Paleoearthquakes in the Sedimentary Record

Abstract:

UCSC GEOPATHS is an NSF-supported initiative to improve student success in the geosciences, driven by a desire to broaden participation. One component of the program is undergraduate student internship that provide authentic, career-relevant experiences – across all employment sectors – to increase student engagement in the geoscience pipeline.

My GEOPATHS Internship with the US Geological Survey (USGS) focuses on analysing sedimentary records using core data to better understand past seismic events. Paleo-earthquakes are key to furthering our understanding of earthquakes in general because they can allow us to form a more complete picture of the seismic record and learn about future earthquakes. Working with the USGS this summer has allowed me to further my technical skills by enabling me to explore existing sediment core data and analyse it in many ways. The main analysis is made by compiling graphs of core logs and core photographs and comparing them. The graphs focus on the depth vs density and core thickness. These are placed next to CT scans and appended photographs to search for correlations and spikes in the data. We also look at GIS data to see the topography and region in which the cores are located. We are focusing on two main regions which are Lake Ozette in Washington and the Hosgri Fault, which is located offshore of Central California. Paleo-earthquakes that have occurred in these regions will likely be recorded in the sedimentary record provided by the cores. I will share the results of my project and experiences in the program.