Larger imageSCEC Field Notes: Patrick Dooling Photo 1

This summer as an SCEC/SURE Intern, I am working on paleoseismology of the Compton Hills blind thrust fault, a major earthquake hazard beneath the city of Los Angeles. The goal of my project is to determine a Holocene slip rate for the Compton Hills thrust as well as create an earthquake history of the region. I am currently working with Professor James Dolan from the Earth Sciences department as well as Lorraine Leon, a graduate student in Earth Sciences. I am also working with fellow SCEC/SURE intern Angel Martinez in using magnetic susceptibility in sediments from previously cored boreholes to infer paleoclimate in Southern California.

For my project on the Compton Hills blind thrust, we are digging five boreholes between 100-150 feet deep in the city of Lakewood, California. The goal is to get a precise stratigraphic record of the sediments and correlate them with sediments from six previously drilled boreholes along the same transect to create a detailed cross section of the area. Using this correlated stratigraphy, it is possible to determine a Holocene slip rate for the fault as well as pinpoint the most recent earthquakes on the Compton Hills thrust by observing the amount of uplift of sediments between boreholes.

This internship is giving me great experience in conducting geologic fieldwork as well as laboratory work. I have the opportunity to work with experienced faculty on a daily basis and gain valuable knowledge and experience that will undoubtedly aid me in my future career in geology.

Larger imageSCEC Field Notes: Patrick Dooling Photo 2

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Larger imageSCEC Field Notes: Patrick Dooling Photo 3

View field notes from other SURE Interns:   Select an intern... Alex Wilk Alexandra Millar Christina Velasquez Hannah Waterhouse Joshua Soble Lauren Steinberg Melissa Nunley Nathan Williams Trevor Thomas Tyanna Schlom