Ben Mirus
My research focuses on landslide hydrology and thresholds for landslide warning systems. My background is in hillslope hydrology and numerical modeling of surface and near-surface hydrological processes, which I apply to improve quantitative characterization of landslide initiation potential. I manage several real-time landslide monitoring sites and the national landslide inventory database.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015-present Research Geologist, Landslides Hazards Program, USGS, Golden, CO
2013-2014 Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
2010-2013 Hydrologist, Unsaturated Zone Flow Project, USGS, Menlo Park, CA
2005-2009 Physical Scientist, Unsaturated Zone Flow Project, USGS, Menlo Park, CA
EDUCATION
2009 Ph.D. in Hydrogeology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
2001 B.A. in Geology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Science and Products
Conceptual framework for assessing disturbance impacts on debris-flow initiation thresholds across hydroclimatic settings
Assessing the feasibility of satellite-based thresholds for hydrologically driven landsliding
Physically based estimation of rainfall thresholds triggering shallow landslides in volcanic slopes of southern Italy
Effects of infiltration characteristics on the spatial-temporal evolution of stability of an interstate highway embankment
UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions
Developing hydro-meteorological thresholds for shallow landslide initiation and early warning
Identifying physics‐based thresholds for rainfall‐induced landsliding
Integrating real-time subsurface hydrologic monitoring with empirical rainfall thresholds to improve landslide early warning
Incorporating spatially heterogeneous infiltration capacity into hydrologic models with applications for simulating post‐wildfire debris flow initiation
Variability in soil-water retention properties and implications for physics-based simulation of landslide early warning criteria
Disturbance hydrology: Preparing for an increasingly disturbed future
Hydrologic impacts of landslide disturbances: Implications for remobilization and hazard persistence
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
Conceptual framework for assessing disturbance impacts on debris-flow initiation thresholds across hydroclimatic settings
Assessing the feasibility of satellite-based thresholds for hydrologically driven landsliding
Physically based estimation of rainfall thresholds triggering shallow landslides in volcanic slopes of southern Italy
Effects of infiltration characteristics on the spatial-temporal evolution of stability of an interstate highway embankment
UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions
Developing hydro-meteorological thresholds for shallow landslide initiation and early warning
Identifying physics‐based thresholds for rainfall‐induced landsliding
Integrating real-time subsurface hydrologic monitoring with empirical rainfall thresholds to improve landslide early warning
Incorporating spatially heterogeneous infiltration capacity into hydrologic models with applications for simulating post‐wildfire debris flow initiation
Variability in soil-water retention properties and implications for physics-based simulation of landslide early warning criteria
Disturbance hydrology: Preparing for an increasingly disturbed future
Hydrologic impacts of landslide disturbances: Implications for remobilization and hazard persistence
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.