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Eric Fielding

Photo of Eric Fielding

Address:

4800 Oak Grove Drive
M/S 300-233

Pasadena, CA 91109

Phone:

818.354.9305

Curriculum Vitae:

Click here

Member of:

Earth Surface and Interior

Employed By

Caltech/JPL

Education

  • A.B. in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College (1982)
  • Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from Cornell University (1989)

Research Interests

  • Mechanics of landslides including transition from stable to unstable sliding and effects of climate variations
  • Active tectonics, especially in the Alpine-Himalaya-Tibet system, on a variety of time scales ranging from co-seismic and interseismic deformation (using SAR interferometry) to Late Quaternary deformation estimated from geomorphic analysis
  • Fault interaction via the transfer of stresses through the lithosphere and the possible applications for earthquake risk assessment
  • Long-term evolution (Cenozoic) and present lithospheric structure of Tibet and Altiplano-Puna plateaus

Selected Awards

  • AGU Geodesy Ivan I. Mueller Award for Service and Leadership, 2016
  • NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, 2010 and 2014
  • NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (2010)
  • Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication (2010)
  • NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program Fellowship, Cornell University (1985-1987)
  • John McMullen Graduate Fellowship, Cornell University (1982-1983)

Selected Publications

Author of 132 publications, 119 in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

* Student or postdoctoral mentee.

  1. Fielding, E. J., Z. Liu, O. L. Stephenson, M. Zhong, C. Liang, A. Moore, S.-H. Yun, and M. Simons (2020), Surface deformation related to the 2019 Mw 7.1 and Mw 6.4 Ridgecrest Earthquakes in California from GPS, SAR interferometry, and SAR pixel offsets, Seismol. Res. Lett., doi:10.1785/0220190302.
  2. Ulrich, T., Vater, S., Madden, E. H., Behrens, J., van Dinther, Y., van Zelst, I., Fielding, E. J., Liang, C., and Gabriel, A. A., (2019) Coupled, Physics-Based Modeling Reveals Earthquake Displacements are Critical to the 2018 Palu, Sulawesi Tsunami: Pure and Applied Geophysics, v. 176, no. 10, p. 4069-4109.
  3. Ross, Z. E., Idini, B., Jia, Z., Stephenson, O. L., Zhong, M., Wang, X., Zhan, Z., Simons, M., Fielding, E. J., Yun, S.-H., Hauksson, E., Moore, A. W., Liu, Z., and Jung, J., (2019) Hierarchical interlocked orthogonal faulting in the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence: Science, v. 366, no. 6463, p. 346-351.
  4. Handwerger, A. L.*, E. J. Fielding, M. H. Huang, G. L. Bennett, C. Liang, and W. H. Schulz (2019), Widespread Initiation, Reactivation, and Acceleration of Landslides in the Northern California Coast Ranges due to Extreme Rainfall, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 124(7), 1782-1797, doi:10.1029/2019jf005035.
  5. Bao, H., J. P. Ampuero, L. Meng, E. J. Fielding, C. Liang, C. W. D. Milliner, T. Feng, and H. Huang (2019), Early and persistent supershear rupture of the 2018 magnitude 7.5 Palu earthquake, Nat. Geosci., doi:10.1038/s41561-018-0297-z.
  6. Handwerger, A. L.*, M.-H. Huang, E. J. Fielding, A. M. Booth, and R. Bürgmann (2019), A shift from drought to extreme rainfall drives a stable landslide to catastrophic failure, Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1569, doi:10.1038/s41598-018-38300-0.
  7. Dickinson-Lovell, H., M.-H. Huang, A. M. Freed, E. Fielding, R. Bürgmann, and C. Andronicos (2018), Inferred rheological structure and mantle conditions from postseismic deformation following the 2010 Mw 7.2 El Mayor-Cucapah Earthquake, Geophys. J. Int., 213(3), 1720-1730, doi:10.1093/gji/ggx546.
  8. Liang, C.*, Z. Liu, E. J. Fielding, and R. Burgmann (2018), InSAR Time Series Analysis of L-Band Wide-Swath SAR Data Acquired by ALOS-2, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 56(8), 4492-4506, doi:10.1109/tgrs.2018.2821150.
  9. Yue, H., Z. E. Ross, C. Liang, S. Michel, H. Fattahi, E. Fielding, A. Moore, Z. Liu, and B. Jia (2017), The 2016 Kumamoto Mw = 7.0 Earthquake: A Significant Event in a Fault–Volcano System, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 122(11), 9166-9183, doi:10.1002/2017JB014525.
  10. Sangha, S.*, Peltzer, G., Zhang, A., Meng, L., Liang, C., Lundgren, P. & Fielding, E., 2017. Fault geometry of 2015, Mw7.2 Murghab, Tajikistan earthquake controls rupture propagation: Insights from InSAR and seismological data, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 462, 132-141.
  11. Fielding, E. J., S. S. Sangha, D. P. S. Bekaert, S. V. Samsonov, and J. C. Chang, 2017, Surface Deformation of North‐Central Oklahoma Related to the 2016 Mw 5.8 Pawnee Earthquake from SAR Interferometry Time Series, Seism Res Lett, 88(4), 971-982, doi:10.1785/0220170010.
  12. Huang, M.-H. *, Fielding, E. J., Dickinson, H., Sun, J., Gonzalez-Ortega, J. A., Freed, A. M., and Bürgmann, R., 2017, Fault geometry inversion and slip distribution of the 2010 Mw 7.2 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake from geodetic data: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, v. 122, no. 1, p. 607-621.
  13. Huang, M.-H. *, Tung, H., Fielding, E. J., Huang, H.-H., Liang, C. R., Hu, J.-C., and Huang, C., 2016, Multiple fault slip triggered above the 2016 Mw 6.4 MeiNong earthquake in Taiwan: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 43, p. 7459–7467.
  14. Liang, C. *, and Fielding, E. J., 2017a, Interferometry With ALOS-2 Full-Aperture ScanSAR Data: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 55(5), 2739-2750, doi:10.1109/TGRS.2017.2653190.
  15. Liang, C. *, and Fielding, E. J., 2017b, Measuring Azimuth Deformation With L-Band ALOS-2 ScanSAR Interferometry: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 55(5), 2725-2738, doi:10.1109/TGRS.2017.2653186.
  16. Hamling, I. J., Hreinsdóttir, S., Clark, K., Elliott, J., Liang, C., Fielding, E., et al., 2017, Complex multifault rupture during the 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake, New Zealand: Science, doi:10.1126/science.aam7194.
  17. Delbridge, B. G.*, Bürgmann, R., Fielding, E., Hensley, S., and Schulz, W. H., 2016, 3D surface deformation derived from airborne interferometric UAVSAR: Application to the Slumgullion Landslide: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 121, no. 5, p. 3951-3977.
  18. Kargel, J. S., Leonard, G. J., Shugar, D. H., Haritashya, U. K., Bevington, A., Fielding, E. J., et al., 2016, Geomorphic and geologic controls of geohazards induced by Nepal’s 2015 Gorkha earthquake: Science, v. 351, no. 6269.
  19. Yun, S.-H., Hudnut, K., Owen, S., Webb, F., Simons, M., Sacco, P., Gurrola, E., Manipon, G., Liang, C., Fielding, E., Milillo, P., Hua, H., and Coletta, A., 2015, Rapid Damage Mapping for the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha Earthquake Using Synthetic Aperture Radar Data from COSMO–SkyMed and ALOS-2 Satellites: Seismological Research Letters, v. 86, no. 6, p. 1549-1556.
  20. Angster, S., Fielding, E. J., Wesnousky, S., Pierce, I., Chamlagain, D., Gautam, D., Upreti, B. N., Kumahara, Y., and Nakata, T., 2015, Field Reconnaissance after the 25 April 2015 M 7.8 Gorkha Earthquake: Seismological Research Letters, v. 86, no. 6, p. 1506-1513.
  21. Milillo, P. *, E. J. Fielding, W. H. Schulz, B. Delbridge, and R. Burgmann, 2014, COSMO-SkyMed Spotlight Interferometry Over Rural Areas: The Slumgullion Landslide in Colorado, USA, Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, IEEE Journal of, 7(7), 2919-2926.
  22. Motagh, M., Beavan, J., Fielding, E.J. & Haghshenas, M., 2014. Postseismic Ground Deformation Following the September 2010 Darfield, New Zealand, Earthquake From TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed, and ALOS InSAR, Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, IEEE, 11, 186-190.
  23. Fielding, E.J., Lundgren, P.R., Taymaz, T., Yolsal-Çevikbilen, S. & Owen, S.E., 2013a. Fault slip source model for the 2011 M7.1 Van earthquake in Turkey from SAR interferometry, pixel offset tracking, GPS and seismic waveform analysis, Seismological Research Letters, 84, 579-593.
  24. Fielding, E.J., Sladen, A., Li, Z., Avouac, J.-P., Bürgmann, R. & Ryder, I., 2013b. Kinematic fault slip evolution source models of the 2008 M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in China from SAR interferometry, GPS and teleseismic analysis and implications for Longmen Shan tectonics, Geophys. J. Int., 194, 1138-1166.
  25. Beavan, J., Motagh, M., Fielding, E.J., Donnelly, N. & Collett, D., 2012. Fault slip models of the 2010-2011 Canterbury, New Zealand, earthquakes from geodetic data, and observations of post-seismic ground deformation, NZ J. Geol. & Geophys., 55, 207-221.
  26. Fielding, E.J., and McKenzie, D., 2012, Lithospheric Flexure in the Sichuan Basin and Longmen Shan at the Eastern Edge of Tibet, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L09311, doi:10.1029/2012GL051680.
  27. Ryder, I., R. Bürgmann, and E. Fielding, 2012, Static stress interactions in extensional earthquake sequences: An example from the South Lunggar Rift, Tibet, J. Geophys. Res., 117(B9), B09405.
  28. Wei, SJ, Fielding, E., Leprince, S., Sladen, A., Avouac, J.-P., Helmberger, D., Hauksson, E., Chu, R., Simons, M., Hudnut, K., Herring, T., Briggs, R., 2011, Superficial simplicity of the 2010 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake of Baja California in Mexico: Nature Geosci., doi:10.1038/ngeo1213.
  29. Fielding, E.J., Lundgren, P.R., Bürgmann, R. & Funning, G.J., 2009. Shallow fault-zone dilatancy recovery after the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran, Nature, 458, 64-68.
  30. Li, Z., Fielding, E.J. & Cross, P., 2009. Integration of InSAR Time-Series Analysis and Water-Vapor Correction for Mapping Postseismic Motion After the 2003 Bam (Iran) Earthquake, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on, 47, 3220-3230.
  31. Pathier, E., Fielding, E.J., Wright, T.J., Walker, R., Parsons, B.E., and Hensley, S., 2006, Displacement field and slip distribution of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake from SAR imagery: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 33, p. L20310, doi:10.1029/2006GL027193.
  32. Fielding, E.J., Talebian, M., Rosen, P.A., Nazari, H., Jackson, J.A., Ghorashi, M., and Berberian, M., 2005, Surface ruptures and building damage of the 2003 Bam, Iran earthquake mapped by satellite synthetic aperture radar interferometric correlation: J. Geophys. Res, v. 110, no. B3, p. B03302, doi:10.1029/2004JB003299.
  33. Fielding, E.J., Wright, T.J., Muller, J., Parsons, B.E., and Walker, R., 2004, Aseismic deformation of a fold-and-thrust belt imaged by synthetic aperture radar interferometry near Shahdad, southeast Iran: Geology, v. 32, no. 7, p. 577-580.
  34. Wright, T.J., Parsons, B., England, P.C., and Fielding, E.J., 2004, InSAR observations of low slip rates on the major faults of Western Tibet: Science, v. 305, no. 5681, p. 236-239.
  35. Bürgmann, R., Rosen, P.A., and Fielding, E.J., 2000, Synthetic aperture radar interferometry to measure Earth's surface topography and its deformation: Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., v. 28, p. 169-209.
  36. Fielding, E.J., Blom, R.G., and Goldstein, R.M., 1998, Rapid subsidence over oil fields measured by SAR interferometry: Geophys. Res. Lett., v. 25, p. 3215–3218.
  37. Rosen, P.A., Zebker, H., Hensley, S., Webb, F., and Fielding, E.J., 1996, Measurement of surface displacements at Kilauea, Hawaii by differential interferometry on SIR-C SAR, Jour. Geophys. Res., v. 101, p. 23,109–23,125.
  38. Masek, J.G.*, Isacks, B.L., Fielding, E.J., and Browaeys, J., 1994, Rift-flank uplift in Tibet: Evidence for a viscous lower crust, Tectonics, v. 13, no. 2, p. 659–667.
  39. Fielding, E. J., Isacks, B. L., Barazangi, M., and Duncan, C.C., 1994, How flat is Tibet?, Geology, v. 22, no. 2, p. 163–167.
  40. Fielding, E. J., and Jordan, T. E., 1988, Active deformation at the boundary between the Precordillera and Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina, and comparison with ancient Rocky Mountain deformation, in Schmidt, C. J., and Perry, W. J., eds., Interaction of the Rocky Mountain Foreland and the Cordilleran Thrust Belt, Geological Society of America Memoir 171, p. 143–163.
  41. Fielding, E. J., Barazangi, M., Brown, L., Oliver, J., and Kaufman, S., 1984, COCORP seismic profiles near Coalinga, California: Subsurface structure of the western Great Valley, Geology, v. 12, p. 268–273, May 1984.

Projects

ARIA
NASA-ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR)
UAVSAR