New Chief Scientist for the Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team

By Mike Shulters December 2008

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Above: Michael D. Carr at the USGS Pacific Science Center, Santa Cruz, California. [larger version]

Michael D. Carr has become the new Chief Scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)'s Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team. He succeeds Sam Johnson, who will continue with the team as a research scientist. Carr's selection was announced on November 7, 2008, by Acting Southwest Area Regional Executive Mike Shulters.

Carr joined the USGS in 1979 as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate. He was an undergraduate at Franklin and Marshall College and received both his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in geology from Rice University. Carr became a permanent member of the USGS in 1981, joining the Yucca Mountain Project. Over the following decade, he became part of the scientific leadership and management team for this multidisciplinary project, which included studies of neotectonics, Quaternary stratigraphy, erosional  processes, paleoclimate, volcanic stratigraphy, soils, Cenozoic tectonics and volcanism, Paleozoic stratigraphy, hydrogeologic framework, and crustal structure—all aimed at evaluating the suitability of the proposed site for disposal of high-level nuclear waste in southern Nevada. He also participated in projects of the National Geologic Mapping Program, mapping in the southern Great Basin and the Mojave Desert. From 1993 to 1996, Carr served as the USGS Global Change Research Program Coordinator in the Office of the Director. During his tour in the Director's Office, he also acted as program coordinator during the early development of the USGS Ecosystem Program. Carr previously served as the Team Chief Scientist of the USGS Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team from 1996 through 2001. He acted as Western Regional Geologist from 2002 to 2003 and was the Associate Western Regional Geologist from 2003 to 2007. Since October 2007, he has been the Regional Science Coordinator for Geology and concurrently acted as Chief Scientist for the Earthquake Hazards Team from May through September of 2008.

Carr's extensive experience in many levels of the organization and his commitment toward broadening the scope and reach of USGS science will enable him to be an outstanding leader for the Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team. As Sam Johnson returns to science, please join us in thanking him for positioning the team and the region to play an even stronger role in coastal and ocean science. Welcome Mike back to the Team Chief Scientist position, which he assumed on November 23, 2008.

Western Coastal & Marine Geology USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), Menlo Park & Santa Cruz, CA

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December 2008

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in this issue:

cover story:
Tracking Sea Turtles

Alaskan Glaciers Retreating

Migratory Birds Carry Avian Influenza

Earth Science Day in Menlo Park, CA

Shinn Wins SEPM Twenhofel Medal

USGS Collaborator Wins SEPM Shepard Medal

New Chief Scientist for Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team

December 2008 Publications List