Peter J Haeussler, Ph.D.
Most of my research is related to earthquake and tsunami hazards in Alaska, with a focus on paleoseismology, submarine landslides, and active faulting. I am the Alaska Coordinator for the Earthquake Hazards Program of the USGS. I also study various aspects of the framework geology of Alaska, with a focus on neotectonics and tectonics.
I use various tools to understand earthquakes and earthquake hazards in Alaska. I’ve studied the tectonic evolution of parts of Alaska, accretionary prisms along Alaska’s margin, forearc and splay faulting, submarine landslides, mountain building and exhumation, landscape evolution, glacial histories, and sedimentary basins. I’ve worked with marine and terrestrial seismic reflection and potential field data. Current work is focused on lacustrine paleoseismology, splay faulting, and various seismic hazards projects.
Professional Experience
1994 - Present Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
1992 - 1994 Postdoctoral Researcher, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
1992 Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
1986 - 1991 Research Assistant, University of California Santa Cruz
1985 - 1988 Teaching Assistant, University of California Santa Cruz
1985 Geologist, Lancer Energy Corporation, Wilmore, KY
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1991 University of California Santa Cruz Earth Sciences
B.S. 1984 Michigan State University Geology
Affiliations and Memberships*
1985-present, American Geophysical Union
1985-present, Geological Society of America
1992-present, Alaska Geological Society
2010-present, Seismological Society of America
Honors and Awards
Fellow, Geological Society of America
Science and Products
Geologic signature of early Tertiary ridge subduction in Alaska
Metamorphism within the Chugach accretionary complex on southern Baranof Island, southeastern Alaska
The 2002 Denali fault earthquake, Alaska: A large magnitude, slip-partitioned event
Life and death of the resurrection plate: Evidence for its existence and subduction in the northeastern Pacific in Paleocene-Eocene time
Magnetic susceptibilities measured on rocks of the upper Cook Inlet, Alaska
Life and death of the Resurrection Plate
Paleoseismology at high latitudes: Seismic disturbance of upper Quaternary deposits along the Castle Mountain fault near Houston, Alaska
Anchorage Urban Region Aeromagnetics (AURA) Project — Preliminary geophysical results
GIS coverages of the Castle Mountain Fault, south central Alaska
Outcrop structural data from parts of the Petersburg and Sumdum 1:250,000-scale quadrangles, southeastern Alaska
Outcrop structural data from Wales Group and adjacent rocks, Dall and Prince of Wales islands, southeastern Alaska
Geologic map of the Wildcat Lake 7.5' quadrangle, Kitsap and Mason Counties, Washington
Science and Products
Geologic signature of early Tertiary ridge subduction in Alaska
Metamorphism within the Chugach accretionary complex on southern Baranof Island, southeastern Alaska
The 2002 Denali fault earthquake, Alaska: A large magnitude, slip-partitioned event
Life and death of the resurrection plate: Evidence for its existence and subduction in the northeastern Pacific in Paleocene-Eocene time
Magnetic susceptibilities measured on rocks of the upper Cook Inlet, Alaska
Life and death of the Resurrection Plate
Paleoseismology at high latitudes: Seismic disturbance of upper Quaternary deposits along the Castle Mountain fault near Houston, Alaska
Anchorage Urban Region Aeromagnetics (AURA) Project — Preliminary geophysical results
GIS coverages of the Castle Mountain Fault, south central Alaska
Outcrop structural data from parts of the Petersburg and Sumdum 1:250,000-scale quadrangles, southeastern Alaska
Outcrop structural data from Wales Group and adjacent rocks, Dall and Prince of Wales islands, southeastern Alaska
Geologic map of the Wildcat Lake 7.5' quadrangle, Kitsap and Mason Counties, Washington
*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