Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Robert Kayen (Former Employee)

Science and Products

Ground view of collapsed building and burned area, Beach and Divisadero Sts., Marina District.

Global Geoengineering Research

The Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center geotechnical group investigates the causes of ground deformation and ground failure as a result of earthquakes, storms, and wave action
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research

Global Geoengineering Research

The Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center geotechnical group investigates the causes of ground deformation and ground failure as a result of earthquakes, storms, and wave action
Learn More
April 2011 in waterfront area of Tohoku, Japan following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Earthquake Effects in the Coastal Zone

The nation's coastlines are vulnerable to the interrelated hazards posed by earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. In the marine environment these events often occur in concert, and distant triggers can cause severe local effects, making the issue global in scope. As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the social impacts of these hazards are expected to grow.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Earthquake Effects in the Coastal Zone

Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Earthquake Effects in the Coastal Zone

The nation's coastlines are vulnerable to the interrelated hazards posed by earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. In the marine environment these events often occur in concert, and distant triggers can cause severe local effects, making the issue global in scope. As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the social impacts of these hazards are expected to grow.
Learn More
A man wearing a hard hat and holding a clipboard stands near a device mounted on a tripod near a collapsed roadway.

Global Geoengineering Research Site Studies

Our geoengineering research takes us all over the globe. Here are just a few of the study locations, with information and publications about our work there.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research Site Studies

Global Geoengineering Research Site Studies

Our geoengineering research takes us all over the globe. Here are just a few of the study locations, with information and publications about our work there.
Learn More
Four maps placed 2 in 2 rows show different data plotted against latitude and longitude and colorized to show intensity.

Global Geoengineering Research: Modeling

Prediction of the severity of ground failure in Quaternary deposits is a critical component of hazard studies. Model development in our project is focused on design and application of methods for quantitative assessment of ground deformation potential.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research: Modeling

Global Geoengineering Research: Modeling

Prediction of the severity of ground failure in Quaternary deposits is a critical component of hazard studies. Model development in our project is focused on design and application of methods for quantitative assessment of ground deformation potential.
Learn More
Photo shows the major collapse of a building following an earthquake, the building has fallen onto and crushed a car completely.

Global Geoengineering Research: Methods of study

Field methods of study in global geoengineering research
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research: Methods of study

Global Geoengineering Research: Methods of study

Field methods of study in global geoengineering research
Learn More
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 43

The over-prediction of seismically induced soil liquefaction during the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan earthquake sequence The over-prediction of seismically induced soil liquefaction during the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan earthquake sequence

Following the M7.0 strike-slip earthquake near Kumamoto, Japan, in April of 2016, most geotechnical engineering experts believed that there would be significant soil liquefaction and liquefaction-induced infrastructure damage observed in the densely populated city of Kumamoto during the post-event engineering reconnaissance. This belief was driven by several factors including the young...
Authors
Donald J. Anderson, Kevin W. Franke, Robert Kayen, Shideh Dashti, M Badanagki
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Estimation of site terms in ground-motion models for California using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios from microtremor Estimation of site terms in ground-motion models for California using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios from microtremor

The horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratios from microtremor (mHVSR) data obtained at 196 seismic stations in California are used to evaluate three alternative microtremor‐based proxies for site amplification for use in ground‐motion models (GMMs): the site fundamental period (⁠f0⁠), the period‐dependent amplitude of the mHVSR(T), and the normalized amplitude of the mHVSR(T). The...
Authors
Camilo Pinilla Ramos, Norman A. Abrahamson, Robert Kayen
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Hydrological control shift from river level to rainfall in the reactivated Guobu slope besides the Laxiwa hydropower station in China Hydrological control shift from river level to rainfall in the reactivated Guobu slope besides the Laxiwa hydropower station in China

Landslides are common geohazards associated with natural drivers such as precipitation, land degradation, toe erosion by rivers and wave attack, and ground shaking. On the other hand, human alterations such as inundation by water impoundment or rapid drawdown may also destabilize the surrounding slopes. The Guobu slope is an ancient rockslide on the banks of the Laxiwa hydropower station...
Authors
Xuguo Shi, Xie Hu, Nicholas Sitar, Robert Kayen, Shengwen Qi, Houjun Jiang, Xudong Wang
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Point clouds of bridge generated by terrestrial laser scanner and images via Structure from Motion technique: Comparison study Point clouds of bridge generated by terrestrial laser scanner and images via Structure from Motion technique: Comparison study

A collection of points representing an object in space is commonly called a point cloud. There are several techniques for collecting point clouds. This research is focused on a comparison study of two approaches: (1) collecting point clouds with a surveying grade terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and (2) generating point clouds from drone-taken still images by utilizing Structure-from...
Authors
Shakzod Takhirov, Robert E. Kayen
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Shoreline retreat of the Corte Madera marshes, 1853 to 2016, Marin County, California Shoreline retreat of the Corte Madera marshes, 1853 to 2016, Marin County, California

The greater San Francisco Bay estuary, prior to human intervention, encompassed about 2,200 km2 of tidal and salt marshes. Over time, these areas became increasingly diked, developed, and altered from their natural state. In addition, natural forces are always driving a continually shifting equilibrium. This study area, the Corte Madera marshes, is a tidal marsh or wetland located in...
Authors
Bradley A. Carkin, Robert E. Kayen, Florence L. Wong
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

Seismological, geological, and geotechnical engineering aspects of the 2018 MW 6.6 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake Seismological, geological, and geotechnical engineering aspects of the 2018 MW 6.6 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake

The 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi MW6.6 earthquake struck the southern coast of the north island of Japan in the early morning (3:08 AM JST) on September 6, 2018. The event had a hypocentral depth of 35 km, centered beneath the port city of Tomakomai. Extremely strong shaking with peak ground acceleration in excess of 0.5 g was felt in the communities directly north of Tomakomai, in the...
Authors
Robert Kayen, Brad Wham, Alex R. Grant, Mikami Atsushi, Donald Anderson, Paolo Zimmaro, Pengfei Wang, Yi Tyan Tsai, Jeff Bachhuber, Chris L M Madugo, Joseph Sun, Christopher S. Hitchcock, Matthew Motto
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Science and Products

Ground view of collapsed building and burned area, Beach and Divisadero Sts., Marina District.

Global Geoengineering Research

The Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center geotechnical group investigates the causes of ground deformation and ground failure as a result of earthquakes, storms, and wave action
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research

Global Geoengineering Research

The Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center geotechnical group investigates the causes of ground deformation and ground failure as a result of earthquakes, storms, and wave action
Learn More
April 2011 in waterfront area of Tohoku, Japan following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Earthquake Effects in the Coastal Zone

The nation's coastlines are vulnerable to the interrelated hazards posed by earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. In the marine environment these events often occur in concert, and distant triggers can cause severe local effects, making the issue global in scope. As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the social impacts of these hazards are expected to grow.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Earthquake Effects in the Coastal Zone

Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Earthquake Effects in the Coastal Zone

The nation's coastlines are vulnerable to the interrelated hazards posed by earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. In the marine environment these events often occur in concert, and distant triggers can cause severe local effects, making the issue global in scope. As the population continues to migrate toward the coastlines, the social impacts of these hazards are expected to grow.
Learn More
A man wearing a hard hat and holding a clipboard stands near a device mounted on a tripod near a collapsed roadway.

Global Geoengineering Research Site Studies

Our geoengineering research takes us all over the globe. Here are just a few of the study locations, with information and publications about our work there.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research Site Studies

Global Geoengineering Research Site Studies

Our geoengineering research takes us all over the globe. Here are just a few of the study locations, with information and publications about our work there.
Learn More
Four maps placed 2 in 2 rows show different data plotted against latitude and longitude and colorized to show intensity.

Global Geoengineering Research: Modeling

Prediction of the severity of ground failure in Quaternary deposits is a critical component of hazard studies. Model development in our project is focused on design and application of methods for quantitative assessment of ground deformation potential.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research: Modeling

Global Geoengineering Research: Modeling

Prediction of the severity of ground failure in Quaternary deposits is a critical component of hazard studies. Model development in our project is focused on design and application of methods for quantitative assessment of ground deformation potential.
Learn More
Photo shows the major collapse of a building following an earthquake, the building has fallen onto and crushed a car completely.

Global Geoengineering Research: Methods of study

Field methods of study in global geoengineering research
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Global Geoengineering Research: Methods of study

Global Geoengineering Research: Methods of study

Field methods of study in global geoengineering research
Learn More
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 43

The over-prediction of seismically induced soil liquefaction during the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan earthquake sequence The over-prediction of seismically induced soil liquefaction during the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan earthquake sequence

Following the M7.0 strike-slip earthquake near Kumamoto, Japan, in April of 2016, most geotechnical engineering experts believed that there would be significant soil liquefaction and liquefaction-induced infrastructure damage observed in the densely populated city of Kumamoto during the post-event engineering reconnaissance. This belief was driven by several factors including the young...
Authors
Donald J. Anderson, Kevin W. Franke, Robert Kayen, Shideh Dashti, M Badanagki
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Estimation of site terms in ground-motion models for California using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios from microtremor Estimation of site terms in ground-motion models for California using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios from microtremor

The horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratios from microtremor (mHVSR) data obtained at 196 seismic stations in California are used to evaluate three alternative microtremor‐based proxies for site amplification for use in ground‐motion models (GMMs): the site fundamental period (⁠f0⁠), the period‐dependent amplitude of the mHVSR(T), and the normalized amplitude of the mHVSR(T). The...
Authors
Camilo Pinilla Ramos, Norman A. Abrahamson, Robert Kayen
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Hydrological control shift from river level to rainfall in the reactivated Guobu slope besides the Laxiwa hydropower station in China Hydrological control shift from river level to rainfall in the reactivated Guobu slope besides the Laxiwa hydropower station in China

Landslides are common geohazards associated with natural drivers such as precipitation, land degradation, toe erosion by rivers and wave attack, and ground shaking. On the other hand, human alterations such as inundation by water impoundment or rapid drawdown may also destabilize the surrounding slopes. The Guobu slope is an ancient rockslide on the banks of the Laxiwa hydropower station...
Authors
Xuguo Shi, Xie Hu, Nicholas Sitar, Robert Kayen, Shengwen Qi, Houjun Jiang, Xudong Wang
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Point clouds of bridge generated by terrestrial laser scanner and images via Structure from Motion technique: Comparison study Point clouds of bridge generated by terrestrial laser scanner and images via Structure from Motion technique: Comparison study

A collection of points representing an object in space is commonly called a point cloud. There are several techniques for collecting point clouds. This research is focused on a comparison study of two approaches: (1) collecting point clouds with a surveying grade terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and (2) generating point clouds from drone-taken still images by utilizing Structure-from...
Authors
Shakzod Takhirov, Robert E. Kayen
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Shoreline retreat of the Corte Madera marshes, 1853 to 2016, Marin County, California Shoreline retreat of the Corte Madera marshes, 1853 to 2016, Marin County, California

The greater San Francisco Bay estuary, prior to human intervention, encompassed about 2,200 km2 of tidal and salt marshes. Over time, these areas became increasingly diked, developed, and altered from their natural state. In addition, natural forces are always driving a continually shifting equilibrium. This study area, the Corte Madera marshes, is a tidal marsh or wetland located in...
Authors
Bradley A. Carkin, Robert E. Kayen, Florence L. Wong
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

Seismological, geological, and geotechnical engineering aspects of the 2018 MW 6.6 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake Seismological, geological, and geotechnical engineering aspects of the 2018 MW 6.6 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake

The 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi MW6.6 earthquake struck the southern coast of the north island of Japan in the early morning (3:08 AM JST) on September 6, 2018. The event had a hypocentral depth of 35 km, centered beneath the port city of Tomakomai. Extremely strong shaking with peak ground acceleration in excess of 0.5 g was felt in the communities directly north of Tomakomai, in the...
Authors
Robert Kayen, Brad Wham, Alex R. Grant, Mikami Atsushi, Donald Anderson, Paolo Zimmaro, Pengfei Wang, Yi Tyan Tsai, Jeff Bachhuber, Chris L M Madugo, Joseph Sun, Christopher S. Hitchcock, Matthew Motto
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Was this page helpful?