Eric M Thompson
Eric Thompson is a research geophysicist with the USGS in Golden. He joined the USGS in 2015 where he participates in research, development, and operations of many earthquake hazard products, including near-real-time earthquake hazard products.
Professional Experience
5/2015-Present: Research Geophysicist, USGS, Golden, Colorado.
4/2013-4/2015: Adjunct Professor, Geological Sciences, San Diego State University.
1/2014-3/2015: Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles.
9/2010-9/2013: Research Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University.
3/2009-8/2010: Postdoctoral Researcher/Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University.
Education and Certifications
2009 Ph.D., Tufts University, Civil and Environmental Engineering.
2002 B.S., University of California at Santa Cruz, Earth Science.
Honors and Awards
2022: Superior Service Award for activities in the planning and development of ground motion processing software named gmprocess.
2019: FEMA Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contributions in support of national level earthquake exercise.
2018: Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) Award for Excellence Use of Technology for developing the ShakeMap Scenario Suite.
Science and Products
External Grants - Overview
An Interactive Web-based Application for Earthquake-triggered Ground Failure Inventories
Geotechnical database for Anchorage, Alaska and surrounding areas Geotechnical database for Anchorage, Alaska and surrounding areas
Earthquake-Triggered Ground Failure associated with the M9.2 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake Earthquake-Triggered Ground Failure associated with the M9.2 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake
Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview
An Updated Vs30 Map for California with Geologic and Topographic Constraints An Updated Vs30 Map for California with Geologic and Topographic Constraints
Earthquake triggered ground failure associated with the M7.1 2018 southcentral Alaska Earthquake (ver. 2.0, December 2023) Earthquake triggered ground failure associated with the M7.1 2018 southcentral Alaska Earthquake (ver. 2.0, December 2023)
Database of horizontal component Fourier amplitude spectra of acceleration ground motions from Pacific Northwest earthquakes Database of horizontal component Fourier amplitude spectra of acceleration ground motions from Pacific Northwest earthquakes
Rapid characterization of the 2025 Mw 8.8 Kamchatka, Russia earthquake Rapid characterization of the 2025 Mw 8.8 Kamchatka, Russia earthquake
Subduction zone earthquake catalog separation tool: Implementation in the USGS 2025 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands National Seismic Hazard Model Subduction zone earthquake catalog separation tool: Implementation in the USGS 2025 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands National Seismic Hazard Model
A partially nonergodic ground-motion model for Fourier amplitude spectra for the San Francisco Bay area, California, USA A partially nonergodic ground-motion model for Fourier amplitude spectra for the San Francisco Bay area, California, USA
New developments at the Center for Engineering Strong-Motion Data (CESMD) New developments at the Center for Engineering Strong-Motion Data (CESMD)
International data gaps at the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data International data gaps at the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data
A journey to the center of the USGS National Strong-motion Project processing and beyond A journey to the center of the USGS National Strong-motion Project processing and beyond
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.
gfail_lifelines gfail_lifelines
USGS automated ground motion processing software USGS automated ground motion processing software
PS2FF PS2FF
ShakeMap v4 Software ShakeMap v4 Software
groundfailure groundfailure
Point-source to finite-fault distance conversions Point-source to finite-fault distance conversions
Science and Products
External Grants - Overview
An Interactive Web-based Application for Earthquake-triggered Ground Failure Inventories
Geotechnical database for Anchorage, Alaska and surrounding areas Geotechnical database for Anchorage, Alaska and surrounding areas
Earthquake-Triggered Ground Failure associated with the M9.2 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake Earthquake-Triggered Ground Failure associated with the M9.2 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake
Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview Data Release for the 2023 U.S. 50-State National Seismic Hazard Model - Overview
An Updated Vs30 Map for California with Geologic and Topographic Constraints An Updated Vs30 Map for California with Geologic and Topographic Constraints
Earthquake triggered ground failure associated with the M7.1 2018 southcentral Alaska Earthquake (ver. 2.0, December 2023) Earthquake triggered ground failure associated with the M7.1 2018 southcentral Alaska Earthquake (ver. 2.0, December 2023)
Database of horizontal component Fourier amplitude spectra of acceleration ground motions from Pacific Northwest earthquakes Database of horizontal component Fourier amplitude spectra of acceleration ground motions from Pacific Northwest earthquakes
Rapid characterization of the 2025 Mw 8.8 Kamchatka, Russia earthquake Rapid characterization of the 2025 Mw 8.8 Kamchatka, Russia earthquake
Subduction zone earthquake catalog separation tool: Implementation in the USGS 2025 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands National Seismic Hazard Model Subduction zone earthquake catalog separation tool: Implementation in the USGS 2025 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands National Seismic Hazard Model
A partially nonergodic ground-motion model for Fourier amplitude spectra for the San Francisco Bay area, California, USA A partially nonergodic ground-motion model for Fourier amplitude spectra for the San Francisco Bay area, California, USA
New developments at the Center for Engineering Strong-Motion Data (CESMD) New developments at the Center for Engineering Strong-Motion Data (CESMD)
International data gaps at the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data International data gaps at the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data
A journey to the center of the USGS National Strong-motion Project processing and beyond A journey to the center of the USGS National Strong-motion Project processing and beyond
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.