James Faulds

Jim Faulds is a Professor with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), having recently stepped down as Nevada State Geologist and NBMG Director after 12 years at the helm.  Faulds is a structural geologist with ~35 years of experience.  He has been with UNR and NBMG since 1997, first as Professor and then serving as NBMG Director from 2012-2024.  Prior to joining UNR, he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa and held Post-Doctoral positions at both UNLV and the University of Southern California. He 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 has studied crustal deformation in many parts of the world, including much of the western U.S., western Turkey, and New Zealand.  His research has focused on how fault systems initiate and evolve through time.  In recent years, he has been analyzing the structural controls and exploration strategies of geothermal systems in the western U.S., Turkey, New Zealand, and elsewhere. He has published over 100 papers and dozens of geologic maps.  He has also taught many courses in geology, while serving as advisor for more than 28 graduate students.