Stephen J. Angster, Ph.D.
I am a field-based and analytical research geologist with the Earthquake Science Center who specializes in earthquake geology. My research aims to understand spatial and temporal distribution of earthquakes and active fault systems. My work is primary focused in the Pacific Northwest and informs seismic hazard models and future risk.
I have conducted geologic and geophysical based studies of complex fault systems in various tectonic settings throughout the U.S and internationally. I currently lead the Pacific Northwest paleoseismic studies task group for the Earthquake Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey. My group focuses on assessing and characterizing Quaternary active faults within the upper continental plate of the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, USGS ESC, 2018 - Present
Geologist, USGS GHSC, 2010 - 2013
Intern Geologist, USGS GHSC, 2008 - 2010
Education and Certifications
PhD: University of Nevada, Reno, 2018
MS: Colorado School of Mines, 2013
BS: Western Illinois University, 2006
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Latest Quaternary paleoseismology and evidence of distributed dextral shear along the Mohawk Valley fault zone, northern Walker Lane, California Latest Quaternary paleoseismology and evidence of distributed dextral shear along the Mohawk Valley fault zone, northern Walker Lane, California
The dextral-slip Mohawk Valley fault zone (MVFZ) strikes northwestward along the eastern margin of the Sierra Nevada in the northern Walker Lane. Geodetic block modeling indicates that the MVFZ may accommodate ~3 mm/yr of regional dextral strain, implying that it is the highest slip-rate strike-slip fault in the region; however, only limited geologic data are available to constrain the...
Authors
Ryan D. Gold, Richard W. Briggs, Stephen Personius, Anthony J. Crone, Shannon A. Mahan, Stephen Angster
Ground-motion site effects from multimethod shear-wave velocity characterization at 16 seismograph stations deployed for aftershocks of the August 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake Ground-motion site effects from multimethod shear-wave velocity characterization at 16 seismograph stations deployed for aftershocks of the August 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake
We characterize shear-wave velocity versus depth (Vs profile) at 16 portable seismograph sites through the epicentral region of the 2011 Mw 5.8 Mineral (Virginia, USA) earthquake to investigate ground-motion site effects in the area. We used a multimethod acquisition and analysis approach, where active-source horizontal shear (SH) wave reflection and refraction as well as active-source
Authors
William J. Stephenson, Jackson K. Odum, Daniel E. McNamara, Robert A. Williams, Stephen J Angster
Grizzly Valley fault system, Sierra Valley, CA Grizzly Valley fault system, Sierra Valley, CA
The Grizzly Valley fault system (GVFS) strikes northwestward across Sierra Valley, California and is part of a network of active, dextral strike-slip faults in the northern Walker Lane (Figure 1). To investigate Quaternary motion across the GVFS, we analyzed high-resolution (0.25 m) airborne LiDAR data (Figure 2) in combination with six, high-resolution, P-wave, seismic-reflection...
Authors
Ryan Gold, William Stephenson, Jack Odum, Rich Briggs, Anthony Crone, Steve Angster
FOP 2012 stop, Honey Lake fault, Doyle, CA FOP 2012 stop, Honey Lake fault, Doyle, CA
The Honey Lake fault system (HLFS) strikes north-northwestward across Long Valley near Doyle, CA and is part of a network of active, dextral strike-slip faults in the northern Walker Lane (Figure 1). Geologic investigations of a right-laterally offset terrace riser along the north bank of Long Valley Creek, which we refer to as site 1 (Figure 2), indicate a latest Quaternary slip rate of...
Authors
Ryan Gold, Richard W. Briggs, Anthony Crone, Steve Angster
Modeling of wave driven circulation and water quality in nearshore environments Modeling of wave driven circulation and water quality in nearshore environments
In order to investigate the effects of nearshore discharges of water quality degrading substances and bacteria in coastal environments, models capable of predicting nearshore circulation due to local wave and tide conditions are required. One of the larger challenges to nearshore coastal modeling is accurately reproducing nearshore circulation due to wave action. Local wave action not...
Authors
Craig Jones, Stephen J. Angster
Non-USGS Publications**
Angster, S., Wesnousky, S., Figueiredo, P., Owen, L., and Hammer, S., 2019. Late Quaternary slip rates for faults of the central Walker Lane (Nevada, USA): Spatiotemporal strain release in a strike-slip fault system. Geosphere, 15(5), pp.1460-1478.
Angster, S., Wesnousky, S., Huang, W.L., Kent, G., Nakata, T. and Goto, H., 2016. Application of UAV photography to refining the slip rate on the Pyramid Lake fault zone, Nevada. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 106(2), pp.785-798.
Angster, S., Fielding, E.J., Wesnousky, S., Pierce, I., Chamlagain, D., Gautam, D., Upreti, B., Kumahara, Y. and Nakata, T., 2015. Field reconnaissance after the 25 April 2015 M 7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Seismological Research Letters, 86(6), pp.1506-1513.
**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: 17
Latest Quaternary paleoseismology and evidence of distributed dextral shear along the Mohawk Valley fault zone, northern Walker Lane, California Latest Quaternary paleoseismology and evidence of distributed dextral shear along the Mohawk Valley fault zone, northern Walker Lane, California
The dextral-slip Mohawk Valley fault zone (MVFZ) strikes northwestward along the eastern margin of the Sierra Nevada in the northern Walker Lane. Geodetic block modeling indicates that the MVFZ may accommodate ~3 mm/yr of regional dextral strain, implying that it is the highest slip-rate strike-slip fault in the region; however, only limited geologic data are available to constrain the...
Authors
Ryan D. Gold, Richard W. Briggs, Stephen Personius, Anthony J. Crone, Shannon A. Mahan, Stephen Angster
Ground-motion site effects from multimethod shear-wave velocity characterization at 16 seismograph stations deployed for aftershocks of the August 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake Ground-motion site effects from multimethod shear-wave velocity characterization at 16 seismograph stations deployed for aftershocks of the August 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake
We characterize shear-wave velocity versus depth (Vs profile) at 16 portable seismograph sites through the epicentral region of the 2011 Mw 5.8 Mineral (Virginia, USA) earthquake to investigate ground-motion site effects in the area. We used a multimethod acquisition and analysis approach, where active-source horizontal shear (SH) wave reflection and refraction as well as active-source
Authors
William J. Stephenson, Jackson K. Odum, Daniel E. McNamara, Robert A. Williams, Stephen J Angster
Grizzly Valley fault system, Sierra Valley, CA Grizzly Valley fault system, Sierra Valley, CA
The Grizzly Valley fault system (GVFS) strikes northwestward across Sierra Valley, California and is part of a network of active, dextral strike-slip faults in the northern Walker Lane (Figure 1). To investigate Quaternary motion across the GVFS, we analyzed high-resolution (0.25 m) airborne LiDAR data (Figure 2) in combination with six, high-resolution, P-wave, seismic-reflection...
Authors
Ryan Gold, William Stephenson, Jack Odum, Rich Briggs, Anthony Crone, Steve Angster
FOP 2012 stop, Honey Lake fault, Doyle, CA FOP 2012 stop, Honey Lake fault, Doyle, CA
The Honey Lake fault system (HLFS) strikes north-northwestward across Long Valley near Doyle, CA and is part of a network of active, dextral strike-slip faults in the northern Walker Lane (Figure 1). Geologic investigations of a right-laterally offset terrace riser along the north bank of Long Valley Creek, which we refer to as site 1 (Figure 2), indicate a latest Quaternary slip rate of...
Authors
Ryan Gold, Richard W. Briggs, Anthony Crone, Steve Angster
Modeling of wave driven circulation and water quality in nearshore environments Modeling of wave driven circulation and water quality in nearshore environments
In order to investigate the effects of nearshore discharges of water quality degrading substances and bacteria in coastal environments, models capable of predicting nearshore circulation due to local wave and tide conditions are required. One of the larger challenges to nearshore coastal modeling is accurately reproducing nearshore circulation due to wave action. Local wave action not...
Authors
Craig Jones, Stephen J. Angster
Non-USGS Publications**
Angster, S., Wesnousky, S., Figueiredo, P., Owen, L., and Hammer, S., 2019. Late Quaternary slip rates for faults of the central Walker Lane (Nevada, USA): Spatiotemporal strain release in a strike-slip fault system. Geosphere, 15(5), pp.1460-1478.
Angster, S., Wesnousky, S., Huang, W.L., Kent, G., Nakata, T. and Goto, H., 2016. Application of UAV photography to refining the slip rate on the Pyramid Lake fault zone, Nevada. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 106(2), pp.785-798.
Angster, S., Fielding, E.J., Wesnousky, S., Pierce, I., Chamlagain, D., Gautam, D., Upreti, B., Kumahara, Y. and Nakata, T., 2015. Field reconnaissance after the 25 April 2015 M 7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Seismological Research Letters, 86(6), pp.1506-1513.
**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.