Ryan Clark is the Associate State Geologist for Energy and Minerals at the Iowa Geological Survey (IGS). He joined the IGS in 2012 as a bedrock geologist, primarily working on stratigraphy, geologic mapping, well logging, water well forecasting, and public engagement. Since 2019, his research focus has shifted to address societal needs regarding Iowa’s potential for carbon sequestration, critical minerals, and geologic hydrogen.

Prior to the IGS, Ryan worked as a geologist and environmental project manager for Terracon Consultants, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for over five years. While at Terracon, he conducted Phase I & II environmental site assessments, evaluated leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites, operated a Geoprope rig for obtaining shallow soil and groundwater samples, and characterized the geology/hydrogeology of pump-and-reinject passive geothermal systems. He is a licensed Professional Geologist and was an Iowa Certified Groundwater Professional from 2008 to 2012.

Ryan received his BS degree from Iowa in 2003, working under Dr. Tom Foster on garnet crystal size distributions in metapelites. He received his MS degree in 2006 as Dr. David Peate’s first UI grad student, working on the petrogenesis of flood basalts in Brazil. He is a member of the Geological Society of America and a past board member of the Iowa Academy of Science. Ryan is a third-generation Hawkeye and lives in the Iowa City area with his wife, two daughters, and mini-Australian shepherd Ozzie.

Research Interests

• Geologic Mapping

• Carbon Sequestration

• Geologic Hydrogen

• Critical Minerals