.C. and Wardwell, R.S., 2011, The National Geologic Map Database Project’s Adventures in Managing Old Fossils and Geologic Names: Geological Society of America Paper No. 263-11
Robert S.Wardwell, David R. Soller, and Christopher P. Garrity, 2011, Acquisition and Processing Workflow for Geologic Map Images in the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) Map Catalog:Digital Mapping Techniques '11 - Workshop Proceedings, May 22-25 Williamsburg, VA
Robert S. Wardwell, Kevin W. Laurent, Jeremy O. Skog, and David R. Soller, 2003, The NGMDB Geologic Map Image Library – Delivering Scanned Geologic Maps Online: Geological Society of America Paper No. 124-9
Schultz, A.C.,Levine, M. J., and Wardwell, R. S., 2001, Geode – An Interactive Data Retrieval, Display, and Analysis Internet Application: Geological Society of America Paper No. 134-0
Science and Products
The National Geologic Map Database - NGMDB
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is a distributed archive of geoscience information for the Nation. It was mandated by the Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 and is cooperatively built and maintained by the USGS and State Geological Surveys. We welcome you to explore the archive, view the maps, and help us to...
Hydrogeology of the Susquehanna River valley-fill aquifer system in the towns of Conklin and Kirkwood, Broome County, New York
The hydrogeology of the Susquehanna River valley-fill aquifer system and adjacent areas in south-central Broome County, New York, was investigated in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The study area encompasses roughly 55.5 square miles and includes the towns of Conklin and Kirkwood. Multiple small,...
Van Hoesen, John G.; Heisig, Paul M.; Fisher, Shannon R.
Hazard analysis of landslides triggered by Typhoon Chata'an on July 2, 2002, in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia
More than 250 landslides were triggered across the eastern volcanic islands of Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia by torrential rainfall from tropical storm Chata’an on July 2, 2002. Landslides triggered during nearly 20 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours caused 43 fatalities and the destruction or damage of 231 structures,...
Harp, Edwin L.; Reid, Mark E.; Michael, John A.
Ignitions explain more than climate or weather in driving Santa Ana Wind fires
Autumn and winter Santa Ana wind (SAW)–driven wildfires play a substantial role in area burned and societal losses in southern California. Temperature during the event and antecedent precipitation in the week or month prior play a minor role in determining area burned. Burning is dependent on wind intensity and number of human-ignited fires. Over...
Keeley, Jon; Guzman-Morales, Janin; Gershunov, Alexander; Syphard, Alexandra D.; Cayan, Daniel; Pierce, David W; Flannigan, Michael; Brown, Tim J
Water resources of Grant Parish, Louisiana
Information concerning the availability, use, and quality of water in Grant Parish, Louisiana, is critical for proper water-supply management. The purpose of this fact sheet is to present information that can be used by water managers, parish residents, and others for stewardship of this vital resource. In 2014, about 5.43 million gallons per...
Murphy, Chid J.; White, Vincent E. Response of forage plants to alteration of temperature and spring thaw date: Implications for geese in a warming Arctic
Changes in summer temperatures in Arctic Alaska have led to longer and warmer growing seasons over the last three decades. Corresponding with these changes in climate, the abundance and distributions of geese have increased and expanded over the same period. We used an experimental approach to assess the response of goose forage plants to...
Flint, Paul L.; Meixell, Brandt W. Cyprosulfamide: Analysis of the herbicide safener and two of its degradates in surface water and groundwater from the Midwestern United States
Herbicide safeners are commonly included in herbicide formulations to selectively protect crops from herbicide toxicity but are poorly understood in terms of their environmental occurrence and fate. This study established an analytical method for a newer safener, cyprosulfamide, and two of its degradates, cyprosulfamide desmethyl and N-...
McFadden, Monica E; Hladik, Michelle Conservation implications of spatiotemporal variation in the terrestrial ecology of Western spadefoots
Conservation of species reliant on ephemeral resources can be especially challenging in the face of a changing climate. Western spadefoots (Spea hammondii) are small burrowing anurans that breed in ephemeral pools, but adults spend the majority of their lives underground in adjacent terrestrial habitat. Western spadefoots are of conservation...
Halstead, Brian J.; Baumberger, Katherine L.; Backlin, Adam R.; Kleeman, Patrick M.; Wong, Monique Nicole; Gallegos, Elizabeth; Rose, Jonathan P.; Fisher, Robert N. Model estimated baseflow for streams with endangered Atlantic Salmon in Maine, USA
We present a regression model for estimating mean August baseflow per square kilometer of drainage area to help resource managers assess relative amounts of baseflow in Maine streams with Atlantic Salmon habitat. The model was derived from mean August baseflows computed at 31 USGS streamflow gages in Maine. We use an ordinary least squares...
Lombard, Pamela J.; Dudley, Robert; Collins, Matthias J.; Saunders, Rory; Atkinson, Ernie The Chesapeake Bay program modeling system: Overview and recommendations for future development
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest, most productive, and most biologically diverse estuary in the continental United States providing crucial habitat and natural resources for culturally and economically important species. Pressures from human population growth and associated development and agricultural intensification have led to excessive...
Hood, Raleigh; Shenk, Gary Wynee; Dixon, Rachel L; Smith, Sean M. C.; Ball, William P.; Bash, Jesse; Batiuk, R.; Boomer, Kathy; Brady, Damian C; Cerco, Carl; Claggett, Peter R.; de Mutsert, Kim; Easton, Zachary M.; Elmore, Andrew J; Friedrichs, Marjorie A. M.; Harris, Lora A.; Ihde, Thomas F.; Lacher, Iara; Li, Li; Linker, Lewis; Miller, Andrew; Moriarty, Julia; Noe, Gregory B.; Onyullo, George; Rose, Kenneth A; Skalak, Katherine; Tian, Richard; Veith, Tamie L; Wainger, Lisa A.; Weller, Donald E.; Zhang, Yinglong J.
Simulated effects of sea-level rise on the shallow, fresh groundwater system of Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, developed a three-dimensional groundwater-flow model for Assateague Island in eastern Maryland and Virginia to assess the effects of sea-level rise on the groundwater system. Sea-level rise is expected to increase the altitude of the water table in barrier island aquifer...
Fleming, Brandon J.; Raffensperger, Jeff P.; Goodling, Phillip J.; Masterson, John P.
Simulation of water-table and freshwater/saltwater interface response to climate-change-driven sea-level rise and changes in recharge at Fire Island National Seashore, New York
The fresh groundwater system at Fire Island National Seashore in New York is one of the natural resources that is most vulnerable to climate change; the various federally listed threatened or endangered species that live on Fire Island, including the piping plover, roseate tern shorebird, and seabeach amaranth may be affected by changes in the...
Misut, Paul E.; Dressler, Sarken
Simulation of water-table response to sea-level rise and change in recharge, Sandy Hook unit, Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey
The Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area (hereafter Sandy Hook) in New Jersey is a 10-kilometer-long spit visited by thousands of people each year who take advantage of the historical and natural resources and recreational opportunities. The historical and natural resources are threatened by global climate change, including sea-level...
Carleton, Glen B.; Charles, Emmanuel G.; Fiore, Alex R.; Winston, Richard B.