Uri ten Brink, PhD
My research focuses on quantifying tectonic and morphological processes and their impacts on the assessments of tsunami, landslide, and earthquake hazards. I am also interested in bridging gaps between disciplines in earth sciences. I am the Project Chief of the USGS Marine Geohazards Sources and Probability Project and in charge of the USGS Ocean Bottom Seismometers.
FIELD EXPERIENCE
41 cruises (26 as chief scientist)
3 over-ice land traverses, Antarctica (co-chief scientist)
4 Airborne magnetic, land gravity, and land seismic surveys (co-chief scientist)
Professional Experience
1991-present Research geophysicist, USGS, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
2015-2019 Editor in Chief, Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth
1999-present Adjunct Scientist, The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
2013-2016 Professor and Chairman, Department of Marine Geosciences, University of Haifa
2016-present Affiliate Professor, University of Haifa
Education and Certifications
1981-1986 Ph.D. Geological Sciences Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
1977-1980 B.Sc. Geology and Physics, The Hebrew University, Israel
1991-1996 Consulting Associate Professor, Stanford University
1987-1991 Post-doctoral scholar, Stanford University
1986-1987 Post-doctoral scholar, Tel Aviv University
Affiliations and Memberships*
Chairman, U.S.-Israel Bi-National Science Foundation panel for Earth and Atmospheric sciences, 2015
Member - Netherlands Science Foundation panel on Caribbean natural and social sciences, 2014
Member, ITU-WMO-UNESCO/IOC Joint Task Force on Submarine Cables for Tsunami Warnings and Scientific Research, 2013
Co-convenor, Workshop on landslide tsunami probability, 2011
Member, NSF panel evaluating the management structure of the ocean bottom seismometer facilities, 2011
Guest editor- Marine Geology "Assessment of tsunami hazards to the U.S. Atlantic coast", 2009
Honors and Awards
2016 – Fellow, American Geophysical Union
2010 – Senior Scientist (ST), Federal government
2007/8 – Distinguished Lecturer – Seismological Society of America/ IRIS
1996 - Fellow, Geological Society of America
1990 - Royal Society of New Zealand annual prize for Geophysics
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 149
Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. Atlantic margin Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. Atlantic margin
Tsunami hazard is a very low-probability, but potentially high-risk natural hazard, posing unique challenges to scientists and policy makers trying to mitigate its impacts. These challenges are illustrated in this assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. Atlantic margin. Seismic activity along the U.S. Atlantic margin in general is low, and confirmed paleo-tsunami deposits have not yet...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, Jason Chaytor, Eric L. Geist, Daniel S. Brothers, Brian D. Andrews
A framework for the probabilistic analysis of meteotsunamis A framework for the probabilistic analysis of meteotsunamis
A probabilistic technique is developed to assess the hazard from meteotsunamis. Meteotsunamis are unusual sea-level events, generated when the speed of an atmospheric pressure or wind disturbance is comparable to the phase speed of long waves in the ocean. A general aggregation equation is proposed for the probabilistic analysis, based on previous frameworks established for both tsunamis...
Authors
Eric L. Geist, Uri S. ten Brink, Matthew D. Gove
Seabed fluid expulsion along the upper slope and outer shelf of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin Seabed fluid expulsion along the upper slope and outer shelf of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin
Identifying the spatial distribution of seabed fluid expulsion features is crucial for understanding the substrate plumbing system of any continental margin. A 1100 km stretch of the U.S. Atlantic margin contains more than 5000 pockmarks at water depths of 120 m (shelf edge) to 700 m (upper slope), mostly updip of the contemporary gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Advanced attribute...
Authors
D.S. Brothers, C. Ruppel, J.W. Kluesner, Uri S. ten Brink, J.D. Chaytor, J. C. Hill, B.D. Andrews, C. Flores
Slope failures and timing of turbidity flows north of Puerto Rico Slope failures and timing of turbidity flows north of Puerto Rico
The submerged carbonate platform north of Puerto Rico terminates in a high (3,000–4,000 m) and in places steep (>45°) slope characterized by numerous landslide scarps including two 30–50 km-wide amphitheater-shaped features. The origin of the steep platform edge and the amphitheaters has been attributed to: (1) catastrophic failure, or (2) localized failures and progressive erosion...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, Jason D. Chaytor
Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations
Multibeam bathymetry data collected in the Puerto Rico Trench and Northeast Caribbean region are compiled into a seamless bathymetric terrain model for broad-scale geological investigations of the trench system. These data, collected during eight separate surveys between 2002 and 2013, covering almost 180,000 square kilometers are published here in large format map sheet and digital...
Authors
Brian D. Andrews, Uri S. ten Brink, William W. Danforth, Jason D. Chaytor, J Granja-Bruna, A Carbo-Gorosabel
Seismic hazard from the Hispaniola subduction zone: correction to "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region" Seismic hazard from the Hispaniola subduction zone: correction to "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region"
No abstract available
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, William H. Bakun, Claudia H. Flores
Slab tears and intermediate-depth seismicity Slab tears and intermediate-depth seismicity
Active tectonic regions where plate boundaries transition from subduction to strike slip can take several forms, such as triple junctions, acute, and obtuse corners. Well-documented slab tears that are associated with high rates of intermediate-depth seismicity are considered here: Gibraltar arc, the southern and northern ends of the Lesser Antilles arc, and the northern end of Tonga...
Authors
Hallie E. Meighan, Uri S. ten Brink, Jay Pulliam
Seismic evidence for a slab tear at the Puerto Rico Trench Seismic evidence for a slab tear at the Puerto Rico Trench
The fore-arc region of the northeast Caribbean plate north of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands has been the site of numerous seismic swarms since at least 1976. A 6 month deployment of five ocean bottom seismographs recorded two such tightly clustered swarms, along with additional events. Joint analyses of the ocean bottom seismographs and land-based seismic data reveal that the swarms...
Authors
Hallie E. Meighan, Jay Pulliam, Uri S. ten Brink, Alberto M. Lopez-Venegas
Geomorphic process fingerprints in submarine canyons Geomorphic process fingerprints in submarine canyons
Submarine canyons are common features of continental margins worldwide. They are conduits that funnel vast quantities of sediment from the continents to the deep sea. Though it is known that submarine canyons form primarily from erosion induced by submarine sediment flows, we currently lack quantitative, empirically based expressions that describe the morphology of submarine canyon...
Authors
Daniel S. Brothers, Uri S. ten Brink, Brian D. Andrews, Jason D. Chaytor, David C. Twichell
Geomorphic characterization of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin Geomorphic characterization of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin
The increasing volume of multibeam bathymetry data collected along continental margins is providing new opportunities to study the feedbacks between sedimentary and oceanographic processes and seafloor morphology. Attempts to develop simple guidelines that describe the relationships between form and process often overlook the importance of inherited physiography in slope depositional...
Authors
Daniel S. Brothers, Uri S. ten Brink, Brian D. Andrews, Jason D. Chaytor
Reply to a comment by Carol S. Prentice, Paul Mann, and Luis R. Peña on: "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region" by U. ten Brink et al. (2011) Reply to a comment by Carol S. Prentice, Paul Mann, and Luis R. Peña on: "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region" by U. ten Brink et al. (2011)
No abstract available.
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, William H. Bakun, Claudia H. Flores
Estimation of submarine mass failure probability from a sequence of deposits with age dates Estimation of submarine mass failure probability from a sequence of deposits with age dates
The empirical probability of submarine mass failure is quantified from a sequence of dated mass-transport deposits. Several different techniques are described to estimate the parameters for a suite of candidate probability models. The techniques, previously developed for analyzing paleoseismic data, include maximum likelihood and Type II (Bayesian) maximum likelihood methods derived from...
Authors
Eric L. Geist, Jason D. Chaytor, Thomas E. Parsons, Uri S. ten Brink
Non-USGS Publications**
**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: 149
Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. Atlantic margin Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. Atlantic margin
Tsunami hazard is a very low-probability, but potentially high-risk natural hazard, posing unique challenges to scientists and policy makers trying to mitigate its impacts. These challenges are illustrated in this assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. Atlantic margin. Seismic activity along the U.S. Atlantic margin in general is low, and confirmed paleo-tsunami deposits have not yet...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, Jason Chaytor, Eric L. Geist, Daniel S. Brothers, Brian D. Andrews
A framework for the probabilistic analysis of meteotsunamis A framework for the probabilistic analysis of meteotsunamis
A probabilistic technique is developed to assess the hazard from meteotsunamis. Meteotsunamis are unusual sea-level events, generated when the speed of an atmospheric pressure or wind disturbance is comparable to the phase speed of long waves in the ocean. A general aggregation equation is proposed for the probabilistic analysis, based on previous frameworks established for both tsunamis...
Authors
Eric L. Geist, Uri S. ten Brink, Matthew D. Gove
Seabed fluid expulsion along the upper slope and outer shelf of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin Seabed fluid expulsion along the upper slope and outer shelf of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin
Identifying the spatial distribution of seabed fluid expulsion features is crucial for understanding the substrate plumbing system of any continental margin. A 1100 km stretch of the U.S. Atlantic margin contains more than 5000 pockmarks at water depths of 120 m (shelf edge) to 700 m (upper slope), mostly updip of the contemporary gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Advanced attribute...
Authors
D.S. Brothers, C. Ruppel, J.W. Kluesner, Uri S. ten Brink, J.D. Chaytor, J. C. Hill, B.D. Andrews, C. Flores
Slope failures and timing of turbidity flows north of Puerto Rico Slope failures and timing of turbidity flows north of Puerto Rico
The submerged carbonate platform north of Puerto Rico terminates in a high (3,000–4,000 m) and in places steep (>45°) slope characterized by numerous landslide scarps including two 30–50 km-wide amphitheater-shaped features. The origin of the steep platform edge and the amphitheaters has been attributed to: (1) catastrophic failure, or (2) localized failures and progressive erosion...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, Jason D. Chaytor
Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations
Multibeam bathymetry data collected in the Puerto Rico Trench and Northeast Caribbean region are compiled into a seamless bathymetric terrain model for broad-scale geological investigations of the trench system. These data, collected during eight separate surveys between 2002 and 2013, covering almost 180,000 square kilometers are published here in large format map sheet and digital...
Authors
Brian D. Andrews, Uri S. ten Brink, William W. Danforth, Jason D. Chaytor, J Granja-Bruna, A Carbo-Gorosabel
Seismic hazard from the Hispaniola subduction zone: correction to "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region" Seismic hazard from the Hispaniola subduction zone: correction to "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region"
No abstract available
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, William H. Bakun, Claudia H. Flores
Slab tears and intermediate-depth seismicity Slab tears and intermediate-depth seismicity
Active tectonic regions where plate boundaries transition from subduction to strike slip can take several forms, such as triple junctions, acute, and obtuse corners. Well-documented slab tears that are associated with high rates of intermediate-depth seismicity are considered here: Gibraltar arc, the southern and northern ends of the Lesser Antilles arc, and the northern end of Tonga...
Authors
Hallie E. Meighan, Uri S. ten Brink, Jay Pulliam
Seismic evidence for a slab tear at the Puerto Rico Trench Seismic evidence for a slab tear at the Puerto Rico Trench
The fore-arc region of the northeast Caribbean plate north of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands has been the site of numerous seismic swarms since at least 1976. A 6 month deployment of five ocean bottom seismographs recorded two such tightly clustered swarms, along with additional events. Joint analyses of the ocean bottom seismographs and land-based seismic data reveal that the swarms...
Authors
Hallie E. Meighan, Jay Pulliam, Uri S. ten Brink, Alberto M. Lopez-Venegas
Geomorphic process fingerprints in submarine canyons Geomorphic process fingerprints in submarine canyons
Submarine canyons are common features of continental margins worldwide. They are conduits that funnel vast quantities of sediment from the continents to the deep sea. Though it is known that submarine canyons form primarily from erosion induced by submarine sediment flows, we currently lack quantitative, empirically based expressions that describe the morphology of submarine canyon...
Authors
Daniel S. Brothers, Uri S. ten Brink, Brian D. Andrews, Jason D. Chaytor, David C. Twichell
Geomorphic characterization of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin Geomorphic characterization of the U.S. Atlantic continental margin
The increasing volume of multibeam bathymetry data collected along continental margins is providing new opportunities to study the feedbacks between sedimentary and oceanographic processes and seafloor morphology. Attempts to develop simple guidelines that describe the relationships between form and process often overlook the importance of inherited physiography in slope depositional...
Authors
Daniel S. Brothers, Uri S. ten Brink, Brian D. Andrews, Jason D. Chaytor
Reply to a comment by Carol S. Prentice, Paul Mann, and Luis R. Peña on: "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region" by U. ten Brink et al. (2011) Reply to a comment by Carol S. Prentice, Paul Mann, and Luis R. Peña on: "Historical perspective on seismic hazard to Hispaniola and the northeast Caribbean region" by U. ten Brink et al. (2011)
No abstract available.
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, William H. Bakun, Claudia H. Flores
Estimation of submarine mass failure probability from a sequence of deposits with age dates Estimation of submarine mass failure probability from a sequence of deposits with age dates
The empirical probability of submarine mass failure is quantified from a sequence of dated mass-transport deposits. Several different techniques are described to estimate the parameters for a suite of candidate probability models. The techniques, previously developed for analyzing paleoseismic data, include maximum likelihood and Type II (Bayesian) maximum likelihood methods derived from...
Authors
Eric L. Geist, Jason D. Chaytor, Thomas E. Parsons, Uri S. ten Brink
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government