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
Barrier island erosion accelerating
Publications of the Louisiana Barrier Island Erosion Study
Geologic controls on the formation and evolution of quaternary coastal deposits of the northern Gulf of Mexico
The Louisiana coastal geographic information system network (LCGISN): access to spatial data
Late quaternary geologic framework, north-central Gulf of Mexico
Coasts in crisis
Loss of coastal wetlands in Louisiana: Cooperative research to assess the critical processes
Erosion and deterioration of the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Arc, Louisiana, U.S.A.: 1853 to 1988
U.S. Geological Survey studies of Louisiana barrier island erosion and wetland loss; an interim report of status and results
Map showing precision bathymetry of the south-central Louisiana nearshore, Isles Dernieres and Ship Shoal region
Inner shelf deposits of the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama region, Gulf of Mexico
Holocene sand shoals offshore of the Mississippi River delta plain
Science and Products
Barrier island erosion accelerating
Publications of the Louisiana Barrier Island Erosion Study
Geologic controls on the formation and evolution of quaternary coastal deposits of the northern Gulf of Mexico
The Louisiana coastal geographic information system network (LCGISN): access to spatial data
Late quaternary geologic framework, north-central Gulf of Mexico
Coasts in crisis
Loss of coastal wetlands in Louisiana: Cooperative research to assess the critical processes
Erosion and deterioration of the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Arc, Louisiana, U.S.A.: 1853 to 1988
U.S. Geological Survey studies of Louisiana barrier island erosion and wetland loss; an interim report of status and results
Map showing precision bathymetry of the south-central Louisiana nearshore, Isles Dernieres and Ship Shoal region
Inner shelf deposits of the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama region, Gulf of Mexico
Holocene sand shoals offshore of the Mississippi River delta plain
*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