Rufus D Catchings, PhD
Rufus Catchings is a seismologist working on
• Earthquake hazards
• Hydrogeology
• Regional imaging of resources
• Induced seismicity
Dr. Catchings’ scientific interests include seismic evaluation of the subsurface, particularly as it relates to earthquake and other hazards, groundwater and other resources, and tectonics. Catchings also develops seismic methodologies. He has conducted numerous studies and served as advisor for more than 60 local, state, federal, and international government agencies, and private organizations. He has served as research advisor for 15 M.S. and Ph.D. students. Catchings has more than 430 published works, including journal articles, reports, conference papers, and abstracts.
Dr. Catchings has been a Research Geophysicst at USGS since 1981. He served as Chief Scientist for the Earthquake Hazards Team, 2005–2008.
Awards
- Bromery Award, Geological Society of America, 2018
- Superior Service Award, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2000
- Special Act Award, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1990, 2006
- Fellow, Geological Society of America, 1997
Education
- Stanford University, PhD Geophysics, 1987
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS Geophysics, 1983
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Geophysics, 1980
- Appalachian State University, BS Geophysics, 1979
External Research Database
ResearchGate
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 24
Data Release for a 2020 High-Resolution Seismic Survey across Northeastern Edwards Air Force Base, Kern County, California Data Release for a 2020 High-Resolution Seismic Survey across Northeastern Edwards Air Force Base, Kern County, California
In June of 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution seismic survey at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California. Seismic data were acquired using a DTCC SmartSolo 3-component nodal seismometer system ("node"), which continuously recorded at 2000 samples per second. Nodes were deployed 5 meters apart along a southwest-northeast trend to create an approximately...
Data Release for the 2016 East Bay Seismic Imaging Investigation of the Hayward Fault Zone Data Release for the 2016 East Bay Seismic Imaging Investigation of the Hayward Fault Zone
In October 2016, we acquired an approximately 15-km-long seismic profile along a linear transect across the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area. Our goal was to image previously unknown strands of the Hayward Fault zone and to better delineate the structure and geometry of the main trace of the Hayward Fault. Our profile started near the southern border of San Leandro...
Data Release for the 2018 U.S. Geological Survey - California Geological Survey Fault-Imaging Surveys Across the Hollywood and Santa Monica Faults, Los Angeles County, California Data Release for the 2018 U.S. Geological Survey - California Geological Survey Fault-Imaging Surveys Across the Hollywood and Santa Monica Faults, Los Angeles County, California
We acquired multiple types of controlled-source seismic data across the Hollywood Fault in Hollywood, Calif., and the Santa Monica Fault in Beverly Hills, Calif., in May and June of 2018. We acquired two separate profiles across the Hollywood Fault, and from those data we can evaluate multiple seismic datasets and calculate seismic models including guided-wave data, tomographic VP data
Data report for line 8 of the 2011 USGS seismic imaging survey at San Andreas Lake, San Mateo County, California Data report for line 8 of the 2011 USGS seismic imaging survey at San Andreas Lake, San Mateo County, California
In June of 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the mapped (Schussler, 1906) trace of the San Andreas Fault zone at San Andreas Lake in unincorporated San Mateo County, California. Our seismic survey consisted of seismic reflection, refraction, and guided-wave data along a 60-m-long profile. To acquire the reflection and refraction...
High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Buhman Avenue, Napa, California High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Buhman Avenue, Napa, California
In November 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the trace of the West Napa Fault zone near Buhman Avenue in Napa, California. The primary goal of the seismic survey was to image the subsurface damage from the 2014 MW 6.0 South Napa earthquake to assist in a near-surface fault slip and deformation investigation. We acquired seismic...
High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Saintsbury Winery, Napa, California High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Saintsbury Winery, Napa, California
In November 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the trace of the West Napa Fault zone in Saintsbury winery in Napa, California. The primary goal of the seismic survey was to image the subsurface damage from the 2014 MW 6.0 South Napa earthquake to assist in a near-surface fault slip and deformation investigation. We acquired seismic
Filter Total Items: 82
Seismic evaluation of shallow-depth structure, faulting, and groundwater variations across the Dos Palmas Preserve, Riverside County, California Seismic evaluation of shallow-depth structure, faulting, and groundwater variations across the Dos Palmas Preserve, Riverside County, California
Introduction Dos Palmas Preserve is a Colorado Desert oasis and wetland in Riverside County, California, located near the base of the Orocopia Mountains and northeast of the Salton Sea. The original source of water for the oasis was artesian springs that developed at the base of the Orocopia Mountains, but more abundant water supplies were later provided to Dos Palmas Preserve when the...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Michael J. Rymer, Coyn J. Criley
VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Solano Counties, California — Lovall Valley Road, Broadway Street and Sereno Drive in Vallejo, and Vallejo Fire Station — Calculations determined from S-wave refraction tomography and multichannel VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Solano Counties, California — Lovall Valley Road, Broadway Street and Sereno Drive in Vallejo, and Vallejo Fire Station — Calculations determined from S-wave refraction tomography and multichannel
The August 24, 2014, moment magnitude (Mw) 6.0 South Napa earthquake caused an estimated $400 million in structural damage to the City of Napa, California. In 2015, we acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Solano Counties where high peak ground accelerations (PGAs) were recorded during the South Napa earthquake. In...
Authors
Joanne H. Chan, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Coyn J. Criley
VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Napa County, California — Main Street in downtown Napa, Napa fire station number 3, and Kreuzer Lane — Calculations determined from s-wave refraction tomography and multichannel analysis of surfac VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Napa County, California — Main Street in downtown Napa, Napa fire station number 3, and Kreuzer Lane — Calculations determined from s-wave refraction tomography and multichannel analysis of surfac
The August 24, 2014, moment magnitude (Mw) 6.0 South Napa earthquake caused an estimated $400 million in structural damage to the City of Napa, California. In 2015, we acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near three strong-motion recording stations in Napa County where high peak ground accelerations (PGAs) were recorded during the South Napa earthquake. In this report, we...
Authors
Joanne H. Chan, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Coyn J. Criley
Reexamination of the subsurface fault structure in the vicinity of the 1989 moment-magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake, central California, using steep-reflection, earthquake, and magnetic data Reexamination of the subsurface fault structure in the vicinity of the 1989 moment-magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake, central California, using steep-reflection, earthquake, and magnetic data
We reexamine the geometry of the causative fault structure of the 1989 moment-magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in central California, using seismic-reflection, earthquake-hypocenter, and magnetic data. Our study is prompted by recent interpretations of a two-part dip of the San Andreas Fault (SAF) accompanied by a flower-like structure in the Coachella Valley, in southern California...
Authors
Edward Zhang, Gary S. Fuis, Rufus D. Catchings, Daniel S. Scheirer, Mark Goldman, Klaus Bauer
Subsurface geometry of the San Andreas fault in southern California: Results from the Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) and strong ground motion expectations Subsurface geometry of the San Andreas fault in southern California: Results from the Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) and strong ground motion expectations
The San Andreas fault (SAF) is one of the most studied strike‐slip faults in the world; yet its subsurface geometry is still uncertain in most locations. The Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) was undertaken to image the structure surrounding the SAF and also its subsurface geometry. We present SSIP studies at two locations in the Coachella Valley of the northern Salton trough. On our...
Authors
Gary S. Fuis, Klaus Bauer, Mark R. Goldman, Trond Ryberg, Victoria E. Langenheim, Daniel S. Scheirer, Michael J. Rymer, Joann M. Stock, John A. Hole, Rufus D. Catchings, Robert Graves, Brad T. Aagaard
Shallow-depth location and geometry of the Piedmont Reverse splay of the Hayward Fault, Oakland, California Shallow-depth location and geometry of the Piedmont Reverse splay of the Hayward Fault, Oakland, California
The Piedmont Thrust Fault, herein referred to as the Piedmont Reverse Fault (PRF), is a splay of the Hayward Fault that trends through a highly populated area of the City of Oakland, California (fig. 1A). Although the PRF is unlikely to generate a large-magnitude earthquake, slip on the PRF or high-amplitude seismic energy traveling along the PRF may cause considerable damage during a...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, David Trench, Michael Buga, Joanne H. Chan, Coyn J. Criley, Luther M. Strayer
Non-USGS Publications**
Catchings, R.D., and Mooney, W.D., 1988, Crustal structure of the Columbia Plateau: Evidence for continental rifting: Journal of Geophysical Research , v. 93, p. 459–474, doi.org/10.1029/JB093iB01p00459.
Catchings, R., Jarchow, C., Holbrook, S., Benz, H., Hawman, R., Thompson, G., Mooney, W., Smith, R., Priestley, K., Cipar, J., Borcherdt, R., Whitman, D., Smithson, S., Walker, D., Johnson, R., Karl, J., Jefferson, T., Clement, B., Dietel, C., Wu, F., and Harder, S., 1988, The 1986 PASSCAL Basin and Range Lithospheric Seismic Experiment, Eos Trans. AGU, 69( 20), 593– 598, doi:10.1029/88EO00174.
Zucca, J.J., Fuis, G.S., Milkereit, B., Mooney, W.D., and Catchings, R.D., 1986, Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 91, p. 7859-7382, doi.org/10.1029/JB091iB07p07359.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 24
Data Release for a 2020 High-Resolution Seismic Survey across Northeastern Edwards Air Force Base, Kern County, California Data Release for a 2020 High-Resolution Seismic Survey across Northeastern Edwards Air Force Base, Kern County, California
In June of 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution seismic survey at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California. Seismic data were acquired using a DTCC SmartSolo 3-component nodal seismometer system ("node"), which continuously recorded at 2000 samples per second. Nodes were deployed 5 meters apart along a southwest-northeast trend to create an approximately...
Data Release for the 2016 East Bay Seismic Imaging Investigation of the Hayward Fault Zone Data Release for the 2016 East Bay Seismic Imaging Investigation of the Hayward Fault Zone
In October 2016, we acquired an approximately 15-km-long seismic profile along a linear transect across the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area. Our goal was to image previously unknown strands of the Hayward Fault zone and to better delineate the structure and geometry of the main trace of the Hayward Fault. Our profile started near the southern border of San Leandro...
Data Release for the 2018 U.S. Geological Survey - California Geological Survey Fault-Imaging Surveys Across the Hollywood and Santa Monica Faults, Los Angeles County, California Data Release for the 2018 U.S. Geological Survey - California Geological Survey Fault-Imaging Surveys Across the Hollywood and Santa Monica Faults, Los Angeles County, California
We acquired multiple types of controlled-source seismic data across the Hollywood Fault in Hollywood, Calif., and the Santa Monica Fault in Beverly Hills, Calif., in May and June of 2018. We acquired two separate profiles across the Hollywood Fault, and from those data we can evaluate multiple seismic datasets and calculate seismic models including guided-wave data, tomographic VP data
Data report for line 8 of the 2011 USGS seismic imaging survey at San Andreas Lake, San Mateo County, California Data report for line 8 of the 2011 USGS seismic imaging survey at San Andreas Lake, San Mateo County, California
In June of 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the mapped (Schussler, 1906) trace of the San Andreas Fault zone at San Andreas Lake in unincorporated San Mateo County, California. Our seismic survey consisted of seismic reflection, refraction, and guided-wave data along a 60-m-long profile. To acquire the reflection and refraction...
High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Buhman Avenue, Napa, California High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Buhman Avenue, Napa, California
In November 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the trace of the West Napa Fault zone near Buhman Avenue in Napa, California. The primary goal of the seismic survey was to image the subsurface damage from the 2014 MW 6.0 South Napa earthquake to assist in a near-surface fault slip and deformation investigation. We acquired seismic...
High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Saintsbury Winery, Napa, California High-resolution seismic imaging of the West Napa Fault Zone at Saintsbury Winery, Napa, California
In November 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the trace of the West Napa Fault zone in Saintsbury winery in Napa, California. The primary goal of the seismic survey was to image the subsurface damage from the 2014 MW 6.0 South Napa earthquake to assist in a near-surface fault slip and deformation investigation. We acquired seismic
Filter Total Items: 82
Seismic evaluation of shallow-depth structure, faulting, and groundwater variations across the Dos Palmas Preserve, Riverside County, California Seismic evaluation of shallow-depth structure, faulting, and groundwater variations across the Dos Palmas Preserve, Riverside County, California
Introduction Dos Palmas Preserve is a Colorado Desert oasis and wetland in Riverside County, California, located near the base of the Orocopia Mountains and northeast of the Salton Sea. The original source of water for the oasis was artesian springs that developed at the base of the Orocopia Mountains, but more abundant water supplies were later provided to Dos Palmas Preserve when the...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Michael J. Rymer, Coyn J. Criley
VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Solano Counties, California — Lovall Valley Road, Broadway Street and Sereno Drive in Vallejo, and Vallejo Fire Station — Calculations determined from S-wave refraction tomography and multichannel VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Solano Counties, California — Lovall Valley Road, Broadway Street and Sereno Drive in Vallejo, and Vallejo Fire Station — Calculations determined from S-wave refraction tomography and multichannel
The August 24, 2014, moment magnitude (Mw) 6.0 South Napa earthquake caused an estimated $400 million in structural damage to the City of Napa, California. In 2015, we acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Solano Counties where high peak ground accelerations (PGAs) were recorded during the South Napa earthquake. In...
Authors
Joanne H. Chan, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Coyn J. Criley
VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Napa County, California — Main Street in downtown Napa, Napa fire station number 3, and Kreuzer Lane — Calculations determined from s-wave refraction tomography and multichannel analysis of surfac VS30 at three strong-motion recording stations in Napa and Napa County, California — Main Street in downtown Napa, Napa fire station number 3, and Kreuzer Lane — Calculations determined from s-wave refraction tomography and multichannel analysis of surfac
The August 24, 2014, moment magnitude (Mw) 6.0 South Napa earthquake caused an estimated $400 million in structural damage to the City of Napa, California. In 2015, we acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near three strong-motion recording stations in Napa County where high peak ground accelerations (PGAs) were recorded during the South Napa earthquake. In this report, we...
Authors
Joanne H. Chan, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Coyn J. Criley
Reexamination of the subsurface fault structure in the vicinity of the 1989 moment-magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake, central California, using steep-reflection, earthquake, and magnetic data Reexamination of the subsurface fault structure in the vicinity of the 1989 moment-magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake, central California, using steep-reflection, earthquake, and magnetic data
We reexamine the geometry of the causative fault structure of the 1989 moment-magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in central California, using seismic-reflection, earthquake-hypocenter, and magnetic data. Our study is prompted by recent interpretations of a two-part dip of the San Andreas Fault (SAF) accompanied by a flower-like structure in the Coachella Valley, in southern California...
Authors
Edward Zhang, Gary S. Fuis, Rufus D. Catchings, Daniel S. Scheirer, Mark Goldman, Klaus Bauer
Subsurface geometry of the San Andreas fault in southern California: Results from the Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) and strong ground motion expectations Subsurface geometry of the San Andreas fault in southern California: Results from the Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) and strong ground motion expectations
The San Andreas fault (SAF) is one of the most studied strike‐slip faults in the world; yet its subsurface geometry is still uncertain in most locations. The Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) was undertaken to image the structure surrounding the SAF and also its subsurface geometry. We present SSIP studies at two locations in the Coachella Valley of the northern Salton trough. On our...
Authors
Gary S. Fuis, Klaus Bauer, Mark R. Goldman, Trond Ryberg, Victoria E. Langenheim, Daniel S. Scheirer, Michael J. Rymer, Joann M. Stock, John A. Hole, Rufus D. Catchings, Robert Graves, Brad T. Aagaard
Shallow-depth location and geometry of the Piedmont Reverse splay of the Hayward Fault, Oakland, California Shallow-depth location and geometry of the Piedmont Reverse splay of the Hayward Fault, Oakland, California
The Piedmont Thrust Fault, herein referred to as the Piedmont Reverse Fault (PRF), is a splay of the Hayward Fault that trends through a highly populated area of the City of Oakland, California (fig. 1A). Although the PRF is unlikely to generate a large-magnitude earthquake, slip on the PRF or high-amplitude seismic energy traveling along the PRF may cause considerable damage during a...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, David Trench, Michael Buga, Joanne H. Chan, Coyn J. Criley, Luther M. Strayer
Non-USGS Publications**
Catchings, R.D., and Mooney, W.D., 1988, Crustal structure of the Columbia Plateau: Evidence for continental rifting: Journal of Geophysical Research , v. 93, p. 459–474, doi.org/10.1029/JB093iB01p00459.
Catchings, R., Jarchow, C., Holbrook, S., Benz, H., Hawman, R., Thompson, G., Mooney, W., Smith, R., Priestley, K., Cipar, J., Borcherdt, R., Whitman, D., Smithson, S., Walker, D., Johnson, R., Karl, J., Jefferson, T., Clement, B., Dietel, C., Wu, F., and Harder, S., 1988, The 1986 PASSCAL Basin and Range Lithospheric Seismic Experiment, Eos Trans. AGU, 69( 20), 593– 598, doi:10.1029/88EO00174.
Zucca, J.J., Fuis, G.S., Milkereit, B., Mooney, W.D., and Catchings, R.D., 1986, Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 91, p. 7859-7382, doi.org/10.1029/JB091iB07p07359.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.