John A Goff

John A Goff
Research Professor, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences

Email: goff@ig.utexas.edu
Work: +1 512 471 0476
Office: ROC 3.252
Mailcode: R2200

John Goff uses swath sonar mapping and seafloor characterization to investigate the large- and fine-scale morphology of the seafloor and its pattern of acoustic reflectivity. He also investigates the stratigraphy of the shallow seabed using ultra-high resolution seismic reflection systems (chirp) and core samples. He has participated in several Office of Naval Research projects which have included major, multidisciplinary field programs in shallow water settings, including the continental shelves off northern California and New Jersey, and the near shore environment off Martha's Vineyard. His current research includes investigation of seafloor morphology and shallow stratigraphy on the inner West Florida shelf, the impact of Hurricane Ike on coastal sediment transport near Galveston, TX, and the morainal bank processes associated with Hubbard Glacier, Alaska. John also uses the statistical analysis of geophysical fields associated with seafloor bathymetry, sedimentary horizons, sea ice draft, and crustal heterogeneity to relate their complex morphology to the geological processes which form or interact with them. He recently publish a global prediction of abyssal hill roughness based on the small-scale variability of satellite altimetry-based gravity.

Areas of Expertise

Seafloor morphology and bathymetry, swath sonar mapping, stratigraphy of the shallow seabed, ultra-high resolution seismic reflection (chrip) systems, sedimentary horizons, sea ice draft, crustal heterogeneity, canyon morphology on continental slopes, abyssal hills


Excellence in Reviewing - IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering (2009)

Excelence in Reviewing - American Geophysical Union (2008)

Member, Editorial Steering Committee, EOS (2000 - 2003)

Editor EOS, Earth Processes / Tectonophysics & Seismology (1999 - 2003)

Chair, Nominations Committee, AGU Tectonophysics Section (1998 - 2002)

Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research (1995 - 1997)

Director, AGU Outstanding Student Presentation Award Committee, Tectonophysics Section (1995)

Member, American Geophysical Union

Manasij Santra


Graduate Students

Jonathan P Amendola , M.S., expected 2025 (Supervisor)
I am interested in glaciomarine environments with particular focus on geomorphology and sediment depositional processes.


YearSemesterCourse
2024Spring GEO 397F Marine Geo & Geophys Field Crs
2024Spring GEO 348K Marine Geo/Geophys Field Crs
2023Spring GEO 397F Marine Geo & Geophys Field Crs
2023Spring GEO 348K Marine Geo/Geophys Field Crs
2022Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo & Geophys Field Crs
2022Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2021Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2021Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2019Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2019Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2018Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2018Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Fld Crs-Tx
2016Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo & Geophys Field Crs
2016Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Field Crs
2015Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo & Geophys Field Crs
2015Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Field Crs
2014Summer GEO f348K Marine Geo/Geophys Field Crs
2014Summer GEO f397F Marine Geo & Geophys Field Crs