Roger D. Borcherdt is Scientist Emeritus at the U. S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, California and past visiting Shimizu and consulting professor at Stanford University. His current major research project is the development of general viscoelastic ray theory as a basis to better understand and interpret seismic wave propagation in anelastic layers of the Earth.
Dr. Borcherdt’s interest in seismology and engineering seismology is manifest in research results documented in more than 200 publications as listed in Google Scholar and ResearchGate. His most significant research since becoming emeritus (2014) is the development of the theory for general viscoelastic rays and head waves from first principles as published in the 2nd edition of his graduate level textbook Viscoelastic Waves and Rays in Layered Media (2020). This theory provides the viscoelastic solutions for forward and inverse ray-theory problems together with general ray-tracing computer algorithms for multi-layered anelastic media ranging from soft soils to mantle and core materials deep within the Earth’s interior. These results explain measurable variations in seismic body and surface waves, such as phase speed, travel time, ray-path location, amplitude attenuation, and particle motion induced by anelastic boundaries in the Earth that are not explained by elastic models. Citations of the textbook reveal applicability of the viscoelastic solutions to a variety of anelastic wave propagation and inversion problems in engineering, seismology, exploration geophysics, acoustics, and solid mechanics.
Dr. Borcherdt’s research interests as documented in publications prior to that of the most recent project include: 1) site-response studies resulting in site coefficients and Vs30 site-class definitions as adopted in national and international building codes and seismic-hazard mitigation maps, 2) mathematical theory of monochromatic wave propagation in layered viscoelastic media as documented in the 1st edition of Viscoleastic Waves in Layered Media (2009), 3) near-source seismic radiation of strain and displacement and its implications for earthquake-fault rupture dynamics as inferred from unprecedented high resolution GEOS recordings of the 2004 M6 Parkfield earthquake, obtained with colleagues, showing no discernible near-field precursory strain or displacement at sensitivities of 10^-11 strain and 5*10^-8 meters, 4) multidisciplinary seismic-zonation and earthquake-loss estimation studies as manifest in initial maps developed with colleagues showing the potential for earthquake intensity (MF-709), surface faulting, ground-motion amplification, and ground failure as prototype maps required by California Law AB-3897 and as extended under the auspicis of FEMA to a national scale in HAZUS, 5) design, construction and deployment with colleagues of the initial central microprocessor controlled wide-dynamic range (180dB) digital strong-motion recording system (GEOS) as a prototype for commercial instrumentation, 6) initial development of US national strong motion instrumentation program to increase public safety by deployments of multiple instrumentation arrays on a national scale to record the response of the built environment to infrequent large damaging earthquakes for purposes of improving the resilience of man-made structures and communities.
Professional Experience
Engineering Criteria Review Board, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (1991, Vice Chair 2001-2002; Chair 2003 – 2021)
Site Characterization Working Group - Next Generation of Attenuation Relations, PEER (Chair 2002 – 2007)
Geo-engineering Extreme Events Reconnaissance Advisory Panel, National Science Foundation, (2004 – present)
Editorial Board, Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, (2007 – present)
HAZUS US National Earthquake Loss Estimation Model Development Steering Committee, Charter member, FEMA (1992 – 2012)
HAZUS User's Group Steering Committee, San Francisco Bay Region (1998 – 2005)
Bay Bridge Design Task Force Engineering and Design Advisory Panel, East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (1996 – 2004)
Adhoc Committee on Seismic Ground Motions, East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (2001 – 2002)
Electronic Publications Committee, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (1999 – 2002)
Scientific Advisory Committee, Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (2001 – 2002)
NEHRP Seismic Design Procedures Working Group, National Institute of Building Sciences, Building Seismic Safety Council, (1994 – 1997)
NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provision Update Technical Subcommittees 1 (Design Mapping), 3- (Foundations and Geotechnical Considerations), 2003 Edition, National Institute of Building Sciences, Building Seismic Safety Council, FEMA 450 (2000 – 2003)
NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provision Update Committee for New and Existing Buildings 2003 Edition, National Institute of Building Sciences, Building Seismic Safety Council, FEMA 450 (2000 – 2003)
NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provision Update Committee for New and Existing Buildings 2009 Edition, National Institute of Building Sciences, Building Seismic Safety Council, FEMA 750 (2006 – 2009)
NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provision Update Technical Subcommittee 3 (Mapping, Foundations, and Geotechnical Considerations), 2009 Edition, National Institute of Building Sciences, Building Seismic Safety Council, FEMA 750 (2006 – 2009)
AASHTO Federal Highway Bridge Code Provision Update Team 2007 Edition, (2003 – 2007)
Applied Technology Council Steering Committee ATC-58 Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings Vol. 1 – Methodology, FEMA P-58 (2002 – 2012)
Strong-motion Programs Advisory Board COSMOS, (1998 – 2006)
US National Committee for the Advancement of Strong Motion Programs (CASMP), (1996 – 1999)
Federal Highway Seismic Research Council (1993 – 2007)
Earthquake Catastrophic Risk Advisory Panel, Wharton School of Business, Univ. Penn., (1998 – 2005)
International Handbook of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Lee and others, 2003 (Associate Editor)
Board of Directors, World Seismic Safety Initiative (2000 – 2008)
Education and Certifications
B.A. Mathematics/Physics (cum laude), University of Colorado, Boulder (1963)
M.A. Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, Madison (1965)
M.S. Engineering Geoscience, University of California, Berkeley (1970)
Ph.D. Engineering Geoscience with minors in Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Statistics, University of California, Berkeley (1971)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Registered Geophysicist, State of California
American Geophysical Union, 1969 –
American Society of Civil Engineers, 1972 –
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, 1973 –
Board of Directors, 1987 – 90
Vice Pres., 1988 – 90
Editor, Earthquake Spectra, 1997 – 2002
Honorary Membership, 2002
Oral History Comm., 2004–22
Seismological Society of America, 1968 –
Co-Chair, 4th Int’l. Conf. Seismic Zonation, 1989 – 91
Structural Engineering Association of California, 1993 –
Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society, 1963 –
COSMOS, 1998 –
General Membership Chair
Advisory Board
Society of Exploration Geophysics, 1969 – 1978, 2020 –
American Mathematical Society, 1962 – 1967
Honors and Awards
Bruce A. Bolt Medal (2016) awarded jointly by Consortium of Strong Motion Observation Systems, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, and Seismological Society of America
Distinguished Service Award, Department of Interior (2010) for “exceptional scientific contributions in the fields of seismology and engineering seismology, extraordinarily broad in scope”
Meritorious Service Award, Department of Interior (1993) for “scientific contributions and leadership in engineering seismology”
Shimizu Visiting Professor, Stanford University (1989 – 1991)
Outstanding Paper Award 1994, Earthquake Spectra, 10, 617-653
Outstanding Paper Award 2002, Earthquake Spectra, 18, 189-218
Honorary Membership, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, 2002 –
Science and Products
Maps showing maximum earthquake intensity predicted in the southern San Francisco Bay region, California, for large earthquakes on the San Andreas and Hayward Faults
NGA-West 2 GMPE average site coefficients for use in earthquake-resistant design
Simulation of acceleration field of the Lushan earthquake (Ms7.0, April 20, 2013, China)
Implications of next generation attenuation ground motion prediction equations for site coefficients used in earthquake resistant design
Implications of NGA for NEHRP site coefficients
VS30 – A site-characterization parameter for use in building Codes, simplified earthquake resistant design, GMPEs, and ShakeMaps
Earthquake Spectra at 25
Viscoelastic love-type surface waves
Recordings of the 2004 Parkfield earthquake on the General Earthquake Observation System array: Implications for earthquake precursors, fault rupture, and coseismic strain changes
Continuous borehole strain and pore pressure in the near field of the 28 September 2004 M 6.0 Parkfield, California, earthquake: Implications for nucleation, fault response, earthquake prediction and tremor
Book review: The race to seismic safety: Protecting California's transportation system
Erratum: Empirical evidence for acceleration-dependent amplification factors
Science and Products
- Maps
Maps showing maximum earthquake intensity predicted in the southern San Francisco Bay region, California, for large earthquakes on the San Andreas and Hayward Faults
This map shows maximum earthquake intensity predicted at specific sites using the empirical relations derived from the reliable 1906 intensity data (figs. 3 and 4; see text). The numbers 4-0 correspond to letters A-E, respectively, of the San Francisco intensity scale. The predicted intensity value shown for each site is the maximum of those predicted for the site assuming that a large earthquake - Publications
Filter Total Items: 117
NGA-West 2 GMPE average site coefficients for use in earthquake-resistant design
Site coefficients corresponding to those in tables 11.4–1 and 11.4–2 of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (Standard ASCE/SEI 7-10) are derived from four of the Next Generation Attenuation West2 (NGA-W2) Ground-Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs). The resulting coefficients are compared with those derived by other researcherAuthorsRoger D. BorcherdtSimulation of acceleration field of the Lushan earthquake (Ms7.0, April 20, 2013, China)
The acceleration field of the Lushan earthquake (Ms7.0, April 20, 2013, China) is simulated using a new modified version of the stochastic finite-fault method (EXSIM) based on a dynamic corner frequency approach. To incorporate the effect of heterogeneous slip distribution on the variation of source spectrum, we adopt an empirical source spectral model and derive the corresponding dynamic parameteAuthorsWang Guoxin, Ding Yang, Roger D. BorcherdtImplications of next generation attenuation ground motion prediction equations for site coefficients used in earthquake resistant design
Proposals are developed to update Tables 11.4-1 and 11.4-2 of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures published as American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute standard 7-10 (ASCE/SEI 7–10). The updates are mean next generation attenuation (NGA) site coefficients inferred directly from the four NGA ground motion prediction equations used to derive the maximuAuthorsRoger D. BorcherdtImplications of NGA for NEHRP site coefficients
Three proposals are provided to update tables 11.4-1 and 11.4-2 of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (7-10), by the American Society of Civil Engineers (2010) (ASCE/SEI 7-10), with site coefficients implied directly by NGA (Next Generation Attenuation) ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs). Proposals include a recommendation to use straight-line interpolation to infer siAuthorsRoger D. BorcherdtVS30 – A site-characterization parameter for use in building Codes, simplified earthquake resistant design, GMPEs, and ShakeMaps
VS30, defined as the average seismic shear-wave velocity from the surface to a depth of 30 meters, has found wide-spread use as a parameter to characterize site response for simplified earthquake resistant design as implemented in building codes worldwide. VS30 , as initially introduced by the author for the US 1994 NEHRP Building Code, provides unambiguous definitions of site classes and site coeAuthorsRoger D. BorcherdtEarthquake Spectra at 25
No abstract available.AuthorsCharles C. Thiel, James E. Beavers, Jack P. Moehle, Roger D. Borcherdt, Farzad Naeim, Polat GülkanViscoelastic love-type surface waves
The general theoretical solution for Love-Type surface waves in viscoelastic media provides theoreticalexpressions for the physical characteristics of the waves in elastic as well as anelastic media with arbitraryamounts of intrinsic damping. The general solution yields dispersion and absorption-coefficient curves for the waves as a function of frequency and theamount of intrinsic damping for anyAuthorsRoger D. BorcherdtRecordings of the 2004 Parkfield earthquake on the General Earthquake Observation System array: Implications for earthquake precursors, fault rupture, and coseismic strain changes
The 2004 Parkfield earthquake generated a unique set of near-field, high-resolution colocated measurements of acceleration, volumetric strain, and velocity at 11 stations in the General Earthquake Observation System (geos) array. The recordings indicate no precursory strain or displacement was discernable at sensitivities of 10−11 strain and 5 × 10−8 m 25 sec prior to the earthquake at distances oAuthorsR. D. Borcherdt, M. J. S. Johnston, G. Glassmoyer, C. DietelContinuous borehole strain and pore pressure in the near field of the 28 September 2004 M 6.0 Parkfield, California, earthquake: Implications for nucleation, fault response, earthquake prediction and tremor
Near-field observations of high-precision borehole strain and pore pressure, show no indication of coherent accelerating strain or pore pressure during the weeks to seconds before the 28 September 2004 M 6.0 Parkfield earthquake. Minor changes in strain rate did occur at a few sites during the last 24 hr before the earthquake but these changes are neither significant nor have the form expected forAuthorsM. J. S. Johnston, R. D. Borcherdt, A. T. Linde, M. T. GladwinBook review: The race to seismic safety: Protecting California's transportation system
No abstract available.AuthorsRoger D. BorcherdtErratum: Empirical evidence for acceleration-dependent amplification factors
Incorrect versions of Figures 5 and 6 containing normalization errors were accidentally published by Borcherdt (2002). They should be replaced with the figures shown here. The text and tabulated regression values published in Borcherdt (2002) are correct and refer to the figures shown here.AuthorsRoger D. Borcherdt
*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