Dennis M Staley
Current research focuses on landslide hazards in Alaska, specifically on tsunamigenic landslides in Prince William Sound. Past research includes post-wildfire debris flow hazards in the western United States, the geomorphology of alluvial and debris-flow fans and talus deposits in arid and alpine environments, and the assessment of aquatic, riparian and wetland ecosystem health and function.
I am a Research Physical Scientist in the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage, Alaska, where I currently lead a project related to landslide hazards in Prince William Sound. This project is currently aimed at improving our understanding of the tsunamigenic potential and corresponding risk associated with large rock slope failures in recently deglaciated fiords.
Prior to moving to Alaska in the fall of 2021, I worked at the Geologic Hazards Science Center in Golden, Colorado, where I studied post-fire debris flows. This research focused on advancing our understanding of the topographic, geologic, hydrologic, and meteorological conditions that influence the location, timing, and magnitude of post-fire debris flows for the purpose of improving hazard assessment and early warning.
Before starting my career at the U.S. Geological Survey, I was a Physical Scientist at the U.S. Forest Service in Golden, Colorado, where I focused on developing protocols for assessing the health and function of aquatic, riparian, and wetland ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains.
Professional Experience
2007 - Present: Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden CO and Anchorage AK
2001 - 2007: Physical Scientist, U.S. Forest Service, Golden CO
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis TN, 2006.
MSc. in Geography, University of Memphis, Memphis TN, 2000.
BA in Geography, State University of New York - College at Geneseo, Geneseo NY, 1998.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Fellow, Geological Society of America (2020)
E.B. Burwell Jr. Award, Geological Society of America Environmental and Engineering Geology Division (2019)
Honor Award for Superior Service, U.S. Department of Interior (2016)
Meritorious Service Award, Environmental and Engineering Geology Division of the Geological Society of America (2015)
Best Paper Award in Landslides, International Landslide Consortium (2013)
Science and Products
Forecast, monitor, adapt: A multi-agency strategy to protect people from postfire debris flows Forecast, monitor, adapt: A multi-agency strategy to protect people from postfire debris flows
2024 Surprise Inlet landslides: Insights from a prototype landslide‐triggered tsunami monitoring system in Prince William Sound, Alaska 2024 Surprise Inlet landslides: Insights from a prototype landslide‐triggered tsunami monitoring system in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Uncertainty reduction for subaerial landslide-tsunami hazards Uncertainty reduction for subaerial landslide-tsunami hazards
Using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio method to estimate thickness of the Barry Arm landslide, Prince William Sound, Alaska Using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio method to estimate thickness of the Barry Arm landslide, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Evaluating post-wildfire debris-flow rainfall thresholds and volume models at the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA Evaluating post-wildfire debris-flow rainfall thresholds and volume models at the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA
Satellite Interferometry Landslide Detection and Preliminary Tsunamigenic Plausibility Assessment in Prince William Sound, Southcentral Alaska Satellite Interferometry Landslide Detection and Preliminary Tsunamigenic Plausibility Assessment in Prince William Sound, Southcentral Alaska
2025 Tracy Arm Landslide-Generated Tsunami
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami
Advancing Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazard Science with a Field Deployable Mapping Tool
Barry Arm, Alaska Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
How Often Do Rainstorms Cause Debris Flows in Burned Areas of the Southwestern U.S.?
Sitka, AK
Oblique aerial photography and videography of the August 10, 2025 Tracy Arm landslide and tsunami, southeast Alaska Oblique aerial photography and videography of the August 10, 2025 Tracy Arm landslide and tsunami, southeast Alaska
Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in Prince William Sound, Alaska (2024) Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in Prince William Sound, Alaska (2024)
Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in northwest Prince William Sound, Alaska from the summer of 2021 Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in northwest Prince William Sound, Alaska from the summer of 2021
Debris Flow, Precipitation, and Volume Measurements in the Grizzly Creek Burn Perimeter June 2021-September 2022, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado (ver. 1.1, October 2023) Debris Flow, Precipitation, and Volume Measurements in the Grizzly Creek Burn Perimeter June 2021-September 2022, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado (ver. 1.1, October 2023)
Inventory of Large Slope Instabilities, Prince William Sound, Alaska Inventory of Large Slope Instabilities, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Hydrologic monitoring data in steep, landslide-prone terrain, Sitka, Alaska, USA Hydrologic monitoring data in steep, landslide-prone terrain, Sitka, Alaska, USA
Science and Products
Forecast, monitor, adapt: A multi-agency strategy to protect people from postfire debris flows Forecast, monitor, adapt: A multi-agency strategy to protect people from postfire debris flows
2024 Surprise Inlet landslides: Insights from a prototype landslide‐triggered tsunami monitoring system in Prince William Sound, Alaska 2024 Surprise Inlet landslides: Insights from a prototype landslide‐triggered tsunami monitoring system in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Uncertainty reduction for subaerial landslide-tsunami hazards Uncertainty reduction for subaerial landslide-tsunami hazards
Using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio method to estimate thickness of the Barry Arm landslide, Prince William Sound, Alaska Using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio method to estimate thickness of the Barry Arm landslide, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Evaluating post-wildfire debris-flow rainfall thresholds and volume models at the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA Evaluating post-wildfire debris-flow rainfall thresholds and volume models at the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA
Satellite Interferometry Landslide Detection and Preliminary Tsunamigenic Plausibility Assessment in Prince William Sound, Southcentral Alaska Satellite Interferometry Landslide Detection and Preliminary Tsunamigenic Plausibility Assessment in Prince William Sound, Southcentral Alaska
2025 Tracy Arm Landslide-Generated Tsunami
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami
Advancing Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazard Science with a Field Deployable Mapping Tool
Barry Arm, Alaska Landslide and Tsunami Monitoring
How Often Do Rainstorms Cause Debris Flows in Burned Areas of the Southwestern U.S.?
Sitka, AK
Oblique aerial photography and videography of the August 10, 2025 Tracy Arm landslide and tsunami, southeast Alaska Oblique aerial photography and videography of the August 10, 2025 Tracy Arm landslide and tsunami, southeast Alaska
Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in Prince William Sound, Alaska (2024) Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in Prince William Sound, Alaska (2024)
Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in northwest Prince William Sound, Alaska from the summer of 2021 Rock mass quality and structural geology observations in northwest Prince William Sound, Alaska from the summer of 2021
Debris Flow, Precipitation, and Volume Measurements in the Grizzly Creek Burn Perimeter June 2021-September 2022, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado (ver. 1.1, October 2023) Debris Flow, Precipitation, and Volume Measurements in the Grizzly Creek Burn Perimeter June 2021-September 2022, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado (ver. 1.1, October 2023)
Inventory of Large Slope Instabilities, Prince William Sound, Alaska Inventory of Large Slope Instabilities, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Hydrologic monitoring data in steep, landslide-prone terrain, Sitka, Alaska, USA Hydrologic monitoring data in steep, landslide-prone terrain, Sitka, Alaska, USA
*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