Brian Shiro, Ph.D.
Brian Shiro manages science center operations, staff, and programs in Earthquake, Geomagnetism, and Landslide hazard monitoring areas. This includes utilizing expertise in geology, geophysics, and network operations to support the goals and objectives of the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area. In his prior position, Shiro was Seismic Network Manager at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Professional Experience
Deputy Director - USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center (2020-present)
Seismic Network Manager - USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (2016-2020)
Geophysicist - NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (2005-2016)
Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant (Seismology) - Washington University in Saint Louis (2000-2005)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Geodesy & Geochemistry) - Northwestern University (1998-2000)
NSF/NASA Fellow (Glaciology & Exploration Geophysics) - Juneau Icefield Research Program (summer 1999)
NSF REU Intern (InSAR Geodesy) - University of Alaska Fairbanks (summer 1998)
NSF REU Intern (Applied Physics) - Rice University & NASA Johnson Space Center (summer 1997)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geology and Geophysics - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Dissertation: "Geological and Geophysical Investigations on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes, Hawai‘i"M.S., Space Studies - University of North Dakota
Thesis: "In Situ Geophysical Exploration by Humans in Mars Analog Environments"M.A., Earth and Planetary Sciences - Washington University in Saint Louis
Thesis: "Outer Rise Seismicity and Dynamics at the Tonga Subduction Zone"B.A., Integrated Science, Geological Sciences, Physics - Northwestern University
Thesis: "Dislocation Models of Creep in the New Madrid Seismic Zone"Summer Schools:
International Space University
NASA Planetary Science Summer School
NASA High Performance Computational Physics Summer School
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Seismological Society of America
Geological Society of America
Journal Reviewer for: Geophysical Research Letters, Seismological Research Letters, Earth and Space Science, Nature Communications, Geophysics Letters, Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research
Honors and Awards
Editors’ Citation for Excellence in Refereeing for Geophysical Research Letters (2022, 2021)
USGS STAR Awards (2021, 2019, 2019)
Runner-up, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals People's Choice Award (HVO team) (2019)
Finalist, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (HVO team) (2019)
DOI Unit Award for Excellence of Service to HVO for work during Kilauea eruption (2019)
Harold T. Stearns Fellowship (2016)
NOAA 10 Year Length of Service Award (2015)
NOAA Service Awards (annually 2006-2015)
NASA Astronaut selection "Highly Qualified" group (2012, 2009)
NOAA Citation Award for performance during 2009-2011 Pacific tsunamis (2012)
NASA Flight Opportunities Program, co-Investigator (2012)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2002)
Carl Tolman Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (2001)
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US
USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake, emphasizing seismic hazards span a significant part of the country.
Science and Products
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 18
Non-USGS Publications**
Petersen, M.D., et al. (2022). 2021 US National Seismic Hazard Model for the State of Hawaii, Earthquake Spectra, 38(2), 865-916, doi: 10.1177/87552930211052061.Shiro, B.R., S.K. Rowland, J.M. Hurtado, B.J. Caldwell, J.E. Bleacher, S.A. Fagents, P.G. Roma, W.L. Bedwell-Torres, and K. Binsted (2022). Geological tasks during HI-SEAS planetary analog mission simulations, Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, Planetary and Space Science 212, 105409, doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2021.105409.Kedar, S., M.P. Panning, S.E. Smrekar, S.C. Stähler, S.D. King, M.P. Golumbek, M. Manga, B.R. Julian, B. Shiro, C. Perrin, J.A. Power, C. Michaut, S. Ceylan, D. Giardini, P. Lognonné, and W.B. Banerdt (2021). Analyzing Low Frequency Seismic Events at Cerberus Fossae as Long Period Volcanic Quakes, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 126(4), e2020JE006518, doi: 10.1029/2020JE006518.Wilson, E.L., A.J. DiGregorio, G. Villanueva, C.E. Grunberg, Z. Souders, K.M. Miletti, A. Menendez, M.H. Grunberg, M.A.M. Floyd, J.E. Bleacher, E.S. Euskirchen, C. Edgar, B.J. Caldwell, B. Shiro, and K. Binsted (2019). A portable miniaturized laser heterodyne radiometer (mini-LHR) for remote measurements of column CH4 and CO2. Appl. Phys. B 125, 211, doi:10.1007/s00340-019-7315-8.Patrick, M.R., H. Dietterich, J. Lyons, A. Diefenbach, C. Parcheta, K. Anderson, A. Namiki, I. Sumita, B. Shiro, and J. Kauahikaua (2019). Cyclic lava effusion during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano: data release, U.S. Geological Survey data release, doi:10.5066/P9PJZ17R.Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff (2018). Preliminary map of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i, U.S. Geological Survey data release, doi:10.5066/P994OGY8.Kelley, C., J. Smith, J. Tree, J. Miller, J. Taylor, F. Lichowski, D. Wagner, J. Leonard, B. Boston, B. Dechnik, D. Luers, R. Orange, B. Shiro, H. Togia, S.L. Habel, N.M. Wright, A.M. Patterson, L. Harrison, and J. Tucker (2015). Volcanic platforms, ancient reefs, ridges, and seamounts: mapping the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Final Project Report for Falkor Cruises FK140307 and FK140502, 34 pp.Wang, D., N.C. Becker, D. Walsh, G.J. Fryer, S.A. Weinstein, C.S. McCreery, V. Sardina, V. Hsu, B.F. Hirshorn, G.P. Hayes, Z. Duputel, L. Rivera, H. Kanamori, K.K. Koyanagi, and B. Shiro (2012). Real‐time forecasting of the April 11, 2012 Sumatra tsunami, Geophysical Research Letters, 39(19), L19601, doi:10.1029/2012gl053081.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
- News
New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US
USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake, emphasizing seismic hazards span a significant part of the country.
Filter Total Items: 34
*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