abers | Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Dr. Geoffrey Abers

Doherty Senior Research Scientist

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Seismology Geology and Tectonophysics

Adjunct Professor

Earth and Environmental Sciences

108 Seismology

61 Route 9W - PO Box 1000

Palisades

10964-8000

Phone:

(845) 365-8539

View Website

Fields of interest:

Earthquake seismology, imaging and tectonics of active plate boundaries

Brief C.V.

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 1989
Ph.D., Geophysics.

Brown University, Providence, RI 1983
Sc.B. degree magna cum laude in Geology-Physics/Mathematics.

Experience

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY

Doherty Senior Research Scientist 2008-
Adjunct Professor, Department of Earth & Environ. Sci., Columbia Univ 2008-

Boston University, Boston, MA

    Professor of Earth Sciences    2004-2007
    Associate Chairman, Department of Earth Sciences    2000-2006
    Associate Professor of Earth Sciences    1999-2004

Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble France, Visiting Research Professor summer 2002

University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Assistant Professor, Department of Geology 1994-1999

Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY

    Adjunct Associate Research Scientist    1994-2003
    Associate Research Scientist    1991-1994
    Post Doctoral Research Scientist in Seismology    1989-1991

Honors and Professional Service

Chairman, MARGINS Steering Committee and MARGINS Office Director    2006-
Phys. Earth Planet. Int. “Top-50 Most Cited Articles 2004-7” (Abers, 2005)    2008
NSF MARGINS Initiative Steering Committee     2003-6
Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research – Solid Earth     2003-2006
Standing Committee, PASSCAL Program, IRIS (Inc. Res. Inst. Seismology)    2000-02
Fellow, Geological Society of America    elected 2000
Planning Committee, Subduction Factory MARGINS Theoretical Institute    2000
Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research – Solid Earth     1995-98
Technical Program Committee, Seismological Society of America meeting    1998
Data Management System Standing Committee, IRIS     1993-95
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow    1984-1987
Sigma Xi, Phi Beta Kappa, William Gaston Prize in Geological Science, Brown Univ.    1983

Field Experience

Western Washington: Cascadia Arrays For EarthScope (CAFE) seismic deployment    2006-8
Southern Alaska: MOOS broadband PASSCAL deployment    2006-8
Costa Rica, Nicaragua: TUCAN broadband PASSCAL deployment    2004-2006
Costa Rica, Nicaragua: seismological site survey    2003
Papua New Guinea: Woodlark Rift, PASSCAL deployment    1999,2000
Alaska Range: BEAAR, PASSCAL deployment    1999,2000
Alaska Range: seismological site survey    1998
Kansas River: exploratory paleoseismology    1997-8
Central Kansas: broad-band seismograph deployments    1996-1998
Greater Caucasus, Russia: seismic network    1993
Shumagin Islands, Alaska: Strong motion array    1993
Alaska Peninsula Region: Seismic network and broad-band station maintenance    1991
Greater Caucasus, USSR: PASSCAL aftershock survey    1991
Southern California: STRC GPS experiment    1991
Alaska Peninsula Region: seismic network maintenance    1990
Papua New Guinea: microseismic and gravity survey    1988
Central Arizona: PACE crustal refraction experiment    1987
Southeast Pacific: Marine geophysical survey, R/V Conrad    1985
Panamint Valley, California: Regional geophysical survey    1985
Southwest Montana: Field Geology Course    1982

Graduate Students Supervised

    Lamont: E. Triep, X. Hu
    Kansas: G. Sarker, Z. Yu, B. Schlotterbeck, A. Ferris
    Boston:   A. Ferris, J. Stachnik, G. Rossi, L. (Auger) MacKenzie, E. Syracuse, Z. Zhang

Completed Theses (Boston)
Ferris, A., Moho topography beneath active metamorphic core complexes: D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea, MA Thesis, 79 pp., 2002
Stachnik, J.C., Seismic Attenuation in Central Alaska, MA Thesis, 122 pp., 2002
Rossi, G., Measuring the Mantle Wedge Poisson’s Ratio and Slab Depth: Central Alaska, 121 pp., 2004
Ferris, A., Seismic Imaging of Active Continental Breakup in the Woodlark Rift System of Papua New Guinea, PhD Thesis, xx pp., 2007
MacKenzie, L., A Receiver Function Study of the Central America and Cascadia Subduction Zone Systems, PhD Thesis, xx pp., 2008

Education

Ph.D., Geophysics

M.I.T.

1989

Sc.B., Geology-Physics/Mathematics

Brown University

1983

Lamont Projects:

Geodynamics

Earthquakes and Faulting

Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics

Multidisciplinary Observations of Onshore Subduction (MOOS)

MARGINS Program

Selected Publications:

Phase velocities from seismic noise using beamforming and cross correlation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Harmon, N.; Gertsoft, P.; Rychert, C.A.; Abers, G.A.; Salas de la Cruz, M.; Fischer, K.M. , Geophys. Res. Lett., Volume 35, p.L19303, doi:10.1029/2008GL035387, (2008)

Arc-parallel flow in the mantle wedge beneath Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Hoernle, K.; Abt, D. L.; Fischer, K. M.; Nichols, H.; Hauff, F.; Abers, G. A.; van den Bogaard, P.; Heydolph, K.; Alvarado, G.; Protti, M.; Strauch, W. , Nature, Feb 28, Volume 451, Issue 7182, p.1094-U4, (2008), Doi 10.1038/Nature06550

Seismic imaging of subduction zone metamorphism, Rondenay, S.; Abers, G. A.; Van Keken, P. E. , Geology, Apr, Volume 36, Issue 4, p.275-278, (2008), Doi 10.1130/G24112a.1

The thermal structure of subduction zones constrained by seismic imaging: Implications for slab dehydration and wedge flow, Abers, G. A.; van Keken, P. E.; Kneller, E. A.; Ferris, A.; Stachnik, J. C. , Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Jan 31, Volume 241, Issue 3-4, p.387-397, (2006), DOI 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.11.055

Imaging the transition from Aleutian subduction to Yakutat collision in central Alaska, with local earthquakes and active source data, Eberhart-Philips, D.; Christensen, D. H.; Brocher, T. M.; Hansen, R.; Ruppert, N. A.; Haeussler, P. J.; Abers, G. A. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Nov 8, Volume 111, Issue B11, p.-, (2006), Doi 10.1029/2005jb004240

Crustal structure across the transition from rifting to spreading: the Woodlark rift system of Papua New Guinea, Ferris, A.; Abers, G. A.; Zelt, B.; Taylor, B.; Roecker, S. , Geophysical Journal International, Aug, Volume 166, Issue 2, p.622-634, (2006), DOI 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.02970.x

Unusual mantle Poisson's ratio, subduction, and crustal structure in central Alaska, Rossi, G.; Abers, G. A.; Rondenay, S.; Christensen, D. H. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Sep 22, Volume 111, Issue B9, p.-, (2006), Doi 10.1029/2005jb003956

Global compilation of variations in slab depth beneath arc volcanoes and implications, Syracuse, E. M.; Abers, G. A. , Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, May 23, Volume 7, p.-, (2006), Doi 10.1029/2005gc001045

Crustal thickness variation in south-central Alaska, Veenstra, E.; Christensen, D. H.; Abers, G. A.; Ferris, A. , Geology, Sep, Volume 34, Issue 9, p.781-784, (2006), Doi 10.1130/G22615.1

Seismic low-velocity layer at the top of subducting slabs: observations, predictions, and systematics, Abers, G. A. , Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Mar 15, Volume 149, Issue 1-2, p.7-29, (2005), DOI 10.1016/j.pepi.2004.10.002

Reply to comment by R. Bousquet et al. on - "Subduction factory: 1. Theoretical mineralogy, densities, seismic wave speeds and H2O contents", Hacker, B. R.; Abers, G. A.; Peacock, S. M.; Johnston, S. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Feb 10, Volume 110, Issue B2, p.-, (2005), Doi 10.1029/2004jb003490

Thermal structure of the Costa Rica - Nicaragua subduction zone, Peacock, S. M.; van Keken, P. E.; Holloway, S. D.; Hacker, B. R.; Abers, G. A.; Fergason, R. L. , Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Mar 15, Volume 149, Issue 1-2, p.187-200, (2005), DOI 10.1016/j.pepi.2004.08.030

Subduction Factory 3: An Excel worksheet and macro for calculating the densities, seismic wave speeds, and H2O contents of minerals and rocks at pressure and temperature, Hacker, B. R.; Abers, G. A. , Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, Jan 20, Volume 5, p.-, (2004), Doi 10.1029/2003gc000614

Investigation of microearthquakes, macroseismic data, and liquefaction associated with the 1867 Wamego earthquake in eastern Kansas, Niemi, T. M.; Ferris, A. N.; Abers, G. A. , Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Dec, Volume 94, Issue 6, p.2317-2329, (2004)

Seismic attenuation and mantle wedge temperatures in the Alaska subduction zone, Stachnik, J. C.; Abers, G. A.; Christensen, D. H. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Oct 8, Volume 109, Issue B10, p.-, (2004), Doi 10.1029/2004jb003018

The wet Nicaraguan slab, Abers, G. A.; Plank, T.; Hacker, B. R. , Geophysical Research Letters, Jan 31, Volume 30, Issue 2, p.-, (2003), Doi 10.1029/2002gl015649

Glacial earthquakes, Ekstrom, G.; Nettles, M.; Abers, G. A. , Science, Oct 24, Volume 302, Issue 5645, p.622-624, (2003), DOI 10.1126/science.1088057

High resolution image of the subducted Pacific (?) plate beneath central Alaska, 50-150 km depth, Ferris, A.; Abers, G. A.; Christensen, D. H.; Veenstra, E. , Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Sep 30, Volume 214, Issue 3-4, p.575-588, (2003), Doi 10.1016/S0012-821x(03)00403-5

Subduction factory - 1. Theoretical mineralogy, densities, seismic wave speeds, and H2O contents, Hacker, B. R.; Abers, G. A.; Peacock, S. M. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Jan 18, Volume 108, Issue B1, p.-, (2003), Doi 10.1029/2001jb001127

Subduction factory - 2. Are intermediate-depth earthquakes in subducting slabs linked to metamorphic dehydration reactions?, Hacker, B. R.; Peacock, S. M.; Abers, G. A.; Holloway, S. D. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Jan 18, Volume 108, Issue B1, p.-, (2003), Doi 10.1029/2001jb001129

Mantle compensation of active metamorphic core complexes at Woodlark rift in Papua New Guinea, Abers, G. A.; Ferris, A.; Craig, M.; Davies, H.; Lerner-Lam, A. L.; Mutter, J. C.; Taylor, B. , Nature, Aug 22, Volume 418, Issue 6900, p.862-865, (2002), Doi 10.1038/Nature00990

Direct inversion of earthquake first motions for both the stress tensor and focal mechanisms and application to southern California, Abers, G. A.; Gephart, J. W. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Nov 10, Volume 106, Issue B11, p.26523-26540, (2001)

Three-dimensional attenuation variations in southern California, Schlotterbeck, B. A.; Abers, G. A. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Dec 10, Volume 106, Issue B12, p.30719-30735, (2001)

Hydrated subducted crust at 100-250 km depth, Abers, G. A. , Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Mar 30, Volume 176, Issue 3-4, p.323-330, (2000)

Lithospheric temperature estimates from seismic attenuation across range fronts in southern and central Eurasia, Sarker, G.; Abers, G. A. , Geology, May, Volume 27, Issue 5, p.427-430, (1999)

Array measurements of phases used in receiver-function calculations: Importance of scattering, Abers, G. A. , Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Feb, Volume 88, Issue 1, p.313-318, (1998)

Comparison of seismic body wave and coda wave measures of Q, Sarker, G.; Abers, G. A. , Pure and Applied Geophysics, Dec, Volume 153, Issue 2-4, p.665-683, (1998)

Deep structures along the boundary of a collisional belt: attenuation tomography of P and S waves in the Greater Caucasus, Sarker, G.; Abers, G. A. , Geophysical Journal International, May, Volume 133, Issue 2, p.326-340, (1998)

Shallow dips of normal faults during rapid extension: Earthquakes in the Woodlark-D'Entrecasteaux rift system, Papua New Guinea, Abers, G. A.; Mutter, C. Z.; Fang, J. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Jul 10, Volume 102, Issue B7, p.15301-15317, (1997)

Slab low-velocity layer in the eastern Aleutian subduction zone, Helffrich, G.; Abers, G. A. , Geophysical Journal International, Sep, Volume 130, Issue 3, p.640-648, (1997)

The M(s)=7.3 1992 Suusamyr, Kyrgyzstan, earthquake .1. Constraints on fault geometry and source parameters based on aftershocks and body-wave modeling, Mellors, R. J.; Vernon, F. L.; Pavlis, G. L.; Abers, G. A.; Hamburger, M. W.; Ghose, S.; Iliasov, B. , Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Feb, Volume 87, Issue 1, p.11-22, (1997)

Dispersion of regional body waves at 100-150 km depth beneath Alaska: In situ constraints on metamorphism of subducted crust, Abers, G. A.; Sarker, G. , Geophysical Research Letters, May 15, Volume 23, Issue 10, p.1171-1174, (1996)

Active Thrust Front of the Greater Caucasus - the April 29, 1991, Racha Earthquake Sequence and Its Tectonic Implications, Triep, E. G.; Abers, G. A.; Lernerlam, A. L.; Mishatkin, V.; Zakharchenko, N.; Starovoit, O. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Mar 10, Volume 100, Issue B3, p.4011-4033, (1995)

Crustal Thickness Variations across the Colorado Rocky-Mountain from Teleseismic Receiver Functions, Sheehan, A. F.; Abers, G. A.; Jones, C. H.; Lernerlam, A. L. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Oct 10, Volume 100, Issue B10, p.20391-20404, (1995)

Large accelerations and tectonic setting of the May 1993 Shumagin Islands earthquake sequence, Abers, G. A.; Beavan, J.; Horton, S.; Jaume, S.; Triep, E. , Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Dec, Volume 85, Issue 6, p.1730-1738, (1995)

Source Scaling of Earthquakes in the Shumagin Region, Alaska - Time-Domain Inversions of Regional Wave-Forms, Abers, G. A.; Hu, X. X.; Sykes, L. R. , Geophysical Journal International, Oct, Volume 123, Issue 1, p.41-58, (1995)

Seismic Anisotropy beneath the Shumagin Islands Segment of the Aleutian-Alaska Subduction Zone, Yang, X. P.; Fischer, K. M.; Abers, G. A. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Sep 10, Volume 100, Issue B9, p.18165-18177, (1995)

3-Dimensional Inversion of Regional P and S Arrival Times in the East Aleutians and Sources of Subduction Zone Gravity Highs, Abers, G. A. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Mar 10, Volume 99, Issue B3, p.4395-4412, (1994)

Active Arc-Continent Collision - Earthquakes, Gravity-Anomalies, and Fault Kinematics in the Huon-Finisterre Collision Zone, Papua-New-Guinea, Abers, G. A.; Mccaffrey, R. , Tectonics, Apr, Volume 13, Issue 2, p.227-245, (1994)

Bering Sea Earthquake of February 21, 1991 - Active Faulting Along the Bering Shelf Edge, Abers, G. A.; Ekstrom, G.; Marlow, M. S.; Geist, E. L. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, Feb 10, Volume 98, Issue B2, p.2155-2165, (1993)

Shallow Seismicity of Arc-Continent Collision near Lae, Papua-New-Guinea, Kulig, C.; Mccaffrey, R.; Abers, G. A.; Letz, H. , Tectonophysics, Nov 30, Volume 227, Issue 1-4, p.81-93, (1993)

Relationship between Shallow-Depth and Intermediate-Depth Seismicity in the Eastern Aleutian Subduction Zone, Abers, G. A. , Geophysical Research Letters, Oct 23, Volume 19, Issue 20, p.2019-2022, (1992)

Orogeny in Arc-Continent Collision - the Banda Arc and Western New-Guinea, Mccaffrey, R.; Abers, G. A. , Geology, Jun, Volume 19, Issue 6, p.563-566, (1991)

Possible Seismogenic Shallow-Dipping Normal Faults in the Woodlark-Dentrecasteaux Extensional Province, Papua-New-Guinea, Abers, G. A. , Geology, Dec, Volume 19, Issue 12, p.1205-1208, (1991)

Deep-Structure of an Arc-Continent Collision - Earthquake Relocation and Inversion for Upper Mantle P and S-Wave Velocities beneath Papua-New-Guinea, Abers, G. A.; Roecker, S. W. , Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth and Planets, Apr 10, Volume 96, Issue B4, p.6379-6401, (1991)

Regional Gravity-Anomalies, Depth of the Foreland Basin and Isostatic Compensation of the New-Guinea Highlands, Abers, G. A.; Lyoncaen, H. , Tectonics, Dec, Volume 9, Issue 6, p.1479-1493, (1990)

Seamount Abundances and Distributions in the Southeast Pacific, Abers, G. A.; Parsons, B.; Weissel, J. K. , Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Jan, Volume 87, Issue 1-2, p.137-151, (1988)