Brian F. Gootee, M.S.

Current Projects

• Arizona Geothermal Data Catalog & Resource Evaluation (PI)
• Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP): Four Corners Regional Initiative (PI)
• Southwest Regional Direct Air Capture Hub (PI)

Research Interests

• Geothermal exploration
• Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage
• Geologic and geomorphic mapping throughout Arizona
• Outreach and education on geology of the southwest
• Water resource characterization
• Structural evolution of Arizona
• Cenozoic Landscape evolution
• Sequence stratigraphy and carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentology
• Geologic hazards mapping

Biography

Brian F. Gootee is the State Geologist and Director of the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) at the University of Arizona. Prior to his appointment as Director, he served as Senior Research Scientist and Chief of the Energy Geology Group, where he led research on Arizona's deep subsurface and its applications to emerging energy systems, natural resources, and geologic hazards. He also served as AZGS Tribal Liaison, working collaboratively with Tribal Nations across Arizona on geoscience and resource initiatives.

With more than 35 years of professional experience, Gootee's work spans geologic mapping, basin analysis, hydrogeology, and applied geoscience. His research focuses on the geologic framework supporting geothermal energy, carbon management and mineralization, energy and gas storage, and other subsurface resources critical to Arizona's evolving energy future. His work integrates geologic mapping, drilling data, geophysics, and regional basin analysis to reduce subsurface uncertainty and support informed decisions for energy development, infrastructure, and natural resource management across Arizona and the Intermountain West.

Selected Publications

• Gootee, B.F., Cook, J.P., Youberg, A., Douglass, J.C., Pearthree, P.A., Heizler, M.T., 2022. Development and integration of the middle Gila River in the Safford basin, southeastern Arizona. Geomorphology 399, 26 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2021.108074

• Gootee, B.F., Cook, J.P., Young, J.J., Pearthree, P.A., 2017. Subsurface Hydrogeologic Investigation of the Superstition Vistas Planning Area, Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona, Arizona Geological Survey Special Paper 11. 70 p., 2 map plates 1:60,000 scale, 10 appendices, GIS data.

• Gootee, B.F., Cook, J.P., Reynolds, S.K., Grubensky, M.J., Stimac, J.A., 2021. Geologic Map of the Wickenburg 7.5’ Quadrangle, Maricopa and Yavapai County, Arizona. Arizona Geological Survey Digital Geologic Maps DGM-131, 2 map sheets, 1:24,000 scale.

• Gootee, B.F., Pearthree, P.A., House, P.K., Youberg, A., Spencer, J.E., and O’Connell, B., 2016, Geologic map of the Cibola 7 ½’ Quadrangle and the northwestern part of Cibola SE 7 ½’ Quadrangle, La Paz County, Arizona, and Imperial County, California: Arizona Geological Survey Digital Map DGM-112, scale 1:24,000, 1 report, 21 p.
• Gootee, B.F., 2011, Geologic evaluation for CO2 sequestration potential in Arizona’s Cenozoic sedimentary basins: The Safford Basin, southeastern Arizona. Arizona Geological Survey Poster Publication, presented before the WESTCARB Annual Business Meeting, 25-26 October 2011, Sacramento, California, 20 slides.