Janet Watt
My research focuses on characterizing onshore/offshore geologic structure, deformation, and active tectonics to address problems focused on geologic hazards and framework geologic processes. My recent work involves the development and application of integrative geophysical approaches to 3D characterization of faults and fault interactions.
I received my M.S. in Marine Science (Geological Oceanography) from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories while working at the USGS in Menlo Park, CA. As part of the Geophysical Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP), I used potential-field methods (gravity and magnetics) and 3D geologic mapping to understand earthquake and volcano hazards, and mineral and water resources in the western U.S. In 2010, I returned to my marine geology roots and joined the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, CA where I currently work as a Research Geophysicist.
Selected Media and Public Outreach
November 18, 2016, CBS This Morning "California prepares for next big earthquake"
October 19, 2016, Popular Mechanics "Two dangerous Fault Lines Under San Francisco Are Connected, Study Finds"
February 1, 2016, Temblor.net Earthquake News & Blog, "Why don't the earthquakes line up with the San Andreas fault?"
January 2, 2016, CBS NEWS, "Alarming Discovery Shows Bay Area’s 2 Most Dangerous Earthquake Faults May Be Connected"
December 31, 2015, San Francisco Chronicle, "New data on 2 Bay Area faults cause worry about next big quake"
November 20, 2014, KQED Science "Using 3D Visualization, Geologists Explore the Complex Areas Where Faults Join and Split"
Science and Products
Magnetotelluric data from San Pablo Bay, California
Multichannel sparker seismic reflection data of USGS field activity 2018-658-FA collected between Cape Blanco and Cape Mendocino from 2018-10-04 to 2018-10-18
California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Point Sur to Point Arguello
Marine magnetic data from Point Sur to Piedras Blancas, central California, 2011
Chirp seismic-reflection data: San Pablo Bay, California
California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Aptos, California
California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Santa Cruz, California
California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Scott Creek, California
California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Pigeon Point, California
Offshore shallow structure and sediment distribution, Point Sur to Point Arguello, central California
Neotectonics of the Big Sur Bend, San Gregorio‐Hosgri fault system, central California
Reducing risk where tectonic plates collide—U.S. Geological Survey subduction zone science plan
The California Seafloor and Coastal Mapping Program – Providing science and geospatial data for California's State Waters
Missing link between the Hayward and Rodgers Creek faults
Marine magnetic survey and onshore gravity and magnetic survey, San Pablo Bay, northern California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Monterey, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Santa Cruz, California
California State Waters map series — Offshore of Aptos, California
High-resolution gravity and seismic-refraction surveys of the Smoke Tree Wash area, Joshua Tree National Park, California
California State Waters map series — Offshore of Pigeon Point, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Fort Ross, California
Science and Products
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Magnetotelluric data from San Pablo Bay, California
This dataset consists of 14 magnetotelluric (MT) stations collected in 2015 near San Pablo Bay, California along a east-northeast profile. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired these data to understand the fault geometry of the Hayward Fault and the Rodgers Creek Fault.Multichannel sparker seismic reflection data of USGS field activity 2018-658-FA collected between Cape Blanco and Cape Mendocino from 2018-10-04 to 2018-10-18
This data release contains processed high-resolution multichannel sparker seismic-reflection (MCS) data that were collected aboard Humboldt State University's R/V Coral Sea in October of 2018 on U.S. Geological Survey cruise 2018-658-FA on the shelf and slope between Cape Blanco, Oregon, and Cape Mendocino, California. MCS data were collected to characterize quaternary deformation and sediment dynCalifornia State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Point Sur to Point Arguello
As part of the USGS's California State Waters Mapping Project, a 50-m grid of sediment thickness for the seafloor within the 3-nautical mile limit between Point Sur and Point Arguello was generated from seismic-reflection data collected between 2008 and 2014, and supplemented with geologic structure (fault and fold) information following the methodology of Wong (2012). Water depths determined fromMarine magnetic data from Point Sur to Piedras Blancas, central California, 2011
This dataset includes marine magnetic data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2011 during field activity B-05-11-CC between Point Sur and Piedras Blancas, central California.Chirp seismic-reflection data: San Pablo Bay, California
This data release includes chirp seismic-reflection data collected in 2014 aboard the USGS R/V Snavely in San Pablo Bay, part of northern San Francisco Bay. These data were acquired to image the shallow geologic structure, particularly that related to the Hayward and Rodgers Creek Faults. Approximately 200 km of marine seismic-reflection data were collected along primarily northeast and northwest-California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Aptos, California
Data catalog for California State Waters Map Series--Offshore of Aptos, California.California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Santa Cruz, California
Data catalog for California State Waters Map Series--Offshore of Santa Cruz, California.California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Scott Creek, California
Data catalog for California State Waters Map Series--Offshore of Scott Creek, California.California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog--Offshore of Pigeon Point, California
Data catalog for California State Waters Map Series--Offshore of Pigeon Point, California. - Maps
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- Publications
Filter Total Items: 55
Offshore shallow structure and sediment distribution, Point Sur to Point Arguello, central California
This publication consists of three map sheets that display shallow geologic structure, along with sediment distribution and thickness, for an about 225-km-long offshore section of the central California coast between Point Sur and Point Arguello. Each map sheet includes three maps, at scales of either 1:150,000 or 1:200,000, as well as a set of figures that contain representative high-resolution sAuthorsSamuel Y. Johnson, Stephen R. Hartwell, Janet T. Watt, Jeffrey W. Beeson, Peter DartnellNeotectonics of the Big Sur Bend, San Gregorio‐Hosgri fault system, central California
The right‐lateral San Gregorio‐Hosgri fault system (SGHF) extends mainly offshore for about 400 km along the central California coast and is a major structure in the distributed transform margin of western North America. We mapped a poorly known 64‐km‐long section of the SGHF offshore Big Sur between Piedras Blancas and Point Sur using high‐resolution bathymetry, seismic reflection, and marine magAuthorsSamuel Y. Johnson, Janet Watt, Stephen Hartwell, Jared W. KluesnerReducing risk where tectonic plates collide—U.S. Geological Survey subduction zone science plan
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information and tools to build resilience in communities exposed to subduction zone earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. Improving the application of USGS science to successfully reduce risk from these events relies on whole community efforts, with continuing partnerships among scientists andAuthorsJoan S. Gomberg, K. A. Ludwig, Barbara Bekins, Thomas M. Brocher, John Brock, Daniel S. Brothers, Jason D. Chaytor, Arthur Frankel, Eric L. Geist, Matthew M. Haney, Stephen H. Hickman, William S. Leith, Evelyn A. Roeloffs, William H. Schulz, Thomas W. Sisson, Kristi L. Wallace, Janet Watt, Anne M. WeinThe California Seafloor and Coastal Mapping Program – Providing science and geospatial data for California's State Waters
The California Seafloor and Coastal Mapping Program (CSCMP) is a collaborative effort to develop comprehensive bathymetric, geologic, and habitat maps and data for California's State Waters. CSCMP began in 2007 when the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allocated funding for high-resolution bathymetric mapping, largely to suppoAuthorsSamuel Y. Johnson, Guy R. Cochrane, Nadine E. Golden, Peter Dartnell, Stephen Hartwell, Susan A. Cochran, Janet WattMissing link between the Hayward and Rodgers Creek faults
The next major earthquake to strike the ~7 million residents of the San Francisco Bay Area will most likely result from rupture of the Hayward or Rodgers Creek faults. Until now, the relationship between these two faults beneath San Pablo Bay has been a mystery. Detailed subsurface imaging provides definitive evidence of active faulting along the Hayward fault as it traverses San Pablo Bay and benAuthorsJanet Watt, David A. Ponce, Thomas E. Parsons, Patrick E. HartMarine magnetic survey and onshore gravity and magnetic survey, San Pablo Bay, northern California
IntroductionFrom November 2011 to August 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected more than 1,000 line-kilometers (length of lines surveyed in kilometers) of marine magnetic data on San Pablo Bay, 98 onshore gravity stations, and over 27 line-kilometers of ground magnetic data in northern California. Combined magnetic and gravity investigations were undertaken to study subsurface geologicAuthorsDavid A. Ponce, Kevin M. Denton, Janet Tilden WattCalifornia State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Monterey, California
IntroductionIn 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed to create a comprehensive seafloor map of high-resolution bathymetry, marine benthic habitats, and geology within the 3-nautical-mile limit of California’s State Waters. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed seafloor maps through collection, integration, interpreAuthorsSamuel Y. Johnson, Peter Dartnell, Stephen R. Hartwell, Guy R. Cochrane, Nadine E. Golden, Janet Watt, Clifton W. Davenport, Rikk G. Kvitek, Mercedes D. Erdey, Lisa M. Krigsman, Ray W. Sliter, Katherine L. MaierCalifornia State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Santa Cruz, California
IntroductionIn 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed to create a comprehensive seafloor map of high-resolution bathymetry, marine benthic habitats, and geology within the limit of California’s State Waters. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed seafloor maps through collection, integration, interpretation, and visuAuthorsGuy R. Cochrane, Peter Dartnell, Samuel Y. Johnson, Mercedes D. Erdey, Nadine E. Golden, H. Gary Greene, Bryan E. Dieter, Stephen R. Hartwell, Andrew C. Ritchie, David P. Finlayson, Charles A. Endris, Janet Watt, Clifton W. Davenport, Ray W. Sliter, Katherine L. Maier, Lisa M. KrigsmanCalifornia State Waters map series — Offshore of Aptos, California
Introduction In 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed to create a comprehensive seafloor map of high-resolution bathymetry, marine benthic habitats, and geology within California’s State Waters. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed seafloor maps through collection, integration, interpretation, and visualization ofAuthorsGuy R. Cochrane, Samuel Y. Johnson, Peter Dartnell, H. Gary Greene, Mercedes D. Erdey, Bryan E. Dieter, Nadine E. Golden, Stephen R. Hartwell, Andrew C. Ritchie, Rikk G. Kvitek, Katherine L. Maier, Charles A. Endris, Clifton W. Davenport, Janet Watt, Ray W. Sliter, David P. Finlayson, Lisa M. KrigsmanHigh-resolution gravity and seismic-refraction surveys of the Smoke Tree Wash area, Joshua Tree National Park, California
We describe high-resolution gravity and seismic refraction surveys acquired to determine the thickness of valley-fill deposits and to delineate geologic structures that might influence groundwater flow beneath the Smoke Tree Wash area in Joshua Tree National Park. These surveys identified a sedimentary basin that is fault-controlled. A profile across the Smoke Tree Wash fault zone reveals low gravAuthorsVictoria E. Langenheim, Michael J. Rymer, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Janet Watt, Robert E. Powell, Jonathan C. MattiCalifornia State Waters map series — Offshore of Pigeon Point, California
Introduction In 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed to create a comprehensive seafloor map of high-resolution bathymetry, marine benthic habitats, and geology within the 3-nautical-mile limit of California’s State Waters. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed seafloor maps through collection, integration, interpAuthorsGuy R. Cochrane, Janet Watt, Peter Dartnell, H. Gary Greene, Mercedes D. Erdey, Bryan E. Dieter, Nadine E. Golden, Samuel Y. Johnson, Charles A. Endris, Stephen R. Hartwell, Rikk G. Kvitek, Clifton W. Davenport, Lisa M. Krigsman, Andrew C. Ritchie, Ray W. Sliter, David P. Finlayson, Katherine L. MaierCalifornia State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Fort Ross, California
Introduction In 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed to create a comprehensive seafloor map of high-resolution bathymetry, marine benthic habitats, and geology within the 3-nautical-mile limit of California’s State Waters. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed seafloor maps through collection, integration, interprAuthorsSamuel Y. Johnson, Peter Dartnell, Nadine E. Golden, Stephen R. Hartwell, Mercedes D. Erdey, H. Gary Greene, Guy R. Cochrane, Rikk G. Kvitek, Michael W. Manson, Charles A. Endris, Bryan E. Dieter, Janet Watt, Lisa M. Krigsman, Ray W. Sliter, Erik N. Lowe, John L. Chin - News