Jeffrey Plescia

Planetary scientist; Geophysicist

240-228-1468

Ph.D., Geophysics

1985, University of Southern California
M.S., Geophysics

1981, University of Southern California
B.S., Geology

1976, University of Miami

My research includes analysis of lunar impact craters, specifically the rheology of impact melt flows, the secondary cratering processes and implications for ejecta and cratering chronology, and the geophysics of terrestrial impact craters. Additionaly, I am interested in the evolution of lunar volcanism and morphology of lunar volcanic vents. I participated in the international team that conducted the ICDP-USGS deep drilling project at the Chesapeake Bay Crater, and also conducted field investigations at impact sites in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. I'm currently working with the LROC imaging experiment on the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and conducted the search for US and Soviet robotic spacecraft on the lunar surface.

Scholarly Publications

Dynamic behavior of an ordinary chondrite: The effects of microstructure on strength, failure and fragmentation

Icarus, 2015

James David Hogan, Jamie Kimberley, Kavan Hazeli, Jeffrey Plescia, K. T. Ramesh, (2015), Dynamic behavior of an ordinary chondrite: The effects of microstructure on strength, failure and fragmentation, Icarus, 260, 308-319

Bulk hydrogen abundances in the lunar highlands: Measurements from orbital neutron data

Icarus, 2015

David J. Lawrence, Patrick N. Peplowski, Jeffrey B. Plescia, Benjamin T. Greenhagen, Sylvestre Maurice, Thomas H. Prettyman, (2015), Bulk hydrogen abundances in the lunar highlands: Measurements from orbital neutron data, Icarus, 255, 127-134

Effects of rocket exhaust on lunar soil reflectance properties

Icarus, 2014

Ryan N. Clegg, Bradley L. Jolliff, Mark S. Robinson, Bruce W. Hapke, Jeffrey B. Plescia, (2014), Effects of rocket exhaust on lunar soil reflectance properties, Icarus, 227, 176-194

Impact melt flows at Lowell crater

Planetary and Space Science, 2014

Jeffrey B. Plescia, Paul D. Spudis, (2014), Impact melt flows at Lowell crater, Planetary and Space Science, 103, 219-227

Where did the Luna 23 and 24 spacecraft land?: Comparing the spacecraft seen in LROC NAC images with synthetic images

Planetary and Space Science, 2013

V. P. Dolgopolov, A. T. Basilevsky, M. S. Robinson, J. B. Plescia, J. W. Head, (2013), Where did the Luna 23 and 24 spacecraft land?: Comparing the spacecraft seen in LROC NAC images with synthetic images, Planetary and Space Science, 81, 82-85

Cartography of the Lunokhod-1 landing site and traverse from LRO image and stereo-topographic data

Planetary and Space Science, 2013

I. Karachevtseva, J. Oberst, E. Scholten, A. Konopikhin, K. Shingareva, E. Cherepanova, E. Gusakova, I. Haase, O. Peters, J. Plescia, M. Robinson, (2013), Cartography of the Lunokhod-1 landing site and traverse from LRO image and stereo-topographic data, Planetary and Space Science, 85, 175-187

IMPACT MELT VOLUMES FOR SIMPLE LUNAR CRATERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MELT PRODUCTION

Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2013

J. B. Plescia, O. S. Barnouin, M. J. Cintala, (2013), IMPACT MELT VOLUMES FOR SIMPLE LUNAR CRATERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MELT PRODUCTION, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 48, A283

IMAPCTS ON SLOPING SURFACES: LUNAR EXAMPLES

Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2012

J. B. Plescia, (2012), IMAPCTS ON SLOPING SURFACES: LUNAR EXAMPLES, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 47, A317

Impact melt in small lunar highland craters

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 2012

J. B. Plescia, M. J. Cintala, (2012), Impact melt in small lunar highland craters, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 117

Soviet lunar sample return missions: Landing site identification and geologic context

Planetary and Space Science, 2012

M. S. Robinson, J. B. Plescia, B. L. Jolliff, S. J. Lawrence, (2012), Soviet lunar sample return missions: Landing site identification and geologic context, Planetary and Space Science, 69, 76-88

IMPACT MELT IN SMALL SIMPLE LUNAR HIGHLANDS CRATERS

Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2011

J. B. Plescia, M. J. Cintala, (2011), IMPACT MELT IN SMALL SIMPLE LUNAR HIGHLANDS CRATERS, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 46, A190

Gravity investigations of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure

Icdp-Usgs Deep Drilling Project in the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure: Results From the Eyreville Core Holes, 2009

J. B. Plescia, D. L. Daniels, A. K. Shah, GS Gohn, C Koeberl, KG Miller, WU Reimold, (2009), Gravity investigations of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Icdp-Usgs Deep Drilling Project in the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure: Results From the Eyreville Core Holes, 458, 181-193

Geology of Shackleton Crater and the south pole of the Moon

Geophysical Research Letters, 2008

Paul D. Spudis, Ben Bussey, Jeffrey Plescia, Jean-Luc Josset, Stephane Beauvivre, (2008), Geology of Shackleton Crater and the south pole of the Moon, Geophysical Research Letters, 35

Planetary materials research at APL

Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 2006

N. L. Chabot, C. M. Corrigan, C. A. Hibbitts, J. B. Plescia, (2006), Planetary materials research at APL, Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 27, 156-167

The Rock Elm meteorite impact structure, Wisconsin: Geology and shock-metamorphic effects in quartz

Geological Society of America Bulletin, 2004

BM French, WS Cordua, JB Plescia, (2004), The Rock Elm meteorite impact structure, Wisconsin: Geology and shock-metamorphic effects in quartz, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 116, 200-218

Morphometric properties of Martian volcanoes

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 2004

JB Plescia, (2004), Morphometric properties of Martian volcanoes, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 109

Exploring a possible shergottite source crater and calibrating the martian cratering chronology

Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2004

TD Swindle, JB Plescia, AS McEwen, (2004), Exploring a possible shergottite source crater and calibrating the martian cratering chronology, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 39, A102

Cerberus Fossae, Elysium, Mars: a source for lava and water

Icarus, 2003

JB Plescia, (2003), Cerberus Fossae, Elysium, Mars: a source for lava and water, Icarus, 164, 79-95

Tharsis Tholus: an unusual martian volcano

Icarus, 2003

JB Plescia, (2003), Tharsis Tholus: an unusual martian volcano, Icarus, 165, 223-241

Remote detection of extremophile communities using VNIR spectra.

Astrobiology, 2002

J. B. Plescia, (2002), Remote detection of extremophile communities using VNIR spectra., Astrobiology, 2, 508-509

Ancient impact structures on modern continental shelves: The Chesapeake Bay, Montagnais, and Toms Canyon craters, Atlantic margin of North America

Deep-Sea Research Part Ii-Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2002

CW Poag, JB Plescia, PC Molzer, (2002), Ancient impact structures on modern continental shelves: The Chesapeake Bay, Montagnais, and Toms Canyon craters, Atlantic margin of North America, Deep-Sea Research Part Ii-Topical Studies in Oceanography, 49, 1081-1102

Visible/near-infrared and thermal infrared field spectroscopy of modern and ancient calcareous tufa deposits.

Astrobiology, 2001

Jeffrey R. Johnson, Jeffrey B. Plescia, (2001), Visible/near-infrared and thermal infrared field spectroscopy of modern and ancient calcareous tufa deposits., Astrobiology, 1, 331-333

Visible-near infrared spectroscopy of siliceous sinter, Yellowstone National Park: Search for organic signatures.

Astrobiology, 2001

J. B. Plescia, J. R. Johnson, (2001), Visible-near infrared spectroscopy of siliceous sinter, Yellowstone National Park: Search for organic signatures., Astrobiology, 1, 337-338

Visible-near infrared spectroscopy of hyperthermophile organisms, Yellowstone National Park.

Astrobiology, 2001

J. B. Plescia, J. R. Johnson, M. Ferris, (2001), Visible-near infrared spectroscopy of hyperthermophile organisms, Yellowstone National Park., Astrobiology, 1, 338-340

Geology of the Uranius group volcanic constructs: Uranius Patera, Ceraunius Tholus, and Uranius Tholus

Icarus, 2000

JB Plescia, (2000), Geology of the Uranius group volcanic constructs: Uranius Patera, Ceraunius Tholus, and Uranius Tholus, Icarus, 143, 376-396

A petrographical and geochemical study of quartzose nodules, country rocks, and dike rocks from the Upheaval Dome structure, Utah

Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 1999

C Koeberl, JB Plescia, CL Hayward, WU Reimold, (1999), A petrographical and geochemical study of quartzose nodules, country rocks, and dike rocks from the Upheaval Dome structure, Utah, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 34, 861-868

Rocky 7 prototype Mars rover field geology experiments - 1. Lavic Lake and Sunshine Volcanic Field, California

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 1998

RE Arvidson, C Acton, D Blaney, J Bowman, S Kim, G Klingelhofer, J Marshall, C Niebur, J Plescia, RS Saunders, CT Ulmer, (1998), Rocky 7 prototype Mars rover field geology experiments - 1. Lavic Lake and Sunshine Volcanic Field, California, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 103, 22671-22688

GEOLOGY OF THE SMALL THARSIS VOLCANOS - JOVIS-THOLUS, ULYSSES-PATERA, BIBLIS-PATERA, MARS

Icarus, 1994

JB PLESCIA, (1994), GEOLOGY OF THE SMALL THARSIS VOLCANOS - JOVIS-THOLUS, ULYSSES-PATERA, BIBLIS-PATERA, MARS, Icarus, 111, 246-269

GRAVITY SURVEY OF THE MOUNT-TOONDINA IMPACT STRUCTURE, SOUTH-AUSTRALIA

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 1994

JB PLESCIA, EM SHOEMAKER, CS SHOEMAKER, (1994), GRAVITY SURVEY OF THE MOUNT-TOONDINA IMPACT STRUCTURE, SOUTH-AUSTRALIA, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 99, 13167-13179

AN ASSESSMENT OF VOLATILE RELEASE FROM RECENT VOLCANISM IN ELYSIUM, MARS

Icarus, 1993

JB PLESCIA, (1993), AN ASSESSMENT OF VOLATILE RELEASE FROM RECENT VOLCANISM IN ELYSIUM, MARS, Icarus, 104, 20-32

WRINKLE RIDGES OF ARCADIA-PLANITIA, MARS

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 1993

JB PLESCIA, (1993), WRINKLE RIDGES OF ARCADIA-PLANITIA, MARS, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 98, 15049-15059

A REVIEW OF THE REGIONAL GEOPHYSICS OF THE ARIZONA TRANSITION ZONE

Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 1991

JD HENDRICKS, JB PLESCIA, (1991), A REVIEW OF THE REGIONAL GEOPHYSICS OF THE ARIZONA TRANSITION ZONE, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 96, 12351-12373

GRABEN AND EXTENSION IN NORTHERN THARSIS, MARS

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 1991

JB PLESCIA, (1991), GRABEN AND EXTENSION IN NORTHERN THARSIS, MARS, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 96, 18883-18895

WRINKLE RIDGES IN LUNAE PLANUM MARS - IMPLICATIONS FOR SHORTENING AND STRAIN

Geophysical Research Letters, 1991

JB PLESCIA, (1991), WRINKLE RIDGES IN LUNAE PLANUM MARS - IMPLICATIONS FOR SHORTENING AND STRAIN, Geophysical Research Letters, 18, 913-916

TECTONIC AND VOLCANIC EVOLUTION OF DARK TERRAIN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF GANYMEDE

Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 1990

SL MURCHIE, JW HEAD, JB PLESCIA, (1990), TECTONIC AND VOLCANIC EVOLUTION OF DARK TERRAIN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF GANYMEDE, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 95, 10743-10768

CRATER DENSITIES AND CRATER AGES OF DIFFERENT TERRAIN TYPES ON GANYMEDE

Icarus, 1989

SL MURCHIE, JW HEAD, JB PLESCIA, (1989), CRATER DENSITIES AND CRATER AGES OF DIFFERENT TERRAIN TYPES ON GANYMEDE, Icarus, 81, 271-297

CRATERING HISTORY OF MIRANDA - IMPLICATIONS FOR GEOLOGIC PROCESSES

Icarus, 1988

JB PLESCIA, (1988), CRATERING HISTORY OF MIRANDA - IMPLICATIONS FOR GEOLOGIC PROCESSES, Icarus, 73, 442-461

CRATERING HISTORY OF THE URANIAN SATELLITES - UMBRIEL, TITANIA, AND OBERON

Journal of Geophysical Research-Space Physics, 1987

JB PLESCIA, (1987), CRATERING HISTORY OF THE URANIAN SATELLITES - UMBRIEL, TITANIA, AND OBERON, Journal of Geophysical Research-Space Physics, 92, 14918-14932

GEOLOGICAL TERRAINS AND CRATER FREQUENCIES ON ARIEL

Nature, 1987

JB PLESCIA, (1987), GEOLOGICAL TERRAINS AND CRATER FREQUENCIES ON ARIEL, Nature, 327, 201-204

TERRAIN TYPES AND LOCAL-SCALE STRATIGRAPHY OF GROOVED TERRAIN ON GANYMEDE

Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 1986

SL MURCHIE, JW HEAD, P HELFENSTEIN, JB PLESCIA, (1986), TERRAIN TYPES AND LOCAL-SCALE STRATIGRAPHY OF GROOVED TERRAIN ON GANYMEDE, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 91, E222-E238

ORIGIN OF PLANETARY WRINKLE RIDGES BASED ON THE STUDY OF TERRESTRIAL ANALOGS

Geological Society of America Bulletin, 1986

JB PLESCIA, MP GOLOMBEK, (1986), ORIGIN OF PLANETARY WRINKLE RIDGES BASED ON THE STUDY OF TERRESTRIAL ANALOGS, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 97, 1289-1299

VOYAGER-2 IN THE URANIAN SYSTEM - IMAGING SCIENCE RESULTS

Science, 1986

BA SMITH, LA SODERBLOM, R BEEBE, D BLISS, JM BOYCE, A BRAHIC, GA BRIGGS, RH BROWN, SA COLLINS, AF COOK, SK CROFT, JN CUZZI, GE DANIELSON, ME DAVIES, TE DOWLING, D GODFREY, CJ HANSEN, C HARRIS, GE HUNT, AP INGERSOLL, TV JOHNSON, RJ KRAUSS, H MASURSKY, D MORRISON, T OWEN, JB PLESCIA, JB POLLACK, CC PORCO, K RAGES, C SAGAN, EM SHOEMAKER, LA SROMOVSKY, C STOKER, RG STROM, VE SUOMI, SP SYNNOTT, RJ TERRILE, P THOMAS, WR THOMPSON, J VEVERKA, (1986), VOYAGER-2 IN THE URANIAN SYSTEM - IMAGING SCIENCE RESULTS, Science, 233, 43-64

IMPACT CRATERING HISTORY OF THE SATURNIAN SATELLITES

Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 1985

JB PLESCIA, JM BOYCE, (1985), IMPACT CRATERING HISTORY OF THE SATURNIAN SATELLITES, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, 90, 2029-2037

THE GEOLOGY OF DIONE

Icarus, 1983

JB PLESCIA, (1983), THE GEOLOGY OF DIONE, Icarus, 56, 255-277

CRATER NUMBERS AND GEOLOGICAL HISTORIES OF IAPETUS, ENCELADUS, TETHYS AND HYPERION

Nature, 1983

JB PLESCIA, JM BOYCE, (1983), CRATER NUMBERS AND GEOLOGICAL HISTORIES OF IAPETUS, ENCELADUS, TETHYS AND HYPERION, Nature, 301, 666-670

CRATER DENSITIES AND GEOLOGICAL HISTORIES OF RHEA, DIONE, MIMAS AND TETHYS

Nature, 1982

JB PLESCIA, JM BOYCE, (1982), CRATER DENSITIES AND GEOLOGICAL HISTORIES OF RHEA, DIONE, MIMAS AND TETHYS, Nature, 295, 285-290

GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTER OF THE PROPOSED EASTERN EXTENSION OF THE GARLOCK FAULT AND ADJACENT AREAS, EASTERN CALIFORNIA

Geology, 1982

JB PLESCIA, TL HENYEY, (1982), GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTER OF THE PROPOSED EASTERN EXTENSION OF THE GARLOCK FAULT AND ADJACENT AREAS, EASTERN CALIFORNIA, Geology, 10, 209-214

TECTONIC HISTORY OF THE THARSIS REGION, MARS

Journal of Geophysical Research, 1982

JB PLESCIA, RS SAUNDERS, (1982), TECTONIC HISTORY OF THE THARSIS REGION, MARS, Journal of Geophysical Research, 87, 9775-9791

THE TEMPE VOLCANIC PROVINCE OF MARS AND COMPARISONS WITH THE SNAKE RIVER PLAINS OF IDAHO

Icarus, 1981

JB PLESCIA, (1981), THE TEMPE VOLCANIC PROVINCE OF MARS AND COMPARISONS WITH THE SNAKE RIVER PLAINS OF IDAHO, Icarus, 45, 586-601

RESPONSE OF GULF OF MEXICO TO HURRICANE ELOISE (1975)

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 1976

JB PLESCIA, (1976), RESPONSE OF GULF OF MEXICO TO HURRICANE ELOISE (1975), Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 57, 521-522