BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Scott Marshall, professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES), recently collaborated with colleagues at Harvard University and the San Francisco Chronicle on an article titled, "Map: 10 California faults that could produce major earthquakes." The piece uses advanced fault data and custom graphics to help readers understand where significant seismic hazards exist across California.
Marshall contributed expertise on several major faults beyond the well‑known San Andreas system, helping the Chronicle team identify structures capable of producing impactful earthquakes. He also worked closely with the publication's graphics staff to incorporate data from the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC)'s Community Fault Model — a 3D representation of California's active faults. [View the SCEC Community Fault Model Explorer]
"In the end, this ended up being a nice use of the SCEC Community Fault Model for the general public and an example of how GES research reaches far beyond Western North Carolina," Marshall shared.
Marshall is part of the lead team developing the Community Fault Model, originally created by Harvard scientists Andreas Plesch and John Shaw. His broader research spans fault mechanics, satellite geodesy, data science, and near‑surface geophysics, including large‑scale computer simulations of active faulting in Southern California.
Read the article (Note: This article is behind a paywall.)
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About the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Located in Western North Carolina, Appalachian State University provides the perfect setting to study geological and environmental sciences. The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES) provides students with a solid foundation on which to prepare for graduate school or build successful careers as scientists, consultants, and secondary education teachers. The department offers six degree options in geology and two degree options in environmental science. Learn more about GES
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Dr. Scott Marshall is a professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES).