Chris H Okubo, PhD
Deputy Astrogeology Science Center Director and Research Operations Lead.
Chris helps to oversee management of the Astrogeology Science Center. He currently serves as chief for the Research Operations branch of the Astrogeology Science Center and continues research activities as time permits.
Chris has studied thermal characterization of pit craters on Kīlauea volcano, Hawai‘i, high resolution structural mapping in west Candor Chasma, Mars, stability analyses of Martian “gullies” and investigation of formation mechanisms and geotechnical assessments of planetary soils and rock masses. He has also studied fracture-controlled fluid flow on Mars, strain localization in porous rocks and implications for deformation band formation, structural analysis of thrust fault-related folds on Mars and satellite monitoring of active terrestrial volcanoes.
Professional Experience
U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, Deputy Center Director and Research Operations Lead (2018-Present)
U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, Research Geophysicist (2008 - 2018)
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Postdoctoral Research Associate (2005 - 2008)
Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Research Assistant (2000 - 2005)
Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai‘i, Research Associate (1997 - 2000)
HiRISE Co-Investigator and theme lead for tectonic processes
Mission operations for the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Science team member on the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) camera for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geological Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2005
B.S., Geology & Geophysics, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, 1997
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
Wilderness Medicine Institute
Honors and Awards
NASA Group Achievement award, MSL Relay Operations Team, 2014
NASA Group Achievement award, HiRISE Operations Team, 2011
NASA Early Career Fellow in Planetary Science, 2006-2010
Outstanding Ph.D. student in geoengineering, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2004
Overall Outstanding Graduate, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2004
Science and Products
Interpretation and analysis of planetary structures
Thin-skinned deformation of sedimentary rocks in Valles Marineris, Mars
Structural geology of Amazonian-aged layered sedimentary deposits in southwest Candor Chasma, Mars
Evidence for debris flow gully formation initiated by shallow subsurface water on Mars
Inverted channel deposits on the floor of Miyamoto crater, Mars
Geomorphic knobs of Candor Chasma, Mars: New Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data and comparisons to terrestrial analogs
The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) during MRO's Primary Science Phase (PSP)
Coregistration of Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topography with high-resolution Mars images
Shallow radar (SHARAD) sounding observations of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars
Deformation band clusters on Mars and implications for subsurface fluid flow
Dielectric properties of lava flows west of Ascraeus Mons, Mars
Relative age of interior layered deposits in southwest Candor Chasma based on high-resolution structural mapping
Science and Products
Interpretation and analysis of planetary structures
Thin-skinned deformation of sedimentary rocks in Valles Marineris, Mars
Structural geology of Amazonian-aged layered sedimentary deposits in southwest Candor Chasma, Mars
Evidence for debris flow gully formation initiated by shallow subsurface water on Mars
Inverted channel deposits on the floor of Miyamoto crater, Mars
Geomorphic knobs of Candor Chasma, Mars: New Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data and comparisons to terrestrial analogs
The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) during MRO's Primary Science Phase (PSP)
Coregistration of Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topography with high-resolution Mars images
Shallow radar (SHARAD) sounding observations of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars
Deformation band clusters on Mars and implications for subsurface fluid flow
Dielectric properties of lava flows west of Ascraeus Mons, Mars
Relative age of interior layered deposits in southwest Candor Chasma based on high-resolution structural mapping
*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