Mark Swanson

Mark Swanson is a Professor at the University of Southern Maine (USM), affiliated with the Department of Geography/Anthropology and the Muskie School of Public Service. He has taught since 1983, focusing on courses like digital mapping techniques, structural geology, and field methods. His research explores coastal Maine's geology, emphasizing structural deformation, dikes, and fault systems using advanced GIS and field instruments. Collaborating with Professor Bampton, he pioneered kayak-based fieldwork on remote coastal islands.

Education: PhD in Geology (SUNY Albany), M.S. (Lehigh University), B.S. (Northeastern University). Research interests include detailed bedrock mapping, landslide analysis linked to historical earthquakes, and integrating digital tools like LIDAR and GPS.

His NSF-funded REU program (2002–2010) trained undergraduates in field research, producing detailed maps of previously unstudied geologic features. Notable projects include work on the Norumbega Shear Zone and Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Point.

No scientific awards are listed. His advising and grants include the REU program and collaborative projects with McGill University. He leads field expeditions and contributes to geologic guides for academic conferences.