Ray Wells
Ray Wells is a research geologist in the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He is a structural geologist investigating the tectonic and volcanic evolution of the Pacific Northwest.
Ray Wells received his B.S. in Geological Science from Penn State, his M.S. from University of Oregon, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has 45 years of field experience documenting the geologic structure and earthquake hazards of the Cascadia convergent margin in Oregon and Washington, focusing primarily on the Coast Range, Seattle - Portland urban corridor, and the Columbia River Gorge.
Professional Experience
2020-current, Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
2017-Research Associate, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2016-Research Geologist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey
1995-2013 Project Chief, Pacific Northwest Urban Corridor Geologic Mapping, USGS, Menlo Park, CA
1991-1996 Cascadia Regional Coordinator - USGS Deep Continental Surveys
1981-2016 Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
1980 Geologist, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources
1978-1980 Research Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz
1976-1977 Teaching Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz
1975-1976 Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
1974 Geological Field Assistant, Mobil Oil Corp., Tyee Basin
1972-1974 Teaching Assistant, University of Oregon
1971 Geological Field Assistant, Johns-Mannville Ltd, Stillwater Complex
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1982
M.S., Geology, University of Oregon, 1975
B.S., Geology, Art, Pennsylvania State University, 1972
Affiliations and Memberships*
1977 - Current, American Geophysical Union
1974 - Current, Geological Society of America
1990 - Current, Seismological Society of America
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
Bureau of Reclamation
Portland State University
Honors and Awards
Distinguished Service Award of the Department of the Interior
2017 Geological Society of America’s Geologic Mapping Award in honor of Florence Bascom
Science and Products
Hydrogeology of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northern Willamette Valley
Geologic Map of the Carlton Quadrangle, Yamhill County, Oregon
The Columbia River Basalt Group: from the gorge to the sea
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanic rocks in the Newberry Mountains, California: Vertical-axis rotation and a polarity transition
Fault locking, block rotation and crustal deformation in the Pacific Northwest
Oregon geology — Parent of the soil, foundation for the vine
Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31, 2005–November 5, 2006
Linking middle-school teachers to Earthscope
Lifelines and earthquake hazards along the Interstate 5 Urban Corridor: Woodburn, Oregon to Centralia, Washington
Holocene fault scarps and shallow magnetic anomalies along the southern Whidbey Island fault zone near Woodinville, Washington
Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31-May 7, 2005
Science and Products
Hydrogeology of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northern Willamette Valley
Geologic Map of the Carlton Quadrangle, Yamhill County, Oregon
The Columbia River Basalt Group: from the gorge to the sea
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanic rocks in the Newberry Mountains, California: Vertical-axis rotation and a polarity transition
Fault locking, block rotation and crustal deformation in the Pacific Northwest
Oregon geology — Parent of the soil, foundation for the vine
Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31, 2005–November 5, 2006
Linking middle-school teachers to Earthscope
Lifelines and earthquake hazards along the Interstate 5 Urban Corridor: Woodburn, Oregon to Centralia, Washington
Holocene fault scarps and shallow magnetic anomalies along the southern Whidbey Island fault zone near Woodinville, Washington
Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31-May 7, 2005
*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