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John H. Shaw
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Harvard University
Harvard University
Professor of Structural & Economic Geology, Environmental Science & Engineering
Expertise: structural geology, velocity modeling, source characterization
About Me
Publications
My research interests are focused on active faulting and earthquake hazards assessment, with emphasis on the characterization of blind-thrust and reverse faults, and the development of community models (SCEC Community Fault Model, CFM; Community Velocity Model, CVM-H; Geologic Framework Model, GFM). These efforts involve development of balanced geologic cross sections and 3D structural models, acquisition and interpretations of seismic reflection surveys, geomechanical forward modeling, and structural restoration. I collaborate actively with seismologists, paleoseismologists, tectonic geodesists, numerical wave propagation modelers and other in SCEC, and my work contributes to the development of regional Earthquake Rupture Forecasts (ERF) and Probabilistic Seismic Hazards Assessments (PSHA).
I also work actively in the field of energy exploration and development, and on associated environmental concerns such as induced seismicity.
I began my association with SCEC as graduate student in the early 1990’s, and my research has been supported by the Center for over two decades. I served as the chair of the Unified Structural Representation Focus Area and member of the Planning Committee from 2001 to 2016. I served as Vice-Chair of the SCEC Board from 2017-2019, and currently serve as its Chair.
SCEC Executive Committee, Member (2017 - 2022)
SCEC Board of Directors, Core Institution Member (2016 - 2022)
SCEC Board of Directors, Vice-Chair (2017 - 2019)
SCEC Science Planning Committee, Group Leader (2002 - 2016)
I also work actively in the field of energy exploration and development, and on associated environmental concerns such as induced seismicity.
I began my association with SCEC as graduate student in the early 1990’s, and my research has been supported by the Center for over two decades. I served as the chair of the Unified Structural Representation Focus Area and member of the Planning Committee from 2001 to 2016. I served as Vice-Chair of the SCEC Board from 2017-2019, and currently serve as its Chair.
SCEC Participation
SCEC Board of Directors, Chair (2019 - 2022)SCEC Executive Committee, Member (2017 - 2022)
SCEC Board of Directors, Core Institution Member (2016 - 2022)
SCEC Board of Directors, Vice-Chair (2017 - 2019)
SCEC Science Planning Committee, Group Leader (2002 - 2016)
Toghramadjian, N., & Shaw, J. H. (2023, 09). Multiple rupture pathways and slip partitioning through the Long Beach restraining bend system of the Newport-Inglewood fault, Los Angeles, CA. Poster Presentation at 2023 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 13142
Plesch, A., Marshall, S. T., Shaw, J. H., Su, M., Maechling, P. J., Huynh, T. T., & Pauk, E. (2023, 09). The Community Fault Model v6.0 and progress towards a statewide fault model. Poster Presentation at 2023 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 13101
Chiama, K., Moss, R., Dolan, J. F., & Shaw, J. H. (2023, 09). Numerical modeling of ground surface rupture in large thrust and reverse fault earthquakes: An example from the Cucamonga fault, southern California. Poster Presentation at 2023 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 12816
Su, M., Maechling, P. J., Callaghan, S., Plesch, A., & Shaw, J. H. (2022, 09). Integration of Standalone CVM-H Basin Models into the Unified Community Velocity model(UCVM) Software. Poster Presentation at 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 12567
Chiama, K., Plesch, A., Moss, R., & Shaw, J. H. (2022, 09). Numerical modeling of ground surface deformation related to thrust and reverse fault earthquakes: A discrete element approach. Poster Presentation at 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 12536
Anthonissen, C., McAuliffe, L. J., Grenader, J. R., Dolan, J. F., Shaw, J. H., Hubbard, J. A., Rhodes, E. J., & Pratt, T. L. (2022, 09). Complex patterns of lateral strain transfer between the Ventura-Pitas Point and blind Southern San Cayetano faults, Ventura, Southern California. Poster Presentation at 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 12472
Toghramadjian, N., & Shaw, J. H. (2022, 09). The Newport-Inglewood Fault at Long Beach: How Restraining Bends Control Slip Partitioning and Rupture Propagation Pathways Past and Future. Poster Presentation at 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 12446
Plesch, A., Marshall, S. T., Nicolae, A., Shaw, J. H., Su, M., Maechling, P. J., Huynh, T. T., & Pauk, E. (2022, 09). The SCEC Community Fault Model Version 6.0: additions and updates after community evaluation. Poster Presentation at 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 12043
Don, J., Shaw, J. H., & Plesch, A. (2021, 08). Comprehensive 3D model of the Ventura-Pitas Point fault system and associated structures in the Santa Barbara Channel and Ventura basin for the CFM. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11530
Plesch, A., Marshall, S. T., Nicolae, A., Shaw, J. H., Maechling, P. J., & Su, M. (2021, 08). Updates to the SCEC Community Fault Model (CFM), and to web-based tools, and plans for its peer review and version 6.0. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11518
Anthonissen, C., Wolfe, F. D., Leon, L. A., Don, J., Dolan, J. F., Shaw, J. H., Rittenour, T. M., Rhodes, E. J., & Ivester, A. (2021, 08). Back-limb and fore-limb folding of the Puente Hills blind-thrust fault with implications for late Pleistocene slip-rate estimates and seismic hazard analysis in the Los Angeles Basin, southern California. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11515
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., & Hauksson, E. (2021, 08). Updates and Additions to the Community Fault Model (CFM version 5.3): detachments, cross faults and en echelon fault sets. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11513
Toghramadjian, N., & Shaw, J. H. (2021, 08). 3D geometry and kinematics of the restraining bend at Signal Hill: implications for seismic hazard for the Newport-Inglewood fault, Los Angeles, CA. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11434
Alves da Silva, J., Wolfe, F. D., Huprikar, A., Plesch, A., Juanes, R. H., & Shaw, J. H. (2021, 08). New initiative to examine the impacts of oil and gas operations on fault stability and earthquake processes in the Los Angeles basin, CA. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11406
Alves da Silva, J., Wolfe, F. D., Huprikar, A., Plesch, A., Juanes, R. H., & Shaw, J. H. (2021, 08). New initiative to examine the impacts of oil and gas operations on fault stability and earthquake processes in the Los Angeles basin, CA. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11406
Wolfe, F. D., Shaw, J. H., & Plesch, A. (2021, 08). Kinematic evolution of the Palos Verdes restraining bend and 3-D architecture of the fault, Southern California. Poster Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11361
Marshall, S. T., Plesch, A., & Shaw, J. H. (2021, 08). The SCEC community fault model: challenges, progress, and the future. Oral Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11247
Plesch, A., Thurber, C. H., Tape, C., & Shaw, J. H. (2021, 08). The SCEC CVM effort: new basin models, enhanced access and tomographic updates. Oral Presentation at 2021 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 11233
Toghramadjian, N., Plesch, A., Sabharwal, I., & Shaw, J. H. (2020, 08). New Perspectives on Newport-Inglewood Fault Geometry. Poster Presentation at 2020 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 10610
Plesch, A., Marshall, S. T., Nicholson, C., Shaw, J. H., Maechling, P. J., & Su, M. (2020, 08). The Community Fault Model version 5.3 and new web-based tools. Poster Presentation at 2020 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 10547
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Sorlien, C. C., Shaw, J. H., & Hauksson, E. (2020, 08). Updates, Evaluation and Improvements to the Community Fault Model (CFM version 5.3). Poster Presentation at 2020 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 10412
Don, J., Shaw, J. H., Nicolae, A., Sorlien, C. C., Nicholson, C., & Behl, R. J. (2020, 08). Late Pleistocene slip rate and 3D geometry of the Mid-Channel blind thrust, Santa Barbara Channel, CA, and their implications for earthquake hazards. Poster Presentation at 2020 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 10389
Maechling, P. J., Su, M., Hearn, E. H., Marshall, S. T., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Oskin, M. E., Montesi, L. G., Pauk, E., Huynh, T. T., & Ben-Zion, Y. (2020, 08). Developing Web-based Visualization and Query Tools for the SCEC CVM, CFM, GFM, and CTM Community Models. Poster Presentation at 2020 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 10315
Thatcher, W. R., Hearn, E. H., Oskin, M. E., Montesi, L. G., Hirth, G., Behr, W. M., Plesch, A., & Shaw, J. H. (2019, 08). Preliminary SCEC Community Rheology Model. Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9833
Su, M., Maechling, P. J., Marshall, S. T., Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Pauk, E., Huynh, T. T., & Hearn, E. H. (2019, 08). A Queryable Map-Based Web Interface to the SCEC Community Fault Model. Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9787
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Ross, Z. E., & Hauksson, E. (2019, 08). Detailed 3D source fault representations for the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence. Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9709
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Oskin, M. E., & Maechling, P. J. (2019, 08). A volumetric, CFM compatible, Geologic Framework Model (GFM) . Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9706
Levy, Y., Marshall, S. T., Rockwell, T. K., & Shaw, J. H. (2019, 08). Testing Structural Model Predictions Against Geodetic Data in the Western Transverse Ranges, Southern California. Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9590
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Sorlien, C. C., Shaw, J. H., Marshall, S. T., & Hauksson, E. (2019, 08). Continued Updates, Expansion and Improvements to the Community Fault Model (CFM version 5.3). Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9509
Don, J., Plesch, A., Newman, M. M., & Shaw, J. H. (2019, 08). Linkage of the Ventura-Pitas Point and Mid-Channel faults and its implications for large, multi-segment earthquakes . Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9479
Alves da Silva, J., Byrne, H., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., & Juanes, R. (2019, 08). Revisiting the classical earthquake experiment in the Rangely oil Field, Colorado, 1970: insights from coupled flow and geomechanical modeling. Poster Presentation at 2019 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 9376
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., SCFM Working Group, .., & Nicholson, C. (2018, 08). SCFM 3.1: Updates, maps and modeling support. Poster Presentation at 2018 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 8725
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., & Marshall, S. T. (2018, 08). Enhancements, Updates, and Improved Access to the Community Fault Model. Poster Presentation at 2018 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 8508
Levy, Y., Rockwell, T. K., Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Driscoll, N. W., & Perea, H. (2018, 08). Structural Architecture of the Western Transverse Ranges and Potential for Large Earthquakes - New Results of Trishear Forward Models . Poster Presentation at 2018 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 8497
Don, J., Plesch, A., Newman, M. M., & Shaw, J. H. (2018, 08). Characterizing the 3D geometry of the Ventura-Pitas Point fault system and its implications for earthquake hazards in southern California. Poster Presentation at 2018 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 8411
Wolfe, F. D., Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Ponti, D. J., Dolan, J. F., & Legg, M. R. (2018, 07). The Wilmington Blind-Thrust Fault: An active, concealed earthquake source beneath Los Angeles, CA. Poster Presentation at 2018 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 8213
Maechling, P. J., Gill, D., Taborda, R., Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Olsen, K. B., Callaghan, S., Jordan, T. H., & Goulet, C. A. (2018, 06). The SCEC UCVM Software Framework for Distributing and Querying Seismic Velocity Models. Poster Presentation at 11th National Conference in Earthquake Engineering. SCEC Contribution 7989
Wolfe, F. D., Dolan, J. F., Plesch, A., & Shaw, J. H. (2017, 08). Activity and earthquake potential of the Wilmington blind thrust, Los Angeles, CA: The largest earthquake source not on current southern California hazard maps?. Poster Presentation at 2017 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 7772
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., & Shaw, J. H. (2017, 08). Community Fault Model Version 5.2: Updating & expanding the CFM 3D fault set and its associated fault database. Poster Presentation at 2017 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 7735
Levy, Y., Rockwell, T. K., Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Driscoll, N. W., & Perea, H. (2017, 08). Structural Architecture of the Western Transverse Ranges and Potential for Large Earthquakes – Trishear Forward Models . Poster Presentation at 2017 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 7631
Evans, W. S., Plesch, A., Lee, W., Pillai, N., Shaw, J. H., Meier, M., & Hauksson, E. (2017, 08). Implementing rapid, probabilistic association of earthquakes with source faults in the CFM for southern California. Poster Presentation at 2017 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 7597
Oskin, M. E., Behr, W. M., Morelan, A. E., Plesch, A., & Shaw, J. H. (2017, 08). Toward a Geologic Framework for the Community Rheology Model, with focus on the Mojave region. Poster Presentation at 2017 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 7520
Plesch, A., Nicholson, C., Sorlien, C. C., Shaw, J. H., & Hauksson, E. (2016, 09). CFM Version 5.1: New and revised 3D fault representations and an improved database.. Poster Presentation at 2016 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 6768
McAuliffe, L. J., Dolan, J. F., Rhodes, E. J., Hubbard, J. A., Shaw, J. H., & Pratt, T. L. (2015). Paleoseismologic evidence for large-magnitude (Mw≥7.5) earthquakes on the Ventura blind thrust fault: Implications for multi-fault ruptures in the Transverse Ranges of southern California. Geosphere, (under review). SCEC Contribution 2076
Evans, W. S., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Pillai, N. L., Yu, E., Meier, M., & Hauksson, E. (2020). A Statistical Method for Associating Earthquakes with Their Source Faults in Southern California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 110(1), 213-225. doi: 10.1785/0120190115. SCEC Contribution 9057
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Ross, Z. E., & Hauksson, E. (2020). Detailed 3D Fault Representations for the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, Earthquake Sequence. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 110(4), 1818-1831. doi: 10.1785/0120200053. SCEC Contribution 10096
Levy, Y., Rockwell, T. K., Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Driscoll, N. W., & Perea, H. (2019). Structural modeling of the Western Transverse Ranges: An imbricated thrust ramp architecture. Lithosphere, 11(6), 868-883. doi: 10.1130/L1124.1. SCEC Contribution 8054
Hauksson, E., Andrews, J., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., & Shelly, D. R. (2016). The 2015 Fillmore Earthquake Swarm and Possible Crustal Deformation Mechanisms Near the Bottom of the eastern Ventura Basin, California. Seismological Research Letters, 87(4), 807-815. doi: 10.1785/0220160020. SCEC Contribution 6208
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Sorlien, C. C., Shaw, J. H., & Hauksson, E. (2015, 05). The SCEC Community Fault Model Version 5.0: An updated and expanded 3D fault set for southern California. Poster Presentation at 2015 Pacific Section AAPG Joint Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 6205
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Nicholson, C., Sorlien, C. C., & SCFM 2015 workshop participants, .. (2015). Evaluation of the Statewide Community Fault Model (SCFM) Version 3.0 and Continued Updates to the SCEC CFM 5.0. Poster Presentation at 2015 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 6051
Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Tape, C. H., Suess, M., Jordan, T. H., Ely, G. P., Hauksson, E., Tromp, J., Tanimoto, T., Graves, R. W., Olsen, K. B., Nicholson, C., Maechling, P. J., Rivero, C., Lovely, P., Brankman, C., & Munster, J. (2015). Unified Structural Representation of the southern California crust and upper mantle. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 415, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2015.01.016. SCEC Contribution 2004
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Sorlien, C. C., Shaw, J. H., & Hauksson, E. (2014). The SCEC 3D Community Fault Model (CFM Version 5.0): An updated and expanded fault set of oblique crustal deformation and complex fault interaction for southern California. Eos (Transactions of AGU), 95(52), T31B-4585. SCEC Contribution 2080
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., & Jordan, T. H. (2014, 4). Stochastic Descriptions of Basin Velocity Structure from Analyses of Sonic Logs and the SCEC Community Velocity Model (CVM-H). Presentation at 2014 SSA Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 2054
Hubbard, J. A., Shaw, J. H., Dolan, J. F., Pratt, T. L., McAuliffe, L. J., & Rockwell, T. K. (2014). Structure and seismic hazard of the Ventura Avenue anticline and Ventura fault, California: Prospect for large, multisegment ruptures in the Western Transverse Ranges. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 104(3), 1070-1087. doi: 10.1785/0120130125. SCEC Contribution 1736
Nicholson, C., Plesch, A., Sorlien, C. C., Shaw, J. H., & Hauksson, E. (2013, 9). Updating the 3D fault set for the SCEC Community Fault Model (CFM-v4) and revising its associated fault database. Poster Presentation at SCEC Annual Meeting 2013. SCEC Contribution 2053
Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., & Jordan, T. H. (2013, 9). Stochastic Descriptions of Basin Velocity Structure from Analyses of Sonic Logs and the SCEC Community Velocity Model (CVM-H). Poster Presentation at SCEC Annual Meeting 2013. SCEC Contribution 1890
Tape, C. H., Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., & Gilbert, H. (2012). Estimating a continuous Moho surface for the California Unified Velocity Model. Seismological Research Letters, 83(4), 728-735. doi: 10.1785/0220110118. SCEC Contribution 1534
Leon, L. A., Dolan, J. F., Shaw, J. H., & Pratt, T. L. (2009). Evidence for Large Holocene Earthquakes on the Compton Thrust Fault, Los Angeles, California. Journal of Geophysical Research,. doi: 10.1029/2008JB006129, 2009. SCEC Contribution 1351
Plesch, A., Shaw, J. H., Bryant, W. A., Carena, S., Cooke, M. L., Dolan, J. F., Fuis, G. S., Gath, E. M., Grant Ludwig, L. B., Hauksson, E., Jordan, T. H., Kamerling, M. J., Legg, M. R., Lindvall, S. C., Magistrale, H., Nicholson, C., Niemi, N. A., Oskin, M. E., Perry, S. C., Planansky, G., Rockwell, T. K., Shearer, P. M., Sorlien, C. C., Suess, M., Suppe, J., Treiman, J. A., & Yeats, R. S. (2007). Community Fault Model (CFM) for Southern California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 97(6), 1793-1802. doi: 10.1785/0120050211. SCEC Contribution 1134
Leon, L. A., Christofferson, S., Dolan, J. F., Shaw, J. H., & Pratt, T. L. (2007). Earthquake-by-Earthquake Fold Above the Puente Hills Blind Thrust Fault, Los Angeles, California: Implications for Fold Kinematics and Seismic Hazard. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 112(B03S03). doi: 10.1029/2006JB004461. SCEC Contribution 1001
Lovely, P., Shaw, J. H., Liu, Q., & Tromp, J. (2006). A Structural (VP) Model of the Salton Trough, California, and its implications for seismic hazardand its Implications for Seismic HazardA Structural (VP) Model of the Salton Trough, California, and its Implications for Seismic Hazard. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 96(5), 1882-1896. doi: 10.1785/0120050166. SCEC Contribution 976
Suess, M., & Shaw, J. H. (2003). P wave seismic velocity structure derived from sonic logs and industry reflection data in the Los Angeles basin, California. Journal of Geophysical Research, 108(B3), 2170. doi: 10.1029/2001JB001628. SCEC Contribution 977
Dolan, J. F., Christofferson, S., & Shaw, J. H. (2003). Recognition of Paleoearthquakes on the Puente Hills Blind Thrust Fault, California. Science, 300(5616), 115-118. doi: 10.1126/science.1080593. SCEC Contribution 713
Shaw, J. H., Plesch, A., Dolan, J. F., & Pratt, T. L. (2002). Puente Hills blind-thrust system, Los Angeles, California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 92 (8), 2946-2960. doi: 10.1785/0120010291. SCEC Contribution 687
Rivero, C., Shaw, J. H., & Mueller, K. J. (2000). The Oceanside and Thirtymile Bank Thrusts: Implications for Earthquake Hazards in Coastal Southern California. Geology, 28(10), 891-894. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<891:OATBBT>2.0.CO;2. SCEC Contribution 975
Shaw, J. H., & Shearer, P. M. (1999). An Elusive Blind-Thrust Fault Beneath Metropolitan Los Angeles. Science, 283(5407), 1516-1518. doi: 10.1126/science.283.5407.1516. SCEC Contribution 668
Shaw, J. H., & Suppe, J. (1996). Earthquake Hazards of Active Blind-Thrust Faults under the Central Los Angeles Basin, California. Journal of Geophysical Research, 101(B4), 8623-8642. doi: 10.1029/95JB03453. SCEC Contribution 177
Shaw, J. H., & Suppe, J. (1994). Structural Trend Analysis by Axial Surface. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 78(5), 700-721. SCEC Contribution 60
Shaw, J. H., & Suppe, J. (1994). Active Faulting and Growth Folding in the Eastern Santa Barbara Channel, California. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 106(5), 607-626. doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<0607:AFAGFI>2.3.CO;2. SCEC Contribution 59
Shaw, J. H. (1993). Active Blind-Thrust Faulting and Strike-Slip Folding in California, Ph.D. Dissertation (Princeton University, Princeton, NJ). SCEC Contribution 61
Last updated Mar 08, 2024.
