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
Modeling of depth to base of Last Glacial Maximum and seafloor sediment thickness for the California State Waters Map Series, eastern Santa Barbara Channel, California
Influence of fault trend, bends, and convergence on shallow structure and geomorphology of the Hosgri strike-slip fault, offshore central California
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Region; Santa Barbara Channel Coastal and Ocean Science
High-Resolution Seismic-Reflection and Marine Magnetic Data Along the Hosgri Fault Zone, Central California
Crustal structure and earthquake hazards of the subduction zone in southwestern British Columbia and western Washington
Map and data for Quaternary faults and folds in Washington state
Evidence for Late Holocene earthquakes on the Utsalady Point fault, Northern Puget Lowland, Washington
Active shortening of the Cascadia forearc and implications for seismic hazards of the Puget Lowland
Late Holocene earthquakes on the Toe Jam Hill fault, Seattle fault zone, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Hydrothermal and tectonic activity in northern Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
Field and laboratory data from an earthquake history study of the Toe Jam Hill Fault, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Location, structure, and seismicity of the Seattle fault zone, Washington: Evidence from aeromagnetic anomalies, geologic mapping, and seismic-reflection data
Science and Products
Modeling of depth to base of Last Glacial Maximum and seafloor sediment thickness for the California State Waters Map Series, eastern Santa Barbara Channel, California
Influence of fault trend, bends, and convergence on shallow structure and geomorphology of the Hosgri strike-slip fault, offshore central California
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Region; Santa Barbara Channel Coastal and Ocean Science
High-Resolution Seismic-Reflection and Marine Magnetic Data Along the Hosgri Fault Zone, Central California
Crustal structure and earthquake hazards of the subduction zone in southwestern British Columbia and western Washington
Map and data for Quaternary faults and folds in Washington state
Evidence for Late Holocene earthquakes on the Utsalady Point fault, Northern Puget Lowland, Washington
Active shortening of the Cascadia forearc and implications for seismic hazards of the Puget Lowland
Late Holocene earthquakes on the Toe Jam Hill fault, Seattle fault zone, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Hydrothermal and tectonic activity in northern Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
Field and laboratory data from an earthquake history study of the Toe Jam Hill Fault, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Location, structure, and seismicity of the Seattle fault zone, Washington: Evidence from aeromagnetic anomalies, geologic mapping, and seismic-reflection data
*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