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Planetary Geology, Geophysics & Geochemistry Lab

W. Brent Garry

(RSCH AST, SOLID EARTH GEOPHYSICAL STD)

W. Brent Garry's Contact Card & Information.
Email: brent.garry@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.614.6453
Org Code: 698
Address:
NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code 698
 Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer:
NASA

Brief Bio

Dr. Brent Garry is a volcanologist at NASA specializing in field geology, planetary volcanism, analog studies, and geologic mapping. Brent’s scientific research interests revolve around the formation of volcanoes and lava flows on Earth, the Moon, and Mars through comparative studies using field data and remote sensing data. Over the past 25 years, Brent has conducted field studies on volcanic terrains in Hawai‘i, Iceland, the Galápagos Islands, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, and California. Currently, his field studies utilize laser ranging instruments (lidar) to survey the complex morphology of lava tubes and other volcanic landforms for comparison to similar features on the Moon and Mars. Brent’s planetary research involves geologic mapping of volcanoes on Mars and creating new geologic maps of the Apollo 15 landing site on the Moon. For NASA missions, Brent is a Project Scientist for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative; previously he supported NASA’s Dawn at Vesta and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter missions as a participating scientist, plus he was a geology crew member for NASA's Desert RATS analog program.


NASA | Planetary Scientist Profile (Brent Garry): https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11304/

Brent's GSA 2020 presentation on Lidar and Lava Tubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czu0whI5OQ8

Research Interests

Field Geology & Volcanology

Earth Science: Volcanos

Planetary Geologic Mapping

Solar System: Geomorphology

Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality

Solar System: Technology & Missions

Current Projects

Updating the geologic maps of the Apollo 15-16-17 landing sites

Planetary Geology

Creating new geologic maps of the Apollo landing sites for the USGS. Funded by the NASA PDART program (2018-2021).

Lidar studies of lava tubes and lava flows

Volcanology

Creating 3D point clouds and visualizations of lava tube interiors and lava flows for comparison to volcanic terrains on the Moon and Mars. Funded through SSERVI and GIFT.

Heimdall Camera Team (NASA CLPS)

Planetary Geology

Co-I on camera team that will image the surface of the Lunar South Pole in December, 2022.

Virtual Reality of the Lunar South Pole

Visualization Programs

Creating VR environments of the Lunar South Pole for science and mission visualization. Funded by GSFC Science Task Group 2020.

Education

2006     Ph.D.     Geology     University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Emplacement of channeled flows in subaerial, submarine, simulated, and extraterrestrial environments

2001     M.S.       Geology      University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Stratigraphy, structure, and tectonic setting of the Dunaway Mountain thrust sheet in the Appalachian fold and thrust belt, the Ashville 7.5-minute quadrangle, Alabama

1999     B.S.       Geology       College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Field characteristics, mineralogy, and geochemistry of an orbicular serpentinite in the Diana Mills pluton, Buckingham County, Virginia

Positions/Employment

Project Scientist

NASA HQ - Washington D.C.

June 2021 - Present

Project Scientist on CLPS CP-12 Mission to Schrödinger Basin (Late 2024)

Geologist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD

October 2012 - Present


Research Scientist

Planetary Science Institute - Tucson, AZ (Remote Office: Sterling, VA)

April 2011 - October 2012


Postdoctoral Fellow

Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution - Washington, DC

August 2006 - April 2011


Grants

Heimdall: A flexible build-to-print camera system for conducting lunar science on commercial vehicles

Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads (LSITP) - NASA - Awarded: 2019-05-01


Dates: 2019-06-01  - 2024-05-31

Lava flows at Askja volcano, Iceland: Terrestrial analogs for the Mare Imbrium flow field on the Moon

Goddard Instrument Field Team (GIFT) - NASA - Awarded: 2019-12-31


Dates: 2020-01-01  - 2022-01-01

Lunar South Pole Virtual Reality

Science Task Group (STG) - NASA GSFC - Awarded: 2019-09-01


Dates: 2019-10-01

Updating the Geologic Maps of the Apollo 15-16-17 Landing Sites

Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools (PDART) - NASA - Awarded: 2018-04-01


Dates: 2018-04-01  - 2021-03-31

A Revised Global Geologic Map of Vesta From Dawn Image, Spectral and Elemental Data

Discovery Data Analysis Program (DDAP) - NASA - Awarded: 2016-04-01


Dates: 2016-08-01  - 2020-07-31

SHyRE: Scientific Hybrid Reality Environments

Planetary Science and Technology Through Analog Research (PSTAR) - NASA - Awarded: 2016-12-01


Dates: 2017-07-01  - 2020-06-30

TubeX: Using GPR, LiDAR, and hXRF to Investigate Strategies for Lava Tube Exploration

Planetary Science and Technology Through Analog Research (PSTAR) - NASA - Awarded: 2015-12-01


BASALT: Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains

Planetary Science and Technology Through Analog Research (PSTAR) - NASA - Awarded: 2014-12-01


Dates: 2015-01-01  - 2017-12-31

Geologic Mapping of Ascraeus Mons

Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP) - NASA - Awarded: 2014-02-01


Dates: 2014-03-20  - 2017-03-19

FINESSE: Field Investigations to Enable Solar System Science and Exploration

Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) - NASA - Awarded: 2013-12-01


Dates: 2014-01-01  - 2019-12-31

RIS4E: Remote, In Situ, and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration

Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) - NASA - Awarded: 2013-12-01


Dates: 2014-01-01  - 2019-12-31

Sinuous Channels in Volcanic Provinces on the Earth and Mars

Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PGG) - NASA - Awarded: 2012-12-01


Dates: 2013-03-01  - 2016-02-29

Modeling Erosion by Lava on the Moon, Mars, and Earth

Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PGG) - NASA - Awarded: 2011-12-01


Dates: 2012-01-01  - 2015-12-31

Digitization and Analysis of Apollo Surface Traverses and Comparison with Current Field Analog Studies

Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER) - NASA - Awarded: 2010-07-01


Dates: 2010-08-01  - 2013-07-31

Geologic Mapping of Arsia and Pavonis Montes, Mars

Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP) - NASA - Awarded: 2010-05-01


Dates: 2010-07-01  - 2014-06-30

The Volcanic Evolution of Vesta: Morphologic Analysis using the Framing Camera, Dawn Mission

DAWN at Vesta Participating Scientist - NASA - Awarded: 2010-07-30


Dates: 2010-07-01  - 2013-06-30

Analog Studies of Volcanic Features through Computer-Assisted EVA Simulations

MMAMA (Moon and Mars Analog Mission Activities) - NASA - Awarded: 2009-05-15


Dates: 2009-09-01  - 2010-08-31

Evaluation of the Remote Identification of Inflated Lava Flows on the Terrestrial Planets

Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PGG) - NASA - Awarded: 2008-11-01


Dates: 2009-05-01  - 2012-04-30

Computer-Assisted Surface Science Scenarios to Develop Operational Procedures for Crewed Lunar and Martian Missions using the Individual Mobile Agents System (iMAS); PI

MMAMA (Moon and Mars Analog Missions Activities) - NASA - Awarded: 2008-05-19


Dates: 2008-07-01  - 2009-06-30

Analysis of the Emplacement of the Mare Imbrium Lava Flows on the Moon through Quantitative Modeling and Terrestrial Analogue Studies; PI

Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER) - NASA - Awarded: 2007-12-01


Dates: 2008-11-01  - 2010-10-31

Analysis of the Morphology and Emplacement of Volcanic Features on the Moon with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Participating Scientist - NASA - Awarded: 2007-12-23


Dates: 2008-11-01  - 2011-10-31

Other Professional Information

BBC Documentary "Mission Galapagos" (2017): Featured in Episode 3 discussing the formation of a 100 m deep volcanic chamber.

National Geographic Article (Jan. 9, 2017): "Exploring Mars: Fly through a huge volcanic cave with these stunning 3D scans" by Danielle Venton.

Awards

2014     NASA Group Achievement Award                                      LRO E/PO Team
2013     NASA Group Achievement Award                                      Dawn Science Team
2010     NASA Group Achievement Award                                      NASA Desert RATS Science Team
2006     Pegrum Award for Excellence in Research                        University at Buffalo
2005     College of Arts & Sciences Dissertation Fellowship           University at Buffalo
2003     Mark Diamond Research Fund                                           University at Buffalo
2003     Harold T. Stearns Fellowship Award                                   Geological Society of America
2001     Teaching Assistant Award                                                   University of Kentucky
2000     Right Stuff Award for Space Academy Counselors             US Space & Rocket Center

Selected Publications

Refereed

2022. "Life Underground: Investigating Microbial Communities and Their Biomarkers in Mars‐Analog Lava Tubes at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127 (11): [10.1029/2022je007268] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "New Insights Into Subsurface Stratigraphy Northwest of Ascraeus Mons, Mars, Using the SHARAD and MARSIS Radar Sounders.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127 (6): [10.1029/2022je007210] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Field Mapping and Modeling of Terrestrial Lava Tube Magnetic Anomalies as an Analog for Lunar Lava Tube Exploration and Prospecting.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127 (6): [10.1029/2021je007140] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Basaltic fissure types on Earth: Suitable analogs to evaluate the origins of volcanic terrains on the Moon and Mars?.", Planetary and Space Science, 193 105091 [10.1016/j.pss.2020.105091] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Lava‐Rise Plateaus and Inflation Pits in the McCartys Lava Flow Field, New Mexico: An Analog for Pāhoehoe‐Like Lava Flows on Planetary Surfaces.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 125 (7): [10.1029/2019je005975] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Resolution of Lava Tubes with Ground Penetrating Radar: The TubeX project.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, [10.1029/2019je006138] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Geologic Map and Cross Sections of the Ashville 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, St. Clair and Blount Counties, Alabama.", Geological Survey of Alabama, Quadrangle Series Map, QSM-70 1:24,000 [Full Text] [Other]

2019. "Tactical Scientific Decision-Making during Crewed Astrobiology Mars Missions.", Astrobiology, 19 (3): 369-386 [10.1089/ast.2018.1837] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Requirements for Portable Instrument Suites during Human Scientific Exploration of Mars.", Astrobiology, 19 (3): 401-425 [10.1089/ast.2018.1841] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Basaltic Terrains in Idaho and Hawai‘i as Planetary Analogs for Mars Geology and Astrobiology.", Astrobiology, 19 (3): 260-283 [10.1089/ast.2018.1847] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "The Incorporation of Field Portable Instrumentation Into Human Planetary Surface Exploration.", Earth and Space Science, 5 24 [10.1029/2018ea000378] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Enigmatic nodule-bearing rocks in the mafic to ultramafic Diana Mills pluton, Piedmont Province, Virginia.", Geological Journal, 54 (1): 101-119 [10.1002/gj.3158] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Phreatic explosions during basaltic fissure eruptions: Kings Bowl lava field, Snake River Plain, USA.", Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 351 89-104 [10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2018.01.001] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "LiDAR-derived surface roughness signatures of basaltic lava types at the Muliwai a Pele Lava Channel, Mauna Ulu, Hawai‘i.", Bulletin of Volcanology, 79 (11): 75 [10.1007/s00445-017-1161-5] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Plateaus and sinuous ridges as the fingerprints of lava flow inflation in the Eastern Tharsis Plains of Mars.", Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 342 29-46 [10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.03.025] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Terrestrial analogues for lunar impact melt flows.", Icarus, 281 73-89 [10.1016/j.icarus.2016.08.008] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "Volcanism on Mars.", Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, 2nd Edition, 717-728 [10.1016/B978-0-12-385938-9.00041-9] [Article in Book]

2015. "Mineralogical analysis of the Oppia quadrangle of asteroid (4) Vesta: Evidence for occurrence of moderate-reflectance hydrated minerals.", Icarus, 259 129-149 [10.1016/j.icarus.2015.05.018] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Imprint of the Rheasilvia impact on Vesta – Geologic mapping of quadrangles Gegania and Lucaria.", Icarus, 244 60-73 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.06.026] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Geologic mapping of ejecta deposits in Oppia Quadrangle, Asteroid (4) Vesta.", Icarus, 244 104-119 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.08.046] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "The geology of the Marcia quadrangle of asteroid Vesta: Assessing the effects of large, young craters.", Icarus, 244 74-88 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.01.033] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Geomorphology and structural geology of Saturnalia Fossae and adjacent structures in the northern hemisphere of Vesta.", Icarus, 244 23-40 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.01.013] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Morphology and formation ages of mid-sized post-Rheasilvia craters – Geology of quadrangle Tuccia, Vesta.", Icarus, 244 133-157 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.02.012] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Geologic mapping of Vesta.", Planetary and Space Science, 103 2-23 [DOI:10.1016/j.pss.2013.12.014] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "The unique geomorphology and physical properties of the Vestalia Terra plateau.", Icarus, 244 89-103 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.03.035] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Mass movement on Vesta at steep scarps and crater rims.", Icarus, 244 120-132 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.03.013] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Introduction: The geologic mapping of Vesta.", Icarus, 244 1-12 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.03.001] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "The effect of different operations modes on science capabilities during the 2010 Desert RATS test: Insights from the geologist crewmembers.", Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 356-366 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.018] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers.", Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 344-355 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.015] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers.", Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 332-343 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.016] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) 2010 science operations: Operational approaches and lessons learned for managing science during human planetary surface missions.", Acta Astronautica, 90 224-241 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.03.009] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Olivine or impact melt: Nature of the Orange material on Vesta from Dawn.", Icarus, 226 1568-1594 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.08.013] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "LRO observations of morphology and surface roughness of volcanic cones and lobate lava flows in the Marius Hills.", J. Geophys. Res. Planets, 118 615–634 [doi:10.1002/jgre.20060] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Ground penetrating radar geologic field studies of the ejecta of Barringer Meteorite Crater, Arizona, as a planetary analog.", J. Geophys. Res., 118 1915-1933 [DOI:10.1002/jgre.20145] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "Pitted Terrain on Vesta and Implications for the Presence of Volatiles.", Science, 338 (6104): 246-249 [DOI:10.1126/science.1225374] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "Vesta’s Shape and Morphology.", Science, 336 (6082): 687-690 [DOI:10.1126/science.1219122] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "Large-scale troughs on Vesta: A signature of planetary tectonics.", Geophys. Res. Lett., 39 L18205 [doi:10.1029/2012GL052959] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "Physical constraints on impact melt properties from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera images.", Icarus, 219 (2): 665-675 [DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2012.03.020] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "The origin of Ina: Evidence for inflated lava flows on the Moon.", Journal of Geophysical Research, 117 (E11): E00H31 [DOI:10.1029/2011JE003981] [Journal Article/Letter]

2011. "Analogs for Planetary Exploration.", Geological Society of America Special Paper, 483 567 p [Full Text] [doi:10.1130/2011.2483] [Book]

2011. "Emplacement scenarios for Vallis Schroteri Aristarchus Plateau the Moon.", In Ambrose and Williams (eds), Recent Advances and Current Research Issues in Lunar Stratigraphy Geological Society of America Special Paper, 477 77-93 [doi:10.1130/2011.2477(03)] [Journal Article/Letter]

2010. "New insight into lunar impact melt mobility from the LRO camera.", Geophysical Research Letters, 37 (21): L21202 [DOI:10.1029/2010GL044666] [Journal Article/Letter]

2009. "A hybrid model for leveed lava flows: Implications for eruption styles on Mars.", Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 114 [DOI:10.1029/2008JE003278] [Journal Article/Letter]

2008. "Emplacement of the 1907 Mauna Loa basalt flow as derived from precision topography and satellite imaging.", Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 177 (4): 837-847 [DOI:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2008.01.042] [Journal Article/Letter]

2007. "Morphology and emplacement of a long channeled lava flow near Ascraeus Mons Volcano, Mars.", J. Geophys. Res., 112 (E8): E08007 [DOI:10.1029/2006JE002803] [Journal Article/Letter]

2006. "Formation of submarine lava channel textures: Insights from laboratory simulations.", Journal of Geophysical Research, 111 (B3): B03104 [DOI:10.1029/2005JB003796] [Journal Article/Letter]

2005. "Automating CapCom using mobile agents and robotic assistants.", American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1st Space Exploration Conference, 31 [doi:10.2514/6.2005-2659] [Journal Article/Letter]

Contact Us

For general inquiries about the Planetary Geology, Geophysics & Geochemistry Lab.

Katrice Tanner

Project Support Specialist

301-614-6467 katrice.n.tanner@nasa.gov