Maureen Walton
About Maureen Walton
Maureen Walton is a Research Geologist and Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Geological Survey, specializing in tectonic problems and geohazards. She has an extensive academic background in geology, including a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
Maureen Walton has been employed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a Research Geologist and Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow since 2016. Based in Santa Cruz, California, she focuses on geological research related to tectonic problems and active fault systems. Her work involves significant projects such as the study of the Queen Charlotte Fault in southeastern Alaska and investigations into modern geohazards in the California Inner Continental Borderland.
Education and Expertise
Maureen Walton earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geological Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied from 2011 to 2016. Prior to that, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from the University of Colorado Boulder, completing her degree from 2007 to 2010. Her educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in geological sciences, enabling her to specialize in active tectonics and strike-slip systems.
Background
Before her current role at the USGS, Maureen Walton gained valuable experience in various academic and research positions. She worked as a Geology Tutor and Undergraduate Research Assistant at the University of Colorado Boulder from 2008 to 2010. Additionally, she served as a Research Assistant at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences from 2009 to 2011 and as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at The University of Texas at Austin from 2011 to 2016. She also completed a Graduate Student Internship at Shell in 2013.
Research Focus
Maureen Walton's research primarily targets tectonic issues associated with active fault systems. She conducts detailed investigations of the Queen Charlotte Fault in southeastern Alaska and explores the California Inner Continental Borderland, focusing on modern geohazards. Her specialization in studying strike-slip systems within the context of active tectonics contributes to a deeper understanding of geological hazards and tectonic processes.