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
High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across a trace of the San Andreas Fault at Mee Ranch, Monterey County, California High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across a trace of the San Andreas Fault at Mee Ranch, Monterey County, California
In April of 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution seismic survey at Mee Ranch in Monterey County, California. Both passive- and active-source seismic data were acquired using DTCC SmartSolo 3-component nodal seismograph systems ("nodes"), which continuously recorded data at rates up to 2000 samples per second. For passive-source acquisition, a 6x5 grid of nodes was...
High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across the West Winters Fault, Great Valley Fault System at Bigelow Hills, Yolo County, California High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across the West Winters Fault, Great Valley Fault System at Bigelow Hills, Yolo County, California
In June of 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution seismic survey at Winters, California. Seismic data were acquired using a DTCC SmartSolo 3-component nodal seismograph system ("node"), which continuously recorded at 2000 samples per second. Nodes were deployed 5 meters apart from west-southwest to east-northeast to create an approximately 800-m-long linear profile...
High-resolution seismic data acquired near seismic station CE.57213 in Fremont, California High-resolution seismic data acquired near seismic station CE.57213 in Fremont, California
In September 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave data near seismic station CE.57213 in Fremont, California, approximately 100 m east of the mapped trace of the Hayward Fault. We acquired the seismic data to evaluate the time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the upper 30 m (VS30) and to better understand ground-shaking near the station CE.57213. The...
High-resolution seismic data acquired at northern Ano Nuevo, California High-resolution seismic data acquired at northern Ano Nuevo, California
The U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the Frijoles Fault strand of the San Gregorio Fault Zone (SGFZ) at northern Ano Nuevo, California in 2012. SGFZ is a right-lateral fault system that is mainly offshore, and prior studies provide highly variable slip estimates, which indicates uncertainty about the seismic hazard it poses. Therefore, the...
High-resolution seismic data acquired at six Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) recording stations in 2017 High-resolution seismic data acquired at six Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) recording stations in 2017
In August 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near six Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) recording stations in southern California: CI.OLI Olinda; CI.SRN Serrano; CI.MUR Murrieta; CI.LCG La Cienega; CI.RUS Rush; and CI.STC Santa Clara (Figure 1). These strong-motion recording stations are located inside Southern California Edison...
High-resolution seismic data acquired at six seismic network recording stations in San Bernardino County, California in 2019 High-resolution seismic data acquired at six seismic network recording stations in San Bernardino County, California in 2019
In May 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near six seismic network recording stations in San Bernardino County, California: Southern California Seismic Network CI.CLT Calelectic, CI.MLS Mira Loma, CI.CJM Cajon Mountain and CI.HLN Highland; California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program station CE.23542; and US National Strong-Motion...
Filter Total Items: 82
San Andreas fault exploration using refraction tomography and S-wave-type and Fϕ-mode guided waves San Andreas fault exploration using refraction tomography and S-wave-type and Fϕ-mode guided waves
Surface ruptures from the 18 April 1906 M∼7.9 San Francisco earthquake were distributed over an ∼35‐meter‐wide zone at San Andreas Lake on the San Francisco Peninsula in California (Schussler, 1906). Since ∼1906, the surface ruptures have been largely covered by water, but with water levels at near‐historic low levels in 2008–2011, we observed that the 1906 surface ruptures were no...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Michael Rymer, Mark Goldman
2018 U.S. Geological Survey–California Geological Survey fault-imaging surveys across the Hollywood and Santa Monica Faults, Los Angeles County, California 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 seismic data across the Hollywood Fault in Hollywood, Calif., and the Santa Monica Fault in Beverly Hills, Calif., in May and June 2018. On the basis of our data, we infer near-surface locations of various traces of these faults. From two separate profiles across the Hollywood Fault, we evaluated multiple seismic datasets and models, including guided-wave...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Janis Hernandez, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Brian Olson, Coyn J. Criley
Science plan for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the San Francisco Bay region, 2019–24 Science plan for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the San Francisco Bay region, 2019–24
This five-year science plan outlines short-term and long-term goals for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the greater San Francisco Bay region as well as how to foster a community effort in reaching those goals. The short-term goals focus on improving the current U.S. Geological Survey San Francisco Bay region geologic and seismic velocity model using existing data...
Authors
Brad T. Aagaard, Russell W. Graymer, Clifford H. Thurber, Arthur J. Rodgers, Taka’aki Taira, Rufus D. Catchings, Christine A. Goulet, Andreas Plesch
Mechanics of near-field deformation during co- and post-seismic shallow fault slip Mechanics of near-field deformation during co- and post-seismic shallow fault slip
Poor knowledge of how faults slip and distribute deformation in the shallow crust hinders efforts to mitigate hazards where faults increasingly intersect with the expanding global population at Earth’s surface. Here we analyze two study sites along the 2014 M 6.0 South Napa, California, earthquake rupture, each dominated by either co- or post-seismic shallow fault slip. We combine mobile...
Authors
Johanna Nevitt, Benjamin A. Brooks, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark Goldman, Todd Ericksen, Craig L. Glennie
Rupture branching structure of the 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa, California earthquake inferred from explosion-generated fault-zone trapped waves Rupture branching structure of the 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa, California earthquake inferred from explosion-generated fault-zone trapped waves
We present evidence for multiple fault branches of the West Napa fault zone (WNFZ) based on fault‐zone trapped waves (FZTWs) generated by two explosions that were detonated within the main surface rupture zone produced by the 24 August 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa earthquake. The FZTWs were recorded by a 15‐kilometer‐long dense (100 m spacing) linear seismic array consisting of 155 4.5‐hertz...
Authors
Yong-Gang Li, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark Goldman
Two-dimensional seismic velocities and structural variations at three British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) dam sites, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Two-dimensional seismic velocities and structural variations at three British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) dam sites, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Summary In June, 2017, we acquired seismic data along five linear profiles at three British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro, a Canadian provincial Crown Corporation) dam sites (John Hart, Ladore, and Strathcona Dams) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. We also attempted to acquire linear seismic profiles at two additional BC Hydro dam sites (Ruskin Dam and Stave...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Kofi O. Addo, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Coyn J. Criley
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
High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across a trace of the San Andreas Fault at Mee Ranch, Monterey County, California High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across a trace of the San Andreas Fault at Mee Ranch, Monterey County, California
In April of 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution seismic survey at Mee Ranch in Monterey County, California. Both passive- and active-source seismic data were acquired using DTCC SmartSolo 3-component nodal seismograph systems ("nodes"), which continuously recorded data at rates up to 2000 samples per second. For passive-source acquisition, a 6x5 grid of nodes was...
High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across the West Winters Fault, Great Valley Fault System at Bigelow Hills, Yolo County, California High-resolution seismic imaging data acquired in 2021 across the West Winters Fault, Great Valley Fault System at Bigelow Hills, Yolo County, California
In June of 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution seismic survey at Winters, California. Seismic data were acquired using a DTCC SmartSolo 3-component nodal seismograph system ("node"), which continuously recorded at 2000 samples per second. Nodes were deployed 5 meters apart from west-southwest to east-northeast to create an approximately 800-m-long linear profile...
High-resolution seismic data acquired near seismic station CE.57213 in Fremont, California High-resolution seismic data acquired near seismic station CE.57213 in Fremont, California
In September 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave data near seismic station CE.57213 in Fremont, California, approximately 100 m east of the mapped trace of the Hayward Fault. We acquired the seismic data to evaluate the time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the upper 30 m (VS30) and to better understand ground-shaking near the station CE.57213. The...
High-resolution seismic data acquired at northern Ano Nuevo, California High-resolution seismic data acquired at northern Ano Nuevo, California
The U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data across the Frijoles Fault strand of the San Gregorio Fault Zone (SGFZ) at northern Ano Nuevo, California in 2012. SGFZ is a right-lateral fault system that is mainly offshore, and prior studies provide highly variable slip estimates, which indicates uncertainty about the seismic hazard it poses. Therefore, the...
High-resolution seismic data acquired at six Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) recording stations in 2017 High-resolution seismic data acquired at six Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) recording stations in 2017
In August 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near six Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) recording stations in southern California: CI.OLI Olinda; CI.SRN Serrano; CI.MUR Murrieta; CI.LCG La Cienega; CI.RUS Rush; and CI.STC Santa Clara (Figure 1). These strong-motion recording stations are located inside Southern California Edison...
High-resolution seismic data acquired at six seismic network recording stations in San Bernardino County, California in 2019 High-resolution seismic data acquired at six seismic network recording stations in San Bernardino County, California in 2019
In May 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey acquired high resolution P- and S-wave seismic data near six seismic network recording stations in San Bernardino County, California: Southern California Seismic Network CI.CLT Calelectic, CI.MLS Mira Loma, CI.CJM Cajon Mountain and CI.HLN Highland; California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program station CE.23542; and US National Strong-Motion...
Filter Total Items: 82
San Andreas fault exploration using refraction tomography and S-wave-type and Fϕ-mode guided waves San Andreas fault exploration using refraction tomography and S-wave-type and Fϕ-mode guided waves
Surface ruptures from the 18 April 1906 M∼7.9 San Francisco earthquake were distributed over an ∼35‐meter‐wide zone at San Andreas Lake on the San Francisco Peninsula in California (Schussler, 1906). Since ∼1906, the surface ruptures have been largely covered by water, but with water levels at near‐historic low levels in 2008–2011, we observed that the 1906 surface ruptures were no...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Michael Rymer, Mark Goldman
2018 U.S. Geological Survey–California Geological Survey fault-imaging surveys across the Hollywood and Santa Monica Faults, Los Angeles County, California 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 seismic data across the Hollywood Fault in Hollywood, Calif., and the Santa Monica Fault in Beverly Hills, Calif., in May and June 2018. On the basis of our data, we infer near-surface locations of various traces of these faults. From two separate profiles across the Hollywood Fault, we evaluated multiple seismic datasets and models, including guided-wave...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Janis Hernandez, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Brian Olson, Coyn J. Criley
Science plan for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the San Francisco Bay region, 2019–24 Science plan for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the San Francisco Bay region, 2019–24
This five-year science plan outlines short-term and long-term goals for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the greater San Francisco Bay region as well as how to foster a community effort in reaching those goals. The short-term goals focus on improving the current U.S. Geological Survey San Francisco Bay region geologic and seismic velocity model using existing data...
Authors
Brad T. Aagaard, Russell W. Graymer, Clifford H. Thurber, Arthur J. Rodgers, Taka’aki Taira, Rufus D. Catchings, Christine A. Goulet, Andreas Plesch
Mechanics of near-field deformation during co- and post-seismic shallow fault slip Mechanics of near-field deformation during co- and post-seismic shallow fault slip
Poor knowledge of how faults slip and distribute deformation in the shallow crust hinders efforts to mitigate hazards where faults increasingly intersect with the expanding global population at Earth’s surface. Here we analyze two study sites along the 2014 M 6.0 South Napa, California, earthquake rupture, each dominated by either co- or post-seismic shallow fault slip. We combine mobile...
Authors
Johanna Nevitt, Benjamin A. Brooks, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark Goldman, Todd Ericksen, Craig L. Glennie
Rupture branching structure of the 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa, California earthquake inferred from explosion-generated fault-zone trapped waves Rupture branching structure of the 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa, California earthquake inferred from explosion-generated fault-zone trapped waves
We present evidence for multiple fault branches of the West Napa fault zone (WNFZ) based on fault‐zone trapped waves (FZTWs) generated by two explosions that were detonated within the main surface rupture zone produced by the 24 August 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa earthquake. The FZTWs were recorded by a 15‐kilometer‐long dense (100 m spacing) linear seismic array consisting of 155 4.5‐hertz...
Authors
Yong-Gang Li, Rufus D. Catchings, Mark Goldman
Two-dimensional seismic velocities and structural variations at three British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) dam sites, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Two-dimensional seismic velocities and structural variations at three British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) dam sites, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Summary In June, 2017, we acquired seismic data along five linear profiles at three British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro, a Canadian provincial Crown Corporation) dam sites (John Hart, Ladore, and Strathcona Dams) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. We also attempted to acquire linear seismic profiles at two additional BC Hydro dam sites (Ruskin Dam and Stave...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, Kofi O. Addo, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Coyn J. Criley
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.