Malcolm J. S. Johnston
The focus of my research has been on the mechanics of failure of active faults and volcanoes.
My research focuses on the physical processes occurring prior to, during, and following earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and their implications in observations of ground displacement, strain, tilt, electric and magnetic fields using data from state-of-the-art borehole instrumentation. These data show the details of aseismic fault failure, preseismic, coseismic and postseismic deformation, earthquake nucleation, volcanic deformation and volcanic processes. Theoretical modeling of these processes suggests testable physical explanations in term of physics of failure, the role of fluids in the crust, strain redistribution, and likely properties of fault zone materials. Very near-field data on slow slip, earthquakes and dynamic rupture were obtained in fault zones at 3.6 km depth in South Africa, a few 10’s of meters from earthquakes from M=-4.5 to M=2.
Professional Experience
Research Geophysicist Emeritus - U.S. Geological Survey
1970-1972: Assistant Professor, Dept. Geology and Mineralogy, University of Michigan
1972: Visiting Lecturer (Assist Prof.), Department of Physics, University of Newcastle, England
1991-1996: Consulting Professor, Dept. of Geophysics, Stanford University
1983-Visiting Professor, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
1972-2013: Project Chief/Research Geophysicist U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
1979–1999: Visiting Scientist, US/China Exchange Program, Continuous Magnetic Field and Geodetic Arrays Along Active Faults in Yunnan and Near Beijing, China
2002: Visiting Scientist, Hawaii Volcano Observatory
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (1970) Geophysics/Physics, University of Queensland, Australia
B.Sc(Hons) (1967) Physics/Geophysics, University of Queensland, Australia
B.Sc. (1965) Physics, University of Queensland, Australia
Affiliations and Memberships*
2001-present: Co-chairman and Executive Committee of International Union of Geology and Geophysics (IUGG) Working Group on Electromagnetic Studies of Earthquakes and Volcanoes (EMSEV)
1996 - Fellow, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS), University of Tokyo
Science and Products
Rapid fluid disruption: A source for self-potential anomalies on volcanoes
Review of magnetic field monitoring near active faults and volcanic calderas in California: 1974-1995
Absence of earthquake correlation with Earth tides: An indication of high preseismic fault stress rate
Review of electric and magnetic fields accompanying seismic and volcanic activity
A slow earthquake sequence on the San Andreas fault
Near real-time monitoring of seismic events and status of portable digital recorders using satellite telemetry
Continuous borehole strain in the San Andreas fault zone before, during, and after the 28 June 1992, MW 7.3 Landers, California, earthquake
Increased pressure from rising bubbles as a mechanism for remotely triggered seismicity
Chapter C. The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 - Preseismic observations
Seismicity remotely triggered by the magnitude 7.3 landers, california, earthquake
Possible tectonomagnetic effect observed from mid-1989, to mid-1990, in Long Valley Caldera, California
Seismomagnetic effect generated by the October, 1989, ML, 7.1 Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake
Science and Products
Rapid fluid disruption: A source for self-potential anomalies on volcanoes
Review of magnetic field monitoring near active faults and volcanic calderas in California: 1974-1995
Absence of earthquake correlation with Earth tides: An indication of high preseismic fault stress rate
Review of electric and magnetic fields accompanying seismic and volcanic activity
A slow earthquake sequence on the San Andreas fault
Near real-time monitoring of seismic events and status of portable digital recorders using satellite telemetry
Continuous borehole strain in the San Andreas fault zone before, during, and after the 28 June 1992, MW 7.3 Landers, California, earthquake
Increased pressure from rising bubbles as a mechanism for remotely triggered seismicity
Chapter C. The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 - Preseismic observations
Seismicity remotely triggered by the magnitude 7.3 landers, california, earthquake
Possible tectonomagnetic effect observed from mid-1989, to mid-1990, in Long Valley Caldera, California
Seismomagnetic effect generated by the October, 1989, ML, 7.1 Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government