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Ron Counts

Title: Geomorphologist, Geologic Mapping Section

Address:
Kentucky Geological Survey
Western Kentucky Office
1401 Corporate Court
Henderson, KY 42420

Phone:
Office 270.827.3414 ext. 27,
Sediment Lab 270.827.3414 ext. 57
Fax: 270.827.1117
E-mail: rcounts@uky.edu

Responsibilities

Conduct externally funded research
Director of the KGS Sediment and Core Analysis Lab in Henderson, KY
Direct operations of the KGS Giddings Soil Probe and Drill
Oversight of the KGS Statemap program in western Kentucky

Primary Research Interests

My current research is focused on understanding landscape responses to neotectonic deformation and Quaternary climate change. This requires geologic and geomorphic field mapping of glacial and proglacial landscapes, the study of loess-paleosol successions, GIS analyses and remote sensing of drainage basins, developing river terraces chronologies using OSL dating methods, and the comprehensive analyses of sediment cores. I direct the KGS sediment coring program and the KGS Sediment and Core Analysis Lab.

Professional Preparation

University of Cincinnati	2007-present, PhD (ABD) in Geology, Advisor: Dr. Lewis Owen Completion: August 2012
Utah State University	2005, M.S. in Geology, Advisor: Dr. Joel Pederson
Logan, UT  84322
Indiana University	1999, Geologic Field Camp, Cardwell, MT
Bloomington, IN 47405
University of Southern Indiana	1999, B.S. in Geology, Environmental Science minor
Evansville, IN  47712

Appointments and Professional Experience

2003-present	Geomorphologist, Kentucky Geological Survey (University of Kentucky)
2007-present	Adjunct Faculty, University of Southern Indiana Courses Earth System Science (GEOG 112) and Environmental Geology (GEOL 131)
2001-2002	Teaching/Research Assistant, Utah State University
1999-2001	Geologic Technician (hydrogeology), Kentucky Geological Survey

Grants and Awards

2010-2011	USGS NEHRP G11AP20012		“Determining the Deformation History of a Newly Discovered Holocene Fault in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, Western Kentucky: Collaborative Research between the Kentucky Geological Survey and the University of Cincinnati. PI: Ron Counts.	Total $90,669 $57,623 to KGS
2012-2013	U.S.G.S. NEHRP 2011-0061		Paleoseismic Investigation of the Meadow Bank Lineament in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone: Collaborative research between the University of Illinois and the University of Kentucky. PI: Ron Counts	total $75,965 $69,965 to KGS
2011-2014	Nuclear Regulatory Commission: NRC-HQ-11-G-04-0085		Collaborative research project to address large earthquake seismology in the East Tennessee seismic zone. PI: Robert D Hatcher, Jr; Co-PIs: Stephen Obermeier, James Vaughn, Randy Cox, Richard Harrison, and Ron Counts	Total $454,706 $46,504 to Counts
PENDING NSF Proposal EAR-1226229- Collaborative Research: Late Pleistocene chronostratigraphy and paleoenvironment of Big Bone Lick, Kentucky: Implications for megafauna extinctions. PI Kenneth Tankersley, co-PIs Ronald Counts, Brooke Crowley, Aaron Diefendorf, Warren Huff, Barry Maynard, Lewis Owen, and Glenn Storrs total $253,672 ($48,560 to KGS).
2007-2009	University of Cincinnati		University Graduate Scholarship	$56,554
2009-2011	University of Cincinnati		Graduate Research Assistantship	$12,782
2002-2003	Geological Society of America		Graduate research grant	$2,800

Publications

Recent Publications (past 2 years):

• Counts, R.C., and Obermeier, S.F, in press, Subtle Seismic Signatures: Using Small-Scale Features and Ground Fractures as Indicators of Paleoseismicity in Cox, R.T., Tuttle, M.P., Boyd, O., and Locat, J., (eds)., Recent advances in North American paleoseismology and neotectonics east of the Rockies: Geological Society of America Special Paper.
• Beck, E.G., Waninger, S., Counts, R., Wedding, D., Tapp, J., and Zhu, J., 2012, Using electrical resistivity to locate an abandoned fluorspar mine as a supplemental water source for the city of Marion, Kentucky, 2012 Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium Abstracts with Programs, Lexington, Ky, March 19, 2012, p. 67.
• Wang, H., Counts, R., and Waninger, S., 2012, Abrupt climate and hydrological changes in stable isotopes of loess rhizoliths during late glaciation in Midwestern USA, abstracts of the 21st International Radiocarbon Conference , Paris, France.
• Counts, R., Van Arsdale, R., Tuttle, M., Mahan, S., Obermeier, S., and Woolery, E, 2011, Paleoseismology in the New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zones, central United States, XVIII INQUA Congress Abstracts.
• Obermeier, S.F., Olson, S., Vaughn, J., Green, R., and Counts, R., 2011, Clastic dikes and ground fractures: Seismic or not?:Seismological Research Letters, v 82 n 2, p 335.
• Indurante, S., Wilson, M., Lee, B., Owens, P., McCauley, M., Libohova, A., Kabrick, J., Counts, R.C, and Follmer, L., 2010, Shawnee Hills Loess Catenas Project: A Central USA Major Resource Area (MLRA) Soil-Landscape Study, ASA, CSSA, SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts:
  http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2010am/webprogram/Paper59172.html
• Counts, R.C. and Obermeier, S.F., 2010, Small-Scale Signatures of Seismicity: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 5.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009SE/finalprogram/abstract_154693.htm

in prep

• Counts, R.C., Murari, M., and Owen, L, in prep, Late Pleistocene and Holocene Geomorphic evolution of the lower Ohio River Valley, for submission to Quaternary Science Reviews
• Counts, R.C., Van Arsdale, R., Woolery, E., and Murari, M, in prep, Holocene surface deformation in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, for submission to Geology.
• Counts, R., Mahon, S., Tuttle, M., Obermeier, S., and Crone, A., in prep, Using Optically Stimulated Luminescence to date paleoliquefaction events in fluvial sediments for submission to Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America
• Counts, R., Grimley, D., Wang, H., Rech, J., and Pigatti, J., in prep, Loess-Paleosol Stratigraphy of the lower Ohio River Valley for submission to Quaternary Research
• Counts, R., Wang, H., Grimley, D., Rech, J., and Pigatti, J., in prep, Multi-proxy, terrestrial paleoclimatic records for the periglacial midcontinent during the late Pleistocene for submission to Boreas
• Counts, R., Karaffa, M., Kvale, E., and Bleuer, N., in prep , Climate driven, nonmarine incised valley fills: a depositional model for tributary valleys of the lower Ohio River, for submission to Sedimentary Research

books/chapters

• Maria, A.H., and Counts, R.C. (Eds.), 2008, From the Cincinnati Arch to the Illinois Basin: Geological Field Excursions along the Ohio River Valley: Geological Society of America Field Guide 12, 180 p. http://fieldguides.gsapubs.org/content/12
• Counts, R.C., Durbin, J.M., and Obermeier, S.F., 2008, Seismic ground-failure features in the vicinity of the Lower Wabash and Ohio River valleys, in Maria, A.H.,and Counts, R.C., eds., From the Cincinnati Arch to the Illinois Basin: Geological Field Excursions along the Ohio River Valley: Geological Society of America Field Guide 12, p. 57–79.
• Counts, R., and Pederson, J., 2005, The nonglacial surficial geology of the Henrys Fork, Uinta Mountains, Utah and Wyoming, in  Dehler, C.M., Pederson, J.L., Sprinkel, D.A., and Kowallis, B.J., editors, Uinta Mountain Geology: Utah Geological Association Publication 33, p. 155-169.

technical reports

• Van Arsdale, Roy, Counts, Ronald, and Wooley, Ed. 2009; Paleoseismic investigation of the Hovey Lake Fault System in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, southwestern Indiana and western KY; National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Final Technical Report for Award Number 07HQGR0052.
  http://www.earthquake.usgs.gov/research/external/reports/07HQGR0052.pdf
• Bauer, R., Su, W., Counts, R., and Karaffa, M., 2007, Shear wave velocity, geology, and geotechnical data of earth materials in the central U.S. Urban Hazard mapping areas: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Final Technical Report for Award Number 06-HQ-GR-0192, 40 p. 
  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/external/reports/06HQGR0192.pdf
• Dinger, J.S., E.G. Beck, J.L. Taraba, J.H. Grove, and R.C. Counts, 2000, Assessment of nitrate and pesticide impacts on bedrock aquifers in upland agricultural settings in the Western Kentucky Coal Field: Kentucky Geological Survey SB-271 Phase III report for 1999 – 2000, 33 p.
• Dinger, J.S., E.G. Beck, J.L. Taraba, J.H. Grove, and R.C. Counts, 2000, Protection of well-water supplies from nitrate contamination: Kentucky Geological Survey SB-271 Phase III report for 1998 – 1999, 15 p.

abstracts

• Counts, R.C., Van Arsdale, R., and Wooley, E., 2009, Investigation of Quaternary displacement on the Uniotown Fault, western Kentucky, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 41, No. 1, p. 20. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009SE/finalprogram/abstract_154693.htm
• Martin, S.L., Andrews, W., Counts, R., Crawford, M., Sparks, T., and Murphy, M, 2009, Geologic Mapping Section Projects at the Kentucky Geological Survey, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 41, No. 1, p. 11. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009SE/finalprogram/abstract_154693.htm
• Counts, R.C., Wang, H., Grimley, D., and Mahan, S., 2008, Luminescence and radiocarbon chronology of loess-paleosol sequences in the lower Ohio River valley, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 40, No. 5, p. 3. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2008NC/finalprogram/abstract_138132.htm
• Grimley, D., Wang, H., and Counts, R.C., 2008, A record of last glacial climate changes and paleoecology from a loess-paleosol record in western Kentucky, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 40, No. 5, p. 4. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2008NC/finalprogram/abstract_137898.htm
• Counts, R.C., Woolery, E., and Van Arsdale, R., 2008, Quaternary faulting in Union County, KY: Preliminary results, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 40, No. 5, p. 80.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2008NC/finalprogram/abstract_137618.htm
• Counts, Ronald C., Waninger, Scott, and Obermeier, Stephen, 2007, Liquefaction Evidence for a Strong Earthquake in the Lower Ohio River Valley During the Mid To Late Holocene, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 3. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007SC/finalprogram/abstract_120223.htm
• Andrews, William M. Jr, Martin, Steven L., Counts, Ronald C., Crawford, Matthew M., and Weisenfluh, Gerald A., 2006, Using Digital Technology to Collect, Manage, Interpret and Deliver Geologic Mapping Data in Kentucky, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 163
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_114155.htm
• Counts, Ronald C., and Andrews, William M. Jr., 2006, New Mapping of Late Pleistocene Slackwater Deposits in the Lower Ohio River Valley, Western Kentucky: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 4, p. 26. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NC/finalprogram/abstract_103613.htm
• Thompson, Mark F., Andrews, William M. Jr., Counts, Ronald C., Martin, Steven L., And Murphy, Michael, 2006, Quaternary Facies Models from new Ohio River Valley Mapping in Western Kentucky: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 3, p. 76.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006SE/finalprogram/abstract_102263.htm
• Andrews, William M. Jr., and Counts, Ronald C., 2006, Communicating new Quaternary Mapping to Nongeological End Users, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 3, p. 64.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006SE/finalprogram/abstract_102254.htm
  Martin, Steven L., Andrews, William M. Jr., Counts, Ronald C.., Thompson, Mark F., and Murphy, Michael, 2006, Digital Techniques Supporting Quaternary Geologic Mapping in the Ohio River Valley, Western Kentucky: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 38, No. 3, p. 29.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006SE/finalprogram/abstract_102251.htm
• Counts, Ronald C., Andrews, William, and Martin, Steven L., 2005, New Interpretations of Quaternary Deposits in the Ohio River Valley in Western Kentucky: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 5, p. 31. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005NC/finalprogram/abstract_86908.htm
• Martin, Steven, Andrews, William M. Jr., Counts, Ronald C., and Thompson, Mark F., 2005, Surficial Geologic Mapping Along The Ohio River, Western Kentucky – Preliminary Results: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 5, p. 31.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005NC/finalprogram/abstract_86903.htm
• Counts, Ronald C., Andrews, William, and Martin, Steven L, 2005, Producing Digital Geologic Maps for Diverse Audiences: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 2, p. 48.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005SE/finalprogram/abstract_83545.htm
• Williams, D., Counts, R., and Andrews, W., 2005, Cooperative Seismic Hazards mapping in the Evansville, Indiana Metropolitan Area, abstracts of the 77th annual meeting, Seismological Society of America Eastern Section , p. 27.
• Pederson, J.L. and Counts, R.C., 2004, Paleoflooding and integration of the Green River over the Uinta Mountains—Information from new surficial mapping: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, no. 4, p. 13. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004RM/finalprogram/abstract_72815.htm
• Counts, R.C., and Pederson, J.L., 2003, Evidence for a Large-Scale Paleoflood in the Northeastern Uinta Mountains: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 36, No. 6, p. 542.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2003AM/finalprogram/abstract_67981.htm
• Counts, R.C., and Pederson, J.L., 2002, Climatic controls evident in the late Cenozoic record of the eastern Uinta Mountain: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 34, no. 6, p. 474.
  http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2002AM/finalprogram/abstract_46236.htm
• Pena-Yewtukhiw, E.M., Grove, J.H., Beck, E.G., Dinger, J.S., and R.C. Counts, 2001, The site specific approach and environmental quality: Distribution of nitrate in deep soil layers and assessment of the area for remediation in a nitrate contaminated farmstead in Western Kentucky, USA , Third European Conference on Precision Agriculture, [abs.], Montpellier, France, p. 56.
• Beck, E.G., Pena-Yewtukhiw, E.M., Grove, J.H, and R.C. Counts, .2001. Using geostatistical modeling to determine the best remediation plan for an abandoned feedlot: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 33 n. 4, p. 36.
• Counts, R. C., and Doss, P.K., 1999, Comparing Sediment Retention Properties of Straw Bales and Silt Fencing at a Construction Site in Evansville, Indiana: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v 31, No. 5, p. 11.

maps

• Counts, R.C, Denny, F.B., Devera, J.A., Hower, J.A., Lasemi, Z., Norby, R.D., Potter, P.E., Waninger, S., Williams, D,2010, The Mississippian Section at Paddys Bluff, Crittendon County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Map and Chart 195, Series XII, Lexington, KY.
• Waninger, S., and Counts, R.C., 2010, Surficial Geologic Map of the Sturgis 7.5-minute quadrangle, Western Kentucky:  Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Waninger, S., and Counts, R.C., 2010, Surficial Geologic Map of the Bordley 7.5-minute quadrangle, Western Kentucky:  Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Moore, D.W., Lundstrom, S.C., Counts, R.C., Martin, S.L., Andrews, Jr., W.M., Newell, W.L., Murphy, M.L., Thompson, M.F., Taylor, E.M., Kvale, E.P., and Brandt, T.R., 2009, Surficial geologic map of the Evansville, Indiana, and Henderson, Kentucky, area: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3069, scale 1:50,000, 21-p. pamphlet..  http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3069].
• Denny, F. Brett, and Counts, Ronald C., 2009, Bedrock geology of the Shetlerville 7.5-minute quadrangle, Pope and Hardin Counties, Illinois, and Livingston County, KY:  Illinois State Geological Survey Preliminary Geologic Map, scale 1:24,000, 8-p. pamphlet, 2 sheets. http://www.isgs.illinois.edu/maps-data-pub/isgs-quads/s/pdf-files/shetlerville-bg-rept.pdf
• Waninger, S., and Counts, R.C., 2009, Surficial geology of the Shawneetown 7.5-minute quadrangle, Union  County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Waninger, S., and Counts, R.C., 2009., , Surficial geology of the Grove Center 7.5-minute quadrangle, Union  County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Waninger, S., and Counts, R.C., 2009., 2009, Surficial geology of the Saline Mines 7.5-minute quadrangle, Union  County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Waninger, S., and Counts, R.C., 2009, Surficial geology of the Dekoven 7.5-minute quadrangle, Union  County, Kentucky: Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2008, Surficial Geology of the Beech Grove Quadrangle, Webster, Hopkins, and Mclean Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2008, Surficial Geology of the Calhoun Quadrangle, Mclean and Hopkins Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Moore, D.W., Newell, W.L., Counts, R.C., Fraser, G.S., Fishbaugh, D.A., and Brandt, T.R., 2007, Surficial geologic map of the West Franklin quadrangle, Vanderburgh and Posey Counties, Indiana, and Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2967, scale 1:24,000. 
  http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2007/2967/
• Counts, Ronald C., 2007, Surficial Geology of the Uniontown Quadrangle, Union and Henderson Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2007, Surficial Geology of the Wabash Island Quadrangle, Union County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2006, Surficial Geology of the Mount Vernon Quadrangle, Union and Henderson Counties, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2006, The Surficial Geology of the Caborn Quadrangle, Henderson and Union Counties, Kentucky:  Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2006, The Surficial Geology of the Smith Mills Quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky:   Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2005, Quaternary Geology of the Henrys Fork near Glacial Termini, Uinta Mountains, Utah and Wyoming: unpublished M.S, thesis, Utah State University, Logan Utah, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2005, Quaternary Geology of the Lower Burnt Fork and Mid-Henrys Fork, Uinta Mountains, Utah and Wyoming: unpublished M.S, thesis, Utah State University, Logan Utah, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2005, Quaternary Geology of the Lower Henrys Fork, Uinta Mountains, Utah and Wyoming: unpublished M.S, thesis, Utah State University, Logan Utah, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2005, Quaternary Geology Western Browns Park, Uinta Mountains, Utah: unpublished M.S, thesis, Utah State University, Logan Utah, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2005, The Surficial Geology of the Panther Quadrangle, Daviess County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., 2005,  The Surficial Geology of the Sutherland Quadrangle, Daviess County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., and Martin, Steven L., 2004,  The Surficial Geology of the Wilson Quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., and Martin, Steven L., 2004, The Surficial Geology of the Henderson Quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., and Martin, Steven L., 2004, The Surficial Geology of part of the West Franklin Quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.
• Counts, Ronald C., and Martin, Steven L., 2004, The Surficial Geology of part of the Evansville South Quadrangle, Henderson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Draft Geologic Quadrangle, Map and Chart Series XII, 1:24,000 scale.

Professional Organizations

• Geological Society of America (1997)
• American Quaternary Association (2005)
• American Geophysical Union (1999)
• Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) (2008)
• International Association of Sedimentologists (2008)
• Seismological Society of America (2008)
• Quaternary Research Association (2011)