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
Exploring active tectonics in the Dominican Republic Exploring active tectonics in the Dominican Republic
The devastating 12 January 2010 Haiti earthquake (M = 7.0), which killed an estimated 230,000 people and caused extensive damage to homes and buildings, drew attention to the crucial need for improved knowledge of the active tectonics of the Caribbean region. But even before this disastrous event, interest in understanding the active and complex northeastern Caribbean plate boundary had...
Authors
A Carbo-Gorosabel, D. Cordoba-Barbara, J. Martin-Davila, J. L. Granja-Bruna, Estrada P. Llanes, A. Munoz-Martin, Uri S. ten Brink
Extension in Mona Passage, Northeast Caribbean Extension in Mona Passage, Northeast Caribbean
As shown by the recent Mw 7.0 Haiti earthquake, intra-arc deformation, which accompanies the subduction process, can present seismic and tsunami hazards to nearby islands. Spatially-limited diffuse tectonic deformation within the Northeast Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone likely led to the development of the submerged Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. GPS geodetic...
Authors
J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink
Tsunami simulations of the 1867 Virgin Island earthquake: Constraints on epicenter location and fault parameters Tsunami simulations of the 1867 Virgin Island earthquake: Constraints on epicenter location and fault parameters
The 18 November 1867 Virgin Island earthquake and the tsunami that closely followed caused considerable loss of life and damage in several places in the northeast Caribbean region. The earthquake was likely a manifestation of the complex tectonic deformation of the Anegada Passage, which cuts across the Antilles island arc between the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles. In this...
Authors
Roy Barkan, Uri S. ten Brink
Morphology of late Quaternary submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental margin Morphology of late Quaternary submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental margin
The nearly complete coverage of the U.S. Atlantic continental slope and rise by multibeam bathymetry and backscatter imagery provides an opportunity to reevaluate the distribution of submarine landslides along the margin and reassess the controls on their formation. Landslides can be divided into two categories based on their source areas: those sourced in submarine canyons and those...
Authors
D.C. Twichell, J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink, B. Buczkowski
Bivergent thrust wedges surrounding oceanic island arcs: Insight from observations and sandbox models of the northeastern caribbean plate Bivergent thrust wedges surrounding oceanic island arcs: Insight from observations and sandbox models of the northeastern caribbean plate
At several localities around the world, thrust belts have developed on both sides of oceanic island arcs (e.g., Java-Timor, Panama, Vanuatu, and the northeastern Caribbean). In these localities, the overall vergence of the backarc thrust belt is opposite to that of the forearc thrust belt. For example, in the northeastern Caribbean, a north-verging accretionary prism lies to the north of...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, S. Marshak, Bruna J.L. Granja
Far field tsunami simulations of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake: Implications for tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast and the Caribbean Far field tsunami simulations of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake: Implications for tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast and the Caribbean
The great Lisbon earthquake of November 1st, 1755 with an estimated moment magnitude of 8.5-9.0 was the most destructive earthquake in European history. The associated tsunami run-up was reported to have reached 5-15??m along the Portuguese and Moroccan coasts and the run-up was significant at the Azores and Madeira Island. Run-up reports from a trans-oceanic tsunami were documented in...
Authors
R. Barkan, Uri S. ten Brink, J. Lin
Geomorphology, stability and mobility of the Currituck slide Geomorphology, stability and mobility of the Currituck slide
Over the last 100,000??years, the U.S. Atlantic continental margin has experienced various types of mass movements some of which are believed to have taken place at times of low sea level. At one of these times of low sea level a significant trigger caused a major submarine mass movement off the coast of Virginia: the Currituck slide which is believed to have taken place between 24 and...
Authors
J. Locat, H. Lee, Uri S. ten Brink, D. Twichell, E. Geist, M. Sansoucy
Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin
Assessment of the probability for destructive landslide-generated tsunamis depends on the knowledge of the number, size, and frequency of large submarine landslides. This paper investigates the size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental slope and rise using the size of the landslide source regions (landslide failure scars). Landslide scars along the...
Authors
J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink, A.R. Solow, B.D. Andrews
Morphotectonics of the central Muertos thrust belt and Muertos Trough (northeastern Caribbean) Morphotectonics of the central Muertos thrust belt and Muertos Trough (northeastern Caribbean)
Multibeam bathymetry data acquired during the 2005 Spanish R/V Hesp??rides cruise and reprocessed multichannel seismic profiles provide the basis for the analysis of the morphology and deformation in the central Muertos Trough and Muertos thrust belt. The Muertos Trough is an elongated basin developed where the Venezuelan Basin crust is thrusted under the Muertos fold-and-thrust belt...
Authors
Bruna J.L. Granja, Uri S. ten Brink, Andres Carbo-Gorosabel, A. Munoz-Martin, Ballesteros M. Gomez
Size distributions and failure initiation of submarine and subaerial landslides Size distributions and failure initiation of submarine and subaerial landslides
Landslides are often viewed together with other natural hazards, such as earthquakes and fires, as phenomena whose size distribution obeys an inverse power law. Inverse power law distributions are the result of additive avalanche processes, in which the final size cannot be predicted at the onset of the disturbance. Volume and area distributions of submarine landslides along the U.S...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, R. Barkan, B.D. Andrews, J.D. Chaytor
Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast using relationships between submarine landslides and earthquakes Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast using relationships between submarine landslides and earthquakes
Submarine landslides along the continental slope of the U.S. Atlantic margin are potential sources for tsunamis along the U.S. East coast. The magnitude of potential tsunamis depends on the volume and location of the landslides, and tsunami frequency depends on their recurrence interval. However, the size and recurrence interval of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin is...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, H.J. Lee, E.L. Geist, D. Twichell
Submarine landslide as the source for the October 11, 1918 Mona Passage tsunami: Observations and modeling Submarine landslide as the source for the October 11, 1918 Mona Passage tsunami: Observations and modeling
The October 11, 1918 ML 7.5 earthquake in the Mona Passage between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico generated a local tsunami that claimed approximately 100 lives along the western coast of Puerto Rico. The area affected by this tsunami is now significantly more populated. Newly acquired high-resolution bathymetry and seismic reflection lines in the Mona Passage show a fresh submarine...
Authors
A.M. López-Venegas, Uri S. ten Brink, Eric L. Geist
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
Exploring active tectonics in the Dominican Republic Exploring active tectonics in the Dominican Republic
The devastating 12 January 2010 Haiti earthquake (M = 7.0), which killed an estimated 230,000 people and caused extensive damage to homes and buildings, drew attention to the crucial need for improved knowledge of the active tectonics of the Caribbean region. But even before this disastrous event, interest in understanding the active and complex northeastern Caribbean plate boundary had...
Authors
A Carbo-Gorosabel, D. Cordoba-Barbara, J. Martin-Davila, J. L. Granja-Bruna, Estrada P. Llanes, A. Munoz-Martin, Uri S. ten Brink
Extension in Mona Passage, Northeast Caribbean Extension in Mona Passage, Northeast Caribbean
As shown by the recent Mw 7.0 Haiti earthquake, intra-arc deformation, which accompanies the subduction process, can present seismic and tsunami hazards to nearby islands. Spatially-limited diffuse tectonic deformation within the Northeast Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone likely led to the development of the submerged Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. GPS geodetic...
Authors
J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink
Tsunami simulations of the 1867 Virgin Island earthquake: Constraints on epicenter location and fault parameters Tsunami simulations of the 1867 Virgin Island earthquake: Constraints on epicenter location and fault parameters
The 18 November 1867 Virgin Island earthquake and the tsunami that closely followed caused considerable loss of life and damage in several places in the northeast Caribbean region. The earthquake was likely a manifestation of the complex tectonic deformation of the Anegada Passage, which cuts across the Antilles island arc between the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles. In this...
Authors
Roy Barkan, Uri S. ten Brink
Morphology of late Quaternary submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental margin Morphology of late Quaternary submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental margin
The nearly complete coverage of the U.S. Atlantic continental slope and rise by multibeam bathymetry and backscatter imagery provides an opportunity to reevaluate the distribution of submarine landslides along the margin and reassess the controls on their formation. Landslides can be divided into two categories based on their source areas: those sourced in submarine canyons and those...
Authors
D.C. Twichell, J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink, B. Buczkowski
Bivergent thrust wedges surrounding oceanic island arcs: Insight from observations and sandbox models of the northeastern caribbean plate Bivergent thrust wedges surrounding oceanic island arcs: Insight from observations and sandbox models of the northeastern caribbean plate
At several localities around the world, thrust belts have developed on both sides of oceanic island arcs (e.g., Java-Timor, Panama, Vanuatu, and the northeastern Caribbean). In these localities, the overall vergence of the backarc thrust belt is opposite to that of the forearc thrust belt. For example, in the northeastern Caribbean, a north-verging accretionary prism lies to the north of...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, S. Marshak, Bruna J.L. Granja
Far field tsunami simulations of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake: Implications for tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast and the Caribbean Far field tsunami simulations of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake: Implications for tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast and the Caribbean
The great Lisbon earthquake of November 1st, 1755 with an estimated moment magnitude of 8.5-9.0 was the most destructive earthquake in European history. The associated tsunami run-up was reported to have reached 5-15??m along the Portuguese and Moroccan coasts and the run-up was significant at the Azores and Madeira Island. Run-up reports from a trans-oceanic tsunami were documented in...
Authors
R. Barkan, Uri S. ten Brink, J. Lin
Geomorphology, stability and mobility of the Currituck slide Geomorphology, stability and mobility of the Currituck slide
Over the last 100,000??years, the U.S. Atlantic continental margin has experienced various types of mass movements some of which are believed to have taken place at times of low sea level. At one of these times of low sea level a significant trigger caused a major submarine mass movement off the coast of Virginia: the Currituck slide which is believed to have taken place between 24 and...
Authors
J. Locat, H. Lee, Uri S. ten Brink, D. Twichell, E. Geist, M. Sansoucy
Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin
Assessment of the probability for destructive landslide-generated tsunamis depends on the knowledge of the number, size, and frequency of large submarine landslides. This paper investigates the size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental slope and rise using the size of the landslide source regions (landslide failure scars). Landslide scars along the...
Authors
J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink, A.R. Solow, B.D. Andrews
Morphotectonics of the central Muertos thrust belt and Muertos Trough (northeastern Caribbean) Morphotectonics of the central Muertos thrust belt and Muertos Trough (northeastern Caribbean)
Multibeam bathymetry data acquired during the 2005 Spanish R/V Hesp??rides cruise and reprocessed multichannel seismic profiles provide the basis for the analysis of the morphology and deformation in the central Muertos Trough and Muertos thrust belt. The Muertos Trough is an elongated basin developed where the Venezuelan Basin crust is thrusted under the Muertos fold-and-thrust belt...
Authors
Bruna J.L. Granja, Uri S. ten Brink, Andres Carbo-Gorosabel, A. Munoz-Martin, Ballesteros M. Gomez
Size distributions and failure initiation of submarine and subaerial landslides Size distributions and failure initiation of submarine and subaerial landslides
Landslides are often viewed together with other natural hazards, such as earthquakes and fires, as phenomena whose size distribution obeys an inverse power law. Inverse power law distributions are the result of additive avalanche processes, in which the final size cannot be predicted at the onset of the disturbance. Volume and area distributions of submarine landslides along the U.S...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, R. Barkan, B.D. Andrews, J.D. Chaytor
Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast using relationships between submarine landslides and earthquakes Assessment of tsunami hazard to the U.S. East Coast using relationships between submarine landslides and earthquakes
Submarine landslides along the continental slope of the U.S. Atlantic margin are potential sources for tsunamis along the U.S. East coast. The magnitude of potential tsunamis depends on the volume and location of the landslides, and tsunami frequency depends on their recurrence interval. However, the size and recurrence interval of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin is...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, H.J. Lee, E.L. Geist, D. Twichell
Submarine landslide as the source for the October 11, 1918 Mona Passage tsunami: Observations and modeling Submarine landslide as the source for the October 11, 1918 Mona Passage tsunami: Observations and modeling
The October 11, 1918 ML 7.5 earthquake in the Mona Passage between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico generated a local tsunami that claimed approximately 100 lives along the western coast of Puerto Rico. The area affected by this tsunami is now significantly more populated. Newly acquired high-resolution bathymetry and seismic reflection lines in the Mona Passage show a fresh submarine...
Authors
A.M. López-Venegas, Uri S. ten Brink, Eric L. Geist
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