Jeffrey Joseph McGuire
Jeff McGuire is a research geophysicist in the Earthquake Hazards Program.
Science and Products
Fiber Optic Seismology for Earthquake Hazards Research, Monitoring and Early Warning
A revolution is underway in seismology that transforms fiber-optic cables into arrays of thousands of seismic sensors. Compared to the traditional monitoring networks using inertial seismometers, the fiber-optic approach can increase the spatial data density by orders of magnitude and enable data processing methodologies that require a high-fidelity wavefield. The Working Group aims to...
External Grants - Overview
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides support for research that will assist in achieving the goals of the Earthquake Hazards Program. The goal is to mitigate earthquake losses that can occur in many parts of the nation by providing earth science data and assessments essential for land-use planning, engineering design, and emergency preparedness decisions.
What if the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System Had Been Operating During the M6.9 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake?
Release Date: OCTOBER 17, 2019 How will ShakeAlert® likely perform now on a large earthquake impacting a major urban area? How much warning will you get? To answer this, let’s do a thought experiment...
Arcata, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: 2022 M6.4 Ferndale Aftershock Sequence (ver. 2.0, September 2025) Arcata, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: 2022 M6.4 Ferndale Aftershock Sequence (ver. 2.0, September 2025)
These data are from a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment in Arcata, CA, that was conducted jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, Cal Poly Humboldt University, and Luna Inc. A Luna QuantX DAS interrogator was installed in the Arcata Police Station and connected to a fiber owned by Vero Communications that runs from Arcata to Eureka (Figure 1). The interrogator was installed on...
Winter 2023 Arcata to Eureka, California, Deployment of Nodal Seismometers Winter 2023 Arcata to Eureka, California, Deployment of Nodal Seismometers
These data are from a 3-month long deployment of nodal seismometers that ran from December 22th, 2022 until March 1st, 2023 as part of a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment above the Gorda plate. The deployment was done in response to the 2022/12/20 M6.4 Ferndale earthquake. The sensors were deployed at 46 locations along Old Arcata Rd between Arcata and Eureka California...
Nodal Seismic Deployment at KCT and Lost Coast Headlands Nodal Seismic Deployment at KCT and Lost Coast Headlands
Between October 12, 2019 and December 13, 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey deployed 30 nodal seismometers in Humboldt county CA for the purpose of recording seismicity in the subducting Gorda plate. 20 instruments were deployed at the McBride ranch, around NCSN station KCT, and 10 were deployed at the Bureau of Land Management's Lost Coast Headlands property. The nodes were replaced in...
Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: Nodal Seismometer data Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: Nodal Seismometer data
These data are from a 3-month long deployment of nodal seismometers that ran from May 18th, 2022 until September 1st, 2022 as part of a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment above the Gorda plate (McGuire, et al., 2022). The sensors were deployed at 44 locations along Old Arcata Rd between Arcata and Eureka California (Figure 1); these locations track the approximate location of...
Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment
These data are from a 2-month long Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Experiment in Arcata, CA, that was conducted jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, Cal Poly Humboldt University, and OptaSense Inc. An OptaSense QuantX DAS interrogator was installed in the Arcata Police Station and connected to a fiber owned by Vero Communications that runs from Arcata to Eureka
Input for assessing the impact of noisy data on earthquake magnitude estimates derived from peak ground displacement measured with real-time Global Navigation Satellite System data Input for assessing the impact of noisy data on earthquake magnitude estimates derived from peak ground displacement measured with real-time Global Navigation Satellite System data
This data release complements Murray et al. (2023) which presents a framework for incorporating earthquake magnitude estimates based on real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data into the ShakeAlert® earthquake early warning system for the west coast of the United States. Murray et al. (2023) assess the impact of time-dependent noise in GNSS real-time position estimates on...
Filter Total Items: 32
Fiber-optic sensing for earthquake hazards research, monitoring and early warning Fiber-optic sensing for earthquake hazards research, monitoring and early warning
The use of fiber‐optic sensing systems in seismology has exploded in the past decade. Despite an ever‐growing library of ground‐breaking studies, questions remain about the potential of fiber‐optic sensing technologies as tools for advancing if not revolutionizing earthquake‐hazards‐related research, monitoring, and early warning systems. A working group convened to explore these topics...
Authors
Jeffrey J. McGuire, Andrew J. Barbour, Zack J. Spica, Verónica Rodríguez Tribaldos, Zhongwen Zhan, Bradley P. Lipovsky, Robert J. Mellors, Ettore Biondi, Clara Yoon, Martin Karrenbach, Adam T. Ringler, James William Atterholt, Avinash Nayak, Theresa Marie Sawi, Loic Viens, Eileen R. Martin, Allen L. Husker, Paul Bodin, Morgan P. Moschetti, Qibin Shi, Nathaniel C. Miller, Prisha Puri
Earthquake magnitude and source parameter estimation with a distributed acoustic sensing dataset in the Gorda subduction zone Earthquake magnitude and source parameter estimation with a distributed acoustic sensing dataset in the Gorda subduction zone
Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems offer a cost‐effective way to create large‐scale strainmeter arrays for seismological applications using fiber‐optic cables. DAS‐based strain measurements are known to be influenced by various factors, bringing into question their general reliability for accurate earthquake characterization. A 15‐km‐long DAS deployment in northern California was
Authors
Andrew J. Barbour, Jeffrey J. McGuire, Martin Karrenbach, Robert McPherson, Mark Hemphill-Haley, Connie Stewart
Fiber-imaged supershear dynamics in the 2024 Mw 7 Mendocino Fault earthquake Fiber-imaged supershear dynamics in the 2024 Mw 7 Mendocino Fault earthquake
Fault structure and rupture physics are deeply intertwined, and observations of this coupling are critical for understanding earthquake behavior. Rupture propagation is observable at fine scales using dense seismic networks. Fiber-optic sensing allows for long-term deployments of ultradense arrays that enable high-resolution measurements of infrequent, large earthquakes. We recorded the...
Authors
James William Atterholt, Jeffrey J. McGuire, Andrew J. Barbour, Connie Stewart, Morgan P. Moschetti
The GorDAS Distributed Acoustic Sensing experiment above the Cascadia locked zone and subducted Gorda Slab The GorDAS Distributed Acoustic Sensing experiment above the Cascadia locked zone and subducted Gorda Slab
The southernmost portion of the Cascadia Subduction zone in Northern California produces high rates of moderate and large earthquakes owing to subduction of the Gorda slab and deformation associated with the Mendocino Triple Junction. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is rapidly advancing as a method for detecting earthquakes and imaging crustal structure. We have begun a long-term DAS...
Authors
Jeffrey J. McGuire, Andrew J. Barbour, Connie Stewart, Victor Yartsev, Martin Karrenbach, Mark Hemphill-Haley, Robert C. McPherson, Kari Stockdale, Clara Yoon, Theresa Marie Sawi
ShakeAlert® version 3: Expected performance in large earthquakes ShakeAlert® version 3: Expected performance in large earthquakes
The ShakeAlert earthquake early warning (EEW) system partners along with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) licensed operators deliver EEW alerts to the public and trigger automated systems when a significant earthquake is expected to impact California, Oregon, or Washington. ShakeAlert’s primary goal is to provide usable warning times before the arrival of damaging shaking. EEW is most...
Authors
Jeffrey J. McGuire, Carl W. Ulberg, Angela I. Lux, Maren Bose, J.R. Andrews, Deborah Smith, B. Crowell, Jessica R. Murray, I. Henson, R. Hartog, C. Felizardo, Minh Huynh, M. Aranha, Grace Alexandra Parker, Annemarie S. Baltay Sundstrom, Mark Hunter Murray, Glenn Biasi, Stephen Guiwits, Jessie K. Saunders, Andrew D. Good, V. Marcelo Santillan, C.W. Scrivener, Walter M. Szeliga, Timothy I. Melbourne, Victor Kress, Robert M. de Groot, Sara K. McBride, Douglas D. Given, Richard Allen, Thomas H. Heaton, Allen L. Husker, Valerie Thomas, Harold Tobin, Sumant Jha, Julian Bunn
Evidence for low effective stress within the crust of the subducted Gorda plate from the 2022 December Mw 6.4 Ferndale earthquake sequence Evidence for low effective stress within the crust of the subducted Gorda plate from the 2022 December Mw 6.4 Ferndale earthquake sequence
Stress levels on and adjacent to megathrust faults at seismogenic depths remain a key but difficult to constrain parameter for assessing seismic hazard in subduction zones. Although strong ground motions have been observed to be generated from distinct, high-stress regions on the downdip end of the megathrust rupture areas in many great earthquakes, we lack direct constraints on the...
Authors
Hao Guo, James W. Atterholt, Jeffrey J. McGuire, Clifford Thurber
Fiber Optic Seismology Experiment Interactive Map Fiber Optic Seismology Experiment Interactive Map
The USGS Fiber Optic Seismology interactive map provides access to metadata from Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiments.
Science and Products
Fiber Optic Seismology for Earthquake Hazards Research, Monitoring and Early Warning
A revolution is underway in seismology that transforms fiber-optic cables into arrays of thousands of seismic sensors. Compared to the traditional monitoring networks using inertial seismometers, the fiber-optic approach can increase the spatial data density by orders of magnitude and enable data processing methodologies that require a high-fidelity wavefield. The Working Group aims to...
External Grants - Overview
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides support for research that will assist in achieving the goals of the Earthquake Hazards Program. The goal is to mitigate earthquake losses that can occur in many parts of the nation by providing earth science data and assessments essential for land-use planning, engineering design, and emergency preparedness decisions.
What if the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System Had Been Operating During the M6.9 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake?
Release Date: OCTOBER 17, 2019 How will ShakeAlert® likely perform now on a large earthquake impacting a major urban area? How much warning will you get? To answer this, let’s do a thought experiment...
Arcata, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: 2022 M6.4 Ferndale Aftershock Sequence (ver. 2.0, September 2025) Arcata, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: 2022 M6.4 Ferndale Aftershock Sequence (ver. 2.0, September 2025)
These data are from a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment in Arcata, CA, that was conducted jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, Cal Poly Humboldt University, and Luna Inc. A Luna QuantX DAS interrogator was installed in the Arcata Police Station and connected to a fiber owned by Vero Communications that runs from Arcata to Eureka (Figure 1). The interrogator was installed on...
Winter 2023 Arcata to Eureka, California, Deployment of Nodal Seismometers Winter 2023 Arcata to Eureka, California, Deployment of Nodal Seismometers
These data are from a 3-month long deployment of nodal seismometers that ran from December 22th, 2022 until March 1st, 2023 as part of a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment above the Gorda plate. The deployment was done in response to the 2022/12/20 M6.4 Ferndale earthquake. The sensors were deployed at 46 locations along Old Arcata Rd between Arcata and Eureka California...
Nodal Seismic Deployment at KCT and Lost Coast Headlands Nodal Seismic Deployment at KCT and Lost Coast Headlands
Between October 12, 2019 and December 13, 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey deployed 30 nodal seismometers in Humboldt county CA for the purpose of recording seismicity in the subducting Gorda plate. 20 instruments were deployed at the McBride ranch, around NCSN station KCT, and 10 were deployed at the Bureau of Land Management's Lost Coast Headlands property. The nodes were replaced in...
Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: Nodal Seismometer data Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka, California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment: Nodal Seismometer data
These data are from a 3-month long deployment of nodal seismometers that ran from May 18th, 2022 until September 1st, 2022 as part of a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment above the Gorda plate (McGuire, et al., 2022). The sensors were deployed at 44 locations along Old Arcata Rd between Arcata and Eureka California (Figure 1); these locations track the approximate location of...
Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment Spring 2022 Arcata to Eureka California, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiment
These data are from a 2-month long Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Experiment in Arcata, CA, that was conducted jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, Cal Poly Humboldt University, and OptaSense Inc. An OptaSense QuantX DAS interrogator was installed in the Arcata Police Station and connected to a fiber owned by Vero Communications that runs from Arcata to Eureka
Input for assessing the impact of noisy data on earthquake magnitude estimates derived from peak ground displacement measured with real-time Global Navigation Satellite System data Input for assessing the impact of noisy data on earthquake magnitude estimates derived from peak ground displacement measured with real-time Global Navigation Satellite System data
This data release complements Murray et al. (2023) which presents a framework for incorporating earthquake magnitude estimates based on real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data into the ShakeAlert® earthquake early warning system for the west coast of the United States. Murray et al. (2023) assess the impact of time-dependent noise in GNSS real-time position estimates on...
Filter Total Items: 32
Fiber-optic sensing for earthquake hazards research, monitoring and early warning Fiber-optic sensing for earthquake hazards research, monitoring and early warning
The use of fiber‐optic sensing systems in seismology has exploded in the past decade. Despite an ever‐growing library of ground‐breaking studies, questions remain about the potential of fiber‐optic sensing technologies as tools for advancing if not revolutionizing earthquake‐hazards‐related research, monitoring, and early warning systems. A working group convened to explore these topics...
Authors
Jeffrey J. McGuire, Andrew J. Barbour, Zack J. Spica, Verónica Rodríguez Tribaldos, Zhongwen Zhan, Bradley P. Lipovsky, Robert J. Mellors, Ettore Biondi, Clara Yoon, Martin Karrenbach, Adam T. Ringler, James William Atterholt, Avinash Nayak, Theresa Marie Sawi, Loic Viens, Eileen R. Martin, Allen L. Husker, Paul Bodin, Morgan P. Moschetti, Qibin Shi, Nathaniel C. Miller, Prisha Puri
Earthquake magnitude and source parameter estimation with a distributed acoustic sensing dataset in the Gorda subduction zone Earthquake magnitude and source parameter estimation with a distributed acoustic sensing dataset in the Gorda subduction zone
Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems offer a cost‐effective way to create large‐scale strainmeter arrays for seismological applications using fiber‐optic cables. DAS‐based strain measurements are known to be influenced by various factors, bringing into question their general reliability for accurate earthquake characterization. A 15‐km‐long DAS deployment in northern California was
Authors
Andrew J. Barbour, Jeffrey J. McGuire, Martin Karrenbach, Robert McPherson, Mark Hemphill-Haley, Connie Stewart
Fiber-imaged supershear dynamics in the 2024 Mw 7 Mendocino Fault earthquake Fiber-imaged supershear dynamics in the 2024 Mw 7 Mendocino Fault earthquake
Fault structure and rupture physics are deeply intertwined, and observations of this coupling are critical for understanding earthquake behavior. Rupture propagation is observable at fine scales using dense seismic networks. Fiber-optic sensing allows for long-term deployments of ultradense arrays that enable high-resolution measurements of infrequent, large earthquakes. We recorded the...
Authors
James William Atterholt, Jeffrey J. McGuire, Andrew J. Barbour, Connie Stewart, Morgan P. Moschetti
The GorDAS Distributed Acoustic Sensing experiment above the Cascadia locked zone and subducted Gorda Slab The GorDAS Distributed Acoustic Sensing experiment above the Cascadia locked zone and subducted Gorda Slab
The southernmost portion of the Cascadia Subduction zone in Northern California produces high rates of moderate and large earthquakes owing to subduction of the Gorda slab and deformation associated with the Mendocino Triple Junction. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is rapidly advancing as a method for detecting earthquakes and imaging crustal structure. We have begun a long-term DAS...
Authors
Jeffrey J. McGuire, Andrew J. Barbour, Connie Stewart, Victor Yartsev, Martin Karrenbach, Mark Hemphill-Haley, Robert C. McPherson, Kari Stockdale, Clara Yoon, Theresa Marie Sawi
ShakeAlert® version 3: Expected performance in large earthquakes ShakeAlert® version 3: Expected performance in large earthquakes
The ShakeAlert earthquake early warning (EEW) system partners along with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) licensed operators deliver EEW alerts to the public and trigger automated systems when a significant earthquake is expected to impact California, Oregon, or Washington. ShakeAlert’s primary goal is to provide usable warning times before the arrival of damaging shaking. EEW is most...
Authors
Jeffrey J. McGuire, Carl W. Ulberg, Angela I. Lux, Maren Bose, J.R. Andrews, Deborah Smith, B. Crowell, Jessica R. Murray, I. Henson, R. Hartog, C. Felizardo, Minh Huynh, M. Aranha, Grace Alexandra Parker, Annemarie S. Baltay Sundstrom, Mark Hunter Murray, Glenn Biasi, Stephen Guiwits, Jessie K. Saunders, Andrew D. Good, V. Marcelo Santillan, C.W. Scrivener, Walter M. Szeliga, Timothy I. Melbourne, Victor Kress, Robert M. de Groot, Sara K. McBride, Douglas D. Given, Richard Allen, Thomas H. Heaton, Allen L. Husker, Valerie Thomas, Harold Tobin, Sumant Jha, Julian Bunn
Evidence for low effective stress within the crust of the subducted Gorda plate from the 2022 December Mw 6.4 Ferndale earthquake sequence Evidence for low effective stress within the crust of the subducted Gorda plate from the 2022 December Mw 6.4 Ferndale earthquake sequence
Stress levels on and adjacent to megathrust faults at seismogenic depths remain a key but difficult to constrain parameter for assessing seismic hazard in subduction zones. Although strong ground motions have been observed to be generated from distinct, high-stress regions on the downdip end of the megathrust rupture areas in many great earthquakes, we lack direct constraints on the...
Authors
Hao Guo, James W. Atterholt, Jeffrey J. McGuire, Clifford Thurber
Fiber Optic Seismology Experiment Interactive Map Fiber Optic Seismology Experiment Interactive Map
The USGS Fiber Optic Seismology interactive map provides access to metadata from Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) experiments.