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Snir Attia

Snir Attia is a Research Geologist with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry (G3) Science Center. 

My research focuses on understanding how the evolution of the lithosphere records and contributes to tectonic, magmatic, and ore-forming processes across the western U.S. Cordillera. To study these systems, I combine geologic mapping, digital data synthesis, laboratory analysis, statistical methods, and geoinformatics to reconstruct magmatism, tectonism, fluid-rock interaction, and landscape evolution in space and time to unravel their impact on the development of lithospheric architecture.

Professional Experience

  • Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey (2024-present)

  • Field Geologist, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (2020-2024)

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, 2020

  • B.A., Geology, University of Colorado Boulder, 2011

Science and Products

Non-USGS Publications**

Ardill, K.E., Attia, S., Memeti, V., and Paterson, S.R., 2024, Fingerprinting the geochemical signals of episodic arc activity in the Sierra Nevada batholith in space and time: Geological Society of America Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1130/B37266.1
Attia, S., and Ricci, J., 2023, Latest Eocene 40Ar/39Ar age from the Yeso Hills dikes, Eddy County, New Mexico, in Land, L., Bou Jaoude, I., Hutchinson, P., Zeigler, K., Jakle, A., Van Der Werfff, B., eds., Evaporite Karst of the Lower Pecos Region: New Mexico Geological Society 73rd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 122-131. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.122
Attia, S., Heizler, M.T., and Ricci, J., 2023, Quaternary age of the Gatuña Formation at Livingston Ridge, in Land, L., Bou Jaoude, I., Hutchinson, P., Zeigler, K., Jakle, A., Van Der Werfff, B., eds., Evaporite Karst of the Lower Pecos Region: New Mexico Geological Society 73rd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 103-111. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.103
McLemore, V.T., Iverson, N.A., Woodward, M., Attia, S., and Owen, E.J., 2023, Critical Mineral Resources in the Cornudas Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico, in Land, L., Bou Jaoude, I., Hutchinson, P., Zeigler, K., Jakle, A., Van Der Werfff, B., eds., Evaporite Karst of the Lower Pecos Region: New Mexico Geological Society 73rd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 132-141. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.132
Moser, A.C., Lusk, A.D., Attia, S., Garber, J.M., Seward, G.G.E., and Kylander-Clark, A.R.C., 2023, Titanite petrochronology dates secular temperature and fluid evolution during ductile deformation: an example from Late Cretaceous shear zones in the Eastern Transverse Ranges: Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, v. 24, e2022GC010855. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GC010855
Allen, B.D., and Attia, S., 2022, Geologic Map of the Bond Draw and Cottonwood Hills 7.5-Minute Quadrangles, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 297, scale 1:36,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-297
Attia, S., Paterson, S.R., Jiang, D., and Miller, R.B., 2022, Heterogeneous structural development, shifting deformation partitioning, and indirect tectonomagmatic links during orogenic activity coeval with an arc flare-up: Geosphere, v. 18, n. 6, p. 1752-1782. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02478.1
Attia, S., and Allen, B.D., 2022, Geologic map of the Pierce Canyon 7.5’ quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 299, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-299
Fichera, M.M., and Attia, S., 2022, 3D Geologic Model of Aquifer-Bearing Units of the Delaware Basin, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 303, scale 1:250,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-303
Ma, X., Attia, S., Cawood, T.K., Cao, W., Xu, Z., and Li, H., 2022, Arc tempos of the Gangdese batholith, southern Tibet: Journal of Geodynamics, v. 149, 101897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jog.2022.101897
McLemore, V.T., Iverson, N.A., Woodard, M., Attia, S., Dietz, H., Owen, E.J., Haft, E.B., Childress, T., Trivitt, A., and Kelley, R., 2022, Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Cornudas Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Report 619, 151 p. https://doi.org/10.58799/OFR-619
Skotnicki, S.J., and Attia, S., 2022, Geologic map of the Serpentine Bends 7.5’ quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 301, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-301
Allen, B.D., and Attia, S., 2021, Geologic map of the Rattlesnake Springs 7.5’ quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 291, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-291
Attia, S., Paterson, S.R., Saleeby, J., and Cao, W., 2021, Detrital zircon provenance and depositional links of Mesozoic Sierra Nevada intra-arc strata: Geosphere, v. 17, n. 5, p. 1422-1453. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02296.1
Chapman, J.B., Shields, J.E., Ducea, M.N., Paterson, S.R., Attia, S., and Ardill, K.E., 2021, The causes of continental arc flare ups and drivers of episodic magmatic activity in Cordilleran orogenic systems: Lithos, v. 398-399, 106307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106307
Koning, D.J., Nelson, W.J., Elrick, S.D., and Attia, S., 2021, Geologic map of the Little San Pascual Mountain 7.5’ quadrangle, Socorro County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 296, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-296
Attia, S., Cottle, J.M., and Paterson, S.R., 2020, The erupted zircon record of continental crust formation during mantle driven arc flare-ups: Geology, v. 48, p. 446-451. https://doi.org/10.1130/G46991.1
Attia, S., Paterson, S.R., Cao, W., Chapman, A.D., Saleeby, J., Dunne, G.C., Stevens, C.H., and Memeti, V., 2018, Late Paleozoic tectonic assembly of the Sierra Nevada prebatholithic framework and western Laurentian provenance based on synthesized detrital zircon geochronology, in Ingersoll, R.V., Lawton, T.F., and Graham, S.A., eds., Tectonics, Sedimentary Basins, and Provenance: A Celebration of William R. Dickinson’s Career: Geological Society of America Special Paper 540, p. 267-295. https://doi.org/10.1130/2018.2540(12)

**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.

link
mine pit lake

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
Learn More
link
historic mine in front of dolostone outcrop

Northern Rocky Mountains Transect

The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
By
Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Northern Rocky Mountains Transect

The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
Learn More

Science and Products

Non-USGS Publications**

Ardill, K.E., Attia, S., Memeti, V., and Paterson, S.R., 2024, Fingerprinting the geochemical signals of episodic arc activity in the Sierra Nevada batholith in space and time: Geological Society of America Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1130/B37266.1
Attia, S., and Ricci, J., 2023, Latest Eocene 40Ar/39Ar age from the Yeso Hills dikes, Eddy County, New Mexico, in Land, L., Bou Jaoude, I., Hutchinson, P., Zeigler, K., Jakle, A., Van Der Werfff, B., eds., Evaporite Karst of the Lower Pecos Region: New Mexico Geological Society 73rd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 122-131. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.122
Attia, S., Heizler, M.T., and Ricci, J., 2023, Quaternary age of the Gatuña Formation at Livingston Ridge, in Land, L., Bou Jaoude, I., Hutchinson, P., Zeigler, K., Jakle, A., Van Der Werfff, B., eds., Evaporite Karst of the Lower Pecos Region: New Mexico Geological Society 73rd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 103-111. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.103
McLemore, V.T., Iverson, N.A., Woodward, M., Attia, S., and Owen, E.J., 2023, Critical Mineral Resources in the Cornudas Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico, in Land, L., Bou Jaoude, I., Hutchinson, P., Zeigler, K., Jakle, A., Van Der Werfff, B., eds., Evaporite Karst of the Lower Pecos Region: New Mexico Geological Society 73rd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 132-141. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.132
Moser, A.C., Lusk, A.D., Attia, S., Garber, J.M., Seward, G.G.E., and Kylander-Clark, A.R.C., 2023, Titanite petrochronology dates secular temperature and fluid evolution during ductile deformation: an example from Late Cretaceous shear zones in the Eastern Transverse Ranges: Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, v. 24, e2022GC010855. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GC010855
Allen, B.D., and Attia, S., 2022, Geologic Map of the Bond Draw and Cottonwood Hills 7.5-Minute Quadrangles, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 297, scale 1:36,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-297
Attia, S., Paterson, S.R., Jiang, D., and Miller, R.B., 2022, Heterogeneous structural development, shifting deformation partitioning, and indirect tectonomagmatic links during orogenic activity coeval with an arc flare-up: Geosphere, v. 18, n. 6, p. 1752-1782. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02478.1
Attia, S., and Allen, B.D., 2022, Geologic map of the Pierce Canyon 7.5’ quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 299, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-299
Fichera, M.M., and Attia, S., 2022, 3D Geologic Model of Aquifer-Bearing Units of the Delaware Basin, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 303, scale 1:250,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-303
Ma, X., Attia, S., Cawood, T.K., Cao, W., Xu, Z., and Li, H., 2022, Arc tempos of the Gangdese batholith, southern Tibet: Journal of Geodynamics, v. 149, 101897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jog.2022.101897
McLemore, V.T., Iverson, N.A., Woodard, M., Attia, S., Dietz, H., Owen, E.J., Haft, E.B., Childress, T., Trivitt, A., and Kelley, R., 2022, Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Cornudas Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Report 619, 151 p. https://doi.org/10.58799/OFR-619
Skotnicki, S.J., and Attia, S., 2022, Geologic map of the Serpentine Bends 7.5’ quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 301, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-301
Allen, B.D., and Attia, S., 2021, Geologic map of the Rattlesnake Springs 7.5’ quadrangle, Eddy County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 291, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-291
Attia, S., Paterson, S.R., Saleeby, J., and Cao, W., 2021, Detrital zircon provenance and depositional links of Mesozoic Sierra Nevada intra-arc strata: Geosphere, v. 17, n. 5, p. 1422-1453. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02296.1
Chapman, J.B., Shields, J.E., Ducea, M.N., Paterson, S.R., Attia, S., and Ardill, K.E., 2021, The causes of continental arc flare ups and drivers of episodic magmatic activity in Cordilleran orogenic systems: Lithos, v. 398-399, 106307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106307
Koning, D.J., Nelson, W.J., Elrick, S.D., and Attia, S., 2021, Geologic map of the Little San Pascual Mountain 7.5’ quadrangle, Socorro County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology Open-file Geologic Map 296, scale 1:24,000. https://doi.org/10.58799/OF-GM-296
Attia, S., Cottle, J.M., and Paterson, S.R., 2020, The erupted zircon record of continental crust formation during mantle driven arc flare-ups: Geology, v. 48, p. 446-451. https://doi.org/10.1130/G46991.1
Attia, S., Paterson, S.R., Cao, W., Chapman, A.D., Saleeby, J., Dunne, G.C., Stevens, C.H., and Memeti, V., 2018, Late Paleozoic tectonic assembly of the Sierra Nevada prebatholithic framework and western Laurentian provenance based on synthesized detrital zircon geochronology, in Ingersoll, R.V., Lawton, T.F., and Graham, S.A., eds., Tectonics, Sedimentary Basins, and Provenance: A Celebration of William R. Dickinson’s Career: Geological Society of America Special Paper 540, p. 267-295. https://doi.org/10.1130/2018.2540(12)

**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.

link
mine pit lake

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
Learn More
link
historic mine in front of dolostone outcrop

Northern Rocky Mountains Transect

The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
By
Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Northern Rocky Mountains Transect

The goal of the Northern Rocky Mountains Transect (NRMT) project is to produce updated geologic maps of an important and understudied region of Idaho and western Montana that covers a wide array of distinct geologic terrains.
Learn More