Lisa Thompson, M.S.

Current Projects

• Arizona Geothermal Data Catalog & Resource Evaluation
• Polar Explorer: Immersive, Interactive Virtual Field Trips Exploring Permafrost Thaw in the Arctic
• Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP): Four Corners Regional Initiative
• Geologic Mapping: Ives Peak, Tres Alamos Wilderness Area

Research Interests

• Energy Geology including applications of near-IR spectral analysis, seismic, aeromagnetics, gravity, and MT to explore subsurface energy resources
• Ex-situ CO2 mineralization in mafic rocks
• Geology and geochemistry of volcano-sedimentary lithium deposits
• Physical volcanology including water-lava interactions
• Applications of sedimentology and stratigraphy to basin analysis

GIS & cartography

• Geologic mapping and analysis
• Plate Tectonic reconstructions

Biography

Lisa has a broad geological background and more than 15 years of experience in geologic mapping, cartography, GIS, physical volcanology, applied geology, and subsurface resource evaluation. Her current research includes evaluation of subsurface energy resources for CO2 storage, hydrogen gas storage, and geothermal energy; and traditional geologic mapping in volcanic and volcano-sedimentary terrains. Recent project completions include the first full geologic characterization of the Basin volcano-sedimentary lithium deposit, Kaiser Spring volcanic field, northwestern Arizona and an evaluation of mafic rock resources for ex-situ CO2 mineralization. Before joining the AZGS, Lisa was faculty at Northern Arizona University for 10 years, where she taught and mentored undergraduate students at Northern Arizona University in GIS, geologic field methods, geologic disasters, and volcanology. 

Recent Publications

Thompson, L.A., Sjolund, A., Patterson, J., Wilson, T., and Wade, J., in review, An inventory of rock resources for carbon mineralization: Submitted to the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Dec. 2025

Thompson, L.A., Richardson, C.A., Gootee, B.F., Wilkins, J., and Fenerty, B., 2025, Geology, geochemistry, and potential origins of the Basin volcano-sedimentary lithium deposit, Kaiser Spring volcanic field, northwestern Arizona: Economic Geology, v. 120, n. 3, pp. 663-668.

Sjolund, A., Wrenn, O.A., Tattershall, A., Sasser, T., Thompson, L.A., and Wade, J., 2025, A study of ex-situ carbon mineralization under low intensity aqueous reaction: Carbon Capture Science & Technology, v. 15, 11 p text. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccst.2025.100391

Gootee, B.F., Johnson, B.J., Wilson, T.C., Thompson, L.A., and Richardson, C.A., 2024, Subsurface 3D geologic mapping and modeling of the Big Sandy Valley, northwestern Arizona: Arizona Geological Survey Open File Report OFR-24-03. 

Thompson, L.A., Kwiatkowski, C. J., Johnson, B.J., 2024, Geologic Map of the Tin Mountain Northwest 7.5’ quadrangle, Mohave County, Arizona: Arizona Geological Survey Digital Geologic Map 235, scale 1:24:000 and 14 p. text.

Thompson, L.A., Haxel, G. B., Peterson, D.W., May, D.J., Tosdal, R.M., Miller, R.J., Gray, F., LeVeque, R.A., and Umhoefer, P.J., 2024, Bedrock Geologic Map of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Vicinity, Southwest Arizona: Arizona Geological Survey Contributed Report CR-24-B, scale 1:40,000, and 34 p. text.

Wilson, T.C., Thompson, L.A., Gootee, B.F., 2024. Phase I pre-feasibility study to evaluate carbon dioxide and hydrogen geologic storage potential in Harquahala basin: University of Arizona, Arizona Geological Survey, Open-File Report 24– 01, 22 p, 6 appendices, 3 plates.