S. Jeffress Williams
S. Jeffress Williams, a senior scientist emeritus, research coastal marine geologist with the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, has focused his research career on understanding the geologic history and processes of coastal, estuarine, wetland, and inner continental shelf regions.
He has more than 50 years research experience investigating topics on the geologic origins and development of coastal, continental shelf, and estuarine regions, Great Lakes coastal systems, Holocene sea-level history, climate-change effects on coasts, and the geologic origins and character of marine sand bodies. Williams has led or participated in more than 80 field studies along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Great Lakes coasts, and the Irish Sea, UK and been principal investigator on many offshore geologic mapping investigations. Williams was awarded the Coastal Zone Foundation Award for career achievement in coastal science, the USGS 40-year career service award and career achievement awards for natural resources research from the Eastern Regional Director of the National Park Service and the Director of the NPS. Williams has authored more than 350 scientific publications and been a member on many national and state science committees. In addition, he is a frequent lecturer at scientific meetings, state and local legislatures, and civic groups on coastal topics. Williams directed the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program from 1996 to 2000. Prior to joining the USGS, Williams was a research marine geologist with the Coastal Engineering Research Center and an invited visiting scientist at the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Taunton, UK. He earned degrees in geology and oceanography.
Professional Experience
Present- 2010 Senior scientist emeritus, USGS/WHSC
Present- 2010 Professional coastal scientist, consultant
2015-2010 Affiliate Faculty, Un.of Hawaii, Geology Department
2010- 2000 Senior research coastal-marine geologist, USGS/WHSC
2000- 1996 Director, USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program
1996-1993 Research geologist, USGS
1993-1987 Co-coordinator, USGS National Coastal Geology Program
Education and Certifications
MS Lehigh University
BS Allegheny College
Affiliations and Memberships*
Organized and co-chaired a special session, “Coasts in Crisis: Sea Level Rise and Inundation and the Drivers for Adaptation”, 2016 AGU Ocean Sciences Mtg.
Invited technical expert, Hawaii Sea-Level R
Science and Products
Modeling barrier island response to sea-level rise in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
Geologic characterization of shelf areas using usSEABED for GIS mapping, modeling processes and assessing marine sand and gravel resources
Textural analysis of marine sediments at the USGS Woods Hole Science Center; methodology and data on DVD
usSEABED: Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) offshore surficial sediment data release
usSEABED: Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) Offshore Surficial-Sediment Data Release, version 1
Coastal vulnerability assessment of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to sea-level rise
Coastal vulnerability assessment of Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE) to sea-level rise
Surficial sediment character of the Louisiana offshore continental shelf region: A GIS compilation
Relative coastal change-potential assessment of Kenai Fjords National Park
Relative Coastal Change-Potential Assessment of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Current subsidence rates due to compaction of Holocene sediments in southern Louisiana
Geologic framework, evolution, and sediment resources for restoration of the Louisiana Coastal Zone
Science and Products
Modeling barrier island response to sea-level rise in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
Geologic characterization of shelf areas using usSEABED for GIS mapping, modeling processes and assessing marine sand and gravel resources
Textural analysis of marine sediments at the USGS Woods Hole Science Center; methodology and data on DVD
usSEABED: Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) offshore surficial sediment data release
usSEABED: Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) Offshore Surficial-Sediment Data Release, version 1
Coastal vulnerability assessment of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to sea-level rise
Coastal vulnerability assessment of Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE) to sea-level rise
Surficial sediment character of the Louisiana offshore continental shelf region: A GIS compilation
Relative coastal change-potential assessment of Kenai Fjords National Park
Relative Coastal Change-Potential Assessment of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Current subsidence rates due to compaction of Holocene sediments in southern Louisiana
Geologic framework, evolution, and sediment resources for restoration of the Louisiana Coastal Zone
*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