Transition of Nevada State Geologist

Nevada State Geologist Jon Price announced that Dr. James E. Faulds [right, credit NBMG] will be replacing him as State Geologist and Director of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) when Jon retires at the end of June. Between now and then, Jim and Jon will be sharing duties of the position, as they transition to his leadership.

Jim, who has been with NBMG since 1997, is an expert in structural geology, tectonics, and geothermal systems. He has published widely on extensional and strike-slip tectonics, nonmarine salt deposits, and structural controls on geothermal systems, including relations between current geothermal activity and young epithermal mineral deposits. He has mapped dozens of quadrangles in Nevada, including some in the Searchlight mining district in southern Nevada, the Carlin trend, the Walker Lane, and several known geothermal resource areas. His geothermal research has been instrumental in developing more sophisticated exploration strategies for geothermal systems. He has also taught courses in structural geology, tectonics, geothermal exploration, and field geology, including serving as Director of UNR’s geology field camp for 5 years. He has served as advisor for 14 graduate students while at UNR. He is also the current President of the Nevada Petroleum Society.

Jim earned his B.S. (with highest honors) at the University of Montana, his M.S. at the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico. He held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and at the University of Southern California and was on the faculty at the University of Iowa before joining NBMG.

Please welcome Jim in his new roles as the NBMG Director and the State Geologist of Nevada.