A cathedral in the central square of Chillán, Chile replaces the ancient cathedral that collapsed during the strong earthquake of 1939. This modern structure was constructed with earthquake resistance as the primary consideration. The only damage caused by the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 was broken windows.
Walter Mooney
Walter Mooney is a geophysicist in the Earthquake Hazards Program.
Walter Mooney is a research seismologist and geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California (See video presentation). He is also a AGU member since 1974 (and Fellow since 1996). His major interest is global Earth crustal structure and tectonics, particularly of the continental lithosphere. Mooney was the branch Chief of Seismology from 1994 to 1997. He has led field work throughout North and South America and participated in extensive research affiliations with colleagues in Mexico, Europe, Russia, China and Taiwan, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, East Africa.
Mooney is a consulting Professor of Geophysics, Stanford University, and a visiting faculty at the following institutions: University of Karlsruhe and Kiel University, Germany, University of Paris and University of Strasbourg, France, Rice University, and the California Institute of Technology. Finally, he is the Program Leader for the USGS contribution to the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System and has extensive experience at leading training.
Sample of Videos Produced
San Francisco, California Bay Area Earthquake Hazards and Preparedness
Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS)
The Wenchuan China Earthquake May 12, 2008, filmed by Sarah Bahan
Mauritius Training Program in Seismology and Tsunami Warning
The Earthquake of September 30, 2009 Padang, Indonesia
Tsunami Preparedness along the West Coast, USA
- Recent Publications
- 2008-2013
- Hartzell, S., C. Mendoza, L. Ramirez-Gurman, Zeng Y.H, and Mooney, W.D., 2013, Rupture history of the 2008 Wenchuan, China, Earthquake: Evaluation of Separate and Joint Inversions of Geodetic, Teleseismic and Strong Motion Data, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 103, no. 1, February (in press). Director Approval 10/2012. See PDF
- Chulick, G., Detweiler, S. and Mooney, W.D., 2012, Seismic structure of the crust and uppermost mantle of South America and surrounding ocean basins, Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 29 June (online). See PDF
- Hickman, S.H., Hsieh, P.A., Mooney, W.D., Enomoto, C., Nelson, P., Mayer, L., Weber, T., Moran, K., Flemings, P., McNutt, M., 2012, Scientific Basis for Safely Shutting in the Macondo Well Following the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon Blowout, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109, no. 50, 20, 268-20, 273. See PDF
- Mooney, W.D., J. Ritsema, and H. Hwang, 2012, Crustal seismicity and the earthquake catalog maximum moment magnitude (Mcmax) in stable continental regions (SCRs): correlation with the seismic velocity of the lithosphere, Earth and Planetary Science Letters 357-358, 78-83. See PDF
- Prodehl, C. and Mooney, W.D., 2012, Exploring the Earth's Crust: History and Results of Controlled-Source Seismology, Geological Society of America Memoir 208, 764 pp, with supplemental DVD. Abstract, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6,
- 2008-2013
Science and Products
A cathedral in the central square of Chillán, Chile replaces the ancient cathedral that collapsed during the strong earthquake of 1939. This modern structure was constructed with earthquake resistance as the primary consideration. The only damage caused by the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 was broken windows.
A masonry building in the downtown part of Concepcion, Chile partially collapsed as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Most modern buildings in Concepcion were undamaged during the earthquake due to the city's adoption of adequate building standards. However, many masonry buildings such as this one were heavily damaged.
A masonry building in the downtown part of Concepcion, Chile partially collapsed as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Most modern buildings in Concepcion were undamaged during the earthquake due to the city's adoption of adequate building standards. However, many masonry buildings such as this one were heavily damaged.
These offices buildings in Concepcion, Chile were built to be tsunami-ready. They are elevated some 10 meters (32 feet) above the ground surface, such that a tsunami inundation would pass below without causing damage.
These offices buildings in Concepcion, Chile were built to be tsunami-ready. They are elevated some 10 meters (32 feet) above the ground surface, such that a tsunami inundation would pass below without causing damage.
This two story hospital wing in Cauquenes, Chile suffered severe damage to the wall of the first floor as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building must be torn down. All patients were successfully evacuated at 3:34 AM after the earthquake shaking started.
This two story hospital wing in Cauquenes, Chile suffered severe damage to the wall of the first floor as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building must be torn down. All patients were successfully evacuated at 3:34 AM after the earthquake shaking started.
The interior of this masonry-built hospital in Cauquenes, Chile had severe fracturing and partially collapsed interior walls following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building will be torn down and replaced with a reinforced concrete building.
The interior of this masonry-built hospital in Cauquenes, Chile had severe fracturing and partially collapsed interior walls following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building will be torn down and replaced with a reinforced concrete building.
Two school teachers stand outside a neighbor's destroyed adobe home in Cauquenes, Chile following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Reconstruction in this ancient city will be based on reinforced concrete rather than highly vulnerable adobe.
Two school teachers stand outside a neighbor's destroyed adobe home in Cauquenes, Chile following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Reconstruction in this ancient city will be based on reinforced concrete rather than highly vulnerable adobe.
The tsunami that resulted from the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 destroyed hundreds of homes in Dichato, Chile.
The tsunami that resulted from the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 destroyed hundreds of homes in Dichato, Chile.
A house and a car were destroyed by a tsunami in the coastal city of Dichato, Chile, located about 15 km north of Concepcion, Chile. The tsunami height was about 10 meters (32 feet). Several hundred homes were destroyed in this city as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010
A house and a car were destroyed by a tsunami in the coastal city of Dichato, Chile, located about 15 km north of Concepcion, Chile. The tsunami height was about 10 meters (32 feet). Several hundred homes were destroyed in this city as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010
The tsunami generated by the M 8.8 earthquake carried many boats onto land - in some cases hundreds of meters inland. The tsunami wave height at this location in Concepcion Harbor (Talcahuano), Chile was about 4-5 meters (12-15 feet).
The tsunami generated by the M 8.8 earthquake carried many boats onto land - in some cases hundreds of meters inland. The tsunami wave height at this location in Concepcion Harbor (Talcahuano), Chile was about 4-5 meters (12-15 feet).
Science and Products
A cathedral in the central square of Chillán, Chile replaces the ancient cathedral that collapsed during the strong earthquake of 1939. This modern structure was constructed with earthquake resistance as the primary consideration. The only damage caused by the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 was broken windows.
A cathedral in the central square of Chillán, Chile replaces the ancient cathedral that collapsed during the strong earthquake of 1939. This modern structure was constructed with earthquake resistance as the primary consideration. The only damage caused by the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 was broken windows.
A masonry building in the downtown part of Concepcion, Chile partially collapsed as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Most modern buildings in Concepcion were undamaged during the earthquake due to the city's adoption of adequate building standards. However, many masonry buildings such as this one were heavily damaged.
A masonry building in the downtown part of Concepcion, Chile partially collapsed as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Most modern buildings in Concepcion were undamaged during the earthquake due to the city's adoption of adequate building standards. However, many masonry buildings such as this one were heavily damaged.
These offices buildings in Concepcion, Chile were built to be tsunami-ready. They are elevated some 10 meters (32 feet) above the ground surface, such that a tsunami inundation would pass below without causing damage.
These offices buildings in Concepcion, Chile were built to be tsunami-ready. They are elevated some 10 meters (32 feet) above the ground surface, such that a tsunami inundation would pass below without causing damage.
This two story hospital wing in Cauquenes, Chile suffered severe damage to the wall of the first floor as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building must be torn down. All patients were successfully evacuated at 3:34 AM after the earthquake shaking started.
This two story hospital wing in Cauquenes, Chile suffered severe damage to the wall of the first floor as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building must be torn down. All patients were successfully evacuated at 3:34 AM after the earthquake shaking started.
The interior of this masonry-built hospital in Cauquenes, Chile had severe fracturing and partially collapsed interior walls following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building will be torn down and replaced with a reinforced concrete building.
The interior of this masonry-built hospital in Cauquenes, Chile had severe fracturing and partially collapsed interior walls following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. This building will be torn down and replaced with a reinforced concrete building.
Two school teachers stand outside a neighbor's destroyed adobe home in Cauquenes, Chile following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Reconstruction in this ancient city will be based on reinforced concrete rather than highly vulnerable adobe.
Two school teachers stand outside a neighbor's destroyed adobe home in Cauquenes, Chile following the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010. Reconstruction in this ancient city will be based on reinforced concrete rather than highly vulnerable adobe.
The tsunami that resulted from the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 destroyed hundreds of homes in Dichato, Chile.
The tsunami that resulted from the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010 destroyed hundreds of homes in Dichato, Chile.
A house and a car were destroyed by a tsunami in the coastal city of Dichato, Chile, located about 15 km north of Concepcion, Chile. The tsunami height was about 10 meters (32 feet). Several hundred homes were destroyed in this city as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010
A house and a car were destroyed by a tsunami in the coastal city of Dichato, Chile, located about 15 km north of Concepcion, Chile. The tsunami height was about 10 meters (32 feet). Several hundred homes were destroyed in this city as a result of the M 8.8 earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010
The tsunami generated by the M 8.8 earthquake carried many boats onto land - in some cases hundreds of meters inland. The tsunami wave height at this location in Concepcion Harbor (Talcahuano), Chile was about 4-5 meters (12-15 feet).
The tsunami generated by the M 8.8 earthquake carried many boats onto land - in some cases hundreds of meters inland. The tsunami wave height at this location in Concepcion Harbor (Talcahuano), Chile was about 4-5 meters (12-15 feet).