Medora Louise Krieger

Medora Louise Krieger (1904-1994) was an American geologist who is known for becoming the first female field geologist in the United States Geological Survey. During her work with the USGS, Krieger was assigned to create geological maps of the area around Prescott Arizona in 1947, where she remained until her death in 1994. Krieger is noted as being one of the pioneering figures in the history of geology in the United States and was posthumously inducted into the American Mining Hall of Fame in 2018.

Early life
Medora Louise Krieger (Maiden name: Hooper) was born in Ticonderoga, New York in 1904. She displayed an early interest in geology and attended Vassar College from 1924-1928, earning a bachelors degree in geology. From there, she went on to Columbia University in pursuit of her masters and PHD. While attending Columbia, she met her husband Philip, who was an assistant professor at the institution, also in the field of geology. Louise and Philip were married in 1931. After her graduation from Columbia University, Krieger worked for the New York Geological Survey until the sudden death of her husband in 1940. Her employment with the USGS starting in 1944 was particularly notable as women were not allowed to work as geologists within the institution at the time. Kriegers employment as a field geologist in 1947 ended this policy.

Marriage and children

 * Daughter: Katherine E. Krieger
 * Husband: Philip Krieger (d.1940)

Death
Medora Louise Krieger died in 1994, in Prescott Arizona aged 89.

Scientific contribution
During her 35 years stationed in Prescott, Krieger was able to create geological maps for much of the State of Arizona. Beyond her maps, Krieger also found the time to formulate and test new geological theories. Most notably, in "Large Landslides, composed of megabreccia, interbedded in Micene basin deposits, southeastern Arizona", Krieger theorizes that thin layers of compressed air can help to explain the lack of friction notable in some landslides.

Published works
Large Landslides, composed of megabreccia, interbedded in Micene basin deposits, southeastern Arizona

Addresses the topic of landslides present in the Kearny and El Capitan mountain regions. Includes detailed measurements on multiple factors such as composition, depth, length, and analysis on the underlying playa and alluvial deposits. Krieger concludes by theorizing that compressed air may play a larger role in landslides than previously thought.

Ash-flow Tuffs of the Galiuro Volcanics in the Northern Galiuro Mountains, Final County, Arizona

This study brings attention to the unique level of exposure that characterizes the Holy Joe and Avaraipa ash-flows.

Summary of: Geology of the Prescott and Paulden Quadrangles, Arizona

This study focuses on the precambrian, paleozoic and cenozoic rocks present in the Alder Group Formation.

Recognition
Medora Louise Krieger was considered a "Pioneering geologist" and posthumously inducted into the American Mining Hall of Fame by the Mining Foundation of the Southwest in 2018.