Lydia M Staisch, Ph.D.
Lydia is a Research Geologist with the GMEG Science Center, working on structural geology, tectonic geomorphology, geologic mapping, and seismic hazards in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014, where she focused on the deformation history of the northern Tibetan Plateau and coseismic landslide hazards in the Himalayas.
Afterwards, Lydia was a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow with Brian Sherrod at the Earthquake Science Center. Her general research interests are in continental deformation and landscape evolution. She tends to employ a multi-faceted approach in her research, including field work, structural-stratigraphic analysis, geochemical analysis, geodynamic modeling, remote sensing and geodesy.
Professional Experience
2017-present, Research Geologist, United States Geological Survey
2014-2017, Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, United States Geological Survey
2009-2014, Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of Michigan
2009, Field Assistant in Salta Province, Argentina, University of Arizona
2008, Field Geologist, GeoCorps America Intern, Klamath National Forest, CA
Education and Certifications
2014 Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Michigan
2008 B.A., Geology, Carleton College
Science and Products
Below are Lydia's related science projects
Filter Total Items: 21
Toward an integrative geological and geophysical view of Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes Toward an integrative geological and geophysical view of Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes
The Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) is an exceptional geologic environment for recording evidence of land level changes, tsunamis, and ground motion that reveals at least 19 great megathrust earthquakes over the past 10 kyr. Such earthquakes are among the most impactful natural hazards on Earth, transcend national boundaries, and can have global impact. Reducing the societal impacts of...
Authors
Maureen A. L. Walton, Lydia M. Staisch, Tina Dura, Jessie K. Pearl, Brian L. Sherrod, Joan S. Gomberg, Simon E. Engelhart, Anne Trehu, Janet Watt, Jonathan P. Perkins, Robert C. Witter, Noel Bartlow, Chris Goldfinger, Harvey Kelsey, Ann Morey, Valerie J. Sahakian, Harold Tobin, Kelin Wang, Ray Wells, Erin A. Wirth
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Core Preparation and Analysis Laboratory and Sample Repositories, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
The Cenozoic evolution of crustal shortening and left‐lateral shear in the central East Kunlun Shan: Implications for the uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau The Cenozoic evolution of crustal shortening and left‐lateral shear in the central East Kunlun Shan: Implications for the uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau
The timing of crustal shortening and strike‐slip faulting along the East Kunlun Shan provides insight into the history of surface uplift and may constrain the time at which the Tibetan Plateau reached high elevations. We investigate a series of extensional basins and restraining bends along the Xidatan strand of the Kunlun strike‐slip fault, which provide an ideal setting to unravel the...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch, Nathan A Niemi, Marin K. Clark, Hong Chang
Geothermal potential of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon: Evidence from detailed geophysical investigations Geothermal potential of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon: Evidence from detailed geophysical investigations
Recent geologic and geophysical investigations were undertaken in northeastern Oregon to better assess earthquake hazards in the region and determine relative favorability for geothermal energy development on lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). This work was funded in part by a Bureau of Indian Affairs grant awarded to the CTUIR to identify areas...
Authors
Brent Ritzinger, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jared R. Peacock, Richard J. Blakely, Patrick Mills, Lydia M. Staisch, Scott E.K. Bennett, Brian L. Sherrod
Bedrock mapping and seismic hazard assessment at Gold Basin landslide, Washington Bedrock mapping and seismic hazard assessment at Gold Basin landslide, Washington
The Gold Basin landslide is located along the South Fork Stillaguamish River, within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in western Washington State. Recent concerns related to slope stability after the 2014 State Route 530 Landslide near Oso, Washington, forced the closure of the U.S. Forest Service Gold Basin Campground in May of 2014. In addition to safety concerns for National...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch
Crustal structure and quaternary acceleration of deformation rates in central Washington revealed by stream profile inversion, potential field geophysics, and structural geology of the Yakima folds Crustal structure and quaternary acceleration of deformation rates in central Washington revealed by stream profile inversion, potential field geophysics, and structural geology of the Yakima folds
Post‐Miocene tectonic uplift along fault‐cored anticlines within central Washington produced the Yakima Fold Province, a region of active NNE‐SSW shortening in the Cascadian backarc. The relative timing and rate of deformation along individual structures is coarsely defined yet imperative for seismic hazard assessment. In this work, we use geomorphic and geophysical mapping, stream...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch, Richard J. Blakely, Harvey Kelsey, Richard Styron, Brian L. Sherrod
Miocene−Pleistocene deformation of the Saddle Mountains: Implications for seismic hazard in central Washington, USA Miocene−Pleistocene deformation of the Saddle Mountains: Implications for seismic hazard in central Washington, USA
The Yakima fold province, located in the backarc of the Cascadia subduction zone, is a region of active strain accumulation and deformation distributed across a series of fault-cored folds. The geodetic network in central Washington has been used to interpret large-scale N-S shortening and westward-increasing strain; however, geodetic data are unable to resolve shortening rates across...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch, Harvey Kelsey, Brian L. Sherrod, Andreas Moller, James B. Paces, Richard J. Blakely, Richard Styron
Science and Products
Below are Lydia's related science projects
Filter Total Items: 21
Toward an integrative geological and geophysical view of Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes Toward an integrative geological and geophysical view of Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes
The Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) is an exceptional geologic environment for recording evidence of land level changes, tsunamis, and ground motion that reveals at least 19 great megathrust earthquakes over the past 10 kyr. Such earthquakes are among the most impactful natural hazards on Earth, transcend national boundaries, and can have global impact. Reducing the societal impacts of...
Authors
Maureen A. L. Walton, Lydia M. Staisch, Tina Dura, Jessie K. Pearl, Brian L. Sherrod, Joan S. Gomberg, Simon E. Engelhart, Anne Trehu, Janet Watt, Jonathan P. Perkins, Robert C. Witter, Noel Bartlow, Chris Goldfinger, Harvey Kelsey, Ann Morey, Valerie J. Sahakian, Harold Tobin, Kelin Wang, Ray Wells, Erin A. Wirth
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Core Preparation and Analysis Laboratory and Sample Repositories, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
The Cenozoic evolution of crustal shortening and left‐lateral shear in the central East Kunlun Shan: Implications for the uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau The Cenozoic evolution of crustal shortening and left‐lateral shear in the central East Kunlun Shan: Implications for the uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau
The timing of crustal shortening and strike‐slip faulting along the East Kunlun Shan provides insight into the history of surface uplift and may constrain the time at which the Tibetan Plateau reached high elevations. We investigate a series of extensional basins and restraining bends along the Xidatan strand of the Kunlun strike‐slip fault, which provide an ideal setting to unravel the...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch, Nathan A Niemi, Marin K. Clark, Hong Chang
Geothermal potential of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon: Evidence from detailed geophysical investigations Geothermal potential of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon: Evidence from detailed geophysical investigations
Recent geologic and geophysical investigations were undertaken in northeastern Oregon to better assess earthquake hazards in the region and determine relative favorability for geothermal energy development on lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). This work was funded in part by a Bureau of Indian Affairs grant awarded to the CTUIR to identify areas...
Authors
Brent Ritzinger, Jonathan M.G. Glen, Jared R. Peacock, Richard J. Blakely, Patrick Mills, Lydia M. Staisch, Scott E.K. Bennett, Brian L. Sherrod
Bedrock mapping and seismic hazard assessment at Gold Basin landslide, Washington Bedrock mapping and seismic hazard assessment at Gold Basin landslide, Washington
The Gold Basin landslide is located along the South Fork Stillaguamish River, within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in western Washington State. Recent concerns related to slope stability after the 2014 State Route 530 Landslide near Oso, Washington, forced the closure of the U.S. Forest Service Gold Basin Campground in May of 2014. In addition to safety concerns for National...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch
Crustal structure and quaternary acceleration of deformation rates in central Washington revealed by stream profile inversion, potential field geophysics, and structural geology of the Yakima folds Crustal structure and quaternary acceleration of deformation rates in central Washington revealed by stream profile inversion, potential field geophysics, and structural geology of the Yakima folds
Post‐Miocene tectonic uplift along fault‐cored anticlines within central Washington produced the Yakima Fold Province, a region of active NNE‐SSW shortening in the Cascadian backarc. The relative timing and rate of deformation along individual structures is coarsely defined yet imperative for seismic hazard assessment. In this work, we use geomorphic and geophysical mapping, stream...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch, Richard J. Blakely, Harvey Kelsey, Richard Styron, Brian L. Sherrod
Miocene−Pleistocene deformation of the Saddle Mountains: Implications for seismic hazard in central Washington, USA Miocene−Pleistocene deformation of the Saddle Mountains: Implications for seismic hazard in central Washington, USA
The Yakima fold province, located in the backarc of the Cascadia subduction zone, is a region of active strain accumulation and deformation distributed across a series of fault-cored folds. The geodetic network in central Washington has been used to interpret large-scale N-S shortening and westward-increasing strain; however, geodetic data are unable to resolve shortening rates across...
Authors
Lydia M. Staisch, Harvey Kelsey, Brian L. Sherrod, Andreas Moller, James B. Paces, Richard J. Blakely, Richard Styron