Craig Nicholson
Marine Science Institute
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
Research Geophysicist
Expertise: Southern California seismicity; 3D geometry of active faults; high-resolution tomography; crustal Imaging w/seismic reflection data; subsurface structure and seismic stratigraphy of Ventura basin,Santa Barbara Channel, offshore Continental Borderland
About Me
Publications
Craig has degrees from Amherst College, St. Louis University and Columbia University. He was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the US Geological Survey and then joined the Institute for Crustal Studies at UC Santa Barbara in 1988. At UCSB, Craig is now a Research Geophysicist with the Marine Science Institute and Adjunct Professor with the Department of Earth Science. His primary areas of research are subsurface imaging, earthquakes, active faulting, crustal structure, and tectonics. His current research involves mainly mapping the distribution of active faults and folds in 3D both onshore and offshore of southern California, and helping fellow geologists extend the high-resolution global climate marine record located in the offshore Santa Barbara Channel. On behalf of the US Geological Survey and US Environmental Protection Agency, Craig and his colleagues published some of the initial research studies on how to mitigate the potential earthquake hazards associated with deep fluid injection from waste-disposal well activities.
SCEC Science Planning Committee, Group Co-Leader (2002)
SCEC Mentor (1994, 1998)
SCEC Participation
SCEC Science Planning Committee, Group Leader (2003 - 2006)SCEC Science Planning Committee, Group Co-Leader (2002)
SCEC Mentor (1994, 1998)
Legg, M. R., Sorlien, C. C., Nicholson, C., Kamerling, M. J., & Kuhn, G. G. (2018, 06). Potential for large complex multi-fault earthquakes offshore southern California. Poster Presentation at 11th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. SCEC Contribution 8123
Legg, M. R., Sorlien, C. C., Nicholson, C., Kamerling, M. J., & Kuhn, G. (2018, 03). Potential for large complex multi-fault earthquakes offshore southern California. Oral Presentation at 11th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. SCEC Contribution 8023
Nicholson, C. (2024, 09). Problems and Inconsistencies with Major Preferred Faults in the Community Fault Model (CFM6.1). Poster Presentation at 2024 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 13918
Nicholson, C. (2023, 09). User Surveys vs Data Validation: Evaluation and Selection of Preferred Faults for the Community Fault Model (CFM6.0). Poster Presentation at 2023 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 13016
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
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
Hughes, A., Bell, R., Mildon, Z. K., Rood, D. H., Whittaker, A. S., Rockwell, T. K., Levy, Y., DeVecchio, D. E., Marshall, S. T., & Nicholson, C. (2020). Three‐Dimensional Structure, Ground Rupture Hazards, and Static Stress Models for Complex Nonplanar Thrust Faults in the Ventura Basin, Southern California. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(7). doi: 10.1029/2020JB019539. SCEC Contribution 10025
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
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
Hughes, A., Rood, D. H., Whittaker, A. C., Bell, R., Rockwell, T. K., Levy, Y., Wilcken, K. M., Corbett, L. B., Bierman, P. R., DeVecchio, D. E., Marshall, S. T., Gurrola, L. D., & Nicholson, C. (2018). Geomorphic evidence for the geometry and slip rate of a young, low-angle thrust fault: Implications for hazard assessment and fault interaction in complex tectonic environments. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 504, 198-210. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2018.10.003. SCEC Contribution 8901
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
Hughes, A., Rood, D. H., Whittaker, A., Bell, R., Rockwell, T. K., Levy, Y., Wilcken, K., Corbett, L., Bierman, P., DeVecchio, D. E., Marshall, S. T., Gurrola, L. D., & Nicholson, C. (2018, 08). Geomorphic evidence for the geometry and slip rate of the Southern San Cayetano fault: Implications for hazard assessment and fault interaction in complex tectonic environments. Poster Presentation at 2018 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 8348
Lozos, J. C., Nicholson, C., & Onderdonk, N. W. (2017, 08). Introducing the Cajon Pass Earthquake Gate Area. Oral Presentation at 2017 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 7865
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
Sorlien, C. C., Nicholson, C., Behl, R. J., & Kamerling, M. J. (2016, 08). Displacement direction and 3D geometry for the south-directed North Channel – Pitas Point fault system and north-directed ramps, decollements, and other faults beneath Santa Barbara Channel. . Poster Presentation at 2016 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 6839
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
Nicholson, C., Sorlien, C. C., & Hopps, T. E. (2016, 08). Anomalous Uplift at Pitas Point: Implications from Onshore & Offshore 3D Fault & Fold Geometry and Observed Fault Slip. Poster Presentation at 2016 SCEC Annual Meeting. SCEC Contribution 6741
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
Sorlien, C. C., Bennett, J. T., Cormier, M., Campbell, B. A., Nicholson, C., & Bauer, R. L. (2015). Late Miocene–Quaternary fault evolution and interaction in the southern California Inner Continental Borderland. Geosphere, 11(4), 1111-1132. doi: 10.1130/GES01118.1. SCEC Contribution 2082
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
Sorlien, C. C., Nicholson, C., Behl, R. J., Marshall, C. J., & Kennett, J. P. (2014). The Quaternary North Channel-Pitas Point Fault System in Northwest Santa Barbara Channel, California. Eos (Transactions of AGU), 95(52), T34A-07. SCEC Contribution 2081
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
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
Nicholson, C., Hauksson, E., & Plesch, A. (2012). Active Fault Geometry and Crustal Deformation Along the San Andreas Fault System Through San Gorgonio Pass, California: The View in 3D From Seismicity. Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 93(52), T22C-03. SCEC Contribution 1737
Nicholson, C., Sorlien, C. C., & Schindler, C. S. (2011). Large vertical motions and basin evolution in the Outer Continental Borderland off Southern California associated with plate boundary development and continental rifting. Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 92(52), T31F-04. SCEC Contribution 1738
Legg, M. R., Nicholson, C., & Sorlien, C. C. (2010). Miocene oblique rifting of the San Diego Trough Region, California Continental Borderland. Oral Presentation at 106th Annual Meeting American Association of Petroleum Geologists. SCEC Contribution 1740
Nicholson, C., Hauksson, E., & Plesch, A. (2010). Revised 3D Fault Models for the Southern San Andreas Fault System Extending from San Gorgonio Pass to the Salton Sea. Oral Presentation at 106th Annual Meeting American Association of Petroleum Geologists. SCEC Contribution 1739
Fisher, M., Langenheim, V. E., Nicholson, C., Ryan, H., & Sliter, R. W. (2009). Recent developments in understanding the tectonic evolution of the Southern California offshore area: Implications for earthquake-hazard analysis,. , : Geological Society of America. doi: 10.1130/2009.2454(4.2). SCEC Contribution 1572
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
Nicholson, C., Kamerling, M. J., Sorlien, C. C., Hopps, T. E., & Gratier, J. (2007). Subsidence, Compaction and Gravity-Sliding: Implications for 3D Geometry, Dynamic Rupture and Seismic Hazard of Active Basin-Bounding Faults in Southern California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 97(5), 1607-1620. doi: 10.1785/0120060236. SCEC Contribution 1046
Legg, M. R., Nicholson, C., Goldfinger, C., Milstein, R., & Kamerling, M. J. (2004). Large enigmatic crater structures offshore southern California. Geophysical Journal International, 159(2), 803-815. SCEC Contribution 1582
Nicholson, C. (1998, 07). Reliability of 2D kinematic fold models to infer deep fault structure in the western Transverse Ranges, California. Poster Presentation at NEHRP Conference and Workshop on Research on the Northridge, California Earthquake of January 17, 1994. SCEC Contribution 1581
Nicholson, C. (1996). Seismic behavior of the San Andreas fault in the Northern Coachella Valley, California: Comparison of the 1948 and 1986 earthquake sequences. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 86(5), 1331-1349. SCEC Contribution 1580
Steidl, J. H., Martin, A., Tumarkin, A. G., Lindley, G. T., Nicholson, C., Archuleta, R. J., Vernon, F. L., Edelman, A., Tolstoy, M., Chin, J., Li, Y., Robertson Haver, M., Teng, T., Scott, J. B., Johnson, D., & Magistrale, H. (1994). SCEC Portable Deployment Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Seismological Research Letters: Northridge Supplement, 65(3-4), 243. SCEC Contribution 159
Nicholson, C., Sorlien, C. C., Wysession, M., Crowell, J., & Luyendyk, B. (1994). Microplate capture, rotation of the western Transverse Ranges, and initiation of the San Andreas transform as a low-angle fault system,. Geology, 22, 491-495. SCEC Contribution 1579
Lees, J., & Nicholson, C. (1993). Three-dimensional Tomography of the 1992 Southern California sequence: Constraints on Dynamic Earthquake Rupture?. Geology, 21(5), 387-390. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0387:TDTOTS>2.3.CO;2. SCEC Contribution 34
Nicholson, C. (1992). Triggered earthquakes and deep well activities. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 139, 561-578. SCEC Contribution 1578
Nicholson, C. (1992). Earthquakes associated with deep well injection—comments and case histories. Presentation at 33rd U.S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics. SCEC Contribution 1577
Nicholson, C., Sorlien, C. C., & Luyendyk, B. (1992). Deep crustal structure and tectonics in the offshore Southern Santa Maria Basin, California. Geology, 20, 239-242. SCEC Contribution 1576
Hull, A. G., & Nicholson, C. (1992). Seismotectonics of the Northern Elsinore fault zone, southern California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 82, 800-818. SCEC Contribution 1575
Nicholson, C. (1992). Travel-time tomography in the northern Coachella Valley using aftershocks of the 1986 ML 5.9 North Palm Springs earthquake. Geophysical Research Letters, 19, 1-4. doi: 10.1029/91GL03037. SCEC Contribution 1574
Last updated Sep 19, 2024.
