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.

Levi F. Noble (left) with Henry G. Ferguson (center) and James Gilluly (right), 1950s.