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
Principal facts for about 500 gravity stations in the vicinity of Amargosa Desert and Pahrump Valley, California and Nevada
Cenozoic basins of the Death Valley extended terrane as reflected in regional-scale gravity anomalies
Integration of high-resolution seismic and aeromagnetic data for earthquake hazards evaluations: An example from the Willamette Valley, Oregon
Three-dimensional model of Paleozoic basement beneath Amargosa Desert and Pahrump Valley, California and Nevada: Implications for tectonic evolution and water resources
3-Dimensional visualization of the Medicine Lake Highland, CA: Topography, geology, geophysics, and hydrology
Preliminary merged aeromagnetic map of Oregon
Gravity anomalies, Quaternary vents, and Quaternary faults in the southern Cascade Range, Oregon and California: Implications for arc and backarc evolution
Rationale and preliminary operational plan for a high-altitude magnetic survey over the United States
Airborne hunt for faults in the Portland-Vancouver area
Aeromagnetic survey over US to advance geomagnetic research
Aeromagnetic survey over U.S. to advance geomagnetic research
Evidence for a basement feature related to the Cortez disseminated gold trend and implications for regional exploration in Nevada
Science and Products
Principal facts for about 500 gravity stations in the vicinity of Amargosa Desert and Pahrump Valley, California and Nevada
Cenozoic basins of the Death Valley extended terrane as reflected in regional-scale gravity anomalies
Integration of high-resolution seismic and aeromagnetic data for earthquake hazards evaluations: An example from the Willamette Valley, Oregon
Three-dimensional model of Paleozoic basement beneath Amargosa Desert and Pahrump Valley, California and Nevada: Implications for tectonic evolution and water resources
3-Dimensional visualization of the Medicine Lake Highland, CA: Topography, geology, geophysics, and hydrology
Preliminary merged aeromagnetic map of Oregon
Gravity anomalies, Quaternary vents, and Quaternary faults in the southern Cascade Range, Oregon and California: Implications for arc and backarc evolution
Rationale and preliminary operational plan for a high-altitude magnetic survey over the United States
Airborne hunt for faults in the Portland-Vancouver area
Aeromagnetic survey over US to advance geomagnetic research
Aeromagnetic survey over U.S. to advance geomagnetic research
Evidence for a basement feature related to the Cortez disseminated gold trend and implications for regional exploration in Nevada
*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