Scott L. Nooner

Dr. Scott Nooner is a Professor of Geophysics in UNCW’s Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences and a committed educator of a wide range of undergraduate courses, including Natural Hazards and Oceanography, as well as cross-listed undergraduate/graduate courses in geophysics. He developed Earth and Ocean Science’s MATLAB programming course to provide students with hands-on computational training for geoscience applications. His work focuses on marine geophysics and geodesy, using seafloor and satellite measurements to study crustal deformation, submarine volcanism, and associated hazards. Dr. Nooner involves students in all aspects of his research including seagoing and international expeditions.

Education

Ph.D., Earth Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego

M.S., Physics, Texas A&M University

B.A., Physics & Fine Arts (cum laude, with honors), Hendrix College

Specialization in Teaching

Dr. Nooner’s teaching spans introductory through advanced courses in Earth and Ocean Sciences, with an emphasis on active learning and applied skills to prepare students for industry and graduate school. He integrates fieldwork, data analysis, and real-world datasets into his curriculum to help students connect classroom theory with practical application. His undergraduate natural hazards course and MATLAB programming course are examples of how he provides direct, real-world training in scientific inquiry to better understand earth processes.

Research Interests

Dr. Nooner’s research examines active deformation of Earth's surface in a variety of geological settings. Much of his work has been focused on mid-ocean ridges, active submarine volcanoes—particularly Axial Seamount—and subduction zones combining ocean-bottom pressure sensors, GPS/geodesy, and modeling to monitor magma movement and eruption cycles. He highly values mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, having led directed individual studies and chaired honors and master’s theses that have taken UNCW students around the world and out to sea for research and industry collaborations. His projects link seafloor observations to hazard assessment and lithospheric processes over timescales from days to decades, and his work is highly collaborative with federal, academic, and international partners.

Professional Service

Dr. Nooner has provided extensive professional service at UNCW, including as Undergraduate Coordinator for Earth and Ocean Sciences, where he led curricular transformation and engaged deeply in undergraduate advising. He chaired the college-wide Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and took on the critical role of chairing the university-wide Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Committee. He has also served as a Faculty Senator and in numerous other university service roles. He currently serves as the Director of the Office of Post-Doctoral Support. Nationally, he is actively involved in the American Geophysical Union, regularly bringing students to the annual meeting where they present their work and build broader professional networks.

Community Engagement

Dr. Nooner applies his geophysical expertise in community partnerships, using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for public-history and heritage projects, including locating unmarked graves at Wilmington’s historic Maides Cemetery. He has also worked with law-enforcement and historical organizations to support geophysical surveys for archival and investigative purposes.

Honors & Awards

Best Paper in Geophysics for A new sea-floor gravimeter

Palisades Geophysical Institute Junior Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
CALIT Fellowship, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Folsom Fellowship, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Dean’s Graduate Scholar Fellowship, Texas A&M University

Dean’s Scholarship & Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, Hendrix College