David M. Miller, Ph.D
David is an Emeritus at Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He received a Ph.D from UCLA in 1978 and a BS from Binghamton University in 1973 in Geology. He began by studying metamorphic rocks of core complexes in the Intermountain West and is now focusing on evaluating earthquake hazards by studying Cenozoic materials.
David is currently an Emeritus at Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He worked on metamorphic rocks of core complexes and Cenozoic igneous and sedimentary rocks of basins in the Intermountain West for two decades, pursuing structural origins of mineral resources and hydrocarbon resources. He shifted to study of late Cenozoic materials, mainly for evaluating earthquake hazards, during the last two decades.
David is now working on the neotectonics of the Northern Mojave Desert. Through surficial geologic mapping and surface process studies, he is improving understanding of earthquake risks by evaluating recently active faults, folds, and warps of tectonic origin. The mapping is focused on several active faults identified by recent regional mapping of the Mojave Desert. A long-term goal is to arrive at a new tectonic synthesis of this part of the eastern California shear zone.
He is also involved with studying the Mojave Desert Ecosystem through surficial geologic mapping and surface process studies. He is developing data for a regional study of biotic and abiotic systems of the Mojave Desert, such as ground-based studies of surficial geology, material properties, eolian transport, overland flow, and Holocene climate history.
Finally, he is working on the Paleoclimatic records of the southwest. He examines spring and marsh records, lake shoreline records, and lake-bottom deposits to detail glacial and post-glacial sediment histories to extract paleo climatic information. These studies range from Mojave Desert to Great Salt Lake and its precursor lake, Lake Bonneville.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D in Geology, University of California, 1978
BS in Geology with "Distinguished Independent Study", Binghamton University, 1973
Science and Products
The late Cenozoic Eastern California Shear Zone after 25 years of study
Connecting the Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults with gravity andaeromagnetic data, Mojave Desert, California
Water-resources and land-surface deformation evaluation studies at Fort Irwin National Training Center, Mojave Desert, California
Active tectonics of the northern Mojave Desert: The 2017 Desert Symposium field trip road log
Regional and temporal variability of melts during a Cordilleran magma pulse: Age and chemical evolution of the jurassic arc, eastern mojave desert, California
The Provo shoreline of Lake Bonneville
The Pilot Valley shoreline: An early record of Lake Bonneville dynamics
Geologic and geophysical maps and volcanic history of the Kelton Pass SE and Monument Peak SW Quadrangles, Box Elder County, Utah
Limiting age for the Provo shoreline of Lake Bonneville
Factors affecting the thermal environment of Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) cover sites in the Central Mojave Desert during periods of temperature extremes
Early Holocene Great Salt Lake
Paleodischarge of the Mojave River, southwestern U.S.A, investigated with single-pebble measurements of 10Be
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
The late Cenozoic Eastern California Shear Zone after 25 years of study
Connecting the Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults with gravity andaeromagnetic data, Mojave Desert, California
Water-resources and land-surface deformation evaluation studies at Fort Irwin National Training Center, Mojave Desert, California
Active tectonics of the northern Mojave Desert: The 2017 Desert Symposium field trip road log
Regional and temporal variability of melts during a Cordilleran magma pulse: Age and chemical evolution of the jurassic arc, eastern mojave desert, California
The Provo shoreline of Lake Bonneville
The Pilot Valley shoreline: An early record of Lake Bonneville dynamics
Geologic and geophysical maps and volcanic history of the Kelton Pass SE and Monument Peak SW Quadrangles, Box Elder County, Utah
Limiting age for the Provo shoreline of Lake Bonneville
Factors affecting the thermal environment of Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) cover sites in the Central Mojave Desert during periods of temperature extremes
Early Holocene Great Salt Lake
Paleodischarge of the Mojave River, southwestern U.S.A, investigated with single-pebble measurements of 10Be
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.