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Danny Brothers

I currently lead a project called "U.S. West Coast and Alaska Marine Geohazards" and I spend about 6-10 weeks per year at sea collecting marine geophysical data.

I received my Ph.D. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, then moved to Woods Hole, MA, for a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellowship. In 2013, I moved to Santa Cruz, CA, where I currently work as a Research Geophysicist at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. I grew up in Colorado and spent four years at CU Boulder for undergraduate studies in geophysics.

My research is focused on the following topics:

  • Development and application of geophysical approaches to offshore earthquake, landslide and tsunami hazard assessments

  • Marine paleoseismology

  • Understanding the interplay between tectonic, sedimentary, climatic processes along continental margins

  • Combining basic and applied research to study the geomorphic development of continental margins, including substrate fluid flow

News and Outreach

For more recent USGS News stories, click my News tab

February 1, 2016, Anchorage Daily News, "New technology lets scientists pinpoint underwater landslide that triggered deadly 1964 tsunami"

February 2, 2016, FOX NEWS, "USGS discovers source of Alaska tsunami that decimated village in 1964"

January, 2016, USGS Soundwaves, "Investigating the Offshore Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault System in Southeastern Alaska, and its Potential to Produce Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Submarine Landslides"

January, 2016, USGS Soundwaves, "Artificial-Gas-Seep Test Produces 3D Images of Bubble Plumes in the Ocean"

August 24, 2014 NY Times, "Methane is discovered seeping from seafloor off East Coast, scientists say"

October, 2011, USGS Soundwaves, "High-Resolution Multibeam Mapping of Mid-Atlantic Canyons to Assess Tsunami Hazards"

July 6, 2011 LA Times, “Scientists tie Colorado River flooding to San Andreas Quakes”

July 3, 2011 San Francisco Chronicle, “Big quake near Salton Sea may be long overdue”

June 29, 2011 Discovery News, “Smaller Salton Sea silences seismic shocks” 

June 29, 2011 USA Today, “Salton Sea floods flipped San Andreas earthquake trigger” 

January 9, 2010 Nature News, “Floods linked to San Andreas quakes”

July 28, 2009 LA Times feature “More earthquake faults discovered at the Salton Sea”

May 15, 2009 CBS 5, “Lake Tahoe may be due for huge quake, tsunami” 

Science and Products

A map illustration of the seafloor off of a coastal area, that shows the features like submarine canyons and depth.

Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards

Societal Issue: Uncertainty related to rupture extent, slip distribution, and recurrence of past subduction megathrust earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (northern CA, OR, WA, and southern BC) leads to ambiguity in earthquake and tsunami hazard assessments and hinders our ability to prepare for future events.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards

Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards

Societal Issue: Uncertainty related to rupture extent, slip distribution, and recurrence of past subduction megathrust earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (northern CA, OR, WA, and southern BC) leads to ambiguity in earthquake and tsunami hazard assessments and hinders our ability to prepare for future events.
Learn More
Cartoon shows a cylindrical object that is floating above and scanning a landscape with rocky outcroppings.

Seafloor Faults off Southern California

More than 22 million people live along Southern California’s coast, and many more migrate there every year. Faults and earthquake threats in this region have been heavily studied on land. USGS aims to boost our knowledge about faults on the seafloor, so they can be included in hazard assessments.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Seafloor Faults off Southern California

Seafloor Faults off Southern California

More than 22 million people live along Southern California’s coast, and many more migrate there every year. Faults and earthquake threats in this region have been heavily studied on land. USGS aims to boost our knowledge about faults on the seafloor, so they can be included in hazard assessments.
Learn More
A bottomfish with small, bright spots lazily swims over a rocky seafloor among a few small pieces of kelp.

Ecosystems: EXPRESS

The continental shelf and slope offshore California, Oregon, and Washington are home to deep-sea corals, chemosynthetic communities, and other sensitive habitats that could be impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. The EXPRESS (Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign will map and characterize these special areas to help guide ocean management...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Ecosystems: EXPRESS

Ecosystems: EXPRESS

The continental shelf and slope offshore California, Oregon, and Washington are home to deep-sea corals, chemosynthetic communities, and other sensitive habitats that could be impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. The EXPRESS (Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign will map and characterize these special areas to help guide ocean management...
Learn More
Map of offshore southern California showing the contours of the seafloor, with labels pointing to circles showing landslides.

Hazards: EXPRESS

Marine geohazards including earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis lie offshore of densely populated areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. One goal of EXPRESS is to improve assessments of these hazards.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Hazards: EXPRESS

Hazards: EXPRESS

Marine geohazards including earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis lie offshore of densely populated areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. One goal of EXPRESS is to improve assessments of these hazards.
Learn More
A computed-generated image showing the Queen Charlotte Fault and nearshore area, using bathymetry and lidar data

Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska

Coastal and marine geohazards are sudden and extreme events beneath the ocean that threaten coastal populations. These underwater hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis. The tectonically active west coast of the Americas is prone to such hazards, as it lies along the boundaries of major tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust—the North American, Caribbean...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Big Sur Landslides, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska

Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska

Coastal and marine geohazards are sudden and extreme events beneath the ocean that threaten coastal populations. These underwater hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis. The tectonically active west coast of the Americas is prone to such hazards, as it lies along the boundaries of major tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust—the North American, Caribbean...
Learn More
Image shows methane bubbling up from the seafloor

EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope. EXPRESS data and information are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory, Organic Geochemistry Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope. EXPRESS data and information are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments.
Learn More
Block Island Wind Farm

Resources: EXPRESS

Along the U.S. west coast, the Pacific Ocean, ocean floor, and winds above contain potentially vast energy and mineral resources. Developing these resources safely and wisely requires detailed information for each area of interest. One goal of EXPRESS is to inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Resources: EXPRESS

Resources: EXPRESS

Along the U.S. west coast, the Pacific Ocean, ocean floor, and winds above contain potentially vast energy and mineral resources. Developing these resources safely and wisely requires detailed information for each area of interest. One goal of EXPRESS is to inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions.
Learn More
Map illustration showing fault lines and direction of tectonic plate movement along a stretch of the Alaskan coastline.

Earthquake Hazards in Southeastern Alaska

Over the last 100 years, the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault system has produced large-magnitude earthquakes affecting both Canada and the U.S. To fill in missing details about its offshore location and structure, USGS uses sophisticated techniques to truly understand the fault’s hazard potential.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Earthquake Hazards in Southeastern Alaska

Earthquake Hazards in Southeastern Alaska

Over the last 100 years, the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault system has produced large-magnitude earthquakes affecting both Canada and the U.S. To fill in missing details about its offshore location and structure, USGS uses sophisticated techniques to truly understand the fault’s hazard potential.
Learn More
An illustrated map shows seafloor features and is labeled with dots to show where samples were collected.

2019 Lake Ozette

Collected bathymetric data, seismic data, and sediment cores from Lake Ozette in 2019, a USGS-US National Park Service partnership
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
2019 Lake Ozette

2019 Lake Ozette

Collected bathymetric data, seismic data, and sediment cores from Lake Ozette in 2019, a USGS-US National Park Service partnership
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 43

Multibeam bathymetry data and gridded surfaces for Lake Chelan, Washington, collected during USGS field activity 2023-631-FA Multibeam bathymetry data and gridded surfaces for Lake Chelan, Washington, collected during USGS field activity 2023-631-FA

3-m bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data were collected during a June 2023 multibeam survey of Lake Chelan, Washington. Data were collected and processed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) with fieldwork activity number 2023-631-FA. The 3-m data are provided as GeoTIFF images.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment core data from the Great Salt Lake, Utah Sediment core data from the Great Salt Lake, Utah

This data release includes measurements of properties from short (
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Sublacustrine landslide and tsunami models from Lake Quinault, Washington Sublacustrine landslide and tsunami models from Lake Quinault, Washington

This USGS data release provides model setup files to simulate a hypothetical sublacustrine landslide in Lake Quinault and resulting tsunami waves.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Lake Sammamish, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2021-656-FA Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Lake Sammamish, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2021-656-FA

The Pacific Northwest is home to numerous faults that cut through the surrounding crust including the Seattle fault. Over time, frictional stresses accumulate along these faults, building slowly until they exceed the fault's strength, resulting in an earthquake. Evidence of these earthquakes may be found in Pacific Northwest lakes. Past underwater landslides caused by the earthquakes...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Chirp sub-bottom data collected in the Great Salt Lake, Utah during USGS field activity 2021-615-FA Chirp sub-bottom data collected in the Great Salt Lake, Utah during USGS field activity 2021-615-FA

This data release contains 57 high-resolution chirp sub-bottom profiles collected in the southern Great Salt Lake, Utah, by the U.S. Geological Survey in June 2021 during field activity 2021-615-FA. The dataset was acquired to image subsurface sedimentary structures and stratigraphy in support of efforts to characterize past earthquake events along the Great Salt Lake Fault, contributing...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Multibeam line files from Cross Sound, Alaska collected during USGS field activity 2015-629-FA Multibeam line files from Cross Sound, Alaska collected during USGS field activity 2015-629-FA

In 2015 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) collected bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data offshore Cross Sound in southeast Alaska using an Reson 7111 multibeam echosounder mounded to the ADFG R/V Solstice. The survey was conducted to map the offshore expression of the...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Seismic sub-bottom, sediment core and radiocarbon data collected in Ozette Lake, Washington from 2019-2021 Seismic sub-bottom, sediment core and radiocarbon data collected in Ozette Lake, Washington from 2019-2021

Seismic-reflection data and cores were collected in Ozette Lake, Washington, from 2019 to 2021. These data were used to investigate submarine landslide deposits triggered by large Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes. Identification of fault-related submarine hazards is a primary mission of the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program. In the US Pacific Northwest region, the greatest...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Ozette Lake, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2019-622-FA Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Ozette Lake, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2019-622-FA

2-m resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data were collected during a July 2019 SWATHPlus survey of Ozette Lake, Washington. Data were collected and processed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) with fieldwork activity number 2019-622-FA. The 2-m data are provided as GeoTIFF images.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Radiocarbon age dating of biological material from cores collected off British Columbia, Canada and southeastern Alaska, U.S. along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone Radiocarbon age dating of biological material from cores collected off British Columbia, Canada and southeastern Alaska, U.S. along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone

Results of radiocarbon age dating of planktic foraminifera, benthic foraminifera, and pelecypod shell fragments collected from piston cores, trigger weight cores, and IKU grab samples obtained in 2015 and 2017 offshore British Columbia, Canada and southeastern Alaska, U.S. along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Multichannel minisparker and chirp seismic reflection data collected during USGS field activity 2021-614-FA along the Palos Verdes Fault Zone Multichannel minisparker and chirp seismic reflection data collected during USGS field activity 2021-614-FA along the Palos Verdes Fault Zone

High-resolution multichannel seismic (MCS) and coincident Chirp sub-bottom data were acquired during USGS field activity 2021-614-FA aboard the R/V Sproul in May of 2021. The survey was conducted in the offshore region of southern California, specifically in the inner continental borderlands tectonic region. The focus of the survey was to collect seismic lines perpendicular to the Palos...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment core data from offshore southern Cascadia during field activity 2019-643-FA Sediment core data from offshore southern Cascadia during field activity 2019-643-FA

This data release contains sediment core data including core imagery, multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) data, and radiocarbon age data. Sediment cores were collected offshore northern California during U.S. Geological Survey cruise 2019-643-FA aboard the M/V Bold-Horizon. The cores were collected along with geophysical data to evaluate potential hazards (e.g., active fault systems, slope
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Compiled onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia Subduction zone Compiled onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia Subduction zone

The USGS Powell Center Cascadia earthquake hazards working group compiled published onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia subduction zone, spanning sites from Vancouver Island to the Mendocino triple junction. Evidence for megathrust rupture includes coastal land-level change, tsunami inundation, onshore shaking proxies such as landslides or liquefaction, and offshore...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
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Filter Total Items: 57

Using active source seismology to image the Palos Verdes Fault damage zone as a function of distance, depth, and geology Using active source seismology to image the Palos Verdes Fault damage zone as a function of distance, depth, and geology

Fault damage zones provide a window into the non-elastic processes of an earthquake. Geological and seismic tomography methods have been unable to measure damage zones at depth with sufficient spatial sampling to evaluate the relative influence of depth, distance, and lithological variations. Here, we identify and analyze the damage zone of the Palos Verdes Fault offshore southern...
Authors
Travis Alongi, Emily Brodsky, Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Mass wasting along the Cascadia subduction zone: Implications for abyssal turbidite sources and the earthquake record Mass wasting along the Cascadia subduction zone: Implications for abyssal turbidite sources and the earthquake record

The only submarine records of large (>Mw7) prehistoric earthquakes along the Cascadia subduction zone are derived from sequences of deep sea turbidites interpreted to represent synchronous, shaking-induced failures along the continental slope. However, the spatial correlation of these deposits along the margin is complicated and the chronological constraints involve significant...
Authors
Jenna C. Hill, Janet Watt, Daniel S. Brothers
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution marine seismic imaging of the Seattle fault zone: Near surface insights into fault zone geometry, Quaternary deformation, and long-term evolution High-resolution marine seismic imaging of the Seattle fault zone: Near surface insights into fault zone geometry, Quaternary deformation, and long-term evolution

The Seattle fault zone (SFZ) is a north‐directed thrust fault system that underlies the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Evidence of past land level changes, landslides, liquefaction, and a local tsunami indicate that this 70‐km‐long fault system can host up to M 7–7.5 earthquakes. Both the geometry and earthquake recurrence of the SFZ are debated and surveys of the shallow subsurface...
Authors
G.L Moore, Emily Roland, Scott E.K. Bennett, Janet Watt, Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers, Emma K Myers
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Recency of faulting and subsurface architecture of the San Diego Bay pull-apart basin, California, USA Recency of faulting and subsurface architecture of the San Diego Bay pull-apart basin, California, USA

In southern California, plate boundary motion between the North American and Pacific plates is distributed across several sub-parallel fault systems. The offshore faults of the California Continental Borderland (CCB) are thought to accommodate ~10-15% of the total plate boundary motion, but the exact distribution of slip and the mechanics of slip partitioning remain uncertain. The...
Authors
Drake Moore Singleton, Jillian M. Maloney, Daniel S. Brothers, Shannon Klotsko, Neal W. Driscoll, Thomas K. Rockwell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Systematic characterization of morphotectonic variability along the Cascadia convergent margin: Implications for shallow megathrust behavior and tsunami hazards Systematic characterization of morphotectonic variability along the Cascadia convergent margin: Implications for shallow megathrust behavior and tsunami hazards

Studies of recent destructive megathrust earth­quakes and tsunamis along subduction margins in Japan, Sumatra, and Chile have linked forearc mor­phology and structure to megathrust behavior. This connection is based on the idea that spatial varia­tions in the frictional behavior of the megathrust influence the tectono-morphological evolution of the upper plate. Here we present a...
Authors
Janet Watt, Daniel S. Brothers
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science

Focused fluid flow and methane venting along the Queen Charlotte fault, offshore Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada) Focused fluid flow and methane venting along the Queen Charlotte fault, offshore Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada)

Fluid seepage along obliquely deforming plate boundaries can be an important indicator of crustal permeability and influence on fault-zone mechanics and hydrocarbon migration. The ~850-km-long Queen Charlotte fault (QCF) is the dominant structure along the right-lateral transform boundary that separates the Pacific and North American tectonic plates offshore southeastern Alaska (USA) and...
Authors
Nancy G. Prouty, Daniel S. Brothers, Jared W. Kluesner, J. Vaughn Barrie, Brian D. Andrews, Rachel Lauer, Gary Greene, James E. Conrad, Thomas Lorenson, Michael D. Law, Diana Sahy, Kim Conway, Mary McGann, Peter Dartnell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Morphology, structure, and kinematics of the San Clemente and Catalina faults based on high-resolution marine geophysical data, southern California Inner Continental Borderland Morphology, structure, and kinematics of the San Clemente and Catalina faults based on high-resolution marine geophysical data, southern California Inner Continental Borderland

Catalina Basin, located within the southern California Inner Continental Borderland (ICB), is traversed by two active submerged fault systems that are part of the broader North America-Pacific plate boundary: the San Clemente fault (along with a prominent splay, the Kimki fault) and the Catalina fault. Previous studies have suggested that the San Clemente fault (SCF) may be accommodating...
Authors
Maureen A. L. Walton, Daniel S. Brothers, James E. Conrad, Katherine L. Maier, Emily C. Roland, Jared W. Kluesner, Peter Dartnell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Structural controls on slope failure within the western Santa Barbara Channel based on 2D and 3D seismic imaging Structural controls on slope failure within the western Santa Barbara Channel based on 2D and 3D seismic imaging

The Santa Barbara Channel, offshore California, contains several submarine landslides and ample evidence for incipient failure. This region hosts active thrust and reverse faults that accommodate several mm/yr of convergence, yet the relationships between tectonic deformation and slope failure remain unclear. We present 3‐D and 2‐D multichannel seismic reflection (MCS) data sets...
Authors
Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers, Alexis L Wright, Samuel Y. Johnson
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Submarine canyons, slope failures and mass transport processes in southern Cascadia Submarine canyons, slope failures and mass transport processes in southern Cascadia

The marine turbidite record along the southern Cascadia Subduction Zone has been used to interpret paleoseismicity and suggest a shorter recurrence interval for large (>M7) earthquakes along this portion of the margin; however, the sources and pathways of these turbidity flows are poorly constrained. We examine the spatial distribution of sediment storage, downslope transport, and slope...
Authors
Jenna C. Hill, Janet Watt, Daniel S. Brothers, Jared W. Kluesner
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Subduction Zone Science

Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the California continental margin and associated features from the California-Oregon border to Ensenada, Mexico Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the California continental margin and associated features from the California-Oregon border to Ensenada, Mexico

Priority Geographic Area: Both within and outside US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). California continental margin. This area includes and continues south of the geographic area captured in the Watt et al. white paper. Description of Priority Area: The California continental margin, from the narrow shelf to abyssal depths, contains diverse seafloor features that influence benthic...
Authors
Amanda Demopoulos, Nancy G. Prouty, Daniel S. Brothers, Janet Watt, James E. Conrad, Jason D. Chaytor, Chris Caldow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Plate boundary localization, slip-rates and rupture segmentation of the Queen Charlotte Fault based on submarine tectonic geomorphology Plate boundary localization, slip-rates and rupture segmentation of the Queen Charlotte Fault based on submarine tectonic geomorphology

Linking fault behavior over many earthquake cycles to individual earthquake behavior is a primary goal in tectonic geomorphology, particularly across an entire plate boundary. Here, we examine the 1150-km-long, right-lateral Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault system using comprehensive multibeam bathymetry data acquired along the Queen Charlotte Fault (QCF) offshore southeastern Alaska...
Authors
Daniel S. Brothers, Nathaniel C. Miller, Vaughn Barrie, Peter J. Haeussler, H. Gary Greene, Brian D. Andrews, Olaf Zielke, Peter Dartnell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory

Right-lateral fault motion along the slope-basin transition, Gulf of Santa Catalina, southern California Right-lateral fault motion along the slope-basin transition, Gulf of Santa Catalina, southern California

An active fault system carrying a significant component of right-lateral strike-slip motion extends for ~60 km along the slope–basin transition, ~10 to 20 km offshore of the southern California coast from La Jolla to Dana Point. From south to north, this fault system includes the Carlsbad, San Onofre, and San Mateo fault zones. High-resolution single channel minisparker and chirp seismic
Authors
James Conrad, Daniel Brothers, Katherine Coble, Holly F. Ryan, Peter Dartnell, Ray Sliter
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

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.

Filter Total Items: 17
Expedition along a Hazardous, Fast-Moving Fault off Southeast Alaska—the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault

Expedition along a Hazardous, Fast-Moving Fault off Southeast Alaska—the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault

USGS scientists hope to learn more about the earthquake hazards that this large, fast-moving fault poses to communities and tourists in Alaska and...

Read Article
U.S. and Canadian Scientists Explore Major Undersea Earthquake Fault

U.S. and Canadian Scientists Explore Major Undersea Earthquake Fault

An international team of scientists just finished probing the depths of the Pacific Ocean offshore of Alaska and British Columbia, to better...

Read Article
Research Geologist Jenna Hill Joins the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center 

Research Geologist Jenna Hill Joins the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center 

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center welcomes research geologist Jenna Hill.

Read Article
Striking New Seafloor Imagery of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault in the Gulf of Alaska

Striking New Seafloor Imagery of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault in the Gulf of Alaska

In 2016 the USGS led two geophysical surveys of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault off the coast of southeast Alaska, using multibeam sonar to map...

Read Article
50-Year-Old Mystery Solved: Seafloor Mapping Reveals Cause of 1964 Tsunami that Destroyed Alaskan Village

50-Year-Old Mystery Solved: Seafloor Mapping Reveals Cause of 1964 Tsunami that Destroyed Alaskan Village

Minutes after the 1964 magnitude-9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake began shaking, a series of tsunami waves swept through the village of Chenega in Prince...

Read Article

Science and Products

A map illustration of the seafloor off of a coastal area, that shows the features like submarine canyons and depth.

Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards

Societal Issue: Uncertainty related to rupture extent, slip distribution, and recurrence of past subduction megathrust earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (northern CA, OR, WA, and southern BC) leads to ambiguity in earthquake and tsunami hazard assessments and hinders our ability to prepare for future events.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards

Cascadia Subduction Zone Marine Geohazards

Societal Issue: Uncertainty related to rupture extent, slip distribution, and recurrence of past subduction megathrust earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (northern CA, OR, WA, and southern BC) leads to ambiguity in earthquake and tsunami hazard assessments and hinders our ability to prepare for future events.
Learn More
Cartoon shows a cylindrical object that is floating above and scanning a landscape with rocky outcroppings.

Seafloor Faults off Southern California

More than 22 million people live along Southern California’s coast, and many more migrate there every year. Faults and earthquake threats in this region have been heavily studied on land. USGS aims to boost our knowledge about faults on the seafloor, so they can be included in hazard assessments.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Seafloor Faults off Southern California

Seafloor Faults off Southern California

More than 22 million people live along Southern California’s coast, and many more migrate there every year. Faults and earthquake threats in this region have been heavily studied on land. USGS aims to boost our knowledge about faults on the seafloor, so they can be included in hazard assessments.
Learn More
A bottomfish with small, bright spots lazily swims over a rocky seafloor among a few small pieces of kelp.

Ecosystems: EXPRESS

The continental shelf and slope offshore California, Oregon, and Washington are home to deep-sea corals, chemosynthetic communities, and other sensitive habitats that could be impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. The EXPRESS (Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign will map and characterize these special areas to help guide ocean management...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Ecosystems: EXPRESS

Ecosystems: EXPRESS

The continental shelf and slope offshore California, Oregon, and Washington are home to deep-sea corals, chemosynthetic communities, and other sensitive habitats that could be impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. The EXPRESS (Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign will map and characterize these special areas to help guide ocean management...
Learn More
Map of offshore southern California showing the contours of the seafloor, with labels pointing to circles showing landslides.

Hazards: EXPRESS

Marine geohazards including earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis lie offshore of densely populated areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. One goal of EXPRESS is to improve assessments of these hazards.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Hazards: EXPRESS

Hazards: EXPRESS

Marine geohazards including earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis lie offshore of densely populated areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. One goal of EXPRESS is to improve assessments of these hazards.
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A computed-generated image showing the Queen Charlotte Fault and nearshore area, using bathymetry and lidar data

Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska

Coastal and marine geohazards are sudden and extreme events beneath the ocean that threaten coastal populations. These underwater hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis. The tectonically active west coast of the Americas is prone to such hazards, as it lies along the boundaries of major tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust—the North American, Caribbean...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Big Sur Landslides, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska

Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska

Coastal and marine geohazards are sudden and extreme events beneath the ocean that threaten coastal populations. These underwater hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis. The tectonically active west coast of the Americas is prone to such hazards, as it lies along the boundaries of major tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust—the North American, Caribbean...
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Image shows methane bubbling up from the seafloor

EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope. EXPRESS data and information are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Scanning Laboratory, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory, Organic Geochemistry Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope. EXPRESS data and information are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments.
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Block Island Wind Farm

Resources: EXPRESS

Along the U.S. west coast, the Pacific Ocean, ocean floor, and winds above contain potentially vast energy and mineral resources. Developing these resources safely and wisely requires detailed information for each area of interest. One goal of EXPRESS is to inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Resources: EXPRESS

Resources: EXPRESS

Along the U.S. west coast, the Pacific Ocean, ocean floor, and winds above contain potentially vast energy and mineral resources. Developing these resources safely and wisely requires detailed information for each area of interest. One goal of EXPRESS is to inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions.
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Map illustration showing fault lines and direction of tectonic plate movement along a stretch of the Alaskan coastline.

Earthquake Hazards in Southeastern Alaska

Over the last 100 years, the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault system has produced large-magnitude earthquakes affecting both Canada and the U.S. To fill in missing details about its offshore location and structure, USGS uses sophisticated techniques to truly understand the fault’s hazard potential.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Earthquake Hazards in Southeastern Alaska

Earthquake Hazards in Southeastern Alaska

Over the last 100 years, the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault system has produced large-magnitude earthquakes affecting both Canada and the U.S. To fill in missing details about its offshore location and structure, USGS uses sophisticated techniques to truly understand the fault’s hazard potential.
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An illustrated map shows seafloor features and is labeled with dots to show where samples were collected.

2019 Lake Ozette

Collected bathymetric data, seismic data, and sediment cores from Lake Ozette in 2019, a USGS-US National Park Service partnership
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
2019 Lake Ozette

2019 Lake Ozette

Collected bathymetric data, seismic data, and sediment cores from Lake Ozette in 2019, a USGS-US National Park Service partnership
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Filter Total Items: 43

Multibeam bathymetry data and gridded surfaces for Lake Chelan, Washington, collected during USGS field activity 2023-631-FA Multibeam bathymetry data and gridded surfaces for Lake Chelan, Washington, collected during USGS field activity 2023-631-FA

3-m bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data were collected during a June 2023 multibeam survey of Lake Chelan, Washington. Data were collected and processed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) with fieldwork activity number 2023-631-FA. The 3-m data are provided as GeoTIFF images.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment core data from the Great Salt Lake, Utah Sediment core data from the Great Salt Lake, Utah

This data release includes measurements of properties from short (
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Sublacustrine landslide and tsunami models from Lake Quinault, Washington Sublacustrine landslide and tsunami models from Lake Quinault, Washington

This USGS data release provides model setup files to simulate a hypothetical sublacustrine landslide in Lake Quinault and resulting tsunami waves.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Lake Sammamish, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2021-656-FA Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Lake Sammamish, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2021-656-FA

The Pacific Northwest is home to numerous faults that cut through the surrounding crust including the Seattle fault. Over time, frictional stresses accumulate along these faults, building slowly until they exceed the fault's strength, resulting in an earthquake. Evidence of these earthquakes may be found in Pacific Northwest lakes. Past underwater landslides caused by the earthquakes...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Chirp sub-bottom data collected in the Great Salt Lake, Utah during USGS field activity 2021-615-FA Chirp sub-bottom data collected in the Great Salt Lake, Utah during USGS field activity 2021-615-FA

This data release contains 57 high-resolution chirp sub-bottom profiles collected in the southern Great Salt Lake, Utah, by the U.S. Geological Survey in June 2021 during field activity 2021-615-FA. The dataset was acquired to image subsurface sedimentary structures and stratigraphy in support of efforts to characterize past earthquake events along the Great Salt Lake Fault, contributing...
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Multibeam line files from Cross Sound, Alaska collected during USGS field activity 2015-629-FA Multibeam line files from Cross Sound, Alaska collected during USGS field activity 2015-629-FA

In 2015 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) collected bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data offshore Cross Sound in southeast Alaska using an Reson 7111 multibeam echosounder mounded to the ADFG R/V Solstice. The survey was conducted to map the offshore expression of the...
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Seismic sub-bottom, sediment core and radiocarbon data collected in Ozette Lake, Washington from 2019-2021 Seismic sub-bottom, sediment core and radiocarbon data collected in Ozette Lake, Washington from 2019-2021

Seismic-reflection data and cores were collected in Ozette Lake, Washington, from 2019 to 2021. These data were used to investigate submarine landslide deposits triggered by large Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes. Identification of fault-related submarine hazards is a primary mission of the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program. In the US Pacific Northwest region, the greatest...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Ozette Lake, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2019-622-FA Bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data for Ozette Lake, Washington collected during USGS field activity 2019-622-FA

2-m resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data were collected during a July 2019 SWATHPlus survey of Ozette Lake, Washington. Data were collected and processed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) with fieldwork activity number 2019-622-FA. The 2-m data are provided as GeoTIFF images.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Radiocarbon age dating of biological material from cores collected off British Columbia, Canada and southeastern Alaska, U.S. along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone Radiocarbon age dating of biological material from cores collected off British Columbia, Canada and southeastern Alaska, U.S. along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone

Results of radiocarbon age dating of planktic foraminifera, benthic foraminifera, and pelecypod shell fragments collected from piston cores, trigger weight cores, and IKU grab samples obtained in 2015 and 2017 offshore British Columbia, Canada and southeastern Alaska, U.S. along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault zone.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Multichannel minisparker and chirp seismic reflection data collected during USGS field activity 2021-614-FA along the Palos Verdes Fault Zone Multichannel minisparker and chirp seismic reflection data collected during USGS field activity 2021-614-FA along the Palos Verdes Fault Zone

High-resolution multichannel seismic (MCS) and coincident Chirp sub-bottom data were acquired during USGS field activity 2021-614-FA aboard the R/V Sproul in May of 2021. The survey was conducted in the offshore region of southern California, specifically in the inner continental borderlands tectonic region. The focus of the survey was to collect seismic lines perpendicular to the Palos...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment core data from offshore southern Cascadia during field activity 2019-643-FA Sediment core data from offshore southern Cascadia during field activity 2019-643-FA

This data release contains sediment core data including core imagery, multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) data, and radiocarbon age data. Sediment cores were collected offshore northern California during U.S. Geological Survey cruise 2019-643-FA aboard the M/V Bold-Horizon. The cores were collected along with geophysical data to evaluate potential hazards (e.g., active fault systems, slope
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Compiled onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia Subduction zone Compiled onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia Subduction zone

The USGS Powell Center Cascadia earthquake hazards working group compiled published onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia subduction zone, spanning sites from Vancouver Island to the Mendocino triple junction. Evidence for megathrust rupture includes coastal land-level change, tsunami inundation, onshore shaking proxies such as landslides or liquefaction, and offshore...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
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Filter Total Items: 57

Using active source seismology to image the Palos Verdes Fault damage zone as a function of distance, depth, and geology Using active source seismology to image the Palos Verdes Fault damage zone as a function of distance, depth, and geology

Fault damage zones provide a window into the non-elastic processes of an earthquake. Geological and seismic tomography methods have been unable to measure damage zones at depth with sufficient spatial sampling to evaluate the relative influence of depth, distance, and lithological variations. Here, we identify and analyze the damage zone of the Palos Verdes Fault offshore southern...
Authors
Travis Alongi, Emily Brodsky, Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Mass wasting along the Cascadia subduction zone: Implications for abyssal turbidite sources and the earthquake record Mass wasting along the Cascadia subduction zone: Implications for abyssal turbidite sources and the earthquake record

The only submarine records of large (>Mw7) prehistoric earthquakes along the Cascadia subduction zone are derived from sequences of deep sea turbidites interpreted to represent synchronous, shaking-induced failures along the continental slope. However, the spatial correlation of these deposits along the margin is complicated and the chronological constraints involve significant...
Authors
Jenna C. Hill, Janet Watt, Daniel S. Brothers
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution marine seismic imaging of the Seattle fault zone: Near surface insights into fault zone geometry, Quaternary deformation, and long-term evolution High-resolution marine seismic imaging of the Seattle fault zone: Near surface insights into fault zone geometry, Quaternary deformation, and long-term evolution

The Seattle fault zone (SFZ) is a north‐directed thrust fault system that underlies the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Evidence of past land level changes, landslides, liquefaction, and a local tsunami indicate that this 70‐km‐long fault system can host up to M 7–7.5 earthquakes. Both the geometry and earthquake recurrence of the SFZ are debated and surveys of the shallow subsurface...
Authors
G.L Moore, Emily Roland, Scott E.K. Bennett, Janet Watt, Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers, Emma K Myers
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Recency of faulting and subsurface architecture of the San Diego Bay pull-apart basin, California, USA Recency of faulting and subsurface architecture of the San Diego Bay pull-apart basin, California, USA

In southern California, plate boundary motion between the North American and Pacific plates is distributed across several sub-parallel fault systems. The offshore faults of the California Continental Borderland (CCB) are thought to accommodate ~10-15% of the total plate boundary motion, but the exact distribution of slip and the mechanics of slip partitioning remain uncertain. The...
Authors
Drake Moore Singleton, Jillian M. Maloney, Daniel S. Brothers, Shannon Klotsko, Neal W. Driscoll, Thomas K. Rockwell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Systematic characterization of morphotectonic variability along the Cascadia convergent margin: Implications for shallow megathrust behavior and tsunami hazards Systematic characterization of morphotectonic variability along the Cascadia convergent margin: Implications for shallow megathrust behavior and tsunami hazards

Studies of recent destructive megathrust earth­quakes and tsunamis along subduction margins in Japan, Sumatra, and Chile have linked forearc mor­phology and structure to megathrust behavior. This connection is based on the idea that spatial varia­tions in the frictional behavior of the megathrust influence the tectono-morphological evolution of the upper plate. Here we present a...
Authors
Janet Watt, Daniel S. Brothers
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science

Focused fluid flow and methane venting along the Queen Charlotte fault, offshore Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada) Focused fluid flow and methane venting along the Queen Charlotte fault, offshore Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada)

Fluid seepage along obliquely deforming plate boundaries can be an important indicator of crustal permeability and influence on fault-zone mechanics and hydrocarbon migration. The ~850-km-long Queen Charlotte fault (QCF) is the dominant structure along the right-lateral transform boundary that separates the Pacific and North American tectonic plates offshore southeastern Alaska (USA) and...
Authors
Nancy G. Prouty, Daniel S. Brothers, Jared W. Kluesner, J. Vaughn Barrie, Brian D. Andrews, Rachel Lauer, Gary Greene, James E. Conrad, Thomas Lorenson, Michael D. Law, Diana Sahy, Kim Conway, Mary McGann, Peter Dartnell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Morphology, structure, and kinematics of the San Clemente and Catalina faults based on high-resolution marine geophysical data, southern California Inner Continental Borderland Morphology, structure, and kinematics of the San Clemente and Catalina faults based on high-resolution marine geophysical data, southern California Inner Continental Borderland

Catalina Basin, located within the southern California Inner Continental Borderland (ICB), is traversed by two active submerged fault systems that are part of the broader North America-Pacific plate boundary: the San Clemente fault (along with a prominent splay, the Kimki fault) and the Catalina fault. Previous studies have suggested that the San Clemente fault (SCF) may be accommodating...
Authors
Maureen A. L. Walton, Daniel S. Brothers, James E. Conrad, Katherine L. Maier, Emily C. Roland, Jared W. Kluesner, Peter Dartnell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Structural controls on slope failure within the western Santa Barbara Channel based on 2D and 3D seismic imaging Structural controls on slope failure within the western Santa Barbara Channel based on 2D and 3D seismic imaging

The Santa Barbara Channel, offshore California, contains several submarine landslides and ample evidence for incipient failure. This region hosts active thrust and reverse faults that accommodate several mm/yr of convergence, yet the relationships between tectonic deformation and slope failure remain unclear. We present 3‐D and 2‐D multichannel seismic reflection (MCS) data sets...
Authors
Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers, Alexis L Wright, Samuel Y. Johnson
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

Submarine canyons, slope failures and mass transport processes in southern Cascadia Submarine canyons, slope failures and mass transport processes in southern Cascadia

The marine turbidite record along the southern Cascadia Subduction Zone has been used to interpret paleoseismicity and suggest a shorter recurrence interval for large (>M7) earthquakes along this portion of the margin; however, the sources and pathways of these turbidity flows are poorly constrained. We examine the spatial distribution of sediment storage, downslope transport, and slope...
Authors
Jenna C. Hill, Janet Watt, Daniel S. Brothers, Jared W. Kluesner
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Subduction Zone Science

Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the California continental margin and associated features from the California-Oregon border to Ensenada, Mexico Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the California continental margin and associated features from the California-Oregon border to Ensenada, Mexico

Priority Geographic Area: Both within and outside US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). California continental margin. This area includes and continues south of the geographic area captured in the Watt et al. white paper. Description of Priority Area: The California continental margin, from the narrow shelf to abyssal depths, contains diverse seafloor features that influence benthic...
Authors
Amanda Demopoulos, Nancy G. Prouty, Daniel S. Brothers, Janet Watt, James E. Conrad, Jason D. Chaytor, Chris Caldow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Plate boundary localization, slip-rates and rupture segmentation of the Queen Charlotte Fault based on submarine tectonic geomorphology Plate boundary localization, slip-rates and rupture segmentation of the Queen Charlotte Fault based on submarine tectonic geomorphology

Linking fault behavior over many earthquake cycles to individual earthquake behavior is a primary goal in tectonic geomorphology, particularly across an entire plate boundary. Here, we examine the 1150-km-long, right-lateral Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault system using comprehensive multibeam bathymetry data acquired along the Queen Charlotte Fault (QCF) offshore southeastern Alaska...
Authors
Daniel S. Brothers, Nathaniel C. Miller, Vaughn Barrie, Peter J. Haeussler, H. Gary Greene, Brian D. Andrews, Olaf Zielke, Peter Dartnell
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz Core Laboratories, Santa Cruz Core Splitting Laboratory

Right-lateral fault motion along the slope-basin transition, Gulf of Santa Catalina, southern California Right-lateral fault motion along the slope-basin transition, Gulf of Santa Catalina, southern California

An active fault system carrying a significant component of right-lateral strike-slip motion extends for ~60 km along the slope–basin transition, ~10 to 20 km offshore of the southern California coast from La Jolla to Dana Point. From south to north, this fault system includes the Carlsbad, San Onofre, and San Mateo fault zones. High-resolution single channel minisparker and chirp seismic
Authors
James Conrad, Daniel Brothers, Katherine Coble, Holly F. Ryan, Peter Dartnell, Ray Sliter
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

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.

Filter Total Items: 17
Expedition along a Hazardous, Fast-Moving Fault off Southeast Alaska—the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault

Expedition along a Hazardous, Fast-Moving Fault off Southeast Alaska—the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault

USGS scientists hope to learn more about the earthquake hazards that this large, fast-moving fault poses to communities and tourists in Alaska and...

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U.S. and Canadian Scientists Explore Major Undersea Earthquake Fault

U.S. and Canadian Scientists Explore Major Undersea Earthquake Fault

An international team of scientists just finished probing the depths of the Pacific Ocean offshore of Alaska and British Columbia, to better...

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Research Geologist Jenna Hill Joins the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center 

Research Geologist Jenna Hill Joins the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center 

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center welcomes research geologist Jenna Hill.

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Striking New Seafloor Imagery of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault in the Gulf of Alaska

Striking New Seafloor Imagery of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault in the Gulf of Alaska

In 2016 the USGS led two geophysical surveys of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault off the coast of southeast Alaska, using multibeam sonar to map...

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50-Year-Old Mystery Solved: Seafloor Mapping Reveals Cause of 1964 Tsunami that Destroyed Alaskan Village

50-Year-Old Mystery Solved: Seafloor Mapping Reveals Cause of 1964 Tsunami that Destroyed Alaskan Village

Minutes after the 1964 magnitude-9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake began shaking, a series of tsunami waves swept through the village of Chenega in Prince...

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