Neil M. Coleman, M.S., P.G., NRRPT

Department of Energy and Earth Resources

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

M.S. Geology, 1979, University of South Florida
B.S. Natural Sciences, 1977, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

 Course taught:  Geophysics 

Research Interests:  safety of dams, geophysics, flood analysis, hydrogeology, Mars hydrology, Johnstown Flood of 1889, siting of nuclear facilities 

Email:  ncoleman@pitt.edu

Books

Coleman, N. M., 2018.  Johnstown’s Flood of 1889 - Power Over Truth and the Science Behind the Disaster, Springer Intl. Publishing AG, New York, 256 p.  ISBN 978-3-319-95215-4   https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319952154

Coleman, N. M. and V. Baker, 2009. Surface morphology and origin of outflow channels in the Valles Marineris region. Chapter 9 in "Megaflooding on Earth and Mars" (Eds. D. Burr, P. Carling, V. Baker), Cambridge Univ Press, p 172-193. ISBN 978-0-521-86852-5 http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/earth-and-environmental-science/hydrology-hydrogeology-and-water-resources/megaflooding-earth-and-mars.

Papers

Coleman, N. M., U. Kaktins, and S. Wojno, 2016.  Dam-Breach hydrology of the Johnstown flood of 1889 – challenging the findings of the 1891 investigation report.   Heliyon 2, 54 p, full paper at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2016.e00120.  [Online supplementary material is available via link near end of the paper]   

Coleman, N., 2015.  Hydrographs of a Martian flood from the breach of Galilaei Crater.  Geomorphology 236, 90-108, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.01.034.

Coleman, N. M., 2013.  Hydrographs of a Martian flood from a breached crater lake, with insights about flow calculations, channel erosion rates, and chasma growth.  Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 118, doi:10.1029/2012JE004193.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2012JE004193/pdf.

Kaktins, U., C. Davis Todd, S. Wojno, and N. Coleman, 2013.  Revisiting the timing and events leading to and causing the Johnstown Flood of 1889.  Pennsylvania History, v. 80, no. 3, 335-363.  https://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/pennsylvania_history/v080/80.3.kaktins.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., L. R. Abramson, and F. A. B. Coleman, 2012.  Estimated lag time in global carbon emissions and CO₂ concentrations produced by commercial nuclear power through 2009 with projections through 2030.  Health Physics, March 2012, 326-334.  DOI: 10.1097/HP.0b013e3182364a73.  http://journals.lww.com/health-physics/Abstract/2012/03000/ESTIMATED_LAG_TIME_IN_GLOBAL_CARBON_EMISSIONS_AND.7.aspx.

Marsh, B. D. and N. M. Coleman, 2008. Magma flow and interaction with waste packages in a geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 182, p. 76-96.  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037702730900047X. also at NRC at http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML0904/ML090420330.pdf.

Weiner, R. and N. Coleman, 2008.  Factors affecting radiation dose from a hypothetical extrusive volcanic event at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.  Proceedings, Waste Management 2008 Conference, Feb. 24-28, 2008, Phoenix, AZ, 10 p.  http://www.wmsym.org/archives/2008/pdfs/8239.pdf.

Hinze, W. J., B. D. Marsh, R. F. Weiner, and N. M. Coleman, 2008.  Evaluating Igneous Activity at Yucca Mountain. Eos (lead article), Vol. 89, No. 4, 22 Jan 2008, p. 29-30.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2008EO040001/pdf.

Coleman, N. M., C. L. Dinwiddie, and K. Casteel, 2007.  High outflow channels on Mars indicate Hesperian recharge at low latitudes and the presence of canyon lakes. Icarus, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.01.020. http://www.geo.brown.edu/geocourses/geo292/papers/Coleman_Dinwiddie_Casteel_2007.pdf.

Coleman, N. M. and C. L. Dinwiddie, 2007.  Hydrologic analysis of the birth of Elaver Vallis, Mars by catastrophic drainage of a lake in Morella Crater.  7th International Conference on Mars, Paper # 3107, Caltech, Pasadena, CA (July 9-13, 2007).  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/7thmars2007/pdf/3107.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., C. L. Dinwiddie, and V. R. Baker, 2007.  Evidence that floodwaters filled and overflowed Capri Chasma, Mars.  Geophysical Research Letters, v. 34, L07201, doi:10.1029/2006GL028872.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2006GL028872/full.

Coleman, N. M., 2005.  Martian megaflood triggered chaos formation, revealing groundwater depth, cryosphere thickness, and crustal heat flux.  Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 110.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2005JE002419/full.

Coleman, N. M., L. R. Abramson, and B. D. Marsh, 2004. Testing claims about volcanic disruption of a potential geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.  Geophysical Research Letters, v. 31, L24601, doi:10.1029/2004GL021032.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2004GL021032/pdf.

Coleman, N. M., 2003.  Aqueous flows carved the outflow channels on Mars.  Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 108, no. E5, 5039, doi:10.1029/2002JE001940. 

Coleman, N. M. and D. L. Chery, Jr., 1988.  Hydrogeologic evaluation of radioactive contamination in deep wells at Hanford.  Symposium Proceedings of International Conference on Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks, May 15-18, 1988, Atlanta, GA, p. 514-555.

Coleman, N. M. and M. T. Stewart, 1982.  Basement structure in northwest peninsular Florida:  Trans. of the Gulf Coast Assoc. of Geological Societies, v. 32, p. 153-156. 

Abstracts and Major Reports     

Coleman, N. M. and C. Coughenour, 2019.  Limits on Chaos Inception on Mars.  50^th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Abstract #2193 (LPI Contrib. No. 2132), The Woodlands, TX:  (March 2019).  https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2019/pdf/2193.pdf

Coleman, N. M., 2018.  Mars Mission Concept – Resource and Science-Rich Targets for Human Landing Sites.  49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Abstract #1157 (LPI Contrib. No. 2083), The Woodlands, TX: (March 2018). https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2018/pdf/1157.pdf 

Coleman, N., S. Wojno, and U. Kaktins, 2017.  The Johnstown Flood of 1889 – Challenging the Findings of the ASCE Investigation Report.  Paper No. 29-10.     Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2.   
https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2017NE/webprogram/Paper290358.html.  doi: 10.1130/abs/2017NE-290358                              

Coleman, N. M. and F. A. Coleman, 2017.  Mission to Europa – Lander and Orbiter Capabilities to Support the Search for Extant Life.  48^th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Abstract #2354, The Woodlands, TX: (March, 2017).  http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/pdf/2354.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., S. Wojno, and U. Kaktins, 2016.  Dam-breach hydrology of the Johnstown Flood of 1889 – Challenging the findings of the 1891 investigation report.  In: Energy & Environments: Geology in the “Nether World” of Indiana County, Pennsylvania.  Guidebook of the 81^st Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists, October 6-8, 2016, p. 231-245.  Online at: http://fcopg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016_FCOPG_Guidebook_rev3.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., S. Wojno, and U. Kaktins, 2016.  Dam-breach hydrology of the Johnstown Flood of 1889 – Challenging the findings of the 1891 investigation report.  Paper No. 178-5.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7.  https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2016AM/webprogram/Paper283665.html.  doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-283665. 

Coleman, N., 2016.  Secondary chaos on Mars produced substantial flooding.  47^th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Abstract #1054, The Woodlands, TX: (March, 2016).  http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2016/pdf/1054.pdf.

Coleman, N., 2015.  Barsukov Crater and its rim-breach channel, Silinka Vallis (Mars).  46^th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Abstract #1296, The Woodlands, TX: (March, 2015). http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/pdf/1296.pdf. 

Coleman, N., 2014.  Significance of crater lakes on Mars that were filled and overtopped by groundwater.  45^th Lunar & Planetary Science Conf., Abst. #1293, The Woodlands, TX: (March, 2014).  http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2014/pdf/1293.pdf. 

Coleman, N. and S. Lindberg, 2013.  New insights about cataracts (Dry Falls) on the floor of Kasei Valles, Mars.  44^th Lunar & Planetary Science Conf., Abst. #1148, The Woodlands, TX: (3/2013).  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/pdf/1148.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., 2012.  Megaflood erosion on Mars ― How a lava-filled crater became a mesa.  43rdLunar & Planetary Science Conf., Abstract # 1117, The Woodlands, TX: (3/2012).  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2012/pdf/1117.pdf.

Davis Todd, C., N. Coleman, and U. Kaktins, 2011.  Influence of modifications to the South Fork dam on the Johnstown Flood of 1889.  GSA Northeastern (46th Annual) and North-Central (45th Annual) Joint Meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 43, No. 1, p. 53.

Towarnicki, B., H. Atkins, B. Boxler, C. Fusko, N. Coleman, and C. Davis-Todd, 2011.   Hydrologic and Geophysical Studies at the Hughes Borehole:  Acid mine drainage precipitating from a flowing artesian well.  GSA Northeastern (46th Annual) and North-Central (45th Annual) Joint Meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 43, No. 1, p. 85.

Coleman, N. M., 2011.  Phaenna Dorsum, An Esker on Mars:  Insights from THEMIS & HIRISE images & MOLA data.  42^nd Lunar & Planetary Science Conf., Abstract #1906, The Woodlands, TX: (3, 2011). http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/1906.pdf. 

Coleman, N., L. Abramson, and F. Coleman, 2010.  Lag time in carbon emissions and CO₂ concentrations produced by commercial nuclear power.  Poster presentation, GSA Annual Meeting (Denver), Paper No. 257-1, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 5, p. 607.  https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2010AM/finalprogram/abstract_179386.htm. 

Coleman, N. M., 2010.  Spectacular cataracts (Dry Falls) on the floor of Kasei Valles, Mars.  Lunar & Planetary Science Conf. XXXXI, Abstract # 1174, The Woodlands, TX: (March, 2010).  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2010/pdf/1174.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., C. Davis Todd, R. A. Myers, and U. Kaktins, 2009. Johnstown Flood of 1889 - Destruction and rebirth. Paper No. 76-9, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 41, No. 7, p. 216.

Davis Todd, C., N. M. Coleman, R. A. Meyers, and U. Kaktins, 2009. A determination of peak discharge rate and water volume from the 1889 Johnstown Flood. Paper No. 76-10, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 41, No. 7, p. 216.

Petrowsky, M. J., R. Jones, and N. Coleman, 2009. Structural deformation and surface properties of a Martian crater - Insights from THEMIS infrared images. Lunar & Planetary Science Conference XXXX, Abstract # 1213, League City, TX: (March, 2009). http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2009/pdf/1213.pdf.

Karmanocky, F. J. III and N. Coleman, 2009. Gravity studies – Establishing reference base stations in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Paper No. 7-1, GSA Northeastern Section - 44th Annual Meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 41, No. 3, p. 11.  https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009NE/finalprogram/abstract_155272.htm.

Coleman, N. M., 2008.  Round mesas on the floor of Ravi Vallis, Mars: Are they igneous intusives?  Lunar & Planetary Science Conference XXXIX, Abstract # 2154, League City, TX: (March, 2008). 

Hinze, W., B. Marsh, R. Weiner, and N. Coleman, 2008.  Evaluating Igneous Activity at Yucca Mountain:  Technical Basis for Decisionmaking, NUREG-1890, A Report Prepared by the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste and Materials, U.S. NRC,  Washington, DC, 285 pp.  http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML0808/ML080800177.pdf.

Hinze, W. J., B. D. Marsh, R. F. Weiner, and N. M. Coleman, 2007.  Igneous Activity at Yucca Mountain: Technical Basis for Decisionmaking, Eos Trans. AGU, 88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V11D-0810. 

Coleman, N. and B. Marsh, 2007.  Evaluating Consequences of Volcanism for Spent Nuclear Fuel at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, Eos Trans. AGU, 88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V11D-0811.  

Coleman, N. and B. Marsh, 2007, Reduced likelihood of volcanic disruption of a geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, Paper No. 3-1, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 6, p. 18. 

Coleman, N. M. and V. R. Baker, 2007.  Evidence that a paleolake overflowed the rim of Juventae Chasma, Mars.  Lunar & Planetary Sci. Conf. XXXVIII, Abst. # 1046, League City, TX: (March 12-16, 2007).  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2007/pdf/1046.pdf.

Coleman, N. M., 2006.  Formation of lakes in the ancestral Valles Marineris in the epoch of Allegheny Vallis, Mars.  Lunar & Planetary Science Conf. XXXVII, Abst. # 1879, League City, TX: (March, 2006).  http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006LPI....37.1879C.

Coleman, N. M., 2005.  Groundwater depth, cryosphere thickness, and crustal heat flux in the epoch of Ravi Vallis, Mars.  Lunar & Planetary Science Conf. XXXVI, Abst. # 2163, League City, TX: (March, 2005).  http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2005/pdf/2163.pdf

Lee, M. P., N. M. Coleman, and T. J. Nicholson, 2005.  History of Water Development in the Amargosa Desert Area:  A Literature Review. NUREG-1710, Vol. 1, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste Staff, Washington, DC., 80 p.