Amber Gullikson
Amber is a Geologist with the Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, AZ.
Amber's work primarily focuses on Terrestrial Analogs and Mars research, which includes creating multi-purpose field guides for planetary analogs within northern Arizona, collecting meteorological data and studying ripple migration at Grand Falls dune field, and characterizing impact melts and the internal structure of Meteor Crater’s ejecta blanket. She co-leads the USGS Astrogeology Terrestrial Analog Sample Collection, which currently houses samples from Meteor Crater, AZ, Flynn Creek Crater, TN, and the Shoemaker Sample Collection. Her research also includes studying Mars’ ancient hydrologic past, in the form of inverted stream channels and intracrater alluvial fans.
Professional Experience
2015 – Present: Geologist with the USGS Astrogeology Science Center.
2012 – 2014: Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant at Northern Arizona University. Thesis: Testing lunar crustal melting through experimental petrology: Implications for the genesis of silicic volcanism on the Moon.
2013: Lunar Exploration Summer Intern, Lunar and Planetary Institute.
2012: Multi-Anvil Laboratory, Research Technician, Arizona State University.
2009 – 2012: Omni Pressure Laboratory, Research Technician, Arizona State University.
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geology, Northern Arizona University (2014)
B.S. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University (2011)
Honors and Awards
Patent for Method for measuring pressures in a high pressure cell by monitoring continuous changes in physical properties of GeO2-SiO2 solid solution. Patent number: US 9,243,968 B2 awarded 1/26/2016.
Science and Products
Surface - Atmosphere interaction
Caves
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
Ice cave climate data and frost imagery at Sunset Crater, AZ: 02 March 2021 to 13 December 2022
Imagery, sediment collection, photogrammetry, and meteorological data from April 2023 to July 2023, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Imagery, photogrammetry, and meteorological data from December 2022 to April 2023, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Geochemistry and High-Resolution Backscattered Electron Imaging of Meteor Crater Impact Melts
Imagery, photogrammetry, and meteorological data from December 2021 to December 2022, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
PAAD: The Planetary Aeolian Analog Database
Subsurface temperature profiles, imagery, and meteorological data at a Sunset Crater cinder field: March 2021 to May 2022
Meteor Crater, Northern Arizona: Drill Hole Sample Collection, 1970-1973, and Curation, 2010-2013
Imagery and meteorological data from April 2021 to December 2021, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
A Lithostratigraphic Analysis of the Meteor Crater Ejecta Blanket: Measurements, Assigned Facies, and Unit Thickness
Imagery, soil temperature and humidity profiles, and meteorological data from December 2020 to April 2021, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Mars Dune Digital Database - Merged
A novel surface energy balance method for thermal inertia studies of terrestrial analogs
Spatial and temporal distribution of sinuous ridges in southeastern Terra Sabaea and the northern region of Hellas Planitia, Mars
Thermophysical and compositional properties of paleobedforms on Mars
Morphology and paleohydrology of intracrater alluvial fans north of Hellas Basin, Mars
Workshop on terrestrial analogs for planetary exploration
A geologic field guide to S P Mountain and its lava flow, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona
The Mars Global Digital Dune Database (MGD3): Composition and stability
Mars global digital dune database (MGD3)—Composition, stability, and thermal inertia
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
Surface - Atmosphere interaction
Caves
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
Ice cave climate data and frost imagery at Sunset Crater, AZ: 02 March 2021 to 13 December 2022
Imagery, sediment collection, photogrammetry, and meteorological data from April 2023 to July 2023, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Imagery, photogrammetry, and meteorological data from December 2022 to April 2023, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Geochemistry and High-Resolution Backscattered Electron Imaging of Meteor Crater Impact Melts
Imagery, photogrammetry, and meteorological data from December 2021 to December 2022, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
PAAD: The Planetary Aeolian Analog Database
Subsurface temperature profiles, imagery, and meteorological data at a Sunset Crater cinder field: March 2021 to May 2022
Meteor Crater, Northern Arizona: Drill Hole Sample Collection, 1970-1973, and Curation, 2010-2013
Imagery and meteorological data from April 2021 to December 2021, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
A Lithostratigraphic Analysis of the Meteor Crater Ejecta Blanket: Measurements, Assigned Facies, and Unit Thickness
Imagery, soil temperature and humidity profiles, and meteorological data from December 2020 to April 2021, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Mars Dune Digital Database - Merged
A novel surface energy balance method for thermal inertia studies of terrestrial analogs
Spatial and temporal distribution of sinuous ridges in southeastern Terra Sabaea and the northern region of Hellas Planitia, Mars
Thermophysical and compositional properties of paleobedforms on Mars
Morphology and paleohydrology of intracrater alluvial fans north of Hellas Basin, Mars
Workshop on terrestrial analogs for planetary exploration
A geologic field guide to S P Mountain and its lava flow, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona
The Mars Global Digital Dune Database (MGD3): Composition and stability
Mars global digital dune database (MGD3)—Composition, stability, and thermal inertia
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.