Three geologists scramble down a hillside on Sedanka Island that overlooks Stardust Bay. The geologists documented driftlogs stranded at elevations up to 60 ft above sea level and over 0.5 mile inland.
Rob Witter, Ph.D.
I conduct geological detective work that uncovers clues about the location, size, and frequency of ancient earthquakes and tsunamis. If we prepare for these hazards we can prevent future earthquakes and tsunamis from becoming future disasters.
I study prehistoric earthquakes along the Pacific-North American plate boundary. I apply aspects of geomorphology, paleoseismology, geodesy, and sea-level studies to decipher the geologic record of ancient earthquakes. Most of my work focuses on great subduction earthquakes capable of generating tsunamis. What I find out contributes to seismic and tsunami hazards assessments used to strengthen building codes and reduce tsunami risk.
Professional Experience
2011 – Present Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2006 – 2011 Regional Coastal Geologist, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Newport, OR
1999 – 2006 Senior Project Geologist, William Lettis & Associates, Inc., Walnut Creek, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1999 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR Geoscience
B.A. 1991 Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA Biology
Science and Products
Airborne Lidar-based Digital Elevation Models of Coastal Montague Island (Alaska) Acquired September 2018
Radiocarbon, Cesium-137, Grain Size, and X-ray Fluorescence Data for Tsunami Geology Investigation, Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska (2018)
Digital Elevation Models of Glacier Bay National Park, Between Lituya Bay and Icy Point, Alaska, Derived from Airborne Lidar Data Acquired in September 2015
Three geologists scramble down a hillside on Sedanka Island that overlooks Stardust Bay. The geologists documented driftlogs stranded at elevations up to 60 ft above sea level and over 0.5 mile inland.
On a ridge behind Stardust Bay at an elevation of 46 feet above sea level, a shallow pit reveals five sand sheets deposited by tsunamis in the past 1700 years.
Location: Stardust Bay, Sendanka Island, Alaska
On a ridge behind Stardust Bay at an elevation of 46 feet above sea level, a shallow pit reveals five sand sheets deposited by tsunamis in the past 1700 years.
Location: Stardust Bay, Sendanka Island, Alaska
Scientists from the USGS and the University of Rhode Island examine coastal sediment on Simeonof Island for evidence of sudden land-level change caused by earthquakes on the Aleutian megathrust.
Scientists from the USGS and the University of Rhode Island examine coastal sediment on Simeonof Island for evidence of sudden land-level change caused by earthquakes on the Aleutian megathrust.
Geologists Search for Evidence of Ancient Beach Deposits and Uplifted Shorelines on Simeonof Island
linkScientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys dig into coastal bluffs of Simeonof Island in search of evidence for ancient beach deposits and tectonically uplifted shorelines.
Geologists Search for Evidence of Ancient Beach Deposits and Uplifted Shorelines on Simeonof Island
linkScientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys dig into coastal bluffs of Simeonof Island in search of evidence for ancient beach deposits and tectonically uplifted shorelines.
Scientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys use a hand-driven corer to sample soils and marsh sediment on Simeonof Island as part of an investigation to investigate evidence for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Shumagin Islands.
Scientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys use a hand-driven corer to sample soils and marsh sediment on Simeonof Island as part of an investigation to investigate evidence for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Shumagin Islands.
Minimal stratigraphic evidence for coseismic coastal subsidence during 2000 yr of megathrust earthquakes at the central Cascadia subduction zone
Identifying the greatest earthquakes of the past 2000 years at the Nehalem River Estuary, Northern Oregon Coast, USA
Palaeotsunamis in the Sino-Pacific region
Radiocarbon dating of tsunami and storm deposits
Ground failure triggered by shaking during the November 30, 2018, magnitude 7.1 Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake
Preface to the focus section on the 30 November 2018 Mw 7.1 Anchorage, Alaska earthquake
The sedimentary record of the 2018 Anchorage Earthquake in Eklutna Lake, Alaska: Calibrating the lacustrine seismograph
Ground failure from the Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake of 30 November 2018
Evidence for frequent, large tsunamis spanning locked and creeping parts of the Aleutian megathrust
Wetland stratigraphic evidence for variable megathrust earthquake rupture modes at the Cascadia subduction zone
New constraints on coseismic slip during southern Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes over the past 4600 years implied by tsunami deposits and marine turbidites
Microfossil measures of rapid sea-level rise: Timing of response of two microfossil groups to a sudden tidal-flooding experiment in Cascadia
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
Airborne Lidar-based Digital Elevation Models of Coastal Montague Island (Alaska) Acquired September 2018
Radiocarbon, Cesium-137, Grain Size, and X-ray Fluorescence Data for Tsunami Geology Investigation, Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska (2018)
Digital Elevation Models of Glacier Bay National Park, Between Lituya Bay and Icy Point, Alaska, Derived from Airborne Lidar Data Acquired in September 2015
Three geologists scramble down a hillside on Sedanka Island that overlooks Stardust Bay. The geologists documented driftlogs stranded at elevations up to 60 ft above sea level and over 0.5 mile inland.
Three geologists scramble down a hillside on Sedanka Island that overlooks Stardust Bay. The geologists documented driftlogs stranded at elevations up to 60 ft above sea level and over 0.5 mile inland.
On a ridge behind Stardust Bay at an elevation of 46 feet above sea level, a shallow pit reveals five sand sheets deposited by tsunamis in the past 1700 years.
Location: Stardust Bay, Sendanka Island, Alaska
On a ridge behind Stardust Bay at an elevation of 46 feet above sea level, a shallow pit reveals five sand sheets deposited by tsunamis in the past 1700 years.
Location: Stardust Bay, Sendanka Island, Alaska
Scientists from the USGS and the University of Rhode Island examine coastal sediment on Simeonof Island for evidence of sudden land-level change caused by earthquakes on the Aleutian megathrust.
Scientists from the USGS and the University of Rhode Island examine coastal sediment on Simeonof Island for evidence of sudden land-level change caused by earthquakes on the Aleutian megathrust.
Geologists Search for Evidence of Ancient Beach Deposits and Uplifted Shorelines on Simeonof Island
linkScientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys dig into coastal bluffs of Simeonof Island in search of evidence for ancient beach deposits and tectonically uplifted shorelines.
Geologists Search for Evidence of Ancient Beach Deposits and Uplifted Shorelines on Simeonof Island
linkScientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys dig into coastal bluffs of Simeonof Island in search of evidence for ancient beach deposits and tectonically uplifted shorelines.
Scientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys use a hand-driven corer to sample soils and marsh sediment on Simeonof Island as part of an investigation to investigate evidence for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Shumagin Islands.
Scientists from the USGS, University of Rhode Island, and the Alaska Dept of Geological and Geophysical Surveys use a hand-driven corer to sample soils and marsh sediment on Simeonof Island as part of an investigation to investigate evidence for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Shumagin Islands.
Minimal stratigraphic evidence for coseismic coastal subsidence during 2000 yr of megathrust earthquakes at the central Cascadia subduction zone
Identifying the greatest earthquakes of the past 2000 years at the Nehalem River Estuary, Northern Oregon Coast, USA
Palaeotsunamis in the Sino-Pacific region
Radiocarbon dating of tsunami and storm deposits
Ground failure triggered by shaking during the November 30, 2018, magnitude 7.1 Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake
Preface to the focus section on the 30 November 2018 Mw 7.1 Anchorage, Alaska earthquake
The sedimentary record of the 2018 Anchorage Earthquake in Eklutna Lake, Alaska: Calibrating the lacustrine seismograph
Ground failure from the Anchorage, Alaska, earthquake of 30 November 2018
Evidence for frequent, large tsunamis spanning locked and creeping parts of the Aleutian megathrust
Wetland stratigraphic evidence for variable megathrust earthquake rupture modes at the Cascadia subduction zone
New constraints on coseismic slip during southern Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes over the past 4600 years implied by tsunami deposits and marine turbidites
Microfossil measures of rapid sea-level rise: Timing of response of two microfossil groups to a sudden tidal-flooding experiment in Cascadia
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.