Carol A Finn, Ph.D.
Carol Finn is a research geophysicist with the Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, CO.
Carol specializes in the application of magnetic, gravity and electromagnetic data, to develop framework geological models in support of resource and volcano hazards assessments and fundamental Earth Processes. She has worked all over the world. Her current research is on imagining Yellowstone's iconic thermal features, 3D modeling of layered mafic intrusions and their platinum group element potential and Cascades and Alaska landslide hazards.
Research Interests
Carol is an expert on the application of magnetic, gravity and electromagnetic data, along with other geophysical techniques, to identify the subsurface distribution of
- hydrothermal alteration and causative sub-volcanic intrusions as well as ground water as they relate to both landslide hazard assessment and systematics of hydrothermal systems
- layered mafic intrusions, including the Bushveld, Stillwater and Duluth complexes, in support of assessments of platinum group element potential
- crystalline basement related to global mineral resource assessments (Algeria, Mauritania, Afghanistan, South Africa, Uzbekistan, United States)
Professional Experience
1978-present, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Geophysics, University of Colorado, 1988
M.S. Geophysics, University of Colorado, 1984
B.S. Geology, Wellesley College, 1978
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union: Thriving Earth Exchange Board Member (2016-present), Past President (2015-2016), President (2013-2014), President-Elect (2011-2012), General Secretary (2006-2010)
Geological Society of America
2000-2005 Adjunct faculty member, Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Honors and Awards
2011 - DOI Meritorious Service Award
2007 - DOI Superior Service Award
2004 - Elected Geological Society of America Fellow
2003 - US Board of Geographic Names named Finn Spur in Antarctica (79° 17' S, 156° 37' E) after me in recognition of my management of Antarctic aerogeophysical field projects.
2001-2002 - Awarded senior Gledden Research Fellowship, Centre for Global Metallogeny, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
1990-1992 - Awarded Science and Technology Fellowship, Geological Survey of Japan, Tsukuba, Japan
Science and Products
Combining multiphase groundwater flow and slope stability models to assess stratovolcano flank collapse in the Cascade Range
The F'derik-Zouerate iron district: Mesoarchean and Paleoproterozoic iron formation of the Tiris Complex, Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Regional tectonic setting for the Trinidad earthquake swarms (2000-2012) from gravity and magnetic data
Mapping the 3-D extent of the Northern Lobe of the Bushveld layered mafic intrusion from geophysical data
Algoma-, Superior-, and oolitic-type iron deposits of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (phase V, deliverable 83)
Synthesis of geophysical data (phase V, deliverable 55)
Hydrogeologic map of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (phase V, deliverable 56), Synthesis of hydrologic data (phase V, deliverable 57), and chemical hydrologic map of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (added value)
Mineral potential tracts for orogenic, Carlin-like, and epithermal gold deposits in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, (phase V, deliverable 69)
Crystalline basement map of Mauritania derived from filtered aeromagnetic data (deliverable 54_1), Aeromagnetic and geological structure map of Mauritania (phase V, deliverable 54_2), Maximum depth to basement map of Mauritania derived from Euler analysis
Using nuclear magnetic resonance and transient electromagnetics to characterise water distribution beneath an ice covered volcanic crater: The case of Sherman Crater Mt. Baker Washington.
Overview of the magnetic signatures of the Palaeoproterozoic Rustenburg Layered Suite, Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Helicopter electromagnetic data map ice thickness at Mount Adams and Mount Baker, Washington, USA
Science and Products
Combining multiphase groundwater flow and slope stability models to assess stratovolcano flank collapse in the Cascade Range
The F'derik-Zouerate iron district: Mesoarchean and Paleoproterozoic iron formation of the Tiris Complex, Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Regional tectonic setting for the Trinidad earthquake swarms (2000-2012) from gravity and magnetic data
Mapping the 3-D extent of the Northern Lobe of the Bushveld layered mafic intrusion from geophysical data
Algoma-, Superior-, and oolitic-type iron deposits of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (phase V, deliverable 83)
Synthesis of geophysical data (phase V, deliverable 55)
Hydrogeologic map of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (phase V, deliverable 56), Synthesis of hydrologic data (phase V, deliverable 57), and chemical hydrologic map of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (added value)
Mineral potential tracts for orogenic, Carlin-like, and epithermal gold deposits in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, (phase V, deliverable 69)
Crystalline basement map of Mauritania derived from filtered aeromagnetic data (deliverable 54_1), Aeromagnetic and geological structure map of Mauritania (phase V, deliverable 54_2), Maximum depth to basement map of Mauritania derived from Euler analysis
Using nuclear magnetic resonance and transient electromagnetics to characterise water distribution beneath an ice covered volcanic crater: The case of Sherman Crater Mt. Baker Washington.
Overview of the magnetic signatures of the Palaeoproterozoic Rustenburg Layered Suite, Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Helicopter electromagnetic data map ice thickness at Mount Adams and Mount Baker, Washington, USA
*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