Gregg A Swayze, Ph.D.
Gregg Swayze is a Scientist Emeritus in Denver. Gregg received a Doctorate in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1997. Since joining the USGS in 1985, Gregg has devoted his career to studying Remote Sensing and specializes in Imaging Spectroscopy. Presently, his science focuses on environmental and mineral exploration applications of imaging spectroscopy.
Research Interests
Over the years, Gregg has developed methods to spectrally map acid-mine drainage in Leadville, Colorado, naturally-occurring asbestos in the foothills of California, insulation asbestos in the World Trade Center dust, and oil emulsions formed during the 2010 BP oil spill. He has also developed a portable spectral fingerprinting technique to identify asbestos-bearing vermiculite in attic insulation. Gregg has used his imaging spectroscopy experience with relict hydrothermal systems in Nevada and Hawaii to help map similar mineral deposits on the surface of Mars with the NASA CRISM orbital spectrometer. His most recent focus is on spectrally mapping REE-bearing minerals at the Mt. Pass Mine in California. He was recently selected as a Co-Investigator of the NASA/JPL Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) team with the goal of putting an imaging spectrometer on the International Space Station to map the mineralogy of dust source regions on a global basis.
Professional Experience
1985 to present, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. degree/Geology, University of Colorado, 1997
M.S. degree/Geology, Colorado School of Mines, 1985
B.S. degree/Geology, Grand Valley State University, 1982
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
Colorado Scientific Society
Society of Economic Geologists
Science and Products
A rapid method for creating qualitative images indicative of thick oil emulsion on the ocean's surface from imaging spectrometer data
Estimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team
Mineralogy and stratigraphy of phyllosilicate-bearing and dark mantling units in the greater Mawrth Vallis/west Arabia Terra area: Constraints on geological origin
A Method for Qualitative Mapping of Thick Oil Spills Using Imaging Spectroscopy
Silica in a Mars analog environment: Ka u Desert, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites
Hydrated mineral stratigraphy of Ius Chasma, Valles Marineris
Environmental mapping of the World Trade Center area with imaging spectroscopy after the September 11, 2001 attack
Materials characterization of dusts generated by the collapse of the World Trade Center
Inorganic chemical composition and chemical reactivity of settled dust generated by the World Trade Center building collapse
Reflectance spectroscopy of organic compounds: 1. Alkanes
Characterization of phyllosilicates observed in the central Mawrth Vallis region, Mars, their potential formational processes, and implications for past climate
Science and Products
A rapid method for creating qualitative images indicative of thick oil emulsion on the ocean's surface from imaging spectrometer data
Estimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team
Mineralogy and stratigraphy of phyllosilicate-bearing and dark mantling units in the greater Mawrth Vallis/west Arabia Terra area: Constraints on geological origin
A Method for Qualitative Mapping of Thick Oil Spills Using Imaging Spectroscopy
Silica in a Mars analog environment: Ka u Desert, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites
Hydrated mineral stratigraphy of Ius Chasma, Valles Marineris
Environmental mapping of the World Trade Center area with imaging spectroscopy after the September 11, 2001 attack
Materials characterization of dusts generated by the collapse of the World Trade Center
Inorganic chemical composition and chemical reactivity of settled dust generated by the World Trade Center building collapse
Reflectance spectroscopy of organic compounds: 1. Alkanes
Characterization of phyllosilicates observed in the central Mawrth Vallis region, Mars, their potential formational processes, and implications for past climate
*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