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
Images of the World Trade Center site show thermal hot spots on September 16 and 23, 2001
Environmental studies of the World Trade Center area after the September 11, 2001 attack
Application of geophysical techniques to minerals-related environmental problems
Leaching studies of schwertmannite-rich precipitates from the Animas River Headwaters, Colorado and Boulder River Headwaters, Montana
Applications of imaging spectroscopy data: A case study at Summitville, Colorado
Using imaging spectroscopy to map acidic mine waste
The U. S. Geological Survey, Digital Spectral Library: Version 1 (0.2 to 3.0um)
High spectral resolution reflectance spectroscopy of minerals
Infrared spectra and crystal chemistry of scapolites: implications for Martian mineralogy
High-resolution reflectance spectra of Mars in the 2.3-μm region: evidence for the mineral scapolite
Shawangunk ore district, New York; geochemical and spectral data
Science and Products
Images of the World Trade Center site show thermal hot spots on September 16 and 23, 2001
Environmental studies of the World Trade Center area after the September 11, 2001 attack
Application of geophysical techniques to minerals-related environmental problems
Leaching studies of schwertmannite-rich precipitates from the Animas River Headwaters, Colorado and Boulder River Headwaters, Montana
Applications of imaging spectroscopy data: A case study at Summitville, Colorado
Using imaging spectroscopy to map acidic mine waste
The U. S. Geological Survey, Digital Spectral Library: Version 1 (0.2 to 3.0um)
High spectral resolution reflectance spectroscopy of minerals
Infrared spectra and crystal chemistry of scapolites: implications for Martian mineralogy
High-resolution reflectance spectra of Mars in the 2.3-μm region: evidence for the mineral scapolite
Shawangunk ore district, New York; geochemical and spectral data
*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