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
Monitoring ecosystem quality and function in arid settings of the Mojave Desert
Geologic Map and Digital Data Base of the Almo Quadrangle and City of Rocks National Reserve, Cassia County, Idaho
Modeling Soil Moisture in the Mojave Desert
Late Cenozoic drainage history of the southwestern Great Basin and lower Colorado River region: Geologic and biotic perspectives
Late Pleistocene Hansel Valley basaltic ash, northern Lake Bonneville, Utah, USA
Quaternary stratigraphy, drainage-basin development, and geomorphology of the Lake Manix basin, Mojave Desert: Guidebook for fall field trip, Friends of the Pleistocene, Pacific Cell, October 4-7, 2007
Preliminary Surficial Geology of the Dove Spring Off-Highway Vehicle Open Area, Mojave Desert, California
Late Quaternary stratigraphy and luminescence geochronology of the northeastern Mojave Desert
Geomorphology and tectonics at the intersection of Silurian and Death Valleys, Southern California - 2005 Guidebook Pacific Cell Friends of the Pleistocene
230Th-U dating of surficial deposits using the ion microprobe (SHRIMP-RG): A microstratigraphic perspective
Surficial geologic map and geodatabase of the Cuddeback Lake 30' x 60' quadrangle, San Bernardino and Kern Counties, California
Preliminary surficial geologic map database of the Amboy 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California
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
Monitoring ecosystem quality and function in arid settings of the Mojave Desert
Geologic Map and Digital Data Base of the Almo Quadrangle and City of Rocks National Reserve, Cassia County, Idaho
Modeling Soil Moisture in the Mojave Desert
Late Cenozoic drainage history of the southwestern Great Basin and lower Colorado River region: Geologic and biotic perspectives
Late Pleistocene Hansel Valley basaltic ash, northern Lake Bonneville, Utah, USA
Quaternary stratigraphy, drainage-basin development, and geomorphology of the Lake Manix basin, Mojave Desert: Guidebook for fall field trip, Friends of the Pleistocene, Pacific Cell, October 4-7, 2007
Preliminary Surficial Geology of the Dove Spring Off-Highway Vehicle Open Area, Mojave Desert, California
Late Quaternary stratigraphy and luminescence geochronology of the northeastern Mojave Desert
Geomorphology and tectonics at the intersection of Silurian and Death Valleys, Southern California - 2005 Guidebook Pacific Cell Friends of the Pleistocene
230Th-U dating of surficial deposits using the ion microprobe (SHRIMP-RG): A microstratigraphic perspective
Surficial geologic map and geodatabase of the Cuddeback Lake 30' x 60' quadrangle, San Bernardino and Kern Counties, California
Preliminary surficial geologic map database of the Amboy 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, California
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.