Brian Collins
Brian Collins is a supervisory research civil engineer with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science center. Brian works primarily with the Landslide Hazards Program addressing a wide range of landslide issues including storm-induced shallow landslides and debris flows, deep-seated landslide mobility, and rockfall initiation.
Professional Experience
2008-present, Research Civil Engineer, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
2006-2008, Mendenhall Post-doctoral Researcher, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
2005-2006, Engineering Research Manager, Blackhawk Geological Hazard Abatement District, San Ramon, CA
2004-2005, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Berkeley, CA
2000-2004, Research Assistant, University of California, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Berkeley, CA
1998-2000, Staff Engineer, Golder Associates, Lakewood, CO
1995-1998, Teaching Assistant, University of Colorado, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Boulder, CO
Education and Certifications
University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D., 2004, Geotechnical Engineering
University of Colorado, Boulder, M.S., 1997, Geotechnical Engineering
Purdue University, B.S.C.E., 1995, Civil Engineering
Affiliations and Memberships*
National Park Service, Yosemite National Park, California
National Weather Service, Monterey, California, Weather Forecast Office
University of Lausanne, Risk Analysis Group, Lausanne, Switzerland
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratory of Experimental Rock Mechanics, Lausanne, Switzerland
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 67
Terrestrial LIDAR investigation of the December 2003 and January 2007 activations of the Northridge Bluff landslide, Daly City, California Terrestrial LIDAR investigation of the December 2003 and January 2007 activations of the Northridge Bluff landslide, Daly City, California
On December 20, 2003 and again on January 1, 2007, landslides occurred along the coastal bluff that forms the west boundary of Daly City, California sending debris as far as 290 meters downhill and 90 meters into the ocean. This area is known for large landslide events where 150-meter tall coastal bluffs extend southward along the west boundary of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Robert Kayen, Thomas Reiss, Nicholas Sitar
Land-based lidar mapping: a new surveying technique to shed light on rapid topographic change Land-based lidar mapping: a new surveying technique to shed light on rapid topographic change
The rate of natural change in such dynamic environments as rivers and coastlines can sometimes overwhelm the monitoring capacity of conventional surveying methods. In response to this limitation, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are pioneering new applications of light detection and ranging (lidar), a laser-based scanning technology that promises to greatly increase our ability...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Robert Kayen
Applicability of terrestrial LIDAR scanning for scientific studies in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Applicability of terrestrial LIDAR scanning for scientific studies in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
In November 2004, an experimental high flow release of water from Glen Canyon Dam into the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona was conducted. The goal of the experiment was to evaluate the use of high flow events as a management tool for the preservation and restoration of natural resources in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. The U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Robert Kayen
LIDAR & SASW technologies for geotechnical earthquake engineering LIDAR & SASW technologies for geotechnical earthquake engineering
Geotechnical engineering methods are validated through comparison of field‐data of surface deformations and sub‐surface state properties. Recent advances in non‐invasive surface imaging and sub‐surface stiffness characterization allow us to rapidly and inexpensively map these spatial and physical properties in two and three dimensions. In this paper, we discuss new technologies used at...
Authors
Robert Kayen, Brian D. Collins
Field measurements of incision rates following bedrock exposure: Implications for process controls on the long profiles of valleys cut by rivers and debris flows Field measurements of incision rates following bedrock exposure: Implications for process controls on the long profiles of valleys cut by rivers and debris flows
Until recently, published rates of incision of bedrock valleys came from indirect dating of incised surfaces. A small but growing literature based on direct measurement reports short-term bedrock lowering at geologically unsustainable rates. We report observations of bedrock lowering from erosion pins monitored over 1–7 yr in 10 valleys that cut indurated volcanic and sedimentary rocks...
Authors
Jonathan D. Stock, David R. Montgomery, Brian D. Collins, William E. Dietrich, Leonard Sklar
Estimating population trends with a linear model Estimating population trends with a linear model
We describe a simple and robust method for estimating trends in population size. The method may be used with Breeding Bird Survey data, aerial surveys, point counts, or any other program of repeated surveys at permanent locations. Surveys need not be made at each location during each survey period. The method differs from most existing methods in being design based, rather than model...
Authors
Jonathan Bart, Brian D. Collins, R. I. G. Morrison
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 67
Terrestrial LIDAR investigation of the December 2003 and January 2007 activations of the Northridge Bluff landslide, Daly City, California Terrestrial LIDAR investigation of the December 2003 and January 2007 activations of the Northridge Bluff landslide, Daly City, California
On December 20, 2003 and again on January 1, 2007, landslides occurred along the coastal bluff that forms the west boundary of Daly City, California sending debris as far as 290 meters downhill and 90 meters into the ocean. This area is known for large landslide events where 150-meter tall coastal bluffs extend southward along the west boundary of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Robert Kayen, Thomas Reiss, Nicholas Sitar
Land-based lidar mapping: a new surveying technique to shed light on rapid topographic change Land-based lidar mapping: a new surveying technique to shed light on rapid topographic change
The rate of natural change in such dynamic environments as rivers and coastlines can sometimes overwhelm the monitoring capacity of conventional surveying methods. In response to this limitation, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are pioneering new applications of light detection and ranging (lidar), a laser-based scanning technology that promises to greatly increase our ability...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Robert Kayen
Applicability of terrestrial LIDAR scanning for scientific studies in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Applicability of terrestrial LIDAR scanning for scientific studies in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
In November 2004, an experimental high flow release of water from Glen Canyon Dam into the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona was conducted. The goal of the experiment was to evaluate the use of high flow events as a management tool for the preservation and restoration of natural resources in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. The U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Brian D. Collins, Robert Kayen
LIDAR & SASW technologies for geotechnical earthquake engineering LIDAR & SASW technologies for geotechnical earthquake engineering
Geotechnical engineering methods are validated through comparison of field‐data of surface deformations and sub‐surface state properties. Recent advances in non‐invasive surface imaging and sub‐surface stiffness characterization allow us to rapidly and inexpensively map these spatial and physical properties in two and three dimensions. In this paper, we discuss new technologies used at...
Authors
Robert Kayen, Brian D. Collins
Field measurements of incision rates following bedrock exposure: Implications for process controls on the long profiles of valleys cut by rivers and debris flows Field measurements of incision rates following bedrock exposure: Implications for process controls on the long profiles of valleys cut by rivers and debris flows
Until recently, published rates of incision of bedrock valleys came from indirect dating of incised surfaces. A small but growing literature based on direct measurement reports short-term bedrock lowering at geologically unsustainable rates. We report observations of bedrock lowering from erosion pins monitored over 1–7 yr in 10 valleys that cut indurated volcanic and sedimentary rocks...
Authors
Jonathan D. Stock, David R. Montgomery, Brian D. Collins, William E. Dietrich, Leonard Sklar
Estimating population trends with a linear model Estimating population trends with a linear model
We describe a simple and robust method for estimating trends in population size. The method may be used with Breeding Bird Survey data, aerial surveys, point counts, or any other program of repeated surveys at permanent locations. Surveys need not be made at each location during each survey period. The method differs from most existing methods in being design based, rather than model...
Authors
Jonathan Bart, Brian D. Collins, R. I. G. Morrison
*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