Eric M Thompson
Eric Thompson is a research geophysicist with the USGS in Golden. He joined the USGS in 2015 where he participates in research, development, and operations of many earthquake hazard products, including near-real-time earthquake hazard products.
Professional Experience
5/2015-Present: Research Geophysicist, USGS, Golden, Colorado.
4/2013-4/2015: Adjunct Professor, Geological Sciences, San Diego State University.
1/2014-3/2015: Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles.
9/2010-9/2013: Research Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University.
3/2009-8/2010: Postdoctoral Researcher/Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University.
Education and Certifications
2009 Ph.D., Tufts University, Civil and Environmental Engineering.
2002 B.S., University of California at Santa Cruz, Earth Science.
Honors and Awards
2022: Superior Service Award for activities in the planning and development of ground motion processing software named gmprocess.
2019: FEMA Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contributions in support of national level earthquake exercise.
2018: Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) Award for Excellence Use of Technology for developing the ShakeMap Scenario Suite.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 18
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Filter Total Items: 79
Path durations for use in the stochastic‐method simulation of ground motions
The stochastic method of ground‐motion simulation assumes that the energy in a target spectrum is spread over a duration DT. DT is generally decomposed into the duration due to source effects (DS) and to path effects (DP). For the most commonly used source, seismological theory directly relates DS to the source corner frequency, accounting for the magnitude scaling of DT. In contrast, DP is relate
Authors
David M. Boore, Eric M. Thompson
Development of a globally applicable model for near real-time prediction of seismically induced landslides
Substantial effort has been invested to understand where seismically induced landslides may occur in the future, as they are a costly and frequently fatal threat in mountainous regions. The goal of this work is to develop a statistical model for estimating the spatial distribution of landslides in near real-time around the globe for use in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Prompt
Authors
M. Anna Nowicki, David J. Wald, Michael W. Hamburger, Mike Hearne, Eric M. Thompson
Predicting the spatial extent of liquefaction from geospatial and earthquake specific parameters
The spatially extensive damage from the 2010-2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake events are a reminder of the need for liquefaction hazard maps for anticipating damage from future earthquakes. Liquefaction hazard mapping as traditionally relied on detailed geologic mapping and expensive site studies. These traditional techniques are difficult to apply globally for rapid response or loss esti
Authors
Jing Zhu, Laurie G. Baise, Eric M. Thompson, David J. Wald, Keith L. Knudsen
A VS30 map for California with geologic and topographic constraints
For many earthquake engineering applications, site response is estimated through empirical correlations with the time‐averaged shear‐wave velocity to 30 m depth (VS30). These applications therefore depend on the availability of either site‐specific VS30 measurements or VS30 maps at local, regional, and global scales. Because VS30 measurements are sparse, a proxy frequently is needed to estimate VS
Authors
Eric Thompson, David J. Wald, Charles Worden
Shear-wave velocity-based probabilistic and deterministic assessment of seismic soil liquefaction potential
Shear-wave velocity (Vs) offers a means to determine the seismic resistance of soil to liquefaction by a fundamental soil property. This paper presents the results of an 11-year international project to gather new Vs site data and develop probabilistic correlations for seismic soil liquefaction occurrence. Toward that objective, shear-wave velocity test sites were identified, and measurements made
Authors
R. Kayen, R.E.S. Moss, E.M. Thompson, R.B. Seed, K.O. Cetin, A. Der Kiureghian, Y. Tanaka, K. Tokimatsu
Developing Vs30 site-condition maps by combining observations with geologic and topographic constraints
Despite obvious limitations as a proxy for site amplification, the use of time-averaged shear-wave velocity over the top 30 m (VS30) remains widely practiced, most notably through its use as an explanatory variable in ground motion prediction equations (and thus hazard maps and ShakeMaps, among other applications). As such, we are developing an improved strategy for producing VS30 maps given the c
Authors
E.M. Thompson, D.J. Wald
Regional correlations of VS30 averaged over depths less than and greater than 30 meters
Using velocity profiles from sites in Japan, California, Turkey, and Europe, we find that the time-averaged shear-wave velocity to 30 m (VS30), used as a proxy for site amplification in recent ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and building codes, is strongly correlated with average velocities to depths less than 30 m (VSz, with z being the averaging depth). The correlations for sites in J
Authors
David M. Boore, Eric M. Thompson, Héloïse Cadet
Multiscale site-response mapping: A case study of Parkfield, California
The scale of previously proposed methods for mapping site-response ranges from global coverage down to individual urban regions. Typically, spatial coverage and accuracy are inversely related.We use the densely spaced strong-motion stations in Parkfield, California, to estimate the accuracy of different site-response mapping methods and demonstrate a method for integrating multiple site-response e
Authors
E.M. Thompson, L.G. Baise, R. E. Kayen, E.C. Morgan, J. Kaklamanos
A case study of alternative site response explanatory variables in Parkfield, California
The combination of densely-spaced strong-motion stations in Parkfield, California, and spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) profiles provides an ideal dataset for assessing the accuracy of different site response explanatory variables. We judge accuracy in terms of spatial coverage and correlation with observations. The performance of the alternative models is period-dependent, but generally
Authors
E.M. Thompson, L.G. Baise, R. E. Kayen, E.C. Morgan, J. Kaklamanos
Surface-wave site characterization at 52 strong-motion recording stations affected by the Parkfield, California, M6.0 earthquake of 28 September 2004
We present one-dimensional shear-wave velocity (VS) profiles at 52 strong-motion sites that recorded the 28 September 2004 Magnitude 6.0 Parkfield, Calif., earthquake. We estimate the VS profiles with the Spectral Analysis of Surface-Waves (SASW) method. The SASW method is a noninvasive method that indirectly estimates the VS at depth from variations in the Rayleigh wave phase velocity at the surf
Authors
Eric M. Thompson, Robert E. Kayen, Brad Carkin, Hajime Tanaka
Three-dimensional site response at KiK-net downhole arrays
Ground motions at two Kiban-Kyoshin Network (KiK-net) strong motion downhole array sites in Hokkaido, Japan (TKCH08 in Taiki and TKCH05 in Honbetsu) illustrate the importance of three-dimensional (3D) site effects. These sites recorded the M8.0 2003 Tokachi-Oki earthquake, with recorded accelerations above 0.4 g at both sites as well as numerous ground motions from smaller events. Weak ground moti
Authors
Eric M. Thompson, Yasuo Tanaka, Laurie G. Baise, Robert E. Kayen
Implementation of the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) ground-motion prediction equations in Fortran and R
This report presents two methods for implementing the earthquake ground-motion prediction equations released in 2008 as part of the Next Generation Attenuation of Ground Motions (NGA-West, or NGA) project coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER). These models were developed for predicting ground-motion parameters for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic re
Authors
James Kaklamanos, David M. Boore, Eric M. Thompson, Kenneth W. Campbell
Non-USGS Publications**
Thompson, E.M., Baise, L.G., Tanaka, Y. and Kayen, R.E., 2012. A taxonomy of site response complexity. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 41, pp.32-43.
Boore, D.M. and Thompson, E.M., 2012. Empirical improvements for estimating earthquake response spectra with random‐vibration theory. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 102(2), pp.761-772.
Kaklamanos, J., Bradley, B.A., Thompson, E.M. and Baise, L.G., 2013. Critical parameters affecting bias and variability in site‐response analyses using KiK‐net downhole array data. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 103(3), pp.1733-1749.
Kaklamanos, J., Baise, L.G., Thompson, E.M. and Dorfmann, L., 2015. Comparison of 1D linear, equivalent-linear, and nonlinear site response models at six KiK-net validation sites. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 69, pp.207-219.
Moss, R.E., Thompson, E.M., Kieffer, D.S., Tiwari, B., Hashash, Y.M., Acharya, I., Adhikari, B.R., Asimaki, D., Clahan, K.B., Collins, B.D. and Dahal, S., 2015. Geotechnical effects of the 2015 magnitude 7.8 Gorkha, Nepal, earthquake and aftershocks. Seismological Research Letters, 86(6), pp.1514-1523.
Thompson, E.M., Baise, L.G. and Vogel, R.M., 2007. A global index earthquake approach to probabilistic assessment of extremes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 112(B6).
Zhu, J., Daley, D., Baise, L.G., Thompson, E.M., Wald, D.J. and Knudsen, K.L., 2015. A geospatial liquefaction model for rapid response and loss estimation. Earthquake Spectra, 31(3), pp.1813-1837.
Thompson, E.M., Hewlett, J.B., Baise, L.G. and Vogel, R.M., 2011. The Gumbel hypothesis test for left censored observations using regional earthquake records as an example. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 11(1), pp.115-126.
Baise, L.G., Lenz, J.A. and Thompson, E.M., 2008. Discussion of “Mapping liquefaction potential considering spatial correlations of CPT measurements” by Chia-Nan Liu and Chien-Hsun Chen. Journal of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, 134(2), pp.262-263.
**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
Filter Total Items: 18
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 79
Path durations for use in the stochastic‐method simulation of ground motions
The stochastic method of ground‐motion simulation assumes that the energy in a target spectrum is spread over a duration DT. DT is generally decomposed into the duration due to source effects (DS) and to path effects (DP). For the most commonly used source, seismological theory directly relates DS to the source corner frequency, accounting for the magnitude scaling of DT. In contrast, DP is relate
Authors
David M. Boore, Eric M. Thompson
Development of a globally applicable model for near real-time prediction of seismically induced landslides
Substantial effort has been invested to understand where seismically induced landslides may occur in the future, as they are a costly and frequently fatal threat in mountainous regions. The goal of this work is to develop a statistical model for estimating the spatial distribution of landslides in near real-time around the globe for use in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Prompt
Authors
M. Anna Nowicki, David J. Wald, Michael W. Hamburger, Mike Hearne, Eric M. Thompson
Predicting the spatial extent of liquefaction from geospatial and earthquake specific parameters
The spatially extensive damage from the 2010-2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake events are a reminder of the need for liquefaction hazard maps for anticipating damage from future earthquakes. Liquefaction hazard mapping as traditionally relied on detailed geologic mapping and expensive site studies. These traditional techniques are difficult to apply globally for rapid response or loss esti
Authors
Jing Zhu, Laurie G. Baise, Eric M. Thompson, David J. Wald, Keith L. Knudsen
A VS30 map for California with geologic and topographic constraints
For many earthquake engineering applications, site response is estimated through empirical correlations with the time‐averaged shear‐wave velocity to 30 m depth (VS30). These applications therefore depend on the availability of either site‐specific VS30 measurements or VS30 maps at local, regional, and global scales. Because VS30 measurements are sparse, a proxy frequently is needed to estimate VS
Authors
Eric Thompson, David J. Wald, Charles Worden
Shear-wave velocity-based probabilistic and deterministic assessment of seismic soil liquefaction potential
Shear-wave velocity (Vs) offers a means to determine the seismic resistance of soil to liquefaction by a fundamental soil property. This paper presents the results of an 11-year international project to gather new Vs site data and develop probabilistic correlations for seismic soil liquefaction occurrence. Toward that objective, shear-wave velocity test sites were identified, and measurements made
Authors
R. Kayen, R.E.S. Moss, E.M. Thompson, R.B. Seed, K.O. Cetin, A. Der Kiureghian, Y. Tanaka, K. Tokimatsu
Developing Vs30 site-condition maps by combining observations with geologic and topographic constraints
Despite obvious limitations as a proxy for site amplification, the use of time-averaged shear-wave velocity over the top 30 m (VS30) remains widely practiced, most notably through its use as an explanatory variable in ground motion prediction equations (and thus hazard maps and ShakeMaps, among other applications). As such, we are developing an improved strategy for producing VS30 maps given the c
Authors
E.M. Thompson, D.J. Wald
Regional correlations of VS30 averaged over depths less than and greater than 30 meters
Using velocity profiles from sites in Japan, California, Turkey, and Europe, we find that the time-averaged shear-wave velocity to 30 m (VS30), used as a proxy for site amplification in recent ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and building codes, is strongly correlated with average velocities to depths less than 30 m (VSz, with z being the averaging depth). The correlations for sites in J
Authors
David M. Boore, Eric M. Thompson, Héloïse Cadet
Multiscale site-response mapping: A case study of Parkfield, California
The scale of previously proposed methods for mapping site-response ranges from global coverage down to individual urban regions. Typically, spatial coverage and accuracy are inversely related.We use the densely spaced strong-motion stations in Parkfield, California, to estimate the accuracy of different site-response mapping methods and demonstrate a method for integrating multiple site-response e
Authors
E.M. Thompson, L.G. Baise, R. E. Kayen, E.C. Morgan, J. Kaklamanos
A case study of alternative site response explanatory variables in Parkfield, California
The combination of densely-spaced strong-motion stations in Parkfield, California, and spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) profiles provides an ideal dataset for assessing the accuracy of different site response explanatory variables. We judge accuracy in terms of spatial coverage and correlation with observations. The performance of the alternative models is period-dependent, but generally
Authors
E.M. Thompson, L.G. Baise, R. E. Kayen, E.C. Morgan, J. Kaklamanos
Surface-wave site characterization at 52 strong-motion recording stations affected by the Parkfield, California, M6.0 earthquake of 28 September 2004
We present one-dimensional shear-wave velocity (VS) profiles at 52 strong-motion sites that recorded the 28 September 2004 Magnitude 6.0 Parkfield, Calif., earthquake. We estimate the VS profiles with the Spectral Analysis of Surface-Waves (SASW) method. The SASW method is a noninvasive method that indirectly estimates the VS at depth from variations in the Rayleigh wave phase velocity at the surf
Authors
Eric M. Thompson, Robert E. Kayen, Brad Carkin, Hajime Tanaka
Three-dimensional site response at KiK-net downhole arrays
Ground motions at two Kiban-Kyoshin Network (KiK-net) strong motion downhole array sites in Hokkaido, Japan (TKCH08 in Taiki and TKCH05 in Honbetsu) illustrate the importance of three-dimensional (3D) site effects. These sites recorded the M8.0 2003 Tokachi-Oki earthquake, with recorded accelerations above 0.4 g at both sites as well as numerous ground motions from smaller events. Weak ground moti
Authors
Eric M. Thompson, Yasuo Tanaka, Laurie G. Baise, Robert E. Kayen
Implementation of the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) ground-motion prediction equations in Fortran and R
This report presents two methods for implementing the earthquake ground-motion prediction equations released in 2008 as part of the Next Generation Attenuation of Ground Motions (NGA-West, or NGA) project coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER). These models were developed for predicting ground-motion parameters for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic re
Authors
James Kaklamanos, David M. Boore, Eric M. Thompson, Kenneth W. Campbell
Non-USGS Publications**
Thompson, E.M., Baise, L.G., Tanaka, Y. and Kayen, R.E., 2012. A taxonomy of site response complexity. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 41, pp.32-43.
Boore, D.M. and Thompson, E.M., 2012. Empirical improvements for estimating earthquake response spectra with random‐vibration theory. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 102(2), pp.761-772.
Kaklamanos, J., Bradley, B.A., Thompson, E.M. and Baise, L.G., 2013. Critical parameters affecting bias and variability in site‐response analyses using KiK‐net downhole array data. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 103(3), pp.1733-1749.
Kaklamanos, J., Baise, L.G., Thompson, E.M. and Dorfmann, L., 2015. Comparison of 1D linear, equivalent-linear, and nonlinear site response models at six KiK-net validation sites. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 69, pp.207-219.
Moss, R.E., Thompson, E.M., Kieffer, D.S., Tiwari, B., Hashash, Y.M., Acharya, I., Adhikari, B.R., Asimaki, D., Clahan, K.B., Collins, B.D. and Dahal, S., 2015. Geotechnical effects of the 2015 magnitude 7.8 Gorkha, Nepal, earthquake and aftershocks. Seismological Research Letters, 86(6), pp.1514-1523.
Thompson, E.M., Baise, L.G. and Vogel, R.M., 2007. A global index earthquake approach to probabilistic assessment of extremes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 112(B6).
Zhu, J., Daley, D., Baise, L.G., Thompson, E.M., Wald, D.J. and Knudsen, K.L., 2015. A geospatial liquefaction model for rapid response and loss estimation. Earthquake Spectra, 31(3), pp.1813-1837.
Thompson, E.M., Hewlett, J.B., Baise, L.G. and Vogel, R.M., 2011. The Gumbel hypothesis test for left censored observations using regional earthquake records as an example. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 11(1), pp.115-126.
Baise, L.G., Lenz, J.A. and Thompson, E.M., 2008. Discussion of “Mapping liquefaction potential considering spatial correlations of CPT measurements” by Chia-Nan Liu and Chien-Hsun Chen. Journal of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, 134(2), pp.262-263.
**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.