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
Results of hydrologic monitoring on landslide-prone coastal bluffs near Mukilteo, Washington
Precipitation thresholds for landslide occurrence near Seattle, Mukilteo, and Everett, Washington
Effect of hydraulic hysteresis on the stability of infinite slopes under steady infiltration
Preferential flow, diffuse flow, and perching in an interbedded fractured-rock unsaturated zone
Elucidating the role of vegetation in the initiation of rainfall-induced shallow landslides: Insights from an extreme rainfall event in the Colorado Front Range
Simulated effect of topography and soil properties on hydrologic response and landslide potential under variable rainfall conditions in the Oregon Coast Range, USA
An overview of current applications, challenges, and future trends in distributed process-based models in hydrology
The Galapagos archipelago: A natural laboratory to examine sharp hydroclimatic, geologic and anthropogenic gradients
Identifying long term empirical relationships between storm characteristics and episodic groundwater recharge
Evaluating the importance of characterizing soil structure and horizons in parameterizing a hydrologic process model
How runoff begins (and ends): characterizing hydrologic response at the catchment scale
Balancing practicality and hydrologic realism: a parsimonious approach for simulating rapid groundwater recharge via unsaturated-zone preferential flow
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
Results of hydrologic monitoring on landslide-prone coastal bluffs near Mukilteo, Washington
Precipitation thresholds for landslide occurrence near Seattle, Mukilteo, and Everett, Washington
Effect of hydraulic hysteresis on the stability of infinite slopes under steady infiltration
Preferential flow, diffuse flow, and perching in an interbedded fractured-rock unsaturated zone
Elucidating the role of vegetation in the initiation of rainfall-induced shallow landslides: Insights from an extreme rainfall event in the Colorado Front Range
Simulated effect of topography and soil properties on hydrologic response and landslide potential under variable rainfall conditions in the Oregon Coast Range, USA
An overview of current applications, challenges, and future trends in distributed process-based models in hydrology
The Galapagos archipelago: A natural laboratory to examine sharp hydroclimatic, geologic and anthropogenic gradients
Identifying long term empirical relationships between storm characteristics and episodic groundwater recharge
Evaluating the importance of characterizing soil structure and horizons in parameterizing a hydrologic process model
How runoff begins (and ends): characterizing hydrologic response at the catchment scale
Balancing practicality and hydrologic realism: a parsimonious approach for simulating rapid groundwater recharge via unsaturated-zone preferential flow
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.