Paula Marques Figueiredo
Assistant Research Professor
Collaborator at Instituto Dom Luiz, Lisbon University
Early Carrer Representative Terrestrial Processes, Deposits & History (TERPRO) Commission, International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA)
Jordan Hall, 2144 and Varsity Research, 1610
Bio
I am an Assistant Research Professor and the Lab Manager for the Geochronology Laboratories applying Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides (10Be/26Al and 36Cl).
I study crustal deformation through the characterization of active tectonic systems and their evolution through time and space, combining different approaches, such as detailed structural geology mapping, paleoseismology, tectonic geomorphology, geophysical data, and remote sensing analyses. I am also interested in natural hazards, in particular the ones related to earthquakes. To quantify the deformation and surface process rates and timing of events, I apply geochronology methods, namely Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides, and Optical Stimulated Luminescence techniques both of which I hold comprehensive knowledge.
Besides paleoseismology and earthquake geology studies, I have conducted research in uplifted Quaternary paleo coastal landforms to quantity vertical crustal deformation and decode the regional tectonic and GIA components.
I have researched the Mw 5.1 Sparta 2020 earthquake in North Carolina, a moderate event with surface rupture in the East US. I have active research projects on active faulting at several locations in California, along the San Andreas, San Jacinto, Banning faults, and in Eastern California Shear Zone (Camp Rock Fault) and Nevada (Paleoseismology of the Pleasant Valley Fault) and slip-rates of associated mountains fronts. I am also conducting research in Portugal and Iberia.
Education
PhD Geology University of Lisbon, Portugal 2015
Area(s) of Expertise
Active Tectonics, Earthquake Geology, Tectonic Geomorphology
Groups
Honors and Awards
- NSF award #2102530 “RAPID: Sparta Earthquake Surface Deformation Characterization”, Principal Investigator $29,752.00
- NSF award #1920414 “Collaborative research: Paleoseismology of the M7.3 1915 Pleasant Valley Earthquake Ruptures, Co-PI, $116,991.
- SCEC Southern California Earthquake Center award #19204: Cajon Pass Earthquake Gate Area: Refining the Cajon Pass Quaternary surfaces chronology implications for the long term slip rates of the San Jacinto and San Andreas systems, Principal Investigator, $25,422.
- SCEC Southern California Earthquake Center award #19171: High-Resolution Determination of Short-term Slip Rates, Southernmost San Andreas Fault, Co-PI, $26,643.
- SCEC Southern California Earthquake Center award #19132: Cajon Pass Earthquake Gate Area: Measuring the Holocene slip-rate of the Glen Helen strand of the northern San Jacinto fault zone at a newly discovered site in the Cajon Pass area, Co-PI. $ 30,269
- USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Grant: Collaborative Research with University of South Florida and University of Cincinnati: Characterization of long-term slip rates for Camp Rock Fault (Eastern California Shear Zone) using terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating, Principal Investigator, $36,966