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Thomas Pratt, Ph.D.

Thomas Pratt is a Research Geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey based in Reston, Virginia, and a member of the Geologic Hazards Science Center in Golden, Colorado. His research interests are in seismic imaging of active fault systems, modeling of geologic structures, studying the tectonic settings of earthquakes, and understanding ground motions during earthquakes.

Education

Cornell University        BA, Geology, 1980

Virginia Tech               M.Sc., Geophysics, 1982

Virginia Tech               Ph.D.,  Geophysics, 1986

 

Professional Positions

Research Geophysicist, USGS, Reston, VA, 2013-present.

Central and Eastern Region Coordinator, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, 2017-present.

Editor-in-Chief, Bulletin of the Seismological Society America, 2016-2021.

Acting External Grants Program Manager, USGS, 2016 (4-month term).

Associate Editor, Bulletin of the Seismological Society America, 2014-2015.

Research Geophysicist, USGS, Seattle, WA, 1994-2013.

Affiliate Professor, Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, 2003-2014.

Affiliate Professor, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, 2004-2014.

Visiting Professor, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, May 5 - August 5, 2000.

Affiliate, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, 1994-2003.

Research Geophysicist, USGS, Golden, CO, 1991-1994.

Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research, 1991-1995.

Research Associate, Department of Earth Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1989-1991.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Earth Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1986-1989.

 

Committees

Chair, Seismological Society of America Best Student Presentation subcommittee, 2010-2011.

Member, Seismological Society of America Awards Committee, 2010-2011.

Subject Matter Expert, USGS “Requirements, Capabilities and Analysis for Earth Observations (RCA-OE)” – a USGS-wide exercise to evaluate capabilities and needs. August-October, 2014.

Member, Hiring Committee, Earthquake Hazards Program External Grants Manager (April-May, 2016)

Member (USGS Representative), FEMA 2019 New Madrid Exercise “Shaken Fury”, Interagency Core Planning Team – 2018-2019

Member, Program for Array Seismic Studies of the Continental Lithosphere (PASSCAL) Standing Committee, Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), 1994-1998 and 2007-2010.

Chair, Seismological Society of America Best Student Presentation committee, 2010-2011.

Co-Chair (2009-2010), Incorporated Research Institutes for Seismology (IRIS) Active Source Committee; With Alan Levander of Rice University