Scott A Minor
Current Research and Specialties
Geologic framework and fault kinematic and paleostress histories of strain transfer and accommodation zones of the middle and northern Rio Grande rift, New Mexico and Colorado
Fault-related fluid flow within poorly consolidated sediments
Geologic mapping and geologic framework characterization
Structural geology, especially brittle faulting
Professional Experience
2019-present: Scientist Emeritus
1998-2019: Research Geologist
1984-1998: Geologist
1979-1981: Physical Science Technician
Education and Certifications
1985: M.S., Geology, University of Colorado
1979: B.S., Geology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America
Colorado Scientific Society (2011: President)
American Geophysical Union
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 29
Landscapes of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California Landscapes of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California
Santa Rosa Island (SRI) is the second-largest of the California Channel Islands. It is one of 4 east–west aligned islands forming the northern Channel Islands chain, and one of the 5 islands in Channel Islands National Park. The landforms, and collections of landforms called landscapes, of Santa Rosa Island have been created by tectonic uplift and faulting, rising and falling sea level...
Authors
R. Randall Schumann, Scott A. Minor, Daniel R. Muhs, Jeffery S. Pigati
Oblique transfer of extensional strain between basins of the middle Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: Fault kinematic and paleostress constraints Oblique transfer of extensional strain between basins of the middle Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: Fault kinematic and paleostress constraints
The structural geometry of transfer and accommodation zones that relay strain between extensional domains in rifted crust has been addressed in many studies over the past 30 years. However, details of the kinematics of deformation and related stress changes within these zones have received relatively little attention. In this study we conduct the first-ever systematic, multi-basin fault...
Authors
Scott A. Minor, Mark R. Hudson, Jonathan S. Caine, Ren A. Thompson
Tectonic influences on the preservation of marine terraces: Old and new evidence from Santa Catalina Island, California Tectonic influences on the preservation of marine terraces: Old and new evidence from Santa Catalina Island, California
The California Channel Islands contain some of the best geologic records of past climate and sea-level changes, recorded in uplifted, fossil-bearing marine terrace deposits. Among the eight California Channel Islands and the nearby Palos Verdes Hills, only Santa Catalina Island does not exhibit prominent emergent marine terraces, though the same terrace-forming processes that acted on...
Authors
R. Randall Schumann, Scott A. Minor, Daniel R. Muhs, Lindsey T. Groves, John P. McGeehin
Three-dimensional geologic model of the southeastern Espanola Basin, Santa Fe County, New Mexico Three-dimensional geologic model of the southeastern Espanola Basin, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
This multimedia model and report show and describe digital three-dimensional faulted surfaces and volumes of lithologic units that confine and constrain the basin-fill aquifers within the Espanola Basin of north-central New Mexico. These aquifers are the primary groundwater resource for the cities of Santa Fe and Espanola, six Pueblo nations, and the surrounding areas. The model...
Authors
Michael P. Pantea, Mark R. Hudson, V. J. S. Grauch, Scott A. Minor
A landslide in Tertiary marine shale with superheated fumaroles, Coast Ranges, California A landslide in Tertiary marine shale with superheated fumaroles, Coast Ranges, California
In August 2004, a National Forest fire crew extinguished a 1.2 ha fire in a wilderness area ~40 km northeast of Santa Barbara, California. Examination revealed that the fire originated on a landslide dotted with superheated fumaroles. A 4 m borehole punched near the hottest (262 °C) fumarole had a maximum temperature of 307 °C. Temperatures in this borehole have been decreasing by ~0.1...
Authors
Robert H. Mariner, Scott A. Minor, A. King, J.R. Boles, Karl S. Kellogg, William C. Evans, Gary Landis, A.G. Hunt, Christy B. Till
Geologic Map of the Goleta Quadrangle, Santa Barbara County, California Geologic Map of the Goleta Quadrangle, Santa Barbara County, California
This map depicts the distribution of bedrock units and surficial deposits and associated deformation underlying those parts of the Santa Barbara coastal plain and adjacent southern flank of the Santa Ynez Mountains within the Goleta 7 ?? quadrangle 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...
Authors
Scott A. Minor, Karl S. Kellogg, Richard G. Stanley, Theodore R. Brandt
Geologic Map of Oasis Valley Spring-Discharge Area and Vicinity, Nye County, Nevada Geologic Map of Oasis Valley Spring-Discharge Area and Vicinity, Nye County, Nevada
This map report presents the geologic framework of an area in southern Nye County, Nevada, that extends from the southern limit of the Oasis Valley spring-discharge site, northeastward to the southwest margin of the Pahute Mesa testing area, on the Nevada Test Site. This map adds new surficial mapping and revises bedrock mapping previously published as USGS Open-File Report 99-533-B. The...
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 29
Landscapes of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California Landscapes of Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California
Santa Rosa Island (SRI) is the second-largest of the California Channel Islands. It is one of 4 east–west aligned islands forming the northern Channel Islands chain, and one of the 5 islands in Channel Islands National Park. The landforms, and collections of landforms called landscapes, of Santa Rosa Island have been created by tectonic uplift and faulting, rising and falling sea level...
Authors
R. Randall Schumann, Scott A. Minor, Daniel R. Muhs, Jeffery S. Pigati
Oblique transfer of extensional strain between basins of the middle Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: Fault kinematic and paleostress constraints Oblique transfer of extensional strain between basins of the middle Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: Fault kinematic and paleostress constraints
The structural geometry of transfer and accommodation zones that relay strain between extensional domains in rifted crust has been addressed in many studies over the past 30 years. However, details of the kinematics of deformation and related stress changes within these zones have received relatively little attention. In this study we conduct the first-ever systematic, multi-basin fault...
Authors
Scott A. Minor, Mark R. Hudson, Jonathan S. Caine, Ren A. Thompson
Tectonic influences on the preservation of marine terraces: Old and new evidence from Santa Catalina Island, California Tectonic influences on the preservation of marine terraces: Old and new evidence from Santa Catalina Island, California
The California Channel Islands contain some of the best geologic records of past climate and sea-level changes, recorded in uplifted, fossil-bearing marine terrace deposits. Among the eight California Channel Islands and the nearby Palos Verdes Hills, only Santa Catalina Island does not exhibit prominent emergent marine terraces, though the same terrace-forming processes that acted on...
Authors
R. Randall Schumann, Scott A. Minor, Daniel R. Muhs, Lindsey T. Groves, John P. McGeehin
Three-dimensional geologic model of the southeastern Espanola Basin, Santa Fe County, New Mexico Three-dimensional geologic model of the southeastern Espanola Basin, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
This multimedia model and report show and describe digital three-dimensional faulted surfaces and volumes of lithologic units that confine and constrain the basin-fill aquifers within the Espanola Basin of north-central New Mexico. These aquifers are the primary groundwater resource for the cities of Santa Fe and Espanola, six Pueblo nations, and the surrounding areas. The model...
Authors
Michael P. Pantea, Mark R. Hudson, V. J. S. Grauch, Scott A. Minor
A landslide in Tertiary marine shale with superheated fumaroles, Coast Ranges, California A landslide in Tertiary marine shale with superheated fumaroles, Coast Ranges, California
In August 2004, a National Forest fire crew extinguished a 1.2 ha fire in a wilderness area ~40 km northeast of Santa Barbara, California. Examination revealed that the fire originated on a landslide dotted with superheated fumaroles. A 4 m borehole punched near the hottest (262 °C) fumarole had a maximum temperature of 307 °C. Temperatures in this borehole have been decreasing by ~0.1...
Authors
Robert H. Mariner, Scott A. Minor, A. King, J.R. Boles, Karl S. Kellogg, William C. Evans, Gary Landis, A.G. Hunt, Christy B. Till
Geologic Map of the Goleta Quadrangle, Santa Barbara County, California Geologic Map of the Goleta Quadrangle, Santa Barbara County, California
This map depicts the distribution of bedrock units and surficial deposits and associated deformation underlying those parts of the Santa Barbara coastal plain and adjacent southern flank of the Santa Ynez Mountains within the Goleta 7 ?? quadrangle 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...
Authors
Scott A. Minor, Karl S. Kellogg, Richard G. Stanley, Theodore R. Brandt
Geologic Map of Oasis Valley Spring-Discharge Area and Vicinity, Nye County, Nevada Geologic Map of Oasis Valley Spring-Discharge Area and Vicinity, Nye County, Nevada
This map report presents the geologic framework of an area in southern Nye County, Nevada, that extends from the southern limit of the Oasis Valley spring-discharge site, northeastward to the southwest margin of the Pahute Mesa testing area, on the Nevada Test Site. This map adds new surficial mapping and revises bedrock mapping previously published as USGS Open-File Report 99-533-B. The...
*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