James Faulds

University of Nevada, Reno

NBMG Director/State Geologist/Professor, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

Dr. James Faulds is Nevada State Geologist and Director of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He joined NBMG in 1997 and became Director in 2012. Jim’s expertise is in structural geology, tectonics, geologic mapping, and geothermal systems. He has published widely on extensional and strike-slip tectonics, nonmarine salt deposits, and structural controls on geothermal systems. He has led several major geothermal projects, including the Nevada Play Fairway Analysis. His research has focused on many areas of Nevada and adjoining states, including the Colorado River extensional corridor, Searchlight mining district, the Walker Lane, and several geothermal resource areas. His geothermal research has been instrumental in developing more sophisticated exploration strategies for geothermal systems, including hidden systems in the Great Basin and western Turkey. 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 more than 25 graduate students while at UNR. He is a past President of the Association of American State Geologists and the Nevada Petroleum and Geothermal Society. Jim earned his B.S. at the University of Montana, M.S. at the University of Arizona, and 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. He has also held temporary positions in France and New Zealand while on sabbaticals.