Keith Milam

Recent News

Education

Ph.D., 2007, University of Tennessee

M.S., 2002, University of Tennessee

B.S., 1997, Western Kentucky University

Research Interests

Planetary Geology

• Geology of Mars
• Impact Cratering
• Remote Sensing

My research interests are widely varied in the field of planetary geology but commonly integrate aspects of mineralogy, petrology, remote sensing, and geomorphology. My research highlights my ability to both lead a research project and to participate as a contributing team member. My primary research involves tracking the evolution of the martian interior and modification of surface by use of thermal emissivity spectra and visible imagery. Additionally, I am very interested in impact cratering research, specifically, how central peaks (or uplifts) are formed during the impact cratering process.

Courses Taught

• GEOL 2080: Geology of the Solar System
• GEOL 3150: Mineralogy
• GEOL 3201: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• GEOL 4/5090: Geology of Mars
• GEOL 4/5910: Field Geology
• GEOL 4/6080: Planetary Geology

Professional Appointments

2012-present, Associate Professor

2006-2012, Assistant Professor

Representative Publications

Milam, K. A., H. Y. McSween Jr., J. Moersch, and P. R. Christensen, 2010, Distribution and variation of plagioclase compositions on Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 115, E09004, doi:10.1029/2009JE003495.

Milam, K. A., Gabreski, C., Baranoski, M., Miller, D. W., 2010, Evidence of Maximum Age of the Serpent Mound Impact Event from Shatter Cones - Brief Note, The Ohio Journal of Science, 110, 3, 53-54.

Milam, K. A., Hester, A., Malinkski, P., 2010, An Anomalous Breccia Associated with the Serpent Mound Impact Crater, Southern Ohio, The Ohio Journal of Science, 110, 2, 18-30.

Rampey, M. L., K. A. Milam, H. Y. McSween Jr., J. E. Moersch, and P. R. Christensen, 2007, Identity and emplacement of domical structures in the western Arcadia Planitia, Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E06011, doi:10.1029/2006JE002750.

Milam, K. A., H. Y. McSween Jr., and P. R. Christensen, 2007, Plagioclase compositions derived from thermal emission spectra of compositionally complex mixtures: Implications for Martian feldspar mineralogy, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E10005, doi:10.1029/2006JE002880.

McSween, H. Y., Jr., M. B. Wyatt, R. Gellert, J. F. Bell III, R. V. Morris, K. E. Herkenhoff, L. S. Crumpler, K. A. Milam, K. R. Stockstill, L. Tornabene, R. E. Arvidson, P. Bartlett, D. Blaney, N. A. Cabrol, P. R. Christensen, B. C. Clark, J. A. Crisp, D. J. Des Marais, T. Economou, J. D. Farmer, W. Farrand, A. Ghosh, M. Golombek, S. Gorevan, R. Greeley, V. E. Hamilton, J. R. Johnson, B. L. Joliff, G. Klingelhoefer, A. T. Knudson, S. McLennan, D. Ming, J. E. Moersch, R. Rieder, S. W. Ruff, C. Schroeder, P. A. de Souza, Jr., S. W. Squyres, H. Wänke, A. Wange, A. Yen, and J. Zipfel, 2006, Characterization and petrologic interpretation of olivine-rich basalts at Gusev Crater, Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 111, E02S10, doi:10.1029/2005JE002477.

Tornabene, L. L., J. E. Moersch, H. Y. McSween, Jr., J. L. Piatek, K. A. Milam, A. S. McEwen, and P. R. Christensen, 2006, Identification of large (2-10 km) rayed craters on Mars in THEMIS thermal infrared images: Implications for possible martian meteorite source regions, J. Geophys. Res., 111, E10006, doi:10.1029/2005JE002600.

McSween, H. Y., Jr., R. E. Arvidson, J. F. Bell III, D. Blaney, N. A. Cabrol, P. R. Christensen, B. C. Clark, J. A. Crisp, L. S. Crumpler, D. J. Des Marais, J. D. Farmer, R. Gellert, A. Ghosh, S. Gorevan, T. Graff, J. Grant, L. A. Haskin, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. R. Johnson, B. L. Jolliff, G. Klingelhoefer, A. T. Knudson, S. McLennan, K. A. Milam, J. E. Moersch, R. V. Morris, R. Rieder, S. W. Ruff, P. A. de Souza Jr., S. W. Squyres, H. Wänke, A. Wang, M. B. Wyatt, A. Yen, J. Zipfel, 2004, Basaltic Rocks Analyzed by the Spirit Rover in Gusev Crater, Science, 305, 842-845.

Milam, K. A., H.Y. McSween, Jr., V.E. Hamilton, J.E. Moersch, and P.R. Christensen, 2004, Accuracy of plagioclase compositions from laboratory and Mars spacecraft thermal emission spectra, JGR-Planets, 109, E04001, doi:10,1029/2003JE002097.

Milam, K. A., K.R. Stockstill, J.E. Moersch, H.Y. McSween, Jr., L.L. Tornabene, A. Ghosh, M.B. Wyatt, and P.R. Christensen, 2003, THEMIS characterization of the MER Gusev Crater Landing Site, JGR-Planets (MER Special Edition), 108, E12.

Memberships

• Geological Society of America
• American Geophysical Union
• Impact Field Studies Group (IFSG)