Professional Background

My geologic career started as an undergraduate at Wayne State University in Detroit. Initial interests in paleontology and geomorphology were quickly replaced by an active involvement in both volcanology and planetary geology. I started graduate school at the University of New Mexico in 1965 and began research projects under the direction of Dr. Wolfgang Elston. UNM was an ideal place to do studies that combined elements of volcanology, geochemistry and planetary geology. My research at New Mexico involved studies of flow direction in volcanic rocks and the comparisons of volcanic domes on the Earth and Moon. I completed both a M.S. (1968) and Ph.D. (1970) at New Mexico and took my first job at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Besides continuing research in planetary geology, I initiated studies on the Precambrian (1.76 Ga) magmatic rocks in the Fox River Valley of central Wisconsin. After eight years in Wisconsin, I accepted a position at UNLV in 1980. At UNLV I developed research interests in the formation of magmatic systems during periods of regional extension. In addition, the characterization work on the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain provided opportunities to study Pliocene and Quaternary basalts throughout the Great Basin, Basin and Range-Colorado Plateau transition zone, and Colorado Plateau. The goals of this project are to describe volcanic activity near the proposed repository, estimate the probability and location of future eruptions, model the petrogenesis of the lavas and characterize the mantle in the area. Recently, Terry Spell and I started a project that deals with the Quaternary aged extracaldera basalts and rhyolites in Yellowstone National Park. In the past 18 years, 25 graduate students and 5 post-doctoral fellows have worked under my direction on projects in volcanology and related fields.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., University of New Mexico, 1970
• M.S., University of New Mexico, 1968
• B.S., Wayne State University, 1965

Professional Society Memberships

• AAAS
• American Geophysical Union
• Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science
• Geological Society of America
• Geological Society of Nevada
• IAVCEI
• Mineralogical Society of America
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Gamma Epsilon
• Sigma Xi

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Teaching

I teach graduate and undergraduate courses related to volcanology and igneous petrology. In the last several years, I have taught the following courses:

Undergraduate:
• GEY 426 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• Field Geology (beginning, intermediate, and advanced)
• GEY 440 - Volcanology

Graduate:
• GEY 710 - Igneous Petrology
• GEY 640 - Volcanology

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Research

My current research deals with Pliocene-Recent basaltic volcanism in the southern Basin and Range Province in Nevada, and Arizona to support studies of the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This work is funded by the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects. I am also actively involved with studies of Quaternary volcanism in southwestern Utah. A new project involves the study of Quaternary basaltic volcanism to the north of the Yellowstone Caldera. This project is being done in collaboration with Dr. Terry Spell. Research on volcanic terrains adjacent to the Garlock Fault in California and Tertiary intermediate composition volcanism in the Lake Mead area of southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona are also underway.

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Selected Research Publications

Smith, E.I., Sánchez, A., Keenan, D.L., Monastero, F.C., 2002, Stratigraphy and Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks in the Lava Mountains, California; Implications for the Miocene Development of the Garlock Fault: in Allen Glazner, J.D. Walker and John Bartley, Geologic Evolution of the Central Mojave Desert and Southern Basin and Range: Geological Society of America Memoir 195, p. 151-160. -- PDF --

Keenan, D.L. and Smith, E.I., 2002, Geological Map of the Western Lava Mountains Volcano: Zipped Adobe pdf file to accompany the article: Smith, E.I., Sánchez, A., Keenan, D.L., Monastero, F.C., 2002, Stratigraphy and Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks in the Lava Mountains, California; Implications for the Miocene Development of the Garlock Fault: in Allen Glazner, J.D. Walker and John Bartley, Geologic Evolution of the Central Mojave Desert and Southern Basin and Range: Geological Society of America Memoir 195, p. 151-160.

Smith, E.I., Keenan, D.L., and Plank, T., 2002, Episodic Volcanism and Hot Mantle: Implications for Volcanic Hazard Studies at the Proposed Nuclear Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada: GSA Today, v. 12, no. 4, p. 4-11. -- PDF --

Spell, T.L., Smith, E.I., Sanford, Aaron, Zanetti, K.A., 2001, Systematics of xenocrystic contamination: preservation of discrete feldspar populations at McCullough Pass Caldera revealed by 40Ar/39Ar dating: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 190, p. 153-165.

Wang. K., Plank, T., Walker, J.D., and Smith, E.I., 2001, A mantle melting profile across the Basin and Range, southwestern USA: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 107, no. B1, 10.1029/2001JB000209. -- PDF --

Downing, R.F., Smith, E.I., Orndorff, R.L., Spell, T.L. and Zanetti, K.L., 2001, Imaging the Colorado Plateau - Basin and Range Transition Zone using basalt geochemistry, geochronology and geographic information systems: in Erskine, M.C., Faulds, J.E., Bartley, J.M., and Rowley, P.D., The Geologic Transition, High Plateaus to Great Basin-A Symposium and Field Guide, The J.H. Mackin Volume, Utah Geological Association Publication 30 and Pacific Section American Association of Petroleum Geologists Publication GB 78, p. 127-154.

Faulds James E., Feuerbach Daniel L., Miller Calvin F., and Smith Eugene I., 2001, Cenozoic evolution of the Northern Colorado River Extensional Corridor, southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona: in Erskine, M.C., Faulds, J.E., Bartley, J.M., and Rowley, P.D., The Geologic Transition, High Plateaus to Great Basin-A Symposium and Field Guide, The J.H. Mackin Volume, Utah Geological Association Publication 30 and Pacific Section American Association of Petroleum Geologists Publication GB 78, p. 239-271.

Tingley, J., Purkey, B.W., Duebendorfer, E.M., Smith, E.I., Price, J.G., and Castor, S.B., 2001, Geologic tours in the Las Vegas area-Expanded Edition: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Special Publication 16, 140 pp.

Faulds, J.E., Smith, E.I., and Gans, Phil, 1999, Spatial and temporal patterns of magmatism and extension in the Northern Colorado River Extensional Corridor, Nevada and Arizona: A preliminary report: in Faulds, J.E., Cenozoic geology of the Northern Colorado River Extensional Corridor, southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona: Economic implications of regional segmentation structures, Nevada Petroleum Society 1999 field trip guidebook, Reno, Nevada, p. 171-183.

Smith, E.I. and Sánchez, A., Walker, J.D. and Wang, K, 1999, Geochemistry of mafic magmas in the Hurricane volcanic field, Utah: implications for small and large scale chemical variability of the mantle: Journal of Geology, v. 7, no. 4, p. 433-448.

Rees, M.N., Smith, E.I., Keenan, D.L., and Duebendorfer, E.M., 1999, Cambrian Magmatic Rocks of the Ellsworth Mountains, West Antarctica: Antarctic Journal of the United States, Review 1997, v. 32, no. 5, p. 3-5.

Duebendorfer, E.M., Beard, Sue, and Smith, E.I., 1998, Restoration of Tertiary Extension in the Lake Mead region, southern Nevada: The role of strike-slip transfer zones: in Faulds, J.E. and Stewart, J.H., eds., Accomodation Zones and Transfer Zones: The Regional Segmentation of the Basin and Range Province: Geological Society of America Special Paper 323, p. 127-148

Ho, C-H and Smith, E.I., 1998, A Spatial-Temporal/3-D model for volcanic hazard assessment: application to the Yucca Mountain region, Nevada: Journal of Mathematical Geology, v. 30, no. 5, p. 497-510.

Ho, C-H and Smith, E.I., 1997, Volcanic hazard assessment incorporating expert knowledge: application to the Yucca Mountain Region, Nevada, U.S.A.: Journal of Mathematical Geology, v. 29, no. 5, p. 615-627.

Yogodzinski, G.M., Naumann, T.R., Smith, E.I., Bradshaw, T.K. and Walker, J.D., 1996, Crustal assimilation by alkalic basalt, and the evolution of a mafic volcanic field in the central Great Basin, south-central Nevada: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 101, p. 17,425-17,445.

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Students

• Audrey Rager (Ph.D.), Basalts, tectonics and Corona on Venus: How    important are plate tectonics? (work in progress).
• Matt McKelvey, Geology of the southern Reveille Range, Nevada: (work in    progress).
• Kristeen Bennett, Extracaldera basalts associated with the Yellowstone    Caldera : (work in progress).
• Shara Leavitt, 2006, Volcanology and Petrogenesis of the Navajo Lake    Volcanic Field, Utah : [MS thesis]: University of Nevada), 94 p.
• Denise Honn, Ph.D. Project (work in progress).
• Denise Honn, 2005, Nested Calderas  of the northern Kawich Range, central    Nevada  [MS thesis]: University of Nevada), 92 p.
• Matt Faust, 2005, Petrogenesis and geochemistry of Pleistocene and Pliocene    basalt flows of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field, Utah and their relationship to the    tectonics of the Utah Transition Zone [MS thesis]: University of Nevada), 116    p.
• Elizabeth Stickney, 2004, Quaternary basaltic volcanism in the northern part    of the Lunar Crater volcanic field, Nevada:, 103 p.
• Sanford, Aaron L., 2000, Geologic history of the McCullough Pass caldera [MS    thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 111p.
• Herrington, Juliana, 2000, Significance of the prevolcanic conglomerate of the    Colorado River extensional corridor, Nevada and Arizona [MS thesis]: Las    Vegas, University of Nevada, 83p.
• Keenan, Deborah L., 2000, A study of the Lava Mountians, San Bernadino    County, California [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 81p.
• Downing Reina, 2000, Imaging the Mantle in Southwestern, Utah Using    Geochemistry, and Geographic Information Systems [MS thesis]: Las Vegas,    University of Nevada, 129 p.
• Dickson, Loretta D., 1997, Volcanology and geochemistry of Pliocene and    Quaternary basalts on Citadel Mountain, Lunar Crater volcanic field, Pancake    Range, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 146 p.    (Received the UNLV Alumni Association award for the most outstanding    thesis for the academic year 1997-98)
• Boland, Kelly A., 1996, The petrogenesis of andsites produced during regional    extension: Examples from the northern McCullough Range, Nevada and Xitle    volcano, Mexico [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 127 p.
• Sánchez, Alexander, 1995, Mafic volcanism in the Colorado Plateau / Basin-    and-Range transition zone, Hurricane, Utah [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University    of Nevada, 92 p.
• Rash, Kelly B., 1995, Geology and geochemistry of Tertiary volcanic rocks in    the northern Reveille and southern Pancake Ranges, Nye County, Nevada [MS    thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 171 p.
• Morikawa, Shirley A., 1993, The Geology of the Tuff of Bridge Spring:    southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University    of Nevada, 165 pp.
• Cascadden, Tracy E., 1991, Style of volcanism and extensional tectonics in    the eastern Basin and Range Province: northern Mojave Co., Arizona [MS    thesis]: Las Vegas, University Of Nevada, 156 p.
• Bridwell, Hayden L., 1991, The Sloan Sag: A mid-Miocene volcanotectonic    depression, north-central McCullough Mountains, southern Nevada [MS thesis]:    Las Vegas, University Of Nevada, 147 p.
• Larsen, Lance L., 1989, The origin of the Wilson Ridge pluton and its enclaves,    northwestern Arizona: Implications for the generation of a calc-alkaline    intermediate pluton in an extensional environment [MS thesis]: Las Vegas,    University of Nevada, 81 p.
• Cole, Erin D., 1989, Petrogenesis of late Cenozoic alkalic basalt near the    eastern boundary of the Basin-And-Range: Upper Grand Wash trough, Arizona    and Gold Butte, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 68 p.
• Sewall, Angela J., 1988, Structure and geochemistry of the upper plate of the    Saddle Island detachment, Lake Mead, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas,    University of Nevada, 84 p.
• Schmidt, Casey S., 1987, A mid-Miocene caldera in the central McCullough    Mountains, Clark County, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of    Nevada, 78 p.
• Naumann, Terry R., 1987, Geology of the central Boulder Canyon quadrangle,    Clark County, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 68 p.
• Feuerbach, Daniel L., 1986, Geology of the Wilson Ridge pluton : a mid-    Miocene quartz monzonite intrusion in the northern Black Mountains, Mohave    County, Arizona and Clark County, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University    of Nevada, 79 p.
• Timm, John J., 1985, Age and significance of paleozoic sedimentary rocks in    the southern River Mountains, Clark County, Nevada [MS thesis]: Las Vegas,    University of Nevada, 62 p.
• Mills, James G., Jr., 1985, The geology and geochemistry of volcanic and    plutonic rocks in the Hoover Dam 7 1/2 minute quadrangle, Clark County,    Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of    Nevada, 119 p.
• Myers, Ingrid A., 1984, Geology and mineralization at the Cyclopic mine,    Mohave County, Arizona [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 64 p.
• Crow, H. Clay, III, 1984, Geochemistry of shonkinites, syenites, and granites    associated with the Sulfide Queen carbonatite body, Mountain Pass, California    [MS thesis]: Las Vegas, University of Nevada, 56 p.

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