A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting a sample of bedrock for new geochronologic analysis on the flanks of Victoria Mountain in the Yukon-Tanana upland of eastern interior Alaska.
Adrian M Bender
I study how Alaska's landscapes adjust to earthquake-related rock uplift, climatic change, and human action. My science is strongly fieldwork-oriented, and also uses geographic information systems, digital topography analysis, simple models, and collaborations with academic experts in cosmogenic isotope geochemistry and luminescence dating. Results from my work provide the general public and scientific community with basic information about how, when, where, and how fast or slow Alaska's land surface has uplifted, eroded, and produced mineral resources such as placer gold.
Science and Products
Alaska Seismic Hazard Map
The National Seismic Hazard Maps developed by the USGS show the spatial probability of peak earthquake-driven ground motion levels. Since the last revisions to the map for Alaska in 2007, scientists have made significant advances in understanding active faulting, fault slip rates, and fault behavior.
Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards
Alaska has more large earthquakes than the rest of the United States combined. More than three-quarters of the state’s population live in an area that can experience a magnitude 7 earthquake. Our research provides objective science that helps stakeholders prepare for and mitigate the effects of future earthquakes and tsunamis, which bolsters the economic health and well-being of Alaska and the...
Characterizing the Active Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault System
This research aims to better characterize the earthquake potential of the southern Fairweather Fault in order to provide more accurate fault source data for the USGS National Seismic Hazard Map. Our approach interrogates lidar data and satellite imagery, applies paleoseismological methods to examine earthquake history, and leverages partnerships with USGS scientists from Colorado and California...
Geologic mapping and sampling in remote interior Alaska
A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting a sample of bedrock for new geochronologic analysis on the flanks of Victoria Mountain in the Yukon-Tanana upland of eastern interior Alaska.
Geologic mapping and sampling in Alaska
A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting structural measurements from a bedrock outcrop in the West Crazy Mountains in eastern interior Alaska. The rock is metamorphosed chert that was originally deposited more than 350 million years ago in an ocean basin that was likely separated from present-day North America.
A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting structural measurements from a bedrock outcrop in the West Crazy Mountains in eastern interior Alaska. The rock is metamorphosed chert that was originally deposited more than 350 million years ago in an ocean basin that was likely separated from present-day North America.
USGS scientists in helicopter conduct an aerial inspection
USGS scientists conduct an aerial inspection of a line of sand vents along the Cook Inlet tide flat at Earthquake Park in Anchorage. Cook Inlet coastal plain liquefaction and bluff raveling near Earthquake Park. These vents opened and ejected sand due to liquefaction triggered by strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
USGS scientists conduct an aerial inspection of a line of sand vents along the Cook Inlet tide flat at Earthquake Park in Anchorage. Cook Inlet coastal plain liquefaction and bluff raveling near Earthquake Park. These vents opened and ejected sand due to liquefaction triggered by strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Earthquake damage of Minnesota Drive onramp, Anchorage, Alaska
Minnesota Blvd off-ramp failure under repair. Construction crews rebuild the Minnesota Drive onramp in Anchorage on December 1, 2018. Engineered fill beneath the onramp failed the day before as a result of strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Minnesota Blvd off-ramp failure under repair. Construction crews rebuild the Minnesota Drive onramp in Anchorage on December 1, 2018. Engineered fill beneath the onramp failed the day before as a result of strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
2018 Potter Hill landslide 1, Anchorage, AK
Slumping along the Alaska Railroad right-of-way evolved into long-runout landslides. The same area failed in earthquakes in 1954 and 1964.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Slumping along the Alaska Railroad right-of-way evolved into long-runout landslides. The same area failed in earthquakes in 1954 and 1964.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Scientist investigates bedrock canyon, North Fork Fortymile River, AK
A scientist investigates a bedrock canyon cut by the North Fork Fortymile River in response to human mining activity in 1900. The smooth grooves on the rock in the lower right corner were formed by river erosion in the last century.
A scientist investigates a bedrock canyon cut by the North Fork Fortymile River in response to human mining activity in 1900. The smooth grooves on the rock in the lower right corner were formed by river erosion in the last century.
Scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed
A scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now 20 feet above the rapids at The Kink on the North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
A scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now 20 feet above the rapids at The Kink on the North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
USGS scientist at The Kink, North Fork Fortymile River, Alaska
A USGS scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now the rim of the bedrock canyon at The Kink on North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
A USGS scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now the rim of the bedrock canyon at The Kink on North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
Science and Products
- Science
Alaska Seismic Hazard Map
The National Seismic Hazard Maps developed by the USGS show the spatial probability of peak earthquake-driven ground motion levels. Since the last revisions to the map for Alaska in 2007, scientists have made significant advances in understanding active faulting, fault slip rates, and fault behavior.Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards
Alaska has more large earthquakes than the rest of the United States combined. More than three-quarters of the state’s population live in an area that can experience a magnitude 7 earthquake. Our research provides objective science that helps stakeholders prepare for and mitigate the effects of future earthquakes and tsunamis, which bolsters the economic health and well-being of Alaska and the...Characterizing the Active Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault System
This research aims to better characterize the earthquake potential of the southern Fairweather Fault in order to provide more accurate fault source data for the USGS National Seismic Hazard Map. Our approach interrogates lidar data and satellite imagery, applies paleoseismological methods to examine earthquake history, and leverages partnerships with USGS scientists from Colorado and California... - Data
- Multimedia
Geologic mapping and sampling in remote interior Alaska
A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting a sample of bedrock for new geochronologic analysis on the flanks of Victoria Mountain in the Yukon-Tanana upland of eastern interior Alaska.
A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting a sample of bedrock for new geochronologic analysis on the flanks of Victoria Mountain in the Yukon-Tanana upland of eastern interior Alaska.
Geologic mapping and sampling in AlaskaA USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting structural measurements from a bedrock outcrop in the West Crazy Mountains in eastern interior Alaska. The rock is metamorphosed chert that was originally deposited more than 350 million years ago in an ocean basin that was likely separated from present-day North America.
A USGS scientist is conducting geologic mapping and collecting structural measurements from a bedrock outcrop in the West Crazy Mountains in eastern interior Alaska. The rock is metamorphosed chert that was originally deposited more than 350 million years ago in an ocean basin that was likely separated from present-day North America.
USGS scientists in helicopter conduct an aerial inspectionUSGS scientists conduct an aerial inspection of a line of sand vents along the Cook Inlet tide flat at Earthquake Park in Anchorage. Cook Inlet coastal plain liquefaction and bluff raveling near Earthquake Park. These vents opened and ejected sand due to liquefaction triggered by strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
USGS scientists conduct an aerial inspection of a line of sand vents along the Cook Inlet tide flat at Earthquake Park in Anchorage. Cook Inlet coastal plain liquefaction and bluff raveling near Earthquake Park. These vents opened and ejected sand due to liquefaction triggered by strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Earthquake damage of Minnesota Drive onramp, Anchorage, AlaskaMinnesota Blvd off-ramp failure under repair. Construction crews rebuild the Minnesota Drive onramp in Anchorage on December 1, 2018. Engineered fill beneath the onramp failed the day before as a result of strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Minnesota Blvd off-ramp failure under repair. Construction crews rebuild the Minnesota Drive onramp in Anchorage on December 1, 2018. Engineered fill beneath the onramp failed the day before as a result of strong shaking during the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
2018 Potter Hill landslide 1, Anchorage, AKSlumping along the Alaska Railroad right-of-way evolved into long-runout landslides. The same area failed in earthquakes in 1954 and 1964.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Slumping along the Alaska Railroad right-of-way evolved into long-runout landslides. The same area failed in earthquakes in 1954 and 1964.
2018 Anchorage Earthquake
Scientist investigates bedrock canyon, North Fork Fortymile River, AKA scientist investigates a bedrock canyon cut by the North Fork Fortymile River in response to human mining activity in 1900. The smooth grooves on the rock in the lower right corner were formed by river erosion in the last century.
A scientist investigates a bedrock canyon cut by the North Fork Fortymile River in response to human mining activity in 1900. The smooth grooves on the rock in the lower right corner were formed by river erosion in the last century.
Scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbedA scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now 20 feet above the rapids at The Kink on the North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
A scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now 20 feet above the rapids at The Kink on the North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
USGS scientist at The Kink, North Fork Fortymile River, AlaskaA USGS scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now the rim of the bedrock canyon at The Kink on North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
A USGS scientist standing on the pre-1900 riverbed that is now the rim of the bedrock canyon at The Kink on North Fork Fortymile River. The Kink resulted from human mining activity that diverted the river in 1900.
- Publications
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government