Levi F. Noble

Noble is largely known for his work in the American southwest, particularly as a pioneer geologist in the Death Valley region.

For the USGS, he prepared a detailed geologic map of the Shinumo quadrangle, which is part of Grand Canyon National Park.

[2] During this research, he demonstrated great skill in climbing, traversing the canyon between the river and the rim in multiple locations (without trails) to measure the stratigraphic sections.

[2] His early Death Valley work reported on nitrate deposits, motivated by World War I requirements for gunpowder.

[2] His 1926 paper on the Shoshone colemanite deposits described the first evidence for Lake Manly in Death Valley, based on observed strand lines.

[5] Around 1950, Noble started working with both Lauren Wright and Bennie Troxel, who later became prominent Death Valley geologists.