Jim E O'Connor
Jim O'Connor is a Research Geologist in the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He chiefly works on the geology and geomorphology of the Pacific Northwest.
Jim O’Connor majored in Geological Science at University of Washington and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at University of Arizona. Since 1991, he has worked at the U.S. Geological Survey, intent on improving understanding of the processes and events that shape the remarkable and diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Professional Experience
2014 - present, Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, Oregon
1996 - present, Adjunct professor, Dept. Geology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
1996 - 2014, Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, Oregon
1994 - 1996, Research Hydrologist, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon
1991 - 1994, National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington
1985 - 1987, Hydrologist, Pima County Dept. Transportation and Flood Control, Tucson, Arizona
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1990
M.S., Geosciencesm University of Arizona, 1985
B.S., Geological Sciences, University of Washington, 1982
Affiliations and Memberships*
1984 - present, Geological Society of America (Fellow)
1985 - present, American Geophysical Union
2015 - present, Sigma Xi
Portland State University
Oregon State University
Science and Products
Estimation of bed-material transport in the lower Chetco River, Oregon, water years 2009-2010
Channel change and bed-material transport in the Lower Chetco River, Oregon
Channel change and bed-material transport in the Umpqua River basin, Oregon
Channel change and bed-material transport in the Lower Chetco River, Oregon
Preliminary assessment of vertical stability and gravel transport along the Umpqua River, southwestern Oregon
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
The world's largest floods, past and present: Their causes and magnitudes
Spatial distribution of the largest rainfall‐runoff floods from basins between 2.6 and 26,000 km2 in the United States and Puerto Rico
Large floods in the United States: where they happen and why
Origin, extent, and thickness of quaternary geologic units in the Willamette Valley, Oregon
Methods for predicting peak discharge of floods caused by failure of natural and constructed earthen dams
Science and Products
Estimation of bed-material transport in the lower Chetco River, Oregon, water years 2009-2010
Channel change and bed-material transport in the Lower Chetco River, Oregon
Channel change and bed-material transport in the Umpqua River basin, Oregon
Channel change and bed-material transport in the Lower Chetco River, Oregon
Preliminary assessment of vertical stability and gravel transport along the Umpqua River, southwestern Oregon
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
The world's largest floods, past and present: Their causes and magnitudes
Spatial distribution of the largest rainfall‐runoff floods from basins between 2.6 and 26,000 km2 in the United States and Puerto Rico
Large floods in the United States: where they happen and why
Origin, extent, and thickness of quaternary geologic units in the Willamette Valley, Oregon
Methods for predicting peak discharge of floods caused by failure of natural and constructed earthen dams
*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