Jeff Wynn

Biography

Jeff Wynn earned degrees in physics and solid-state physics from Cal-Berkeley and the University of Illinois. He earned a PhD in Geoscience (Electrical Engineering thesis director) from the University of Arizona, then worked in private industry for several years. He is currently a Research Geophysicist with the US Geological Survey, where he has published over 300 books, geotechnical maps, and peer-reviewed scientific articles. He also earned 3 patents on ocean geophysics (a 4th is pending). During his time in the USGS he served as Chief of the Office of Geochemistry and Geophysics, and for three years served as the USGS Mission Chief (“Jefe del Grupo Asesor”) to Venezuela. There he lived with his family on the northern flank of the Amazonas jungle as a US State Department science diplomat (Head of Mission FS-12). He also filled a similar role in Saudi Arabia, and thus speaks French, Spanish, and Arabic.  Jeff served five years as USGS Chief Scientist for Volcano Hazards, including managing the most recent eruption of Mount St Helens.  He has taught undergraduate and graduate classes as an adjunct full professor of geology at the University of Maryland and The George Washington University.

Jeff manages a number of websites (see also “Books” page) , and is an associate editor for the journal “Exploration Geophysics” (Australia). He is a 7th Dan (Shihan) in Jujitsu and Taiho-Jutsu, and a  Sensei teaching at several Washington universities. He is the vice president of the American Jujitsu Association.

             Jeff holds a PADI Advanced Open-Water SCUBA license and an FCC General amateur radio license.

In 1998, the IAU named Asteroid 9564 Jeffwynn  – a Phocaea Mars-crosser – for him.