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Brian Shiro, Ph.D.

Brian Shiro manages science center operations, staff, and programs in Earthquake, Geomagnetism, and Landslide hazard monitoring areas. This includes utilizing expertise in geology, geophysics, and network operations to support the goals and objectives of the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area. In his prior position, Shiro was Seismic Network Manager at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Professional Experience

  • Deputy Director - USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center (2020-present)

  • Seismic Network Manager - USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (2016-2020)

  • Geophysicist - NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (2005-2016)

  • Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant (Seismology) - Washington University in Saint Louis (2000-2005)

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant (Geodesy & Geochemistry) - Northwestern University (1998-2000)

  • NSF/NASA Fellow (Glaciology & Exploration Geophysics) - Juneau Icefield Research Program (summer 1999)

  • NSF REU Intern (InSAR Geodesy) - University of Alaska Fairbanks (summer 1998)

  • NSF REU Intern (Applied Physics) - Rice University & NASA Johnson Space Center (summer 1997)

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geology and Geophysics - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    Dissertation: "Geological and Geophysical Investigations on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes, Hawai‘i"

  • M.S., Space Studies - University of North Dakota
    Thesis: "In Situ Geophysical Exploration by Humans in Mars Analog Environments"

  • M.A., Earth and Planetary Sciences - Washington University in Saint Louis
    Thesis: "Outer Rise Seismicity and Dynamics at the Tonga Subduction Zone"

  • B.A., Integrated Science, Geological Sciences, Physics - Northwestern University
    Thesis: "Dislocation Models of Creep in the New Madrid Seismic Zone"

  • Summer Schools:
    International Space University
    NASA Planetary Science Summer School
    NASA High Performance Computational Physics Summer School

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Geophysical Union

  • Seismological Society of America

  • Geological Society of America

  • Journal Reviewer for: Geophysical Research Letters, Seismological Research Letters, Earth and Space Science, Nature Communications, Geophysics Letters, Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research

Honors and Awards

  • Editors’ Citation for Excellence in Refereeing for Geophysical Research Letters (2022, 2021)

  • USGS STAR Awards (2021, 2019, 2019)

  • Runner-up, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals People's Choice Award (HVO team) (2019)

  • Finalist, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (HVO team) (2019)

  • DOI Unit Award for Excellence of Service to HVO for work during Kilauea eruption (2019)

  • Harold T. Stearns Fellowship (2016)

  • NOAA 10 Year Length of Service Award (2015)

  • NOAA Service Awards (annually 2006-2015)

  • NASA Astronaut selection "Highly Qualified" group (2012, 2009)

  • NOAA Citation Award for performance during 2009-2011 Pacific tsunamis (2012)

  • NASA Flight Opportunities Program, co-Investigator (2012)

  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2002)

  • Carl Tolman Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (2001)

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 19

Non-USGS Publications**

Petersen, M.D., et al. (2022). 2021 US National Seismic Hazard Model for the State of Hawaii, Earthquake Spectra, 38(2), 865-916, doi: 10.1177/87552930211052061.
Shiro, B.R., S.K. Rowland, J.M. Hurtado, B.J. Caldwell, J.E. Bleacher, S.A. Fagents, P.G. Roma, W.L. Bedwell-Torres, and K. Binsted (2022). Geological tasks during HI-SEAS planetary analog mission simulations, Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, Planetary and Space Science 212, 105409, doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2021.105409.
Kedar, S., M.P. Panning, S.E. Smrekar, S.C. Stähler, S.D. King, M.P. Golumbek, M. Manga, B.R. Julian, B. Shiro, C. Perrin, J.A. Power, C. Michaut, S. Ceylan, D. Giardini, P. Lognonné, and W.B. Banerdt (2021). Analyzing Low Frequency Seismic Events at Cerberus Fossae as Long Period Volcanic Quakes, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 126(4), e2020JE006518, doi: 10.1029/2020JE006518.
Wilson, E.L., A.J. DiGregorio, G. Villanueva, C.E. Grunberg, Z. Souders, K.M. Miletti, A. Menendez, M.H. Grunberg, M.A.M. Floyd, J.E. Bleacher, E.S. Euskirchen, C. Edgar, B.J. Caldwell, B. Shiro, and K. Binsted (2019). A portable miniaturized laser heterodyne radiometer (mini-LHR) for remote measurements of column CH4 and CO2. Appl. Phys. B 125, 211, doi:10.1007/s00340-019-7315-8.
Patrick, M.R., H. Dietterich, J. Lyons, A. Diefenbach, C. Parcheta, K. Anderson, A. Namiki, I. Sumita, B. Shiro, and J. Kauahikaua (2019). Cyclic lava effusion during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano: data release, U.S. Geological Survey data release, doi:10.5066/P9PJZ17R.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff (2018). Preliminary map of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i, U.S. Geological Survey data release, doi:10.5066/P994OGY8.
Kelley, C., J. Smith, J. Tree, J. Miller, J. Taylor, F. Lichowski, D. Wagner, J. Leonard, B. Boston, B. Dechnik, D. Luers, R. Orange, B. Shiro, H. Togia, S.L. Habel, N.M. Wright, A.M. Patterson, L. Harrison, and J. Tucker (2015). Volcanic platforms, ancient reefs, ridges, and seamounts: mapping the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Final Project Report for Falkor Cruises FK140307 and FK140502, 34 pp.
Wang, D., N.C. Becker, D. Walsh, G.J. Fryer, S.A. Weinstein, C.S. McCreery, V. Sardina, V. Hsu, B.F. Hirshorn, G.P. Hayes, Z. Duputel, L. Rivera, H. Kanamori, K.K. Koyanagi, and B. Shiro (2012). Real‐time forecasting of the April 11, 2012 Sumatra tsunami, Geophysical Research Letters, 39(19), L19601, doi:10.1029/2012gl053081.

**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.

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Hazard map from the 2023 50-state update of the National Seismic Hazard Model Project

New USGS map shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in US

USGS scientists and our partners recently revealed the latest National Seismic Hazard Model, showing that nearly 75% of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake, emphasizing seismic hazards span a significant part of the country.
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Filter Total Items: 34
USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.1 earthquake east of the Island of Hawaiʻi

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.1 earthquake east of the Island of Hawaiʻi

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.1 earthquake east of the Island of Hawaiʻi on Friday, August 18...

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USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.2 earthquake between the Islands of Maui and Hawai‘i

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.2 earthquake between the Islands of Maui and Hawai‘i

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.2 earthquake in the ‘Alenuihāhā Channel between the Islands of...

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Volcano Watch — Largest Hawaiian earthquake in a decade reminds us to be prepared

Volcano Watch — Largest Hawaiian earthquake in a decade reminds us to be prepared

On June 8, 2017, many Island of Hawai‘i residents were awakened by a sharp jolt just past 7 a.m. This natural wake-up call was caused by a magnitude-5...

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USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.5 earthquake southeast of Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawai‘i

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.5 earthquake southeast of Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawai‘i

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.5 offshore earthquake located southeast of Hawaiian Ocean View...

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USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.2 earthquake north of Moloka‘i

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.2 earthquake north of Moloka‘i

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.2 earthquake north of Moloka‘i on Thursday, March 9, at 3:03 a...

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USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude 4.6 earthquake northwest of the Island of Hawai‘i

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude 4.6 earthquake northwest of the Island of Hawai‘i

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.6 earthquake between the Islands of Hawai‘i and Maui on Friday...

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Volcano Watch — NASA practices for Mars exploration on Kīlauea Volcano

Volcano Watch — NASA practices for Mars exploration on Kīlauea Volcano

A simulated Mars landing mission unfolded on Kīlauea Volcano for two weeks in September 2016.

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USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.5 earthquake south of Island of Hawai‘i

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.5 earthquake south of Island of Hawai‘i

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an offshore magnitude-4.5 earthquake south the Island of Hawai‘i on Sunday...

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Volcano Watch — How big is that earthquake? Why magnitudes sometimes change

Volcano Watch — How big is that earthquake? Why magnitudes sometimes change

Characterizing earthquakes is one of the most important activities we do at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Seismicity helps us monitor...

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Volcano Watch — HVO Welcomes a New Seismic Network Manager

Volcano Watch — HVO Welcomes a New Seismic Network Manager

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is excited to welcome geophysicist Brian Shiro to its team!

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Science and Products

*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

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