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
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Filter Total Items: 82
Regional Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratios across earthquake source zones from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri Regional Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratios across earthquake source zones from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri
Models of P- and S-wave velocity, Vp/Vs ratios, Poisson's ratios, and density for the crust and upper mantle are presented along a 400-km-long profile trending from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri. The profile crosses the New Madrid seismic zone and reveals distinct regional variations in the crustal velocity structure north and south of the latitude of New Madrid. In the...
Authors
R. D. Catchings
Faulting apparently related to the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake and possible co-seismic origin of surface cracks in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California Faulting apparently related to the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake and possible co-seismic origin of surface cracks in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California
Apparent southward-dipping, reverse-fault zones are imaged to depths of about 1.5 km beneath Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California. Based on their orientation and projection to the surface, we suggest that the imaged fault zones are extensions of the Oak Ridge fault. Geologic mapping by others and correlations with seismicity studies suggest that the Oak Ridge fault is the...
Authors
R. D. Catchings, M. R. Goldman, W.H.K. Lee, M. J. Rymer, D.J. Ponti
Seismic Images Beneath the Bottomless Pits (Continental) Area of Flagstaff, Arizona Seismic Images Beneath the Bottomless Pits (Continental) Area of Flagstaff, Arizona
No abstract available.
Authors
Rufus Douglas Catchings
Seismic reflection and refraction investigations in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California Seismic reflection and refraction investigations in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California
No abstract available.
Authors
M.N. Jaasma, R. D. Catchings, M. R. Goldman, M. J. Rymer, W.H. Lee
Reflected seismic waves and their effect on strong shaking during the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake Reflected seismic waves and their effect on strong shaking during the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake
Our data indicate that critical and postcritical reflections from crustal layers and the Moho produced increased shaking at discrete distances along the San Francisco Peninsula during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. These reflections may have produced an increase in amplitude that is as much as 10 times greater than that of the direct arrival. Peak amplitude-distance patterns measured...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, W.M. Kohler
Shallow velocity structure and Poisson's ratio at the Tarzana, California, strong-motion accelerometer site Shallow velocity structure and Poisson's ratio at the Tarzana, California, strong-motion accelerometer site
The 17 January 1994, Northridge, California, earthquake produced strong ground shaking at the Cedar Hills Nursery (referred to here as the Tarzana site) within the city of Tarzana, California, approximately 6 km from the epicenter of the mainshock. Although the Tarzana site is on a hill and is a rock site, accelerations of approximately 1.78 g horizontally and 1.2 g vertically at the...
Authors
R. D. Catchings, W.H.K. Lee
Images of crust beneath southern California will aid study of earthquakes and their effects Images of crust beneath southern California will aid study of earthquakes and their effects
The Whittier Narrows earthquake of 1987 and the Northridge earthquake of 1991 highlighted the earthquake hazards associated with buried faults in the Los Angeles region. A more thorough knowledge of the subsurface structure of southern California is needed to reveal these and other buried faults and to aid us in understanding how the earthquake-producing machinery works in this region.
Authors
G. S. Fuis, D. A. Okaya, R.W. Clayton, W. J. Lutter, T. Ryberg, T.M. Brocher, T.M. Henyey, M.L. Benthien, P.M. Davis, J. Mori, R. D. Catchings, Uri S. ten Brink, M.D. Kohler, Kim D. Klitgord, R. G. Bohannon
Crustal geophysics gives insight into new madrid seismic zone Crustal geophysics gives insight into new madrid seismic zone
No abstract available.
Authors
T.G. Hildenbrand, Eugene S. Schweig, Rufus D. Catchings, Victoria E. Langenheim, Walter D. Mooney, Thomas L. Pratt, W. D. Stanley
An image of the Columbia Plateau from inversion of high‐resolution seismic data An image of the Columbia Plateau from inversion of high‐resolution seismic data
We use a method of traveltime inversion of high‐resolution seismic data to provide the first reliable images of internal details of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), the subsurface basalt/sediment interface, and the deeper sediment/basement interface. Velocity structure within the basalts, delineated on the order of 1 km horizontally and 0.2 km vertically, is constrained to within...
Authors
William J. Lutter, Rufus D. Catchings, Craig M. Jarchow
Upper-crustal structure beneath the Columbia River Basalt Group, Washington; gravity interpretation controlled by borehole and seismic studies: Discussion Upper-crustal structure beneath the Columbia River Basalt Group, Washington; gravity interpretation controlled by borehole and seismic studies: Discussion
No abstract available
Authors
R. D. Catchings, R. W. Saltus
Large-explosive source, wide-recording aperture, seismic profiling on the Columbia Plateau, Washington Large-explosive source, wide-recording aperture, seismic profiling on the Columbia Plateau, Washington
Clear subsurface seismic images have been obtained at low cost on the Columbia Plateau, Washington. The Columbia Plateau is perhaps the most notorious of all 'bad-data' areas because large impedance contrasts in surface flood basalts severely degrade the seismic wavefield. This degradation was mitigated in this study via a large-explosive source, wide-recording aperture shooting method...
Authors
Craig M. Jarchow, Rufus D. Catchings, William J. Lutter
Data report for the 1993 seismic refraction experiment in the San Francisco Bay Area, California Data report for the 1993 seismic refraction experiment in the San Francisco Bay Area, California
No abstract available.
Authors
W.M. Kohler, R. D. Catchings
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
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 82
Regional Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratios across earthquake source zones from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri Regional Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratios across earthquake source zones from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri
Models of P- and S-wave velocity, Vp/Vs ratios, Poisson's ratios, and density for the crust and upper mantle are presented along a 400-km-long profile trending from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri. The profile crosses the New Madrid seismic zone and reveals distinct regional variations in the crustal velocity structure north and south of the latitude of New Madrid. In the...
Authors
R. D. Catchings
Faulting apparently related to the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake and possible co-seismic origin of surface cracks in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California Faulting apparently related to the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake and possible co-seismic origin of surface cracks in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California
Apparent southward-dipping, reverse-fault zones are imaged to depths of about 1.5 km beneath Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California. Based on their orientation and projection to the surface, we suggest that the imaged fault zones are extensions of the Oak Ridge fault. Geologic mapping by others and correlations with seismicity studies suggest that the Oak Ridge fault is the...
Authors
R. D. Catchings, M. R. Goldman, W.H.K. Lee, M. J. Rymer, D.J. Ponti
Seismic Images Beneath the Bottomless Pits (Continental) Area of Flagstaff, Arizona Seismic Images Beneath the Bottomless Pits (Continental) Area of Flagstaff, Arizona
No abstract available.
Authors
Rufus Douglas Catchings
Seismic reflection and refraction investigations in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California Seismic reflection and refraction investigations in Potrero Canyon, Los Angeles County, California
No abstract available.
Authors
M.N. Jaasma, R. D. Catchings, M. R. Goldman, M. J. Rymer, W.H. Lee
Reflected seismic waves and their effect on strong shaking during the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake Reflected seismic waves and their effect on strong shaking during the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake
Our data indicate that critical and postcritical reflections from crustal layers and the Moho produced increased shaking at discrete distances along the San Francisco Peninsula during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. These reflections may have produced an increase in amplitude that is as much as 10 times greater than that of the direct arrival. Peak amplitude-distance patterns measured...
Authors
Rufus D. Catchings, W.M. Kohler
Shallow velocity structure and Poisson's ratio at the Tarzana, California, strong-motion accelerometer site Shallow velocity structure and Poisson's ratio at the Tarzana, California, strong-motion accelerometer site
The 17 January 1994, Northridge, California, earthquake produced strong ground shaking at the Cedar Hills Nursery (referred to here as the Tarzana site) within the city of Tarzana, California, approximately 6 km from the epicenter of the mainshock. Although the Tarzana site is on a hill and is a rock site, accelerations of approximately 1.78 g horizontally and 1.2 g vertically at the...
Authors
R. D. Catchings, W.H.K. Lee
Images of crust beneath southern California will aid study of earthquakes and their effects Images of crust beneath southern California will aid study of earthquakes and their effects
The Whittier Narrows earthquake of 1987 and the Northridge earthquake of 1991 highlighted the earthquake hazards associated with buried faults in the Los Angeles region. A more thorough knowledge of the subsurface structure of southern California is needed to reveal these and other buried faults and to aid us in understanding how the earthquake-producing machinery works in this region.
Authors
G. S. Fuis, D. A. Okaya, R.W. Clayton, W. J. Lutter, T. Ryberg, T.M. Brocher, T.M. Henyey, M.L. Benthien, P.M. Davis, J. Mori, R. D. Catchings, Uri S. ten Brink, M.D. Kohler, Kim D. Klitgord, R. G. Bohannon
Crustal geophysics gives insight into new madrid seismic zone Crustal geophysics gives insight into new madrid seismic zone
No abstract available.
Authors
T.G. Hildenbrand, Eugene S. Schweig, Rufus D. Catchings, Victoria E. Langenheim, Walter D. Mooney, Thomas L. Pratt, W. D. Stanley
An image of the Columbia Plateau from inversion of high‐resolution seismic data An image of the Columbia Plateau from inversion of high‐resolution seismic data
We use a method of traveltime inversion of high‐resolution seismic data to provide the first reliable images of internal details of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), the subsurface basalt/sediment interface, and the deeper sediment/basement interface. Velocity structure within the basalts, delineated on the order of 1 km horizontally and 0.2 km vertically, is constrained to within...
Authors
William J. Lutter, Rufus D. Catchings, Craig M. Jarchow
Upper-crustal structure beneath the Columbia River Basalt Group, Washington; gravity interpretation controlled by borehole and seismic studies: Discussion Upper-crustal structure beneath the Columbia River Basalt Group, Washington; gravity interpretation controlled by borehole and seismic studies: Discussion
No abstract available
Authors
R. D. Catchings, R. W. Saltus
Large-explosive source, wide-recording aperture, seismic profiling on the Columbia Plateau, Washington Large-explosive source, wide-recording aperture, seismic profiling on the Columbia Plateau, Washington
Clear subsurface seismic images have been obtained at low cost on the Columbia Plateau, Washington. The Columbia Plateau is perhaps the most notorious of all 'bad-data' areas because large impedance contrasts in surface flood basalts severely degrade the seismic wavefield. This degradation was mitigated in this study via a large-explosive source, wide-recording aperture shooting method...
Authors
Craig M. Jarchow, Rufus D. Catchings, William J. Lutter
Data report for the 1993 seismic refraction experiment in the San Francisco Bay Area, California Data report for the 1993 seismic refraction experiment in the San Francisco Bay Area, California
No abstract available.
Authors
W.M. Kohler, R. D. Catchings
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.