Jeremy D. Pesicek, Ph.D.
I am a volcano seismologist with the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program. My research interests include earthquake location methods, seismic tomography, earthquake source mechanisms, volcanic swarm seismicity, and eruption forecasting.
Professional Experience
Senior Geophysicist, Spectraseis Inc. (Denver, CO), March 2013 – June 2015
Assistant Scientist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, July 2011- February 2013
Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison, September 2009-June 2011
Geoscience Intern, ExxonMobil Exploration Company (Houston, TX), June 2005-August 2005
Staff Scientist, CBM Environmental Services (Charlotte, NC), August 2003-June 2004
Education and Certifications
PhD, Geophysics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, August 2009
MS, Geophysics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, August 2006
BS, Geology, cum laude, honors, University of North Carolina Wilmington, May 2003
BA, Physics, cum laude, University of North Carolina Wilmington, May 2003
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Dense surface seismic data confirm non-double-couple source mechanisms induced by hydraulic fracturing Dense surface seismic data confirm non-double-couple source mechanisms induced by hydraulic fracturing
We have determined source mechanisms for nine high-quality microseismic events induced during hydraulic fracturing of the Montney Shale in Canada. Seismic data were recorded using a dense regularly spaced grid of sensors at the surface. The design and geometry of the survey are such that the recorded P-wave amplitudes essentially map the upper focal hemisphere, allowing the source...
Authors
Jeremy Pesicek, Konrad Cieslik, Marc-Andre Lambert, Pedro Carrillo, Brad Birkelo
Seismicity and seismic structure at Okmok Volcano, Alaska Seismicity and seismic structure at Okmok Volcano, Alaska
Okmok volcano is an active volcanic caldera located on the northeastern portion of Umnak Island in the Aleutian arc, with recent eruptions in 1997 and 2008. The Okmok area had ~900 locatable earthquakes between 2003 and June 2008, and an additional ~600 earthquakes from the beginning of the 2008 eruption to mid 2009, providing an adequate dataset for seismic tomography. To image the...
Authors
Summer Ohlendorf, Clifford Thurber, Jeremy D. Pesicek, Stephanie Prejean
Determination and uncertainty of moment tensors for microearthquakes at Okmok Volcano, Alaska Determination and uncertainty of moment tensors for microearthquakes at Okmok Volcano, Alaska
Efforts to determine general moment tensors (MTs) for microearthquakes in volcanic areas are often hampered by small seismic networks, which can lead to poorly constrained hypocentres and inadequate modelling of seismic velocity heterogeneity. In addition, noisy seismic signals can make it difficult to identify phase arrivals correctly for small magnitude events. However, small volcanic
Authors
J. D. Pesicek, J. Sileny, S. G. Prejean, C.H. Thurber
High precision relocation of earthquakes at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska High precision relocation of earthquakes at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska
In August 1996, a period of elevated seismicity commenced beneath Iliamna Volcano, Alaska. This activity lasted until early 1997, consisted of over 3000 earthquakes, and was accompanied by elevated emissions of volcanic gases. No eruption occurred and seismicity returned to background levels where it has remained since. We use waveform alignment with bispectrum-verified cross-correlation...
Authors
P. Statz-Boyer, C. Thurber, J.D. Pesicek, S. Prejean
Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure and precise earthquake relocation at Great Sitkin Volcano, Alaska Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure and precise earthquake relocation at Great Sitkin Volcano, Alaska
Waveform cross-correlation with bispectrum verification is combined with double-difference tomography to increase the precision of earthquake locations and constrain regional 3D P-wave velocity heterogeneity at Great Sitkin volcano, Alaska. From 1999 through 2005, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) recorded ∼1700 earthquakes in the vicinity of Great Sitkin, including two ML 4.3...
Authors
Jeremy Pesicek, Clifford Thurber, Heather DeShon, Stephanie Prejean, Haijiang Zhang
Non-USGS Publications**
Pesicek, J., D. Child, B. Artman, and K. Cieślik (2014), Picking versus stacking in a modern microearthquake location: Comparison of results from a surface passive seismic monitoring array in Oklahoma, Geophysics, 79 (6), KS61–KS68.
Pesicek, J. D., H. Zhang, and C. H. Thurber (2014), Multi-scale seismic tomography and earthquake relocation incorporating differential time data: application to the Maule subduction zone, Chile, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 104(2).
*Bisrat, S. T., H. R. DeShon, J. Pesicek, and C. Thurber (2014), High-resolution 3-D P wave attenuation structure of the New Madrid Seismic Zone using local earthquake tomography, Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, 119, 409–424. *student author
Pesicek, J. D., E. R. Engdahl, C. H. Thurber, H. R. DeShon, and D. Lange (2012), Mantle subducting slab structure in the region of the 2010 M 8.8 Maule earthquake (30 - 40°S), Chile, Geophysical Journal International, 191(1), 317-324.
Widiyantoro S., J. D. Pesicek, and C. H. Thurber (2011), Complex structure of the lithospheric slab beneath the Banda arc, eastern Indonesia depicted by a new tomographic model, Research in Geophysics 1(1e) 1-6.
Widiyantoro S., J. D. Pesicek, and C. H. Thurber (2011), Subducting slab structure below the eastern Sunda arc inferred from non-linear seismic tomographic imaging, R. Hall, M. Cottam, and M. Wilson (eds.), The SE Asian gateway: history and tectonics of Australia-Asia collision, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 355, 139-155.
Pesicek, J. D., C. H. Thurber, H. Zhang, H. R. DeShon, E. R. Engdahl, and S. Widiyantoro, (2010) Teleseismic double-difference relocation of earthquakes along the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone using a three-dimensional model, Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, B10303, doi:10.1029/2010JB007443.
Pesicek, J. D., C. H. Thurber, S. Widiyantoro, H. R. DeShon, E. R. Engdahl, and H. Zhang (2010), Sharpening the tomographic image of the subducting slab below Sumatra, the Andaman Islands, and Burma, Geophysical Journal International, 181(4), doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04630.x.
Pesicek, J., C. Thurber, S. Widiyantoro, E. R. Engdahl, and H. DeShon (2008), Complex slab subduction beneath northern Sumatra, Geophysical Research Letters, 35, L20303, doi:10.1029/2008GL035262.
**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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Dense surface seismic data confirm non-double-couple source mechanisms induced by hydraulic fracturing Dense surface seismic data confirm non-double-couple source mechanisms induced by hydraulic fracturing
We have determined source mechanisms for nine high-quality microseismic events induced during hydraulic fracturing of the Montney Shale in Canada. Seismic data were recorded using a dense regularly spaced grid of sensors at the surface. The design and geometry of the survey are such that the recorded P-wave amplitudes essentially map the upper focal hemisphere, allowing the source...
Authors
Jeremy Pesicek, Konrad Cieslik, Marc-Andre Lambert, Pedro Carrillo, Brad Birkelo
Seismicity and seismic structure at Okmok Volcano, Alaska Seismicity and seismic structure at Okmok Volcano, Alaska
Okmok volcano is an active volcanic caldera located on the northeastern portion of Umnak Island in the Aleutian arc, with recent eruptions in 1997 and 2008. The Okmok area had ~900 locatable earthquakes between 2003 and June 2008, and an additional ~600 earthquakes from the beginning of the 2008 eruption to mid 2009, providing an adequate dataset for seismic tomography. To image the...
Authors
Summer Ohlendorf, Clifford Thurber, Jeremy D. Pesicek, Stephanie Prejean
Determination and uncertainty of moment tensors for microearthquakes at Okmok Volcano, Alaska Determination and uncertainty of moment tensors for microearthquakes at Okmok Volcano, Alaska
Efforts to determine general moment tensors (MTs) for microearthquakes in volcanic areas are often hampered by small seismic networks, which can lead to poorly constrained hypocentres and inadequate modelling of seismic velocity heterogeneity. In addition, noisy seismic signals can make it difficult to identify phase arrivals correctly for small magnitude events. However, small volcanic
Authors
J. D. Pesicek, J. Sileny, S. G. Prejean, C.H. Thurber
High precision relocation of earthquakes at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska High precision relocation of earthquakes at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska
In August 1996, a period of elevated seismicity commenced beneath Iliamna Volcano, Alaska. This activity lasted until early 1997, consisted of over 3000 earthquakes, and was accompanied by elevated emissions of volcanic gases. No eruption occurred and seismicity returned to background levels where it has remained since. We use waveform alignment with bispectrum-verified cross-correlation...
Authors
P. Statz-Boyer, C. Thurber, J.D. Pesicek, S. Prejean
Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure and precise earthquake relocation at Great Sitkin Volcano, Alaska Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure and precise earthquake relocation at Great Sitkin Volcano, Alaska
Waveform cross-correlation with bispectrum verification is combined with double-difference tomography to increase the precision of earthquake locations and constrain regional 3D P-wave velocity heterogeneity at Great Sitkin volcano, Alaska. From 1999 through 2005, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) recorded ∼1700 earthquakes in the vicinity of Great Sitkin, including two ML 4.3...
Authors
Jeremy Pesicek, Clifford Thurber, Heather DeShon, Stephanie Prejean, Haijiang Zhang
Non-USGS Publications**
Pesicek, J., D. Child, B. Artman, and K. Cieślik (2014), Picking versus stacking in a modern microearthquake location: Comparison of results from a surface passive seismic monitoring array in Oklahoma, Geophysics, 79 (6), KS61–KS68.
Pesicek, J. D., H. Zhang, and C. H. Thurber (2014), Multi-scale seismic tomography and earthquake relocation incorporating differential time data: application to the Maule subduction zone, Chile, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 104(2).
*Bisrat, S. T., H. R. DeShon, J. Pesicek, and C. Thurber (2014), High-resolution 3-D P wave attenuation structure of the New Madrid Seismic Zone using local earthquake tomography, Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, 119, 409–424. *student author
Pesicek, J. D., E. R. Engdahl, C. H. Thurber, H. R. DeShon, and D. Lange (2012), Mantle subducting slab structure in the region of the 2010 M 8.8 Maule earthquake (30 - 40°S), Chile, Geophysical Journal International, 191(1), 317-324.
Widiyantoro S., J. D. Pesicek, and C. H. Thurber (2011), Complex structure of the lithospheric slab beneath the Banda arc, eastern Indonesia depicted by a new tomographic model, Research in Geophysics 1(1e) 1-6.
Widiyantoro S., J. D. Pesicek, and C. H. Thurber (2011), Subducting slab structure below the eastern Sunda arc inferred from non-linear seismic tomographic imaging, R. Hall, M. Cottam, and M. Wilson (eds.), The SE Asian gateway: history and tectonics of Australia-Asia collision, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 355, 139-155.
Pesicek, J. D., C. H. Thurber, H. Zhang, H. R. DeShon, E. R. Engdahl, and S. Widiyantoro, (2010) Teleseismic double-difference relocation of earthquakes along the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone using a three-dimensional model, Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, B10303, doi:10.1029/2010JB007443.
Pesicek, J. D., C. H. Thurber, S. Widiyantoro, H. R. DeShon, E. R. Engdahl, and H. Zhang (2010), Sharpening the tomographic image of the subducting slab below Sumatra, the Andaman Islands, and Burma, Geophysical Journal International, 181(4), doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04630.x.
Pesicek, J., C. Thurber, S. Widiyantoro, E. R. Engdahl, and H. DeShon (2008), Complex slab subduction beneath northern Sumatra, Geophysical Research Letters, 35, L20303, doi:10.1029/2008GL035262.
**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.