Ned Field

Ned Field coordinates and leads the development of earthquake forecast models for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. These forecasts, coupled with ground-motion models, form the basis of modern seismic hazard and risk analyses. Their development is multidisciplinary and collaborative (a "systems science" problem) in that information from a broad range of disciplines (e.g., seismology, geodesy, geology, paleoseismology, and earthquake physics) must reconciled.

Recent accomplishments and ongoing challenges involve representation of multi-fault ruptures and spatiotemporal clustering (e.g., aftershocks), improved uncertainty estimates, applying more physics-based approaches, and the need to add "valuation" to our verification and validation protocols (i.e., a greater focus on usefulness). Ned is also involved in developing and deploying end-to-end seismic hazard and risk computational platforms.  The resultant models influence a variety of risk mitigation activities, including construction requirements (building codes) and earthquake insurance rates.