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Robert Skoumal, PhD

I am a research geophysicist at the Earthquake Science Center in Moffett Field, California. My research focuses on improving our ability to characterize both natural and induced (“anthropogenic”) earthquakes. I am particularly interested in developing new methods to characterize small magnitude earthquakes, distinguishing between natural/induced seismicity, and seismogenic fault mapping.

Professional Experience

  • 2020-present: Research Geophysicist, US Geological Survey (Moffett Field, CA)

  • 2016-2020: Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, US Geological Survey (Menlo Park/Moffett Field, CA)

  • 2016: Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

  • 2015: Geophysical Rock Properties R&D Intern, Chevron Corporation (Houston, TX)

  • 2012-2016: Research & Teaching Assistant, Miami University (Oxford, OH)

  • 2011: Teaching Assistant, Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL)

  • 2011: NOAA Hollings Scholar (Kenai Peninsula, Alaska)

Education and Certifications

  • 2016: Ph.D. Geology, Miami University (Oxford, OH) 
           Dissertation: “Characterizing induced and natural earthquake swarms using correlation algorithms”

  • 2014: M.S. Geology, Miami University (Oxford, OH)
           Thesis: "Optimizing multi-station template matching through re-examination of the Youngstown, Ohio, sequence"

  • 2012: B.S. Marine Science (Geophysics) summa cum laude, Eckerd College, (St. Petersburg, FL)
           Thesis: "Seasonal and interannual oceanographic variability in Kachemak Bay, Alaska"

Science and Products

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Microseismic events associated with the Oroville Dam spillway

On 14 February 2017, two small (equivalent MD 0.8 and 1.0) seismic events occurred in proximity to the Oroville Dam in the Sierra Nevada foothills, California. To examine possible causal relationships between these events and reservoir operations, including the spillway failure starting prior to these events, we applied a new optimized template matching approach to seismic data between May 1993 -
Authors
Robert J. Skoumal, Phillip B. Dawson, Stephen H. Hickman, J. Ole Kaven
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center

Proximity of Precambrian basement affects the likelihood of induced seismicity in the Appalachian, Illinois, and Williston Basins, central and eastern United States

A dramatic seismicity rate increase in the central and eastern United States (CEUS) over the past decade has been largely associated with the increase in enhanced oil and gas recovery operations and change in industry practices. However, certain areas of the CEUS that have experienced large increases in oil and gas operations, such as the Bakken and Marcellus Shale plays (Williston and Appalachian
Authors
Robert J. Skoumal, Michael R. Brudzinski, Brian S. Currie
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center

Seismicity induced by wastewater injection in Washington County, Ohio: Influence of preexisting structure, regional stress regime, and well operations

Recent seismicity in Washington County, Ohio, has been suggested to be induced by wastewater disposal operations despite injection ~2 km above the Precambrian basement. We investigated the relationships between disposal well locations and operational histories, spatiotemporal patterns of seismicity enhanced by waveform correlation, and mapped subsurface structures. We also analyzed proxies for in
Authors
Brian S. Currie, James C. Free, Michael R. Brudzinski, Max Leveridge, Robert J. Skoumal
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center

Maturity of nearby faults influences seismic hazard from hydraulic fracturing

Understanding the causes of human-induced earthquakes is paramount to reducing societal risk. We investigated five cases of seismicity associated with hydraulic fracturing (HF) in Ohio since 2013 that, because of their isolation from other injection activities, provide an ideal setting for studying the relations between high-pressure injection and earthquakes. Our analysis revealed two distinct gr
Authors
Maria Kozlowska, Michael R. Brudzinski, Paul A. Friberg, Robert J. Skoumal, Nicholas Baxter, Brian S. Currie
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center

Science and Products