Daniel Trugman: Characterizing earthquake hazards in Reno-Tahoe

Title

Characterizing earthquake hazards in Reno-Tahoe

Mentor

Daniel Trugman

Department

Geology

Biosketch

Daniel Trugman, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Geological Sciences and Engineering Department. He received his doctorate in earth sciences from the University of California - San Diego. His research focuses on the development and application of new techniques to analyze large datasets of seismic waveforms. This research leads to increased understanding of earthquake rupture processes and their relation to seismic hazards.

Project overview

Western Nevada is one of the most seismically active regions in the country, with active fault systems throughout the state that are capable of producing large and damaging earthquakes. The Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) is a state agency tasked with monitoring earthquake activity by operating and analyzing data from a network of hundreds of seismometers across the state. The student will work alongside NSL faculty, graduate students, and staff to characterize earthquake hazards in the Reno-Tahoe area. The specifics of the project will be tailored to the student’s interests and skill set, and will include direct analysis of seismic waveforms to locate earthquakes and characterize key earthquake source properties like magnitude and faulting mechanisms. Throughout the project, students will learn practical scientific computing, analysis, and presentation skills that will help them throughout their career.