Walter A. Barnhardt, PhD
My scientific background is in marine geology and my passion is working on basic scientific problems that have societal and management implications. I focus on understanding how coasts have evolved through time and space, so we can better predict their future behavior and minimize losses due to storms, chronic erosion and sea-level rise.
I lead the Coastal and Shelf Geology Group at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. This internationally recognized team consists of about 25 scientists and technologists who apply state-of-the-art methods to map coastal/shelf environments and model the processes that shape them. Products and tools produced from our studies help resource managers to make sustainable, science-based decisions and mitigate the impacts of storms, sea-level rise, and human activities along the nation’s coasts. I have 30+ years of experience in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes, where I advise federal/state/local agencies, Tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations on coastal erosion strategies, environmental restoration projects, and offshore infrastructure development. I also oversee efforts to recruit students from under-represented groups to the USGS workforce through a speaker series and internship program with the City College of New York.
Professional Experience
2017-Present Research Geologist U.S. Geological Survey - Woods Hole, MA
2009-2017 Center Director U.S. Geological Survey - Woods Hole, MA
2004-2009 Research Geologist U.S. Geological Survey - Woods Hole, MA
2001-2004 Assistant Professor Univ. of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, NC
1998-2001 Adjunct Lecturer Santa Clara University – Santa Clara, CA
1996-2001 Research Geologist U.S. Geological Survey - Menlo Park, CA
1994-1996 Postdoctoral Researcher University of Maine - Orono, ME
Education and Certifications
1994 Ph.D., Geological Sciences University of Maine - Orono, ME
1992 M.S., Geological Sciences University of Maine - Orono, ME
1984 B.S. (with honors), Geology College of William & Mary - Williamsburg, VA
Science and Products
Shallow-water pockmark formation in temperate estuaries: A consideration of origins in the western gulf of Maine with special focus on Belfast Bay
Evolution of a Holocene delta driven by episodic sediment delivery and coseismic deformation, Puget Sound, Washington, USA
Possible modes of coral-reef development at Molokai, Hawaii, inferred from seismic-reflection profiling
Influence of near-surface stratigraphy on coastal landslides at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan, USA
Sand volume and distribution on the paraglacial inner continental shelf of the northwestern Gulf of Maine
The internal structure of sand bars on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, as determined by ground-penetrating radar
Non-destructive measurement of soil liquefaction density change by crosshole radar tomography, Treasure Island, California
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 31
Shallow-water pockmark formation in temperate estuaries: A consideration of origins in the western gulf of Maine with special focus on Belfast Bay
A systematic mapping program incorporating more than 5000 km of side scan sonar and seismic reflection tracklines in the western Gulf of Maine has identified more than 70 biogenic natural gas deposits, occupying 311 km 2 in nearshore muddy embayments. Many of these embayments also contain pockmark fields, with some exhibiting geologically active characteristics including the observance of plumes oAuthorsJ.N. Rogers, J. T. Kelley, D. F. Belknap, A. Gontz, W. A. BarnhardtEvolution of a Holocene delta driven by episodic sediment delivery and coseismic deformation, Puget Sound, Washington, USA
Episodic, large-volume pulses of volcaniclastic sediment and coseismic subsidence of the coast have influenced the development of a late Holocene delta at southern Puget Sound. Multibeam bathymetry, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and vibracores were used to investigate the morphologic and stratigraphic evolution of the Nisqually River delta. Two fluvial–deltaic facies are recognized on the basis oAuthorsW. A. Barnhardt, B.L. SherrodPossible modes of coral-reef development at Molokai, Hawaii, inferred from seismic-reflection profiling
High-resolution, seismic-reflection data elucidate the late Quaternary development of the largest coral-reef complex in the main Hawaiian Islands. Six acoustic facies were identified from reflection characteristics and lithosome geometry. An extensive, buried platform with uniformly low relief was traced beneath fore-reef and marginal shelf environments. This highly reflective surface dips gentlyAuthorsW. A. Barnhardt, B. M. Richmond, E. E. Grossman, P. HartInfluence of near-surface stratigraphy on coastal landslides at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan, USA
Lake-level change and landslides are primary controls on the development of coastal environments along the coast of northeastern Lake Michigan. The late Quaternary geology of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was examined with high-resolution seismic reflection profiles, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and boreholes. Based on sequence-stratigraphic principles, this study recognizes ten stratiAuthorsW. A. Barnhardt, B. E. Jaffe, R. E. Kayen, G.R. CochraneSand volume and distribution on the paraglacial inner continental shelf of the northwestern Gulf of Maine
In an extensive program of side-scan sonar and seismic reflection profiling, bottom sampling and vibracoring, we have mapped the western Gulf of Maine between Canada and Massachusetts, from the shoreline to the 100 m isobath. The purpose of the program was, in part, to locate and evaluate sand resources on the inner shelf. Surficial sand occurs on only 7% of this formerly glaciated region, and mosAuthorsJ. T. Kelley, S.M. Dickson, D. F. Belknap, W. A. Barnhardt, D.C. BarberThe internal structure of sand bars on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, as determined by ground-penetrating radar
High-resolution, subsurface imagery from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has revealed the internal structure of sand bars at seven sites on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Based on reconnaissance-level surveys, we recognized three stratigraphic units and several intervening unconformities. Unit A, which exhibits hyperbolic reflections and always occurs at the base of the section, is interpreted aAuthorsWalter A. Barnhardt, Robert Kayen, David Rubin, Diane L. MinasianNon-destructive measurement of soil liquefaction density change by crosshole radar tomography, Treasure Island, California
A ground penetrating radar (GPR) experiment at the Treasure Island Test Site [TILT] was performed to non-destructively image the soil column for changes in density prior to, and following, a liquefaction event. The intervening liquefaction was achieved by controlled blasting. A geotechnical borehole radar technique was used to acquire high-resolution 2-D radar velocity data. This method of non-desAuthorsRobert E. Kayen, Walter A. Barnhardt, Scott Ashford, Kyle Rollins - News