Morgan Moschetti is a research scientist in the Earthquake Hazards Program.
Professional Experience
2017–present Adjunct faculty, Geophysics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
2011–present Research Geophysicist, USGS, Golden, Colorado
Project chief, Ground Motion Project (2018–present)
NAT External grants coordinator (2017–present)
2009–2011 Research Geophysicist–Mendenhall postdoctoral, USGS, Golden, Colorado
Education and Certifications
PhD, Geophysics, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, 2009, Dissertation title: Radially anisotropic shear-velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the western US from ambient noise tomography
MS, Geo-engineering (Applied Geophysics), Univ. of California, Berkeley, 2005
MS, Chemistry (Physical Chemistry), Univ. of California, Berkeley, 2004
BS with College Honors, Biochemistry, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, 1998
Science and Products
Ground Motion
External Grants - Overview
Database of horizontal component Fourier amplitude spectra of acceleration ground motions from Pacific Northwest earthquakes
Ground motion Fourier and response spectra from Utah earthquakes, 2010--2020
Ground motions from the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence
Database of ground motions from tectonic and volcanic events, Hawaii, 2018
Database of ground motions from in-slab earthquakes near Anchorage, Alaska, 2008-2019
Data for Rupture Model of the 2016 M5.8 Pawnee, Oklahoma Earthquake
Data for ground motions from induced earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas
Database of earthquake ground motions from 3-D simulations on the Salt Lake City of the Wasatch fault zone, Utah
2017 One-Year Seismic Hazard Forecast for the Central and Eastern United States from Induced and Natural Earthquakes
2016 One-Year Seismic Hazard Forecast for the Central and Eastern United States from Induced and Natural Earthquakes
Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014
Magnitude conversion and earthquake recurrence rate models for the central and eastern United States
Investigations of ambient noise velocity variations in a region of induced seismicity near Greeley, Colorado
Implementation of basin models and sediment depth terms in the 2023 update of the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model: Example from Reno, Nevada
U.S. Geological Survey coastal plain amplification virtual workshop
Sediment thickness and ground motion site amplification along the United States Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains
2021 U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model for the State of Hawaii
Automated detection of clipping in broadband earthquake records
A big problem for small earthquakes: Benchmarking routine magnitudes and conversion relationships with coda-envelope-derived Mw in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma
Basin and site effects in the U.S. Pacific Northwest estimated from small‐magnitude earthquakes
Inter-source interferometry of seismic body waves: Required conditions and examples
Seismic wave propagation and basin amplification in the Wasatch Front, Utah
The 2018 update of the US National Seismic Hazard Model: Ground motion models in the western US
Science and Products
- Science
Ground Motion
The overall objective of this research is to improve the understanding of the damaging ground motions produced in earthquakes in order to develop better methods for seismic hazard assessment and mitigation in urban areas. The overall objective of this research is to improve the understanding of the damaging ground motions produced in earthquakes in order to develop better methods for seismic...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. - Data
Database of horizontal component Fourier amplitude spectra of acceleration ground motions from Pacific Northwest earthquakes
This dataset includes quadratic mean Fourier amplitude spectra (FAS) of acceleration ground motions from crustal and intraslab earthquakes in the US Pacific Northwest with magnitudes 3.5-6.8 and hypocentral depths 0-62 km. The dataset consists of 8,028 records from 96 different earthquakes between 1999 and 2020. These data were used to study site response and basin amplification in the Pacific NorGround motion Fourier and response spectra from Utah earthquakes, 2010--2020
Records from strong motion stations were downloaded from FDSN and CESMD data centers with a search radius of approximately 220 km from Salt Lake City. Waveforms were processed to deconvolve instrument response and for baseline corrections. Signal was separated from noise using an automated P-wave picker. The signal was then windowed to include the mean plus two standard deviations of the signal. AGround motions from the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence
This project involves the compilation of ground motions, their derived parameters, and metadata for 133 earthquakes in the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence. This dataset includes 22,991 records from 133 events from 4 July 2019 to 18 October 2019 with a magnitude range from 3.6 to 7.1.Database of ground motions from tectonic and volcanic events, Hawaii, 2018
This study involves a collection of peak ground motions from the 2018 M6.9 earthquake near Leilani Estates, Hawaii and the seismicity associated with the Kilauea Volcano eruption and summit collapse events. This study was intended to provide instrumental ground motion observations to evaluate ground motion models for use in the USGS Hawaii seismic hazard model. Significant variations in ground motDatabase of ground motions from in-slab earthquakes near Anchorage, Alaska, 2008-2019
The dataset contains earthquake ground motions from intermediate-depth (in-slab) earthquakes occurring within 350 km of Anchorage, Alaska 2008-2019. Ground motions are processed as described in the accompanying journal article for rotation-independent horizontal-component ground-shaking at oscillator periods between 0.1 and 10 s.Data for Rupture Model of the 2016 M5.8 Pawnee, Oklahoma Earthquake
The 2016 M5.8 Pawnee, Oklahoma earthquake is the largest earthquake to have been induced by wastewater disposal. We infer the coseismic slip history from analysis of apparent source time functions and inversion of regional and teleseismic P-waveforms, using aftershocks as empirical Green's functions. The earthquake nucleated on the shallow part of the fault, initially rupturing towards the surfaceData for ground motions from induced earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas
The dataset comprises information about the magnitudes, distances and periods of ground motion measurements from an analysis of earthquake ground motions from induced events in Oklahoma and Kansas. The data set also includes ground motion residuals from comparing earthquake ground shaking with commonly used models for predicting ground motions in the U.S.Database of earthquake ground motions from 3-D simulations on the Salt Lake City of the Wasatch fault zone, Utah
This dataset consists of the processed ground motions from 96 earthquake rupture scenarios for M7 earthquakes on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault. Details about the simulation method, ground motion variability and sensitivity of the ground motions to the kinematic rupture parameters are described in the accompanying manuscript. Simulated data is distributed as 5-percent damped respo2017 One-Year Seismic Hazard Forecast for the Central and Eastern United States from Induced and Natural Earthquakes
We produced a one-year 2017 seismic hazard forecast for the central and eastern United States from induced and natural earthquakes that replaces the one-year 2016 forecast, and evaluated the 2016 seismic hazard forecast to improve future assessments. The 2016 forecast indicated high seismic hazard (greater than 1% probability of damaging ground shaking in 1 year) in portions of Oklahoma/Kansas, th2016 One-Year Seismic Hazard Forecast for the Central and Eastern United States from Induced and Natural Earthquakes
A one-year seismic hazard forecast for the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS), based on induced and natural earthquakes, has been produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. The model assumes that earthquake rates calculated from several different time windows will remain relatively stationary and can be used to forecast earthquake hazard and damage intensity for the year 2016. This assessment - Maps
Seismic-hazard maps for the conterminous United States, 2014
The maps presented here provide an update to the 2008 data contained in U.S Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3195 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3195/).Probabilistic seismic-hazard maps were prepared for the conterminous United States for 2014 portraying peak horizontal acceleration and horizontal spectral response acceleration for 0.2- and 1.0-second periods with probabilities of exceed - Publications
Filter Total Items: 53
Magnitude conversion and earthquake recurrence rate models for the central and eastern United States
Development of Seismic Source Characterization (SSC) models, which is an essential part of Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analyses (PSHA), can help forecast the temporal and spatial distribution of future damaging earthquakes (𝑀w≥ 5) in seismically active regions. Because it is impossible to associate all earthquakes with known faults, seismic source models for PSHA often include sources of diffuseAuthorsRasool Anooshehpoor, Thomas Weaver, Jon Ake, Cliff Munson, Morgan P. Moschetti, David R. Shelly, Peter M. PowersInvestigations of ambient noise velocity variations in a region of induced seismicity near Greeley, Colorado
Wastewater injection has induced earthquakes in Northeastern Colorado since 2014. We apply ambient noise correlation techniques to determine temporal changes in seismic velocities in the region. We find no clear correlation between seismic velocity fluctuations and either injection volumes or seismicity patterns. We do observe apparent annual variations in velocity that may be associated with hydrAuthorsThomas Clifford, Anne Sheehan, Morgan P. MoschettiImplementation of basin models and sediment depth terms in the 2023 update of the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model: Example from Reno, Nevada
We present a framework to evaluate the inclusion of candidate basin depth models in the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Model. We compute intensity measures (peak and spectral amplitudes) from uniformly processed earthquake ground motions in and around the basin of interest and compare these to ground-motion model (GMM) estimates over a range of oscillator periods. The GMMs use deptAuthorsSean Kamran Ahdi, Morgan P. Moschetti, Brad T. Aagaard, Kaitlyn Abernathy, Oliver S. Boyd, William J. StephensonU.S. Geological Survey coastal plain amplification virtual workshop
In early October of 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) held a virtual workshop to discuss Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plains site-response models. Earthquake researchers came together to assess (1) research related to proposed Coastal Plains amplification models and (2) USGS plans for implementing these models. Presentations spanned a broad range of topics from Atlantic and Gulf Coastal PlainsAuthorsOliver S. Boyd, Thomas L. Pratt, Martin C. Chapman, Allison Shumway, Sanaz Rezaeian, Morgan P. Moschetti, Mark D. PetersenSediment thickness and ground motion site amplification along the United States Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains
Past and present research on earthquake ground motions along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains and Mississippi Embayment show significant period-dependent site response that is not presently accounted for in ground motion models. These deviations are strongly correlated with the thickness of Mesozoic and younger syn- and post-rift sediments. With the recent incorporation of deep basin depth meaAuthorsOliver S. Boyd, David Henry Churchwell, Morgan P. Moschetti, Eric M. Thompson, Thomas L. Pratt, Martin C. Chapman, Sanaz Rezaeian2021 U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model for the State of Hawaii
The 2021 U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) for the State of Hawaii updates the two-decades-old former model by incorporating new data and modeling techniques to improve the underlying ground shaking forecasts of tectonic-fault, tectonic-flexure, volcanic, and caldera collapse earthquakes. Two earthquake ground shaking hazard models (public policy and research) are produced that differ in hAuthorsMark D. Petersen, Allison Shumway, Peter M. Powers, Morgan P. Moschetti, Andrea L. Llenos, Andrew J. Michael, Charles Mueller, Arthur Frankel, Sanaz Rezaeian, Kenneth S. Rukstales, Daniel E. McNamara, P. Okubo, Yuehua Zeng, Kishor Jaiswal, Sean Kamran Ahdi, Jason M. Altekruse, Brian ShiroAutomated detection of clipping in broadband earthquake records
Because the amount of available ground‐motion data has increased over the last decades, the need for automated processing algorithms has also increased. One difficulty with automated processing is to screen clipped records. Clipping occurs when the ground‐motion amplitude exceeds the dynamic range of the linear response of the instrument. Clipped records in which the amplitude exceeds the dynamicAuthorsJames Kael Kleckner, Kyle Withers, Eric M. Thompson, J.M. Rekoske, Emily Wolin, Morgan P. MoschettiA big problem for small earthquakes: Benchmarking routine magnitudes and conversion relationships with coda-envelope-derived Mw in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma
Earthquake magnitudes are widely relied upon measures of earthquake size. Although moment magnitude (MwMw) has become the established standard for moderate and large earthquakes, difficulty in reliably measuring seismic moments for small (generally Mw<4Mw<4) earthquakes has meant that magnitudes for these events remain plagued by a patchwork of inconsistent measurement scales. Because of this,AuthorsDavid R. Shelly, Kevin Mayeda, Justin Barno, Katherine M. Whidden, Morgan P. Moschetti, Andrea L. Llenos, Justin Rubinstein, William L. Yeck, Paul S. Earle, Rengin Gök, William R. WalterBasin and site effects in the U.S. Pacific Northwest estimated from small‐magnitude earthquakes
Earthquake hazards in the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) are increased by the presence of deep sedimentary basins that amplify and prolong ground shaking. To better understand basin and site effects on ground motions, we compile a database of recordings from crustal and intraslab earthquakes. We process 8028 records with magnitudes from 3.5 to 6.8 and hypocentral depths up to 62 km to compute FourieAuthorsJohn Rekoske, Morgan P. Moschetti, Eric M. ThompsonInter-source interferometry of seismic body waves: Required conditions and examples
Seismic interferometry is widely applied to retrieve wavefields propagating between receivers. Another version of seismic interferometry, called inter-source interferometry, uses the principles of seismic reciprocity and expands interferometric applications to retrieve waves that propagate between two seismic sources. Previous studies of inter-source interferometry usually involve surface-wave andAuthorsP. Saengduean, Morgan P. Moschetti, R. SniederSeismic wave propagation and basin amplification in the Wasatch Front, Utah
Ground‐motion analysis of more than 3000 records from 59 earthquakes, including records from the March 2020 Mw 5.7 Magna earthquake sequence, was carried out to investigate site response and basin amplification in the Wasatch Front, Utah. We compare ground motions with the Bayless and Abrahamson (2019; hereafter, BA18) ground‐motion model (GMM) for Fourier amplitude spectra, which was developed onAuthorsMorgan P. Moschetti, David Henry Churchwell, Eric M. Thompson, John Rekoske, Emily Wolin, Oliver S. BoydThe 2018 update of the US National Seismic Hazard Model: Ground motion models in the western US
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) is the scientific foundation of seismic design regulations in the United States and is regularly updated to consider the best available science and data. The 2018 update of the conterminous U.S. NSHM includes significant changes to the underlying ground motion models (GMMs), most of which are necessary to enable the new multi-pAuthorsPeter M. Powers, Sanaz Rezaeian, Allison Shumway, Mark D. Petersen, Nicolas Luco, Oliver S. Boyd, Morgan P. Moschetti, Arthur Frankel, Eric M. Thompson