Randall C Orndorff
After being the recent Acting Director position for the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI), Randall C. Orndorff will be returning to his position as a research geologist for the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.
Career History and Highlights
Randall is a geologic mapper and karst specialist for the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center in Reston, VA. His current projects include geologic mapping a karst research in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia, and the souther Lake Champlain region of New York and Vermont. As the Acting Director for the Office of Science Quality and Integrity from May 2016 to January 2017, Randall was tasked with monitoring and enhancing the integrity, quality, and health of United States Geological Survey science through executive oversight and development of strong practices, policy, and supporting programs listed below. Prior to Acting Director of OSQI, Randall was the Director of the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center (2010-2016). In this role, he was responsible for overseeing geologic mapping and paleoclimate studies in the eastern United States as well as karst, landslide, and earthquake hazards. From 2002 to 2010, he was Associate Program Coordinator for the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. With more than 30 years at the USGS as a scientist, program coordinator, and science center director, he has brought a wealth of knowledge to his leadership roles.
Education and Certifications
Randy earned both a bachelor’s degree (1983) and master’s degree (1985) in geology from Old Dominion University.
Science and Products
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
The Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project performs geologic mapping at local and regional scales, and geologic research in The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateaus physiographic provinces. These provinces include parts of 11 states and mainly borders the Blue Ridge / Piedmont and North Interior Lowlands Provinces. Only one state has Valley and Ridge geology (NJ), two have Appalachian...
Digital geologic map data for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and adjacent areas along the Current River and Jacks Fork, Missouri
This is a seamless compilation of GIS data for geologic coverage of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (NPS) in the southern Ozarks of Missouri. It is compiles from 1:24,000 data that was previously published as 7.5 minute quadrangle maps. This compilation will give the park a continuous coverage of the park for land management and natural science research purposes.
Bedrock geologic map of the Crown Point quadrangle, Essex County, New York, and Addison County, Vermont
The bedrock geology of the 7.5-minute Crown Point quadrangle consists of deformed and metamorphosed Mesoproterozoic gneisses of the Adirondack Highlands unconformably overlain by weakly deformed lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Champlain Valley. The Mesoproterozoic rocks occur on the eastern edge of the Adirondack Highlands and represent an extension of the Grenville Province of Laurentia.
Geologic maps of the Stephenson and Winchester quadrangles, Frederick and Clarke Counties, Virginia, and Inwood and White Hall quadrangles, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia
The study area consists of four contiguous 7.5-minute quadrangles and is located in Frederick and Clarke Counties, Virginia, and Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia. The individual quadrangles are Stephenson, Winchester, Inwood, and White Hall. The study area lies within the Great Valley subprovince of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province where about 23,000 feet (ft) (7,000 meter
Bedrock geologic map of the Spring Valley, West Plains, and parts of the Piedmont and Poplar Bluff 30'x60' quadrangles, Missouri, including the upper Current River and Eleven Point River drainage basins
This map covers the drainage basins of the upper Current River and the Eleven Point River in the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province of southeastern Missouri. The two surface drainage basins are contiguous in their headwaters regions, but are separated in their lower reaches by the lower Black River basin in the southeast corner of the map area. Numerous dye-trace studies demonstrate that in the
Geologic map of the Jam Up Cave and Pine Crest quadrangles, Shannon, Texas, and Howell Counties, Missouri
The Jam Up Cave and Pine Crest 7.5-minute quadrangles are located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 2,400 to 3,100 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic igneous basement rocks. Unconsolidated residuum, coll
Geologic map of the Alley Spring quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri
The Alley Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 1,990 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. A small exposure of the volcanic rocks exists near the eastern
Geologic Map of the Round Spring Quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri
The Round Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in Shannon County, south-central Missouri on the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. As much as 1,350 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks, mostly dolomite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. The bedrock is overlain by unconsolidated residuum, colluvium, terrace deposits, a
Geologic Map of the Frederick 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
The Frederick 30? ? 60? quadrangle lies within the Potomac River watershed of the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin. The map area covers parts of Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties in Maryland; Loudoun, Clarke, and Fairfax Counties in Virginia; and Jefferson and Berkeley Counties in West Virginia. Many geologic features (such as faults and folds) are named for geographic f
Geologic map of the Fremont quadrangle, Shannon, Carter, and Oregon Counties, Missouri
The bedrock exposed in the Fremont Quadrangle, Missouri, comprises Early Ordovician aged dolomite, sandstone, and chert. The sedimentary rocks are nearly flat-lying except where they are adjacent to faults. The carbonate rocks are karstified and the area contains numerous sinkholes, springs, caves, and losing-streams.
This map is one of several being produced under the U.S. Geological Survey N
Geology of the Stegall Mountain 7.5-minute quadrangle, Shannon and Carter Counties, south-central Missouri
The bedrock exposed in the Stegall Mountain Quadrangle, Missouri, comprises Mesoproterozoic aged volcanic rocks overlain by Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician aged dolomite, sandstone, and chert. The sedimentary rocks are nearly flat-lying except where they drape around knobs of the volcanic rocks or where they are adjacent to faults. The carbonates are karstified and the area contains numero
Filter Total Items: 38
Hydrogeology, karst, and groundwater availability of Monroe County, West Virginia
Monroe County is in southeastern West Virginia, encompassing an area of 474 square miles. The area consists of karst and siliciclastic aquifers of Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian age and is in parts of two physiographic provinces: the Valley and Ridge Province to the east of Peters Mountain, and the Appalachian Plateau Province to the west of Peters Mountain. This study was devel
Authors
Mark D. Kozar, Daniel H. Doctor, William K. Jones, Nathan Chien, Cheyenne E. Cox, Randall C. Orndorff, David J. Weary, Mitchell R. Weaver, Mitchell A. McAdoo, Mercer Parker
Stratigraphic notes—Volume 1, 2022
This is the first volume in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) series of reports on stratigraphy entitled “Stratigraphic Notes,” which consists of short papers that highlight stratigraphic studies, changes in stratigraphic nomenclature, and explanations of stratigraphic names and concepts used on published geologic maps. “Stratigraphic Notes” is a long-term (multiyear), multivolume publication cont
Stratigraphic Notes
Welcome to the resurrected series of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports on stratigraphy entitled “Stratigraphic Notes.” For several decades, until the mid-1990s, the USGS published volumes of short papers that highlighted stratigraphic studies, changes in stratigraphic nomenclature, and explanations of stratigraphic names and concepts used on published geologic maps. The purpose was to encourag
Memorial to Jack B. Epstein 1935-2020
Jack Burton Epstein, a career geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) passed away in May 2020 at his home in Great Falls, Virginia. His career and contributions to the USGS spanned more than 60 years from his time as a summer field assistant while attending college, through 40 years as a research geologist, and more than 15 years as an emeritus scientist. Jack was born December 27, 1935
Authors
Randall C. Orndorff, David J. Weary, Peter T. Lyttle
The Value of Data – The Qatar Geologic Mapping Project
The State of Qatar is in a period of rapid development, modernization, and population growth. One of the most important factors influencing the long-term success and sustainability of future development is a comprehensive understanding of the region’s geologic regime, geotechnical conditions, natural resources, and environmental constraints. To obtain this understanding, the Ministry of Municipal
Authors
Joseph T. Krupansky, Michael A. Knight, Randall Orndorff, Khaled M. Al-Akhras, Ara G. Mouradian, Ali F. Saleh
Geologic map of the Timberville quadrangle, Virginia
This map of the Timberville 7.5-minute quadrangle in Rockingham and Shenandoah counties, Virginia shows the distribution of Paleozoic-age sedimentary rocks in map and cross-section. Surficial deposits including alluvium and colluvium are also shown. The characteristics of each map unit are described and a brief report discusses the stratigraphy, structure and mineral resources of the area.
Authors
Matthew J. Heller, Randall C. Orndorff, David A. Hubbard, Eugene K. Rader
North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature Report 12 – Revision of article 37, lithodemic units, of the North American Stratigraphic Code
At the 71st Annual Meeting of the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 26 September, 2016, in Denver, Colorado, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the revision of Article 37 of the North American Stratigraphic Code (North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 2005), printed below. It replaces all older versions of this Article. An application for this revis
Authors
Robert M. Easton, Lucy E. Edwards, Randall C. Orndorff, Manuel Duguet, Ismael Ferrusquia-Villafranca
Digital geologic map data for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and adjacent areas along the Current River and Jacks Fork, Missouri
The geology of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) in southern Missouri has been mapped at 1:24,000 scale. This endeavor was achieved through the combined efforts of U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Geological Survey individual quadrangle mapping and additional fieldwork by the authors of this report. Geologic data covering the area of the ONSR and a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) buffer zone su
Authors
David J. Weary, Randall C. Orndorff, Richard W. Harrison, Robert E. Weems
Structural geometry of the Valley and Ridge and Plateaus provinces
The Valley and Ridge physiographic province comprises
the area between the Blue Ridge province on the east and the
Appalachian Plateau province on the west. The province consists
of Paleozoic carbonate and clastic rocks that were folded and
thrust faulted during the Alleghanian orogeny. The Appalachian Plateau
province consists of mostly flat lying to gently dipping upper
Paleozoic rocks, with the
Authors
Mark A. Evans, Randall C. Orndorff, William S. Henika
Geologic context of large karst springs and caves in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri
The ONSR is a karst park, containing many springs and caves. The “jewels” of the park are large springs, several of first magnitude, that contribute significantly to the flow and water quality of the Current River and its tributaries. Completion of 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of the park and surrounding river basin, along with synthesis of published hydrologic data, allows us to examine the sp
Authors
David J. Weary, Randall C. Orndorff
NACSN, note 67--Application for revision of Articles 36 and 37, Lithodemic units of the North American stratigraphic code
Currently the North American Stratigraphic Code, (NACSN 2005, Article 37) sets restrictions on the use of the term “complex” for lithodemic units. With exceptions for “volcanic complex” and “structural complex,” a complex must consist of more than one genetic class of rock (i.e., sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic). Thus, the use of the term “complex” to describe masses of intrusive rocks is not
Authors
Robert M. Easton, Lucy E. Edwards, Randall C. Orndorff, Manuel Duguet, Ismael Ferrusquia-Villafranca
Ordovician of Germany Valley, West Virginia: 12th International Symposium on the Ordovician System mid-conference field trip
No abstract available.
Authors
John T. Haynes, Keith E. Goggin, Randall C. Orndorff
Science and Products
Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project
The Appalachian Basin Geologic Mapping Project performs geologic mapping at local and regional scales, and geologic research in The Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateaus physiographic provinces. These provinces include parts of 11 states and mainly borders the Blue Ridge / Piedmont and North Interior Lowlands Provinces. Only one state has Valley and Ridge geology (NJ), two have Appalachian...
Digital geologic map data for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and adjacent areas along the Current River and Jacks Fork, Missouri
This is a seamless compilation of GIS data for geologic coverage of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (NPS) in the southern Ozarks of Missouri. It is compiles from 1:24,000 data that was previously published as 7.5 minute quadrangle maps. This compilation will give the park a continuous coverage of the park for land management and natural science research purposes.
Bedrock geologic map of the Crown Point quadrangle, Essex County, New York, and Addison County, Vermont
The bedrock geology of the 7.5-minute Crown Point quadrangle consists of deformed and metamorphosed Mesoproterozoic gneisses of the Adirondack Highlands unconformably overlain by weakly deformed lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Champlain Valley. The Mesoproterozoic rocks occur on the eastern edge of the Adirondack Highlands and represent an extension of the Grenville Province of Laurentia.
Geologic maps of the Stephenson and Winchester quadrangles, Frederick and Clarke Counties, Virginia, and Inwood and White Hall quadrangles, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia
The study area consists of four contiguous 7.5-minute quadrangles and is located in Frederick and Clarke Counties, Virginia, and Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia. The individual quadrangles are Stephenson, Winchester, Inwood, and White Hall. The study area lies within the Great Valley subprovince of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province where about 23,000 feet (ft) (7,000 meter
Bedrock geologic map of the Spring Valley, West Plains, and parts of the Piedmont and Poplar Bluff 30'x60' quadrangles, Missouri, including the upper Current River and Eleven Point River drainage basins
This map covers the drainage basins of the upper Current River and the Eleven Point River in the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province of southeastern Missouri. The two surface drainage basins are contiguous in their headwaters regions, but are separated in their lower reaches by the lower Black River basin in the southeast corner of the map area. Numerous dye-trace studies demonstrate that in the
Geologic map of the Jam Up Cave and Pine Crest quadrangles, Shannon, Texas, and Howell Counties, Missouri
The Jam Up Cave and Pine Crest 7.5-minute quadrangles are located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 2,400 to 3,100 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic igneous basement rocks. Unconsolidated residuum, coll
Geologic map of the Alley Spring quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri
The Alley Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in south-central Missouri within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. About 1,990 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, mostly dolomite, chert, sandstone, and orthoquartzite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. A small exposure of the volcanic rocks exists near the eastern
Geologic Map of the Round Spring Quadrangle, Shannon County, Missouri
The Round Spring 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in Shannon County, south-central Missouri on the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province. As much as 1,350 feet (ft) of flat-lying to gently dipping Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks, mostly dolomite, overlie Mesoproterozoic volcanic rocks. The bedrock is overlain by unconsolidated residuum, colluvium, terrace deposits, a
Geologic Map of the Frederick 30' x 60' Quadrangle, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
The Frederick 30? ? 60? quadrangle lies within the Potomac River watershed of the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin. The map area covers parts of Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties in Maryland; Loudoun, Clarke, and Fairfax Counties in Virginia; and Jefferson and Berkeley Counties in West Virginia. Many geologic features (such as faults and folds) are named for geographic f
Geologic map of the Fremont quadrangle, Shannon, Carter, and Oregon Counties, Missouri
The bedrock exposed in the Fremont Quadrangle, Missouri, comprises Early Ordovician aged dolomite, sandstone, and chert. The sedimentary rocks are nearly flat-lying except where they are adjacent to faults. The carbonate rocks are karstified and the area contains numerous sinkholes, springs, caves, and losing-streams.
This map is one of several being produced under the U.S. Geological Survey N
Geology of the Stegall Mountain 7.5-minute quadrangle, Shannon and Carter Counties, south-central Missouri
The bedrock exposed in the Stegall Mountain Quadrangle, Missouri, comprises Mesoproterozoic aged volcanic rocks overlain by Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician aged dolomite, sandstone, and chert. The sedimentary rocks are nearly flat-lying except where they drape around knobs of the volcanic rocks or where they are adjacent to faults. The carbonates are karstified and the area contains numero
Filter Total Items: 38
Hydrogeology, karst, and groundwater availability of Monroe County, West Virginia
Monroe County is in southeastern West Virginia, encompassing an area of 474 square miles. The area consists of karst and siliciclastic aquifers of Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian age and is in parts of two physiographic provinces: the Valley and Ridge Province to the east of Peters Mountain, and the Appalachian Plateau Province to the west of Peters Mountain. This study was devel
Authors
Mark D. Kozar, Daniel H. Doctor, William K. Jones, Nathan Chien, Cheyenne E. Cox, Randall C. Orndorff, David J. Weary, Mitchell R. Weaver, Mitchell A. McAdoo, Mercer Parker
Stratigraphic notes—Volume 1, 2022
This is the first volume in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) series of reports on stratigraphy entitled “Stratigraphic Notes,” which consists of short papers that highlight stratigraphic studies, changes in stratigraphic nomenclature, and explanations of stratigraphic names and concepts used on published geologic maps. “Stratigraphic Notes” is a long-term (multiyear), multivolume publication cont
Stratigraphic Notes
Welcome to the resurrected series of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports on stratigraphy entitled “Stratigraphic Notes.” For several decades, until the mid-1990s, the USGS published volumes of short papers that highlighted stratigraphic studies, changes in stratigraphic nomenclature, and explanations of stratigraphic names and concepts used on published geologic maps. The purpose was to encourag
Memorial to Jack B. Epstein 1935-2020
Jack Burton Epstein, a career geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) passed away in May 2020 at his home in Great Falls, Virginia. His career and contributions to the USGS spanned more than 60 years from his time as a summer field assistant while attending college, through 40 years as a research geologist, and more than 15 years as an emeritus scientist. Jack was born December 27, 1935
Authors
Randall C. Orndorff, David J. Weary, Peter T. Lyttle
The Value of Data – The Qatar Geologic Mapping Project
The State of Qatar is in a period of rapid development, modernization, and population growth. One of the most important factors influencing the long-term success and sustainability of future development is a comprehensive understanding of the region’s geologic regime, geotechnical conditions, natural resources, and environmental constraints. To obtain this understanding, the Ministry of Municipal
Authors
Joseph T. Krupansky, Michael A. Knight, Randall Orndorff, Khaled M. Al-Akhras, Ara G. Mouradian, Ali F. Saleh
Geologic map of the Timberville quadrangle, Virginia
This map of the Timberville 7.5-minute quadrangle in Rockingham and Shenandoah counties, Virginia shows the distribution of Paleozoic-age sedimentary rocks in map and cross-section. Surficial deposits including alluvium and colluvium are also shown. The characteristics of each map unit are described and a brief report discusses the stratigraphy, structure and mineral resources of the area.
Authors
Matthew J. Heller, Randall C. Orndorff, David A. Hubbard, Eugene K. Rader
North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature Report 12 – Revision of article 37, lithodemic units, of the North American Stratigraphic Code
At the 71st Annual Meeting of the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 26 September, 2016, in Denver, Colorado, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the revision of Article 37 of the North American Stratigraphic Code (North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 2005), printed below. It replaces all older versions of this Article. An application for this revis
Authors
Robert M. Easton, Lucy E. Edwards, Randall C. Orndorff, Manuel Duguet, Ismael Ferrusquia-Villafranca
Digital geologic map data for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and adjacent areas along the Current River and Jacks Fork, Missouri
The geology of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) in southern Missouri has been mapped at 1:24,000 scale. This endeavor was achieved through the combined efforts of U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Geological Survey individual quadrangle mapping and additional fieldwork by the authors of this report. Geologic data covering the area of the ONSR and a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) buffer zone su
Authors
David J. Weary, Randall C. Orndorff, Richard W. Harrison, Robert E. Weems
Structural geometry of the Valley and Ridge and Plateaus provinces
The Valley and Ridge physiographic province comprises
the area between the Blue Ridge province on the east and the
Appalachian Plateau province on the west. The province consists
of Paleozoic carbonate and clastic rocks that were folded and
thrust faulted during the Alleghanian orogeny. The Appalachian Plateau
province consists of mostly flat lying to gently dipping upper
Paleozoic rocks, with the
Authors
Mark A. Evans, Randall C. Orndorff, William S. Henika
Geologic context of large karst springs and caves in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri
The ONSR is a karst park, containing many springs and caves. The “jewels” of the park are large springs, several of first magnitude, that contribute significantly to the flow and water quality of the Current River and its tributaries. Completion of 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of the park and surrounding river basin, along with synthesis of published hydrologic data, allows us to examine the sp
Authors
David J. Weary, Randall C. Orndorff
NACSN, note 67--Application for revision of Articles 36 and 37, Lithodemic units of the North American stratigraphic code
Currently the North American Stratigraphic Code, (NACSN 2005, Article 37) sets restrictions on the use of the term “complex” for lithodemic units. With exceptions for “volcanic complex” and “structural complex,” a complex must consist of more than one genetic class of rock (i.e., sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic). Thus, the use of the term “complex” to describe masses of intrusive rocks is not
Authors
Robert M. Easton, Lucy E. Edwards, Randall C. Orndorff, Manuel Duguet, Ismael Ferrusquia-Villafranca
Ordovician of Germany Valley, West Virginia: 12th International Symposium on the Ordovician System mid-conference field trip
No abstract available.
Authors
John T. Haynes, Keith E. Goggin, Randall C. Orndorff