Samuel Y Johnson
Seafloor Mapping - Geologic framework, hazards, and habitats
Sam Johnson is a Research Geologist in the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC), an organization of about 100 research and support staff based in Santa Cruz and Menlo Park, CA. He served as PCMSC Center Director from 2003 to 2008. He currently designs, coordinates, and conducts research projects that focus on seafloor and benthic habitat mapping, coastal and marine geomorphology and geologic framework, coastal evolution, and coastal earthquake and tsunami hazards. He helped plan and is the USGS lead for the multi-agency California Seafloor Mapping Program. His present research is focused on active tectonics and hazards offshore central California (Santa Barbara Channel to Cape Mendocino).
Professional Experience
1982-1984 - Assistant Professor, Washington State University
1984 to 2003 - Research Geologist, USGS Energy and Earthquake Hazards Programs
2003 to 2008 - Center Director, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
2008 to 2019 - Research Geologist, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
2019 to present - Research Geologist Emeritus, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Education and Certifications
B.A. (1975) University of California, Santa Cruz (Earth Sciences)
M.S. (1978) University of Washington (Geological Sciences)
Ph.D. (1982) University of Washington Geological Sciences
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America (Fellow)
American Geophysical Union
Society for Sedimentary Geology
Seismological Society of America
Honors and Awards
Department of Interior Distinguished Service Award (2019)
Science and Products
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Bolinas, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Point Reyes, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Salt Point, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Tomales Point, California
California State Waters Map Series — Drakes Bay and vicinity, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of San Francisco, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Pacifica, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Half Moon Bay, California
Diverse rupture modes for surface-deforming upper plate earthquakes in the southern Puget Lowland of Washington State
Offset of latest pleistocene shoreface reveals slip rate on the Hosgri strike-slip fault, offshore central California
Bathymetry and acoustic backscatter: Estero Bay, California
High-resolution seismic-reflection and marine-magnetic data from offshore central California--San Gregorio to Point Sur
Science and Products
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Bolinas, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Point Reyes, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Salt Point, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Tomales Point, California
California State Waters Map Series — Drakes Bay and vicinity, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of San Francisco, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Pacifica, California
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Half Moon Bay, California
Diverse rupture modes for surface-deforming upper plate earthquakes in the southern Puget Lowland of Washington State
Offset of latest pleistocene shoreface reveals slip rate on the Hosgri strike-slip fault, offshore central California
Bathymetry and acoustic backscatter: Estero Bay, California
High-resolution seismic-reflection and marine-magnetic data from offshore central California--San Gregorio to Point Sur
*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