Kerry Sieh
Encyclopedia
Kerry E. Sieh is an American
geologist
and seismologist.
Sieh's principal research interest is earthquake
geology
, which uses geological layers and landforms to understand the geometries of active faults, the earthquakes they generate, and the crustal structure their movements produce. His early work on the San Andreas fault
led to the discovery of how often and how regularly it produces large earthquakes in southern California
.
Sieh is a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
(since 1999) and has been a professor of geology
at the California Institute of Technology
since 1986. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University
in 1977 and his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside
in 1972.
In 2008, Sieh became director of the Nanyang Technological University
's Earth Observatory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and seismologist.
Sieh's principal research interest is earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, which uses geological layers and landforms to understand the geometries of active faults, the earthquakes they generate, and the crustal structure their movements produce. His early work on the San Andreas fault
San Andreas Fault
The San Andreas Fault is a continental strike-slip fault that runs a length of roughly through California in the United States. The fault's motion is right-lateral strike-slip...
led to the discovery of how often and how regularly it produces large earthquakes in southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
.
Sieh is a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(since 1999) and has been a professor of geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
since 1986. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1977 and his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside
University of California, Riverside
The University of California, Riverside, commonly known as UCR or UC Riverside, is a public research university and one of the ten general campuses of the University of California system. UCR is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the United...
in 1972.
In 2008, Sieh became director of the Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
's Earth Observatory.
Awards and honors
Awards and Honors:- GLBT Scientist Award, National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, 2006
- Fellow, American Geophysical UnionAmerican Geophysical UnionThe American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists, consisting of over 50,000 members from over 135 countries. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics...
, 2001 - National Academy of Sciences, member, 1999
- Fellow, Geological Society of America, 1996
- National Academy of Sciences Award for Initiatives in Research, 1982
- E.B. Burwell, Jr., Memorial Award of the Engineering Geology Division, Geological Society of AmericaGeological Society of AmericaThe Geological Society of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences. The society was founded in New York in 1888 by Alexander Winchell, John J. Stevenson, Charles H. Hitchcock, John R. Proctor and Edward Orton and has been headquartered at 3300 Penrose...
, 1980
Publications
- "Geology of Earthquakes" with Robert S. Yeats and Clarence R. AllenClarence Allen (geologist)Clarence Roderic Allen is a geologist who studies seismology. He is a graduate of Reed College and the California Institute of Technology...
. Oxford University Press (1997) ISBN 0195078276 - "The Earth in Turmoil: Earthquakes and Volcanos and Their Impact on Humankind" with Simon LeVaySimon LeVaySimon LeVay is a British-American neuroscientist. He is known for his studies about brain structures and sexual orientation.-Personal life:LeVay was born on August 28, 1943 in Oxford, England...
. W. H. Freeman & Sons (1998) ISBN 0716731517 - "Living on an Active Earth: Perspectives on Earthquake Science" as part of the Committee on the Science of Earthquakes, National Research Council. National Academies Press (2003) ISBN 0309065623