Annemarie Baltay

Annemarie studies how physical characteristics of earthquakes and the Earth influence ground motions at distance, and how ground‑motion observations provide insight into earthquake source and path effects. Research includes investigation of earthquake stress drop, measurement approaches, variability, and the relationship between stress‑drop estimates, ground‑motion data, and ground‑motion models.

Additional work focuses on the physical components and uncertainty of ground‑motion prediction equations (GMPEs), which serve as foundational elements in seismic hazard maps. Current efforts include identifying physical explanations for variability in the source, site, and path components of ground motions. Planned model development aims to predict these components from geophysical observables such as stress drop (source), site velocity profiles and attenuation (site), and whole‑path attenuation (path).

Annemarie also contributes to the USGS‑led ShakeAlert earthquake early warning project, including development of ground‑motion modeling approaches and associated uncertainty for early warning applications. Responsibilities include chairing the Ground Motion Working Group and collaborating on development of the PLUM algorithm.