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Dr. Jeffrey G. Paine

Jeff coordinates the Bureau's Near Surface Observatory and conducts coastal, geologic hazards, and near-surface geophysics projects at the Bureau. His principal research interest, geophysical applications in the shallow subsurface, combines an academic background in geophysics and extensive professional experience in coastal and near-surface strata. He specializes in applying borehole, surface, and airborne electromagnetic induction methods and seismic reflection and refraction methods to help solve geological, hydrological, environmental, and engineering problems.

Jeff has served as principal investigator in more than 60 studies funded by State, Federal, and regional agencies and has published more than 180 articles, reports, and abstracts. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, a past recipient of the Gold Award from the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society (EEGS) and a former president of EEGS and AAPG's Division of Environmental Geosciences.

Research Interests

Near-surface geophysics 
Quaternary geology and geomorphology 
Coastal geology 
Computer applications in the geological sciences

Education

B.S. Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1980

M.S. Geology, University of Washington, 1982

Ph.D. Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1991

Professional History

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Research Associate, Bureau of Economic Geology (1991 to present). Apply geophysical methods (electromagnetic induction, seismic reflection and refraction, and ground-penetrating radar) in near-surface hydrogeological, stratigraphic, and engineering studies.

Lecturer, The University of Texas at Austin (2004, 2011, 2012, 2013). Teach GEO 391: Hydrogeophysics.

Research Scientist Associate, Bureau of Economic Geology (1982 to 1991). Study effects of recent and historical hurricanes on barrier islands, analyze shoreline movement, and determine Quaternary paleogeography of the Texas coastal zone. 

Geological Consultant, Prewitt and Associates, Inc., Consulting Archeologists (1986–1990)

Selected Publications

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Paine, J. G., Collins, E. W., and Costard, L., 2018, Spatial discrimination of complex, low-relief Quaternary siliciclastic strata using airborne lidar and near-surface geophysics: an example from the Texas coastal plain, USA: Engineering, v. 4, no. 5, p. 676–684, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2018.09.005. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., Caudle, T., and Andrews, J. R., 2017, Shoreline and sand storage dynamics from annual airborne lidar surveys, Texas Gulf Coast: Journal of Coastal Research, v. 33, no. 3, p. 487-506, DOI: #10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-15-00241.1. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., and Collins, E. W., 2017, Identifying ground-water resources and intrabasinal faults in the Hueco Bolson, West Texas, using airborne electromagnetic induction and magnetic-field data: Journal of Environmental & Engineering Geophysics, v. 22, no. 1, p. 63-81;
DOI: #10.2113/JEEG22.1.63. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., Saylam, Kutalmis, and Tremblay, T. A.., 2015, Airborne lidar-based wetland and permafrost-feature mapping on an Arctic coastal plain, North Slope, Alaska: wetlands mapping, lake volumes, and permafrost features: in Tiner, R. W., Lang, M. W., and Klemas, V. V., editors, Remote Sensing of Wetlands: Applications and Advances: CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, p. 413-434. [request PDF copy by email]

Costard, L., and Paine, J. G., 2015, Characterizing initial-state conductivity distribution at a CO2 injection site with airborne, surface, and borehole electromagnetic induction methods: Environmental Geosciences, v. 22, no. 3, p. 75-83, http://doi.org/10.1306/eg.06191515004. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., Andrews, J .R., Saylam, Kutalmis, Tremblay, T. A., Averett, A. R., Caudle, T. L., Meyer, Thoralf, and Young, M. H., 2013, Airborne lidar on the Alaskan North Slope: wetlands mapping, lake volumes, and permafrost features: The Leading Edge, v. 32, no. 7, p. 798–805. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., Mathew, Sojan, and Caudle, Tiffany, 2012, Historical shoreline change through 2007, Texas Gulf coast: rates, contributing causes, and Holocene context: GCAGS Journal, v. 1, p. 13-26. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., Buckley, S. M., Collins, E. W., and Wilson, C. R., 2012, Assessing collapse risk in evaporite sinkhole-prone areas using microgravimetry and radar interferometry: Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, v. 17, no. 2, p. 75-87. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., and Collins, E. W., 2010, Characterizing oil field salinization using airborne, surface, and borehole geophysics: an example from the upper Colorado River Basin, Texas: Environmental Geosciences, v. 17, no. 4, p. 193-207. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., Collins, E. W., Nance, H. S., and Niemann, K. L., 2009, Combining airborne electromagnetic induction and hydrochemistry to quantify salinity contributions to a large-basin stream, Colorado River, Texas, USA: Near Surface Geophysics, v. 7, no. 4, p. 271–284. [request PDF copy by email]

Paine, J. G., Nance, H. S., Collins, E. W., and Niemann, K. L., 2007, Quantifying contributions to stream salinity using airborne electromagnetic induction in a small coastal plain basin: Applied Geochemistry v. 22, no. 10, p. 2207–2224. [request PDF copy by email

Paine, J. G., and Minty, B. R. S., 2005, Chapter 11. Airborne hydrogeophysics, in Rubin, Yoram, and Hubbard, S. S. (eds.) Hydrogeophysics: The Netherlands, Springer, Water Science and Technology Library, v. 50, p. 333–357.

Paine, J. G., White, W. A., Smyth, R. C., Andrews, J. R., and Gibeaut, J.C., 2004, Mapping coastal environments with lidar and EM on Mustang Island, Texas, U.S.: The Leading Edge, v. 23, no. 9, p. 894-898. [PDF]

Paine, J. G., 2003, Determining salinization extent, identifying salinity sources, and estimating chloride mass using surface, borehole, and airborne electromagnetic induction methods: Water Resources Research, v. 39, no. 3, p. 3-1–3-10. [PDF]

Selected Committees

Vice President for SAGEEP, Board of Directors, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, 2016-2018.

President Elect-President-Past President, Division of Environmental Geosciences, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2013-2016.

General Chair, 28th Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, 2014-2015.

Vice President, Division of Environmental Geosciences, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2009-2010

President Elect-President-Past President, Environmental & Engineering Geophysical Society, 2006-2008.

Review Panelist, U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Remediation Sciences Division, 2006.

Board of Directors, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, 2005-2009 

Associate Editor, Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, 1995-present 

Review Panelist, Solid Earth and Natural Hazards Panel, National Aeronautic and Space Administration Earth Science Enterprise, 1997-2000

Member, Technical Program Committee, 2001 Society of Exploration Geophysicists Annual Meeting

Awards

Fellow, Geological Society of America, 2019

The Gold Award, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, 2010 

Best Paper Award, "Applying airborne electromagnetic induction in groundwater salinization and resource studies, West Texas," presented at the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, 2003

Best Presentation Award, Technical Sessions, The University of Texas at Austin, Fall 1990

Professional Development Awards (2), The University of Texas at Austin, 1990

Shell Chair Award, The University of Texas at Austin, 1990


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