Nicholas H. Warner

Associate Professor of Geological, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences
ISC 253
585-245-5643
warner@geneseo.edu

A Geneseo alumnus ('00), Dr. Nicholas Warner (he/him) is a planetary geologist who leads research on Mars, including work on NASA’s InSight mission and recent grants to analyze Martian crater landscapes with undergraduate teams. Since joining the faculty in 2014, he has mentored students in cutting-edge planetary research that bridges the classroom and real NASA missions.

Nick Warner

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D. in Geological Sciences (2004-2008)
Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration
Dissertation Title: “Chasma Boreale, Mars: A possible analog for catastrophic outwash systems in Iceland?”

M.S. in Geological Sciences (2000-2002)
State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Geology
Thesis Title: “Rheologic and emplacement parameters for a lava flow field southwest of Arsia Mons, Mars: Comparisons to Sabancaya volcano, Peru”

B.A. in Geological Sciences and Secondary Education (1996-2000)
State University of New York at Geneseo, Department of Geological Sciences
Honors Thesis Title: “Placing constraints on the Frasnian-Famennian extinction boundary near Norton, VA through conodont biostratigraphy"

Employment

  • Aug 2014-current: State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, New York
  • Feb 2014-May 2014: Postdoctoral Research Scholar, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
  • Feb 2012-Feb 2014: NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
  • Oct 2008-Nov 2011: Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
  • Aug 2002-June 2004: New York State Certified Earth and Environmental Science Teacher, Spencerport High School, Spencerport, NYy

Mission Involvement

  • Aug. 2018–Aug. 2023: Co-I/Participating Scientist, NASA InSight Mission to Mars
  • Dec. 2018: Geology Lead, Instrument Site Selection Working Group, NASA InSight Mission to Mars
  • Aug. 2014–Aug. 2018: Collaborator, NASA InSight Mission to Mars
  • Feb. 2012–May 2014: Council of Terrains, InSight Mission, Curiosity Rover, Mars
  • Feb. 2012–May 2014: Geology Theme Group Lead, Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity
  • Nov. 2008–Feb. 2012: Collaborator, Mars Express High Res. Stereo Camera
     

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Geneseo undergraduates in bold italics

  • Golombek, M.P., Hibbard, S., Bloom, C., Deahn, M., Warner, N., Williams, N., Daubar, I.J., Hundal, C.B., Lagain, A., Piqueux, S., Edwards, C. Corinto: A Young, Extensively Rayed Crater that Produced a Billion Secondaries on Mars. (2025) (in revision). JGR-Planets.
  • Knapmeyer, B., Ludmila, A., Carrasco, S., Golombek, M.P., Doyeon, K., Knapmeyer, M., Miljovic, K., Plesa, C., Warner, N.H., Wieczorek. (2025) (in press). Porosity and hydrous alteration of the Martian crust from InSight seismic data. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors.
  • Delage, P., et al., Caicedo, B., Golombek, M.P., Spohn, T., Schemzbach, C., Brinkman, N., Marteau, E., Murdoch, N., Warner, N.H., et al. (2024). Investigating the Martian soil at the InSight landing site. Soils and Rocks. 47., https://doi.org/10.28927/SR.2024.005023 .
  • Golombek, M., Hudson, T., Bailey, P., Balabanska, N., Marteau, E., et al., including Warner,N.H. (2024). Results from InSight robotic arm activities. Space Science Reviews. 219., https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00964-0 .
  • Dundas, C., Mellon, M.T., Posiolova, L.V., Milijovic, K., Collins, G.S., Tornabene, L., Rangarajan, V.G., Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., et al. (2023). A large new crater exposes the limits of water ice on Mars. Geophysical Research Letters. 50., https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL100747 .
  • Warner, N.H., Golombek, M.P., Ansan, V., Marteau, E., Williams, N., Grant, J.A., Hauber, E., Weitz, C., Wilson, S., Piqueux, S., Mueller, N., Grott, M., Tilman, S., Pan, L., Schmelzbach, C., Daubar, I.J., Garvin, J., Charalambous, C., Baker, M., Banks, M. (2022). In situ and orbital stratigraphic characterization of the InSight landing Site - A type example of a regolith-covered lava plain on Mars. JGR-Planets. 127, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JE007232 .
  • Gary-Bicas, C.E., Michaels, T.I., Rogers, A.D., Fenton, L.K., Warner, N.H., Cowart, A.C. (2022). Investigating the role of Amazonian mesoscale wind patterns and strength on the spatial distribution of martian bedrock exposures. JGR-Planets. 127. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JE007496 .
  • Grant, J.A., Wilson, S.A., Golombek, M., Trussell, A., Warner, N.H., Williams, N., Weitz, C., Abarca, H., Deen, R. (2022). Degradation at the InSight landing site, Homestead Hollow, Mars: Constraints from rock heights and shapes. Earth and Space Science. 9. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EA001953.
  • Adler, J.B., Bell, J.F., Warner, N.H., Dobrea, E.N., Harrison, T.N. (2022). Regional geology of the Hypanis Valles System, Mars. JGR-Planets. 127. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JE006994 .
  • Davis, J.M., Grindrod, P.M., Banham, S.G., Warner, N.H., Conway, S., Boazman, S.J., Gupta, S. (2021). A record of syn-tectonic sedimentation revealed by perched alluvial fan deposits in Valles Marineris, Mars. Geology. 49, https://doi.org/10.1130/G48971.1
  • Golombek, M.P., Trussell, A., Williams, N., Charalambous, C., Abarca, H., Warner, N.H., Deahn, M., Trautman, M., Crocco, R., Grant, J.A., Hauber, E., Deen, R. (2021). Rock size- frequency distributions at the InSight landing site, Mars. Earth and Space Science. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EA001959 .
  • Piqueux, S., Muller, N., Grott, M., Siegler, M., Millour, E., Forget, F., Lemmon, M., Golombek, M., Williams, N., Grant, J., Warner, N.H. et al., (2021). Soil thermophysical properties nearthe InSight lander derived from 50 sols of radiometer measurements. JGR-Planets. 128. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JE006859 .
  • Baker, M., Newman, C., Charalambous, C., Golombek, M., Spiga, A., Banfield, D., Lemmon, M., Banks, M., Lorenz, R., Garvin, J., Grant, J., Lewis, K., Ansan, V., Warner, N., Weitz, C., Wilson, S., Rodriquez, S. (2021). Vortex-dominated aeolian activity at InSight's Landing Site, Part 2: Local meteorology, transport dynamics, and model analysis. JGR-Planets. 126. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006514
  • Charalambous, C., McClean, J., Baker, M., Pike, T., Golombek, M., Lemmon, M.T., Ansan, V., Perrin, C., Spiga, A., Lorenz, R.D., Banks, M., Murdoch, N., Rodriquez, S., Weitz, C, Grant, J., Warner, N. et al. (2021). Vortex-dominated aeolian activity at InSight's landing site, Part 1: Multi- instrument observations, analysis, and implications. JGR-Planets, 126. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006757.
  • Golombek, M., Williams, N., Warner, N.H., Parker, T., Williams, M.G., Daubar, I., et al., (2020). Location and setting of the Mars InSight lander, instruments, and landing site. Earthand Space Science. 7. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EA001248 .
  • Warner, N.H., Schuyler, A.J., Rogers, A.D., Golombek, M.P., Grant, J., Wilson, S., Weitz, C., Williams, N., Calef, F. (2020). Crater morphometry on the Mafic Floor Unit at Jezero Crater, Mars: Comparisons to a known basaltic lava plain at the InSight landing site. Geophysical Research Letters. 47. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089607 .
  • Golombek, M., Kass, D., Williams, N., Warner, N., Daubar, I., Piqueux, S., Charalambous, C., Pike, W.T. (2020). Assessment of InSight landing site predictions. JGR-Planets. 125, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006502.
  • Weitz, C.M., Grant, J.A., Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Wilson, S.A., Charalambous, C., Williams, N., Calef, F., Pike, T.W., Lethcoe-Wilson, H., Maki, J., DeMott, A., Kopp, M. (2020). Comparison of InSight Homestead hollow to hollows at the Spirit landing site. JGR-Planets. 125. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006435 .
  • Warner, N.H., Grant, J.A., Wilson, S.A., Golombek, M.P., DeMott, A., Charalambous, C., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Weitz, C., Pike, T., Williams, N., Banks, M.E., Baker, M., Kopp, M., Deahn, M., Lethcoe, H., Berger, L. (2020). An impact origin for the InSight landing site at Homestead Hollow, Mars: Implications for Near Surface Stratigraphy, Surface Processes, and Erosion Rates. JGR-Planets. 125. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JE006333 .
  • Murdoch, N., Spiga, A., Lorenz, R., Garcia, R.F., Perrin, C., Widmer-Schnidrig, Rodriguez, S., Compaire, N., Warner, N.H., Mimoun, D., Banfield, D., Lognonne, P., Banerdt, W.B., (2020, in revision) Constraining Martian regolith parameters and vortex trajectories from combined seismic and meteorological measurements. JGR-Planets.
  • Grant, J.A., Warner, N.H., Weitz, C.M., Golombek, M.P., Wilson, S.A., Baker, M., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Charalambous, C., Williams, N., Calef, F., Pike, T., DeMott, A., Kopp, M., Lethcoe, H., Banks, M. (2020). Modification of Homestead Hollow at the InSight landing site based on the distribution and properties of local deposits. JGR-Planets. 125. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JE006350 .
  • Banerdt, B., and InSight science team including Warner, N.H. (2020). Initial results from the InSight mission: Mission overview and global seismic activity. Nature Geoscience.13. 183-189. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-020-0544-y
  • Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., Grant, J., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Weitz, C.M., Williams, N., Charalambous, C., Wilson, S.A., DeMott, A., Kopp, M. et al. (2020). Geology of the InSight Landing Site on Mars. Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14679-1 .
  • Adler, J.B., Bell, J.F. III, Fawdon, P., Davis, J., Warner N.H., Sefton-Nash, E., Harrison, T.N. (2019). Hypotheses for the origin of the Hypanis fan-shaped deposit at the edge of the Chryse escarpment, Mars: Is it a delta? Icarus. 319, 885-908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2018.05.021
  • Sweeney, J., Warner, N.H., Ganti, V., Golombek, M.P., Lamb, M.P., Fergason, R., Kirk, R. (2018). Degradation of 100-m-scale rocky ejecta craters at the InSight landing site on Mars and implications for surface processes and erosion rates in the Hesperian and Amazonian. JGR-Planets. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JE005618 .
  • Rogers, A.D., Warner, N.H., Golombek, M.P., Head, J.W., Cowart, J.C. (2018). Areally extensive olivine-enriched bedrock exposures on Mars: Many are clastic rocks, not lavas. Geophysical Research Letters. 45, 1767-1777. https://doi.org/10.1002/2018GL077030
  • Grindrod, P.M., Warner, N.H., Hobley D.E.J., Schwartz, C., Gupta, S. (2018). Stepped fans and facies-equivalent phyllosilicates in Coprates Catena, Mars. Icarus. 307, 260-280.
  • Golombek, M., Grott, M., Kargl, G., Andrade, J., Marshall, J., Warner, N.H. et. al. (2018). Geology and Physical Properties Investigations by the InSight Lander. Space Sci., Rev, 214 doi:org/10.1007/s11214-018-0512-7.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2017.10.030
  • Fawdon, P., Gupta, S., Davis, J.M., Warner, N.H., Adler, J.B., Balme, M.R., Bell III, J.F., Grindrod, P.M., Nash, E.S. (2018). The Hypanis delta: The last highstand of a sea on early Mars? Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 500, 225-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.07.040
  • Warner, N.H., Golombek, M.P., Sweeney, J., Fergason, R., Kirk, R., Schwartz, C. (2017). Near surface stratigraphy and regolith production in southwestern Elysium Planitia, Mars: Implications for Hesperian-Amazonian terrains and the InSight lander mission. Space Science Reviews. 211. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-017-0352-x
  • Golombek, M.P. Kipp, D., Warner, N.H., Dauber, I.J. et al. (2017). Selection of the InSight landing site. Space Science Reviews. 211. https://doi:10.1007/s11214-016-0321-9 . p. 5 - 95.
  • Morgan, L.E., Munk, M., Davidheiser-Kroll, B., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Slaybaugh, R., Harkness, P., Mark, D. (2017). Instrumentation development for in situ 40Ar/39Ar planetary geochronology. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research. 41, 381-396. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggr.12170
  • Schroder, C., Bland, P.A., Golombek, M.P., Ashley, J., Warner, N.H., Grant, J.A. (2016). Amazonian chemical weathering rate derived from stony meteorite finds at Meridiani Planum on Mars. Nature Communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms13459 .
  • Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Calef, F., Grindrod, P., Boll, N., Goddard, K. (2015). Minimum effective area for high resolution crater counting of martian terrains. Icarus. v. 245. p. 198-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2014.09.024
  • Duller, R. A., Warner, N. H., De Angelis, S., Armitage, J., Poyatos-Moré, M. (2015). Reconstructing the timescale of a catastrophic fan-forming event on Earth using a Mars model. Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi:10.1002/2015GL066031 .
  • Jaumann, R. et al. Warner, N.H. (2015). Quantifying geological processes on Mars - Results of the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on Mars Express. Planetary and Space Science. 112, 53-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2014.11.029
  • Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., Ganti, V., Lamb, M.P., Parker, T.J., Fergason, R.L. (2014). Small crater modification on Meridiani Planum and implications for erosion rates and climate change on Mars. JGR-Planets. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JE004658
  • Grindrod, P.M. and Warner, N.H. (2014). Erosion rate and previous extent of interior layered deposits on Mars revealed by obstructed landslides. Geology. v. 42, p. 795-798. https://doi.org/10.1130/G35790.1
  • Goddard, K., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R. (2014). Mechanisms and timescales of fluvial activity at Mojave and other young Martian craters. JGR-Planets. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JE004564
  • Duller, R.A., Warner, N.H., McGonigle, C., De Angelis, S., Russell, A.J., Montgomery, N.P. (2014). Landscape reaction, response, and recovery following the catastrophic 1918 Katla jokulhlaup, southern, Iceland. Geophysical Research Letters. 41, 4214-4221. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL060090
  • Warner, N.H., Sowe, M., Gupta, S., Dumke, A., Goddard, K. (2013). Fill and spill of giant lakes in the eastern Valles Marineris region of Mars. Geology. v. 41. p. 675-678. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34172.1
  • Kim, J-R., Lin, S-Y., Muller, J-P., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S. (2013). Multi-resolution digital terrain models and their potential for Mars landing site assessments. Planetary and Space Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2013.06.001
  • Rice, M., Bell, J.F., Gupta, S., Warner, N.H., Goddard, K., Anderson, R. (2013). A detailed geologic characterization of Eberswalde crater, Mars. The International Journal of Mars Exploration. http://www.marsjournal.org/contents/2013/0002/
  • Grindrod, P., West, M., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S. (2012). Formation of a Hesperian-aged sedimentary basin containing phyllosilicates and sulfates in Coprates Catena, Mars. Icarus. v. 218. p. 178 - 195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2011.11.027
  • McIntyre, N., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J.R., Muller, J.P. (2012). Hydraulic modeling of a distributary channel of Athabasca Valles, Mars, using a high resolution digital terrain model. JGR-Planets. 117. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JE003939 .
  • Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R., Muller, J-P., Le Corre, L., Morley, J., Lin, S., McGonigle, C. (2011). Constraints on the origin and evolution of Iani Chaos, Mars. JGR- Planets, v. 116. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JE003787
  • Armitage, J., Warner, N.H., Goddard, K., Gupta, S. (2011). Timescales of alluvial fan development by precipitation on Mars. Geophysical Research Letters v. 38. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL048907
  • Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R., Lin, S., Muller, J-P., (2010). Retreat of a giant cataract in a long-lived (3.7 Ga - 2.6 Ga) martian outflow channel. Geology, v. 38. p. 791 - 794. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31268.1
  • Warner, N., Gupta, S., Lin, S., Kim, J-R., Muller, J-P., Morley, J. (2010). Late Noachian to Hesperian climate change on Mars: Evidence of episodic warming from transient crater lakes near Ares Vallis. Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets. v. 115. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JE003522
  • Warner, N.H. and Farmer, J.D. (2010). Sub-glacial hydrothermal alteration minerals in Jökulhlaup deposits in southern Iceland, with implications for detecting past or present habitable environments on Mars. Astrobiology, v. 10. p. 523 - 547. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ast.2009.0425
  • Warner, N., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R., Lin, S., Muller, J-P. (2010). Hesperian equatorial thermokarst lakes in Ares Vallis as evidence for transient warm conditions on Mars. Geology, v. 38. p. 71 - 74. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30579.1
  • Warner, N., Gupta, S., Muller, J-P., Kim, J-R., Lin, S-Y. (2009). A refined chronology of catastrophic outflow events in Ares Vallis, Mars. Earth and Planet. Science Lett. v. 288. p. 58 - 69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.008
  • Warner, N.H., Farmer, J.D. (2008). Importance of aeolian processes in the origin of the north polar chasmata, Mars. Icarus. v. 196. p. 368 - 384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2007.08.043
  • Warner, N.H., Farmer, J.D. (2008). The origin of conical mounds at the mouth of Chasma Boreale. Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets. v. 113 https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JE003028
  • Warner, N.H., Gregg, T.K.P. (2003). Evolved lavas on Mars? Observations from southwest Arsia Mons and Sabancaya volcano, Peru. JGR-Planets. 108. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JE001969 .

Grants & Awards

Grants

  • 2025: NASA Mars Data Analysis Program Principal Investigator (PI): Comparative 3D morphometric analysis of 100-m-scale impact craters on Mars and implications for understanding target lithology, near surface stratigraphy, and surface processes. $307,216
  • 2021: National Science Foundation's Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, Collaborator, Acquisition of a Three Dimensional Raman Imaging System for the Integrated Science Center of SUNY Geneseo. $210,132
  • 2018–2022: NASA InSight Participating Scientist Program, Principal Investigator, Geologic Investigations at the InSight Landing Site. ~$320,000.
  • 2018–2019: Contract with NASA for InSight Site-Selection Working Group (ISSWG) for training and operations for landing of the InSight spacecraft on Mars. ~$30,000
  • 2018–2021: NASA Mars Data Analysis Program, Co-Investigator, Origin, preservation and exposure histories of rock units in the Noachian plains. ~$485,000
  • 2016: SUNY IITG: Innovative Instruction Technology Grant, Co-Principal Investigator, for purchase of a UAV and related tech, $24,200.
  • 2015–2020: National Science Foundation, Geoscience Scholarships (GeoS) to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Academically Talented Students, Co-Investigator, ~$639,000. 2013 - 2016 Funded: Mars Data Analysis Program (NASA-MDAP), Principal Investigator (PI), A Wetter Hesperian Mars: Evidence from Equatorial Periglacial Terrains, Lacustrine Systems, and Fluvial Networks, ~$360,000.
  • 2012: NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2 years, $120,000
  • 2007: Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Research in Astrobiology Grant: American Philosophical Society/NASA
  • 2005: NASA Space Grant Graduate Fellowship: Arizona State University

Awards & Honors

  • 2019: SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activity
  • NASA Group Achievement Award - InSight mission (For excellence in developing the process, characterizing the instrument deployment area and selecting locations to place the InSight instruments on the surface of Mars).
  • 2015: SUNY Geneseo Professional Alumni Achievement Award.
  • NASA Group Achievement Award - Mars Exploration Rover - Opportunity (For excellence in mission operations and scientific return).
  • 2002: Stephen E. Dwornik Award, Geological Society of America Planetary Division
  • 2000: SUNY Geneseo Graduation with Honors, Geological Sciences
  • 1997: SUNY Geneseo Geological Science Alumni Scholarship