William Schermerhorn
William is a Geophysicist with the GMEG Science Center in Moffett Field, CA. He received his M.Sc. in Geophysics from Boise State University and his B.S. in Geology from Western Washington University. Since joining the USGS in 2022, his research has focused on applying a coupled geophysical and geologic approach to investigate geothermal resources, mineral resources, and hazards in the western US
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geophysics, Boise State University, 2021
B.S. Geology, Western Washington University, 2016
Science and Products
Regional geophysical maps of the Great Basin, USA
Regional geophysical maps of the Great Basin, USA were generated from new and existing sources to support ongoing efforts to characterize geothermal resource potential in the western US. These include: (1) a provisional regional gravity grid that was produced from data compiled from multiple sources: data collected by the USGS and Utah Geological Survey under various projects, industry...
Geophysical characterization of geothermal resources on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeast Oregon
During the summers of 2017 and 2020, our team collected gravity, ground magnetic (ATV and hiked traverses), paleomagnetic and rock property (density and susceptibility) data on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) in northeast Oregon to aid in characterizing subsurface stratigraphy using 2D and 3D modeling methods. This data was integrated with conductance surfaces from a 3D...
High Resolution Gravity and Ground Magnetic Surveys of southern Gabbs Valley, NV
From late 2017 to early 2018, our team collected gravity, ground magnetic (ATV and hiked traverses) and rock property (density and susceptibility) data in southern Gabbs Valley in west-central Nevada.
Clayton Valley Geophysical Data Release
This data release contains data from various geophysical studies performed around the larger Clayton Valley, NV area. These include reprocessed existing gravity data compiled from multiple sources, as well as newly collected gravity and ground magnetic data, and bulk densities and magnetic susceptibilities from outcrop, hand samples, and drill cores.
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 2 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 2 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Phase 2 examines two subset areas of the Phase 1 study area, Mountain Home and Camas Prairie. Brief...
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 1 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 1 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Brief descriptions of data layers are in the metadata of GIS files, greater detail is available in the Larger...
Three-dimensional geologic map the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area, Nevada
This three-dimensional (3D) geologic map displays the subsurface geology in the upper ~4 kilometers of the Earth’s crust in the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area of west-central Nevada. The 3D map was constructed by integrating the results from detailed geologic mapping, 3D gravity inversion modeling, and potential-field-geophysical studies. This effort was undertaken as part of...
Preliminary depth to basement modeling at Salton Sea, California
The San Andreas Fault – Imperial Fault (SAF-IF) transtensional step-over zone along the southern margin of the Salton Sea hosts substantial geothermal production and lithium brine resources. Recent volcanism at the Salton Buttes and active seismicity along the SAFIF fault system highlight active tectonic and magmatic processes that pose natural hazards and may impact energy and mineral...
Authors
Jacob Elliott Anderson, Jonathan M.G. Glen, William D. Schermerhorn, Tait E. Earney, Benjamin Lyter Morbeck
A geophysical characterization of structure and geology of the Northern Granite Springs Valley Geothermal System, Northwestern Nevada
The northern Granite Springs Valley in northwestern Nevada is the focus of recent studies for its potential for hosting undiscovered geothermal resources. Although the area lacks definitive surface manifestations of an active hydrothermal system, previous studies identify this region as having potential for hosting a blind geothermal resource, based on elevated subsurface temperatures...
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Drew L. Siler, J. E. Faulds, Jacob DeAngelo
UAS-based tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems: An example from Mammoth Lakes, California
Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) can accommodate a variety of tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems (e.g., magnetic, gas, photogrammetry, and thermal infrared [TIR]). These platforms offer increased speed, coverage area, and uniformity compared to ground-based measurements, as well as lower flight height – and therefore higher resolution – than occupied aircraft. We...
Authors
Laurie Antoinette Zielinski, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, Grant Harold Rea-Downing, R. Greg Vaughan, Peter J. Kelly, Gordon H. Keller, Branden James Dean, William D. Schermerhorn
Geophysical characterization of the Northwest Geysers geothermal field, California
The Clear Lake Volcanic Field in northern California is the youngest and northern-most part of a long-lived volcanic system that has produced recent (~10 ka) eruptions. Adjacent to the Clear Lake Volcanic Field is the worlds largest energy producing geothermal field, The Geysers. The hottest part of The Geysers geothermal field is in the northwest where temperatures reach ~400 C at 3 km...
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, Margaret T. Mangan, William D. Schermerhorn, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Mark Walters, Craig Hartline
Play fairway analysis in geothermal exploration: The Snake River plain volcanic province
The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) has long been considered a target for geothermal development. It overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle and represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America, but systematic exploration been hindered by lack of a conceptual model. Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) is a methodology adapted from the petroleum industry...
Authors
John Shervais, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Drew L. Siler, Lee M. Liberty, Dennis L. Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric L. Sonnenthal, Dennis L. Newell, James S. Evans, Jacob DeAngelo, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Ghanashyam Neupane
Geophysical Characterization of the heat source in the Northwest Geysers, California
The Geysers, in northern California, is the largest energy producing geothermal field in the world. Looking to expand capacity, the operator Calpine Corporation developed an anomalously hot (~400 °C at 2.5 km depth) part of the field in the northwest Geysers, including testing of an enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Though the area is anomalously hot, geophysical methods have failed to...
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Margaret T. Mangan, Mark Walters, Craig Hartline, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn
Discovery of a blind geothermal system in Southern Gabbs Valley, western Nevada, through application of the play fairway analysis at multiple scales
The Great Basin region is capable of generating much greater amounts of geothermal energy than currently produced. Most geothermal resources in this region are blind, and thus favorable characteristics for geothermal activity must be synthesized and methodologies developed to discover new commercial-grade systems. The geothermal play fairway concept involves integration of multiple...
Authors
J. E. Faulds, Jason W Craig, Nicholas H. Hinz, Mark F. Coolbaugh, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Jared R. Peacock, Stephen B. Deoreo, Drew L. Siler
A geophysical characterization of the structural framework of the Camas Prairie Geothermal System, southcentral Idaho
Play Fairway Analysis methods, utilizing existing geologic, thermal, geochemical, and geophysical data were employed in an initial assessment of geothermal resources in the Snake River Plain. These efforts identified the Camas Prairie in southcentral Idaho as a region with elevated resource potential. Subsequent efforts included structural and geophysical data collection to identify the...
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Lee M. Liberty, Jared R. Peacock, Erika Gasperikova, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Drew L. Siler, John Shervais, Patrick Dobson
Science and Products
Regional geophysical maps of the Great Basin, USA
Regional geophysical maps of the Great Basin, USA were generated from new and existing sources to support ongoing efforts to characterize geothermal resource potential in the western US. These include: (1) a provisional regional gravity grid that was produced from data compiled from multiple sources: data collected by the USGS and Utah Geological Survey under various projects, industry...
Geophysical characterization of geothermal resources on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeast Oregon
During the summers of 2017 and 2020, our team collected gravity, ground magnetic (ATV and hiked traverses), paleomagnetic and rock property (density and susceptibility) data on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR) in northeast Oregon to aid in characterizing subsurface stratigraphy using 2D and 3D modeling methods. This data was integrated with conductance surfaces from a 3D...
High Resolution Gravity and Ground Magnetic Surveys of southern Gabbs Valley, NV
From late 2017 to early 2018, our team collected gravity, ground magnetic (ATV and hiked traverses) and rock property (density and susceptibility) data in southern Gabbs Valley in west-central Nevada.
Clayton Valley Geophysical Data Release
This data release contains data from various geophysical studies performed around the larger Clayton Valley, NV area. These include reprocessed existing gravity data compiled from multiple sources, as well as newly collected gravity and ground magnetic data, and bulk densities and magnetic susceptibilities from outcrop, hand samples, and drill cores.
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 2 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 2 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Phase 2 examines two subset areas of the Phase 1 study area, Mountain Home and Camas Prairie. Brief...
Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis Phase 1 Favorability Model (DE EE0006733)
This data release contains all digital geographic data used and produced by the Snake River Plain Play Fairway Analysis (DE EE0006733) for Phase 1 (ArcGIS shapefiles and raster files) as well as the model processing script, tables, and documentation used to generate data outputs. Brief descriptions of data layers are in the metadata of GIS files, greater detail is available in the Larger...
Three-dimensional geologic map the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area, Nevada
This three-dimensional (3D) geologic map displays the subsurface geology in the upper ~4 kilometers of the Earth’s crust in the southeastern Gabbs Valley geothermal area of west-central Nevada. The 3D map was constructed by integrating the results from detailed geologic mapping, 3D gravity inversion modeling, and potential-field-geophysical studies. This effort was undertaken as part of...
Preliminary depth to basement modeling at Salton Sea, California
The San Andreas Fault – Imperial Fault (SAF-IF) transtensional step-over zone along the southern margin of the Salton Sea hosts substantial geothermal production and lithium brine resources. Recent volcanism at the Salton Buttes and active seismicity along the SAFIF fault system highlight active tectonic and magmatic processes that pose natural hazards and may impact energy and mineral...
Authors
Jacob Elliott Anderson, Jonathan M.G. Glen, William D. Schermerhorn, Tait E. Earney, Benjamin Lyter Morbeck
A geophysical characterization of structure and geology of the Northern Granite Springs Valley Geothermal System, Northwestern Nevada
The northern Granite Springs Valley in northwestern Nevada is the focus of recent studies for its potential for hosting undiscovered geothermal resources. Although the area lacks definitive surface manifestations of an active hydrothermal system, previous studies identify this region as having potential for hosting a blind geothermal resource, based on elevated subsurface temperatures...
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Drew L. Siler, J. E. Faulds, Jacob DeAngelo
UAS-based tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems: An example from Mammoth Lakes, California
Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) can accommodate a variety of tools for mapping and monitoring hydrothermal systems (e.g., magnetic, gas, photogrammetry, and thermal infrared [TIR]). These platforms offer increased speed, coverage area, and uniformity compared to ground-based measurements, as well as lower flight height – and therefore higher resolution – than occupied aircraft. We...
Authors
Laurie Antoinette Zielinski, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, Grant Harold Rea-Downing, R. Greg Vaughan, Peter J. Kelly, Gordon H. Keller, Branden James Dean, William D. Schermerhorn
Geophysical characterization of the Northwest Geysers geothermal field, California
The Clear Lake Volcanic Field in northern California is the youngest and northern-most part of a long-lived volcanic system that has produced recent (~10 ka) eruptions. Adjacent to the Clear Lake Volcanic Field is the worlds largest energy producing geothermal field, The Geysers. The hottest part of The Geysers geothermal field is in the northwest where temperatures reach ~400 C at 3 km...
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, Margaret T. Mangan, William D. Schermerhorn, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Mark Walters, Craig Hartline
Play fairway analysis in geothermal exploration: The Snake River plain volcanic province
The Snake River volcanic province (SRP) has long been considered a target for geothermal development. It overlies a thermal anomaly that extends deep into the mantle and represents one of the highest heat flow provinces in North America, but systematic exploration been hindered by lack of a conceptual model. Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) is a methodology adapted from the petroleum industry...
Authors
John Shervais, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Drew L. Siler, Lee M. Liberty, Dennis L. Nielson, Sabodh Garg, Patrick Dobson, Erika Gasperikova, Eric L. Sonnenthal, Dennis L. Newell, James S. Evans, Jacob DeAngelo, Jared R. Peacock, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Ghanashyam Neupane
Geophysical Characterization of the heat source in the Northwest Geysers, California
The Geysers, in northern California, is the largest energy producing geothermal field in the world. Looking to expand capacity, the operator Calpine Corporation developed an anomalously hot (~400 °C at 2.5 km depth) part of the field in the northwest Geysers, including testing of an enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Though the area is anomalously hot, geophysical methods have failed to...
Authors
Jared R. Peacock, Margaret T. Mangan, Mark Walters, Craig Hartline, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn
Discovery of a blind geothermal system in Southern Gabbs Valley, western Nevada, through application of the play fairway analysis at multiple scales
The Great Basin region is capable of generating much greater amounts of geothermal energy than currently produced. Most geothermal resources in this region are blind, and thus favorable characteristics for geothermal activity must be synthesized and methodologies developed to discover new commercial-grade systems. The geothermal play fairway concept involves integration of multiple...
Authors
J. E. Faulds, Jason W Craig, Nicholas H. Hinz, Mark F. Coolbaugh, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Jared R. Peacock, Stephen B. Deoreo, Drew L. Siler
A geophysical characterization of the structural framework of the Camas Prairie Geothermal System, southcentral Idaho
Play Fairway Analysis methods, utilizing existing geologic, thermal, geochemical, and geophysical data were employed in an initial assessment of geothermal resources in the Snake River Plain. These efforts identified the Camas Prairie in southcentral Idaho as a region with elevated resource potential. Subsequent efforts included structural and geophysical data collection to identify the...
Authors
Jonathan M.G. Glen, Lee M. Liberty, Jared R. Peacock, Erika Gasperikova, Tait E. Earney, William D. Schermerhorn, Drew L. Siler, John Shervais, Patrick Dobson