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Debra Buczkowski

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Planetary Geologist
240-228-2684
  • PhD, Geosciences
    2005, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • MS, Geology
    2002, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • BA, Astronomy
    1992, Boston University

I have extensive background in planetary mapping and kinematic analysis of terrestrial planets, moons and asteroids, and have designed numerical models to explain structural phenomenon on Mars, Venus, Eros, Vesta and Ceres. My research projects include: 1) Mapping and analysis of linear features on 1 Ceres, 4 Vesta and 433 Eros; 2) Geologic mapping of 1 Ceres and 4 Vesta; 3) Mapping, structural analysis, and numerical modeling of giant polygons on Mars; 4) Topographic analysis and numerical modeling of quasi-circular depressions (QCDs) in the northern lowlands of Mars; 5) Spectroscopic analysis of outcrops in the Argyre basin and northwestern Noachis Terra, Mars using CRISM data; 6) Geologic mapping of Gale Crater, Mars; 7) Kinematic mapping and structural analysis of lineaments around Irnini Mons, Venus; 8) Geologic mapping of the V-18 Lachesis Tessera Quadrangle, Venus; 9) Geomorphic mapping of the intra-ejecta dark plains around the Caloris basin, Mercury; and 10) Geologic mapping of the Caloris basin and Intercrater Plains, Mercury.

Notable Awards and Leadership

Year(s) Description
2022-Present Deputy Chair, Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG)
2019 Ronald Greeley Distinguished Service Award, for service to the Planetary Geology Division of GSA
2011-2013, 2019 - Present Editorship (Associate Editor, Icarus 2019-Present; Guest Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research–Planets, CRISM/OMEGA special issue 2011-2013)
2010 - 2016 Executive Board Member, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America (Secretary Treasurer 2010-2012; Second Vice Chair 2012-2013; Vice Chair 2013-2014; Chair 2014-2015; Past Chair 2015-2016)
2011, 2013, 2014, 2019 NASA Group Achievement Award (2011 MRO CRISM Science Team; 2013 Dawn Science Team; 2014 MSL Relay Operations Team; 2019 Dawn Science Team)
2009 Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Special Achievement Award (1) for development of a Proposal Writing; (2) as part of the MRO CRISM uplink team)
2005-2008 Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellowship
2003-2005 NASA Graduate Student Research Program Fellowship

Scholarly Publications

Geomorphology of Vesta

Vesta and Ceres, 2022
Debra Buczkowski, Ralf Jaumann, Simone Marchi, (2022), Geomorphology of Vesta, Vesta and Ceres, 67--80, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108856324.008

Early Noachian terrains: Vestiges of the early evolution of Mars

Icarus, 2022
Debra Buczkowski, (2022), Early Noachian terrains: Vestiges of the early evolution of Mars, Icarus, 387, 115170, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115170

Pit Crater Chains Across the Solar System: Evidence for Subterranean Tectonic Caves, Porosity and Permeability Pathways on Planetary Bodies

Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 2022
Danielle Wyrick, Debra Buczkowski, (2022), Pit crater chains across the Solar System: Evidence for subterranean tectonic caves, porosity and permeability pathways on planetary bodies, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127, 12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022je007281

The In Situ Exploration of a Relict Ocean World: An Assessment of Potential Landing and Sampling Sites for a Future Mission to the Surface of Ceres

The Planetary Science Journal, 2021
Debra Buczkowski, (2021), The In Situ Exploration of a Relict Ocean World: An Assessment of Potential Landing and Sampling Sites for a Future Mission to the Surface of Ceres, The Planetary Science Journal, 2, 3, 94, https://doi.org/10.3847/psj/abee28

Next frontier in planetary geological reconnaissance: Low-latency telepresence

Icarus, 2021
Debra Buczkowski, (2021), Next frontier in planetary geological reconnaissance: Low-latency telepresence, Icarus, 368, 114558, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114558

Anomalous Phyllosilicate-Bearing Outcrops South of Coprates Chasma: A Study of Possible Emplacement Mechanisms

Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 2020
Debra Buczkowski, (2020), Anomalous phyllosilicate-bearing outcrops south of Coprates Chasma: A study of possible emplacement mechanisms, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 125, 1, e2019JE006043, https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019JE006043

Fracture geometry and statistics of Ceres’ floor fractures

Planetary and Space Science, 2020
Debra Buczkowski, (2020), Fracture geometry and statistics of Ceres' floor fractures, Planetary and Space Science, 187, 104955, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2020.104955

A Global Inventory of Ice-Related Morphological Features on Dwarf Planet Ceres: Implications for the Evolution and Current State of the Cryosphere

Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 2019
Sizemore, H.G., Schmidt, B.E., Buczkowski, D.L., Sori, M.M., Castillo-Rogez, J.C., Berman, D.C., Ahrens, C., Chilton, H.T., Hughson, K.H.G., Duarte, K., Otto, K.A., Bland, M.~T., Neesemann, A., Scully, J.E.C., Crown, D.A., Mest, S.C., Williams, D.A., Platz, T., Schenk, P., Landis, M.E., Marchi, S., Schorghofer, N., Quick, L.C., Prettyman, T.H., De Sanctis, M.C., Nass, A., Thangjam, G., Nathues, A., Russell, C.T. and Raymond, C.A., (2019), A global inventory of ice-related morphological features on dwarf planet Ceres: Implications for the evolution and current state of the cryosphere, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 124, 7, 1650-1689

How Much of the Sediment in Gale Crater's Central Mound Was Fluvially Transported?

Geophysical Research Letters, 2019
Thomson, Bradley J., Buczkowski, Debra L., Crumpler, Larry S., Seelos, Kimberly D., and Fassett, Caleb I., (2019), How Much of the Sediment in Gale Crater's Central Mound Was Fluvially Transported?, Geophysical Research Letters, 46, 10, 5092-5099

Tectonic analysis of fracturing associated with Occator crater

Icarus, 2019
Buczkowski, Debra L., Scully, Jennifer E.C., Quick, Lynnae, Castillo-Rogez, Julie, Schenk, Paul M., Park, Ryan S., Preusker, Frank, Jaumann, Ralf, Raymond, Carol A. and Russell, C.T., (2019), Tectonic analysis of fracturing associated with Occator crater, Icarus, 320, 49-59, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2018.05.012

Dome Formation on Ceres by Solid-State Flow Analogous to Terrestrial Salt Tectonics

Nature Geoscience, 2019
Bland, M.T., Buczkowski, D.L., Sizemore, H.G., Ermakov, A.I., King, S.D., Sori, M.M., Raymond, C.A. and Castillo-Rogez, J.C. and Russell, C.T., (2019), Dome formation on Ceres by solid-state flow analogous to terrestrial salt tectonics, Nature Geoscience, 12, 10, 797-801

Normal Faults on Ceres: Insights Into the Mechanical Properties and Thermal History of Nar Sulcus

Geophysical Research Letters, 2019
Debra Buczkowski, (2019), Normal Faults on Ceres: Insights Into the Mechanical Properties and Thermal History of Nar Sulcus, Geophysical Research Letters, 46, 1, 80--88, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018gl080258

Floor-Fractured Craters on Ceres and Implications for Interior Processes

Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 2018
Buczkowski, Debra L., Sizemore, Hanna G., Bland, Michael T., Scully, Jennifer E.C., Quick, Lynnae C., Hughson, Kynan H.G., Park, Ryan S., Preusker, Frank, Raymond, Carol A. and Russell, Christopher T., (2018), Floor-fractured craters on Ceres and implications for interior processes, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 123, 12, 3188-3204, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018JGRE..123.3188B

The Geology of the Occator Quadrangle of Dwarf Planet Ceres: Floor-Fractured Craters and Other Geomorphic Evidence of Cryomagmatism

ıcarus, 2018
Buczkowski, D.L., Williams, D.A., Scully, J.E.C., Mest, S.C., Crown, D.A., Schenk, P.M., Jaumann, R., Roatsch, T., Preusker, F., Nathues, A., Hoffmann, M., Schaefer, M., Marchi, S., De Sanctis, M.C. and Raymond, C.A. and Russell, C.T., (2018), The geology of the Occator quadrangle of dwarf planet Ceres: Floor-fractured craters and other geomorphic evidence of cryomagmatism, Icarus, 316, 128-139, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018Icar..316..128B

Evidence for the Interior Evolution of Ceres from Geologic Analysis of Fractures

Geophysical Research Letters, 2017
Scully, J.E.C., Buczkowski, D.L., Schmedemann, N., Raymond, C.A., Castillo-Rogez, J.C., King, S.D., Bland, M.T., Ermakov, A.I., O'Brien, D.P., Marchi, S., Longobardo, A., Russell, C.T., Fu, R.R. and Neveu, M., (2017), Evidence for the interior evolution of Ceres from geologic analysis of fractures, Geophysical Research Letters, 44, 19, 9564-9572

The Geomorphology of Ceres

Science, 2016
Buczkowski, D.L., Schmidt, B.E., Williams, D.A., Mest, S.C., Scully, J.E.C., Ermakov, A.I., Preusker, F., Schenk, P., Otto, K.A., Hiesinger, H., O'Brien, D., Marchi, S., Sizemore, H., Hughson, K., Chilton, H., Bland, M., Byrne, S., Schorghofer, N., Platz, T., Jaumann, R., Roatsch, T., Sykes, M.V., Nathues, A. De Sanctis, M.C., Raymond, C.A. and Russell, C.T., (2016), The geomorphology of Ceres, Science, 353, 6303, aaf4332, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016Sci...353.4332B

Hydrothermal and Magmatic Fluid Flow in Asteroids

Asteroids IV, 2015
Wilson, L., Bland, P.A., Buczkowski, D., Keil, K., and Krot, A.N., (2015), Hydrothermal and magmatic fluid flow in asteroids, in Asteroids IV (eds. P. Michel, F. DeMeo, W. Bottke), pp. 553-572, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015aste.book..553W

Tectonism and Magmatism Identified on Asteroids

Volcanism and Tectonism Across the Inner Solar System, 2015
Buczkowski, Debra L. and Wyrick, Danielle Y., (2015), Tectonism and magmatism identified on asteroids, in Volcanism and Tectonism Across the Inner Solar System (eds. Platz, T., Massironi, M., Byrne, P.K. and Hiesinger, H.) , 401, pp. 423-441, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP401.18

Knob heights within circum-Caloris geologic units on Mercury: Interpretations of the geologic history of the region

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2015
Ackiss, S. E., Buczkowski, D. L., Ernst, C. M., McBeck, J. A. and Seelos, K. D., (2015), Knob heights within circum-Caloris geologic units on Mercury: Interpretations of the geologic history of the region, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 430, 542-550

Vesta's north pole quadrangle Av-1 (Albana): Geologic map and the nature of the south polar basin antipodes

Icarus, 2014
David T. Blewett, Debra L. Buczkowski, Ottaviano Ruesch, Jennifer E. Scully, David P. O'Brien, Robert Gaskell, Thomas Roatsch, Timothy J. Bowling, Anton Ermakov, Harald Hiesinger, David A. Williams, Carol A. Raymond, Christopher T. Russell, (2014), Vesta's north pole quadrangle Av-1 (Albana): Geologic map and the nature of the south polar basin antipodes, Icarus, 244, 13-22

The Unique Geomorphology and Physical Properties of the Vestalia Terra Plateau

Icarus, 2014
Buczkowski, D. L., Wyrick, D. Y., Toplis, M., Yingst, R. A., Williams, D. A., Garry, W. B., Mest, S., Kneissl, T., Scully, J. E. C., Nathues, A., De Sanctis, M. C., LeCorre, L., Reddy, V., Hoffmann, M., Ammannito, E., Frigeri, A., Tosi, F., Preusker, F., Roatsch, T., Raymond, C. A., Jaumann, R., Pieters, C. M. and Russell, C. T., (2014), The unique geomorphology and physical properties of the Vestalia Terra plateau, Icarus, 244, 89-103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2014.03.035,

Compositional evidence of magmatic activity on Vesta

Geophysical Research Letters, 2014
De Sanctis, M. C., Ammannito, E., Buczkowski, D., Raymond, C. A., Jaumann, R., Mittlefehldt, D. W., Capaccioni, F., Capria, M. T., Frigeri, A., Magni, G., Tosi, F., Zambon, F. and Russell, C. T., (2014), Compositional evidence of magmatic activity on Vesta, Geophysical Research Letters, 41, 9, 3038-3044

Pitted Terrain on Vesta and Implications for the Presence of Volatiles

Science, 2012
B. W. Denevi, D. T. Blewett, D. L. Buczkowski, F. Capaccioni, M. T. Capria, M. C. De Sanctis, W. B. Garry, R. W. Gaskell, L. Le Corre, J. -Y. Li, S. Marchi, T. J. McCoy, A. Nathues, D. P. O'Brien, N. E. Petro, C. M. Pieters, F. Preusker, C. A. Raymond, V. Reddy, C. T. Russell, P. Schenk, J. E. C. Scully, J. M. Sunshine, F. Tosi, D. A. Williams, D. Wyrick, (2012), Pitted Terrain on Vesta and Implications for the Presence of Volatiles, Science, 338, 6104, 246-249

The Geologically Recent Giant Impact Basins at Vesta's South Pole

Science, 2012
Paul Schenk, David P. O'Brien, Simone Marchi, Robert Gaskell, Frank Preusker, Thomas Roatsch, Ralf Jaumann, Debra Buczkowski, Thomas McCord, Harry Y. McSween, David Williams, Aileen Yingst, Carol Raymond, Chris Russell, (2012), The Geologically Recent Giant Impact Basins at Vesta's South Pole, Science, 336, 6082, 694-697

Vesta's Shape and Morphology

Science, 2012
R. Jaumann, D. A. Williams, D. L. Buczkowski, R. A. Yingst, F. Preusker, H. Hiesinger, N. Schmedemann, T. Kneissl, J. B. Vincent, D. T. Blewett, B. J. Buratti, U. Carsenty, B. W. Denevi, M. C. De Sanctis, W. B. Garry, H. U. Keller, E. Kersten, K. Krohn, J. -Y. Li, S. Marchi, K. D. Matz, T. B. McCord, H. Y. McSween, S. C. Mest, D. W. Mittlefehldt, S. Mottola, A. Nathues, G. Neukum, D. P. O'Brien, C. M. Pieters, T. H. Prettyman, C. A. Raymond, T. Roatsch, C. T. Russell, P. Schenk, B. E. Schmidt, F. Scholten, K. Stephan, M. V. Sykes, P. Tricarico, R. Wagner, M. T. Zuber, H. Sierks, (2012), Vesta's Shape and Morphology, Science, 336, 6082, 687-690

Giant polygons and circular graben in western Utopia basin, Mars: Exploring possible formation mechanisms

Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 2012
Buczkowski, Debra L., Seelos, Kim D. and Cooke, Michele L., (2012), Giant polygons and circular graben in western Utopia basin, Mars: Exploring possible formation mechanisms, Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets, 117, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JE003934

Large-scale troughs on Vesta: A signature of planetary tectonics

Geophysical Research Letters, 2012
Buczkowski, D. L., Wyrick, D. Y., Iyer, K. A., Kahn, E. G., Scully, J. E. C., Nathues, A., Gaskell, R. W., Roatsch, T., Preusker, F., Schenk, P. M., Le Corre, L., Reddy, V., Yingst, R. A., Mest, S., Williams, D. A., Garry, W. B., Barnouin, O. S., Jaumann, R., Raymond, C. A. and Russell, C. T., (2012), Large-scale troughs on Vesta: A signature of planetary tectonics, Geophysical Research Letters, 39, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL052959

Investigation of an Argyre basin ring structure using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars

Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 2010
Buczkowski, Debra L., Murchie, Scott, Clark, Roger, Seelos, Kim, Seelos, Frank, Malaret, Erick and Hash, Christopher, (2010), Investigation of an Argyre basin ring structure using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 115, E12, E12011, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010JGRE..11512011B

433 Eros lineaments: Global mapping and analysis

Icarus, 2008
Buczkowski, Debra L., Barnouin-Jha, Olivier S. and Prockter, Louise M., (2008), 433 Eros lineaments: Global mapping and analysis, Icarus, 193, 1, 39-52, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008Icar..193...39B

Stealth quasi-circular depressions (sQCDs) in the northern lowlands of Mars

Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 2007
Buczkowski, Debra L., (2007), Stealth quasi-circular depressions (sQCDs) in the northern lowlands of Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 112, E9, E09002, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007JGRE..112.9002B

Kinematic analysis of radial structures around Irnini Mons, Venus

Journal of Structural Geology, 2006
Buczkowski, Debra L., (2006), Kinematic analysis of radial structures around Irnini Mons, Venus, Journal of Structural Geology, 28, 12, 2156-2168, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006JSG....28.2156B

Linear Structures on Eros and Other Small Bodies

Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 2006
Buczkowski, D. L., (2006), Linear structures on Eros and other small bodies, Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 27, 2, 100-110

Buried impact craters: A topographic analysis of quasi-circular depressions, Utopia Basin, Mars

Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 2005
Buczkowski, Debra L., Frey, Herbert V., Roark, James H. and McGill, George E., (2005), Buried impact craters: A topographic analysis of quasi-circular depressions, Utopia Basin, Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 110, E3, E03007, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005JGRE..110.3007B

Formation of double-ring circular grabens due to volumetric compaction over buried impact craters: Implications for thickness and nature of cover material in Utopia Planitia, Mars

Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 2004
Buczkowski, Debra L. and Cooke, Michele L., (2004), Formation of double-ring circular grabens due to volumetric compaction over buried impact craters: Implications for thickness and nature of cover material in Utopia Planitia, Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets), 109, E2, E02006, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2004JGRE..109.2006B

Topography within circular grabens: Implications for polygon origin, Utopia Planitia, Mars

Geophysical Research Letters, 2002
Buczkowski, Debra L. and McGill, George E., (2002), Topography within circular grabens: Implications for polygon origin, Utopia Planitia, Mars, Geophysical Research Letters, 29, 7, 1155, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2002GeoRL..29.1155B