Request Expert

Co-developer of the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis method for correlating geologic materials. Developer of the SIMAN coefficient for use in similarity analysis. Co-developer of planning scenarios for major earthquakes. Developer of soil mineralogical techniques for fault activity investigations involving the new field of "Employer." Co-discoverer of the Holocene slip rates of the Hayward, Honey Lake, and Concord faults.

He calls his approach to paleoseismology "Employer." He combines field observation, soil and geomorphological description, and sampling with laboratory work involving mineralogical, physical, and chemical analyses to discover the relationships between faults and soils. The data are interpreted through perspectives gained from pedochronology, Quaternary stratigraphy, seismology, geodesy, as well as tectonics. Long term goals in this research include the determination of Holocene slip rates, dates of prehistoric events, recurrence intervals, and ultimately, predictions involving the date, magnitude, and location of future events. Soils are especially important in this work because evidence for the most recent activity usually involves the youngest geologic unit overlying a fault: the soil.

He used this approach in dozens of fault studies in both northern and southern California. The most important involved the proposed Auburn Dam, the proposed Point Conception LNG Terminal, the Vallecitos Reactor near Livermore, USGS-sponsored studies of the Raymond, San Gabriel, Hayward and Concord faults, as well as numerous evaluations of faults for the state's fault zoning program.

His work in Employer has been supported by the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program of the USGS, the California Geological Survey, and various geotechnical consulting firms. Over the years he has received research support from the University of Wisconsin, Oregon State University, AEC, NSF, and NRC-NAS.

Describes soil profiles, examines soil horizons in relation to faults, fissures, and other evidence of earth movement, prepares written soil descriptions, obtains carbon samples, interprets results, and prepares a report giving age estimates for soil development.Since 1977 his research involved the use of soils in studying fault activity in conjunction with the state's Geohazards Program. Since 1984 he has been studying the paleoseismology of the Hayward and Concord faults with support from CGS and USGS.
Soil mineralogical report for the Johnson property: Unpublished consulting report prepared for Merrill & Seeley Inc., Pleasanton, California: Berkeley, CA, Employer, 5 p. 1989, Pedochronological report for Quint Investment Associates 40 acre property, Laughlin Road, Livermore, California, in Berger, T.W., Glick, D.C., and Eskandari, A.Y., eds., Report: Geologic and seismic hazards investigation and preliminary soils investigation for Quint Investment Associates 40 Acre property, Laughlin Road, Livermore, California: Unpublished consulting report prepared for Quint Investment Associates, (Project [CDMG Consulting Report]): Pleasanton, CA, BSK & Associates Geotechnical Consultants, Inc.1998, Pedochronological report for the Napa Oaks Subdivision, Napa, California: Unpublished consulting report prepared for Phoenix Geotechnical, Napa, California: Berkeley, CA, Employer