Richard Blakely
Richard is a Scientist Emeritus with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He focuses on the application of gravity, magnetic, and other geophysical methods to address a variety of earth science issues in the Western United States.
After graduation from Stanford, he served as Assistant Professor in the School of Oceanography at OSU. He joined the USGS in 1975, becoming Senior Scientist six years before retiring from the USGS in 2016. As an Emeritus Research Geophysicist, Richard uses potential-field (gravity and magnetic) and other geophysical methods to help address national earth science issues in the Western United States. His recent research focuses on mapping and characterizing hazardous faults in the Cascadia subduction zone, assessing mineral resources in the Basin and Range, and estimating ground-water resources of the arid southwest US.
Professional Experience
2016-present, Research Geophysicist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
2010-2016, Senior Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
1975-2010, Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
2005-2006, Chief, Geophysical Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP), U.S. Geological Survey
1990-1993, Adjunct Professor, School of Oceanography, Oregon State University
1988-1991, Chief, Crustal Dynamics Section, Branch of Geophysics, U.S. Geological Survey
1978-1979, 1986-1987, Consulting Professor, Department of Geophysics, Stanford University
1973-1975, Assistant Professor, School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1972-1973, Research Associate, School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1972, Research Associate, Stanford University
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geophysics, Stanford University, 1972
M.S., Geophysics, Stanford University, 1971
B.S., General Science, Oregon State University, 1968
Affiliations and Memberships*
USGS Innovation Center Advisory Group (ICAG), 2016-present
CSIRO (Australia) Deep Earth Imaging Advisory Panel, 2016-2020
President and President-Elect, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Section, AGU, 2008-2012
AGU Council, 2008-2012
Assoc. Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research, 1987-1990
Assoc. Editor, Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics, 1985-1988
Assoc. Editor, U.S. National Report (GP Section) to the IUGG, 1985-1987
Honors and Awards
Fellow, American Geophysical Union, 2003
Fellow, Geological Society of America, 1987
Meritorious Service Award, Dept. of Interior, 1994
Shoemaker Award for Communications Product Excellence
Science and Products
Interpretation of the Seattle Uplift, Washington, as a passive-roof duplex Interpretation of the Seattle Uplift, Washington, as a passive-roof duplex
Gravity study through the Tualatin Mountains, Oregon: Understanding crustal structure and earthquake hazards in the Portland urban area Gravity study through the Tualatin Mountains, Oregon: Understanding crustal structure and earthquake hazards in the Portland urban area
Active shortening of the Cascadia forearc and implications for seismic hazards of the Puget Lowland Active shortening of the Cascadia forearc and implications for seismic hazards of the Puget Lowland
Holocene fault scarps near Tacoma, Washington, USA Holocene fault scarps near Tacoma, Washington, USA
Field guide to hydrothermal alteration in the White River altered area and in the Osceola Mudflow, Washington Field guide to hydrothermal alteration in the White River altered area and in the Osceola Mudflow, Washington
Correction to “Basin‐centered asperities in great subduction zone earthquakes: A link between slip, subsidence, and subduction erosion?” Correction to “Basin‐centered asperities in great subduction zone earthquakes: A link between slip, subsidence, and subduction erosion?”
Science and Products
Interpretation of the Seattle Uplift, Washington, as a passive-roof duplex Interpretation of the Seattle Uplift, Washington, as a passive-roof duplex
Gravity study through the Tualatin Mountains, Oregon: Understanding crustal structure and earthquake hazards in the Portland urban area Gravity study through the Tualatin Mountains, Oregon: Understanding crustal structure and earthquake hazards in the Portland urban area
Active shortening of the Cascadia forearc and implications for seismic hazards of the Puget Lowland Active shortening of the Cascadia forearc and implications for seismic hazards of the Puget Lowland
Holocene fault scarps near Tacoma, Washington, USA Holocene fault scarps near Tacoma, Washington, USA
Field guide to hydrothermal alteration in the White River altered area and in the Osceola Mudflow, Washington Field guide to hydrothermal alteration in the White River altered area and in the Osceola Mudflow, Washington
Correction to “Basin‐centered asperities in great subduction zone earthquakes: A link between slip, subsidence, and subduction erosion?” Correction to “Basin‐centered asperities in great subduction zone earthquakes: A link between slip, subsidence, and subduction erosion?”
*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