Named in honor of John Francis McCauley, geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and chief of the Branch of Astrogeologic Studies from 1970 to 1974. McCauley is specially recognized for his pioneering research on the geology of the Moon, Mars, and Mercury and for his leading role in using Space Shuttle imaging radar data to describe an ancient trans-African river system that crossed the now hyperarid Sahara Desert. (M 13482) _ _.