Dr. Bill Leith is a seismologist and the Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards at the U.S. Geological Survey. As the Senior Advisor, he oversees the Earthquake Hazards, Geomagnetism and Global Seismographic Network Programs. He joined the USGS in 1986, after receiving a doctoral degree in seismology and geology from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Bill served as Chief of the USGS Special Geologic Studies Group from 1990-2001, as Senior Technical Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance, from 2001-2003, as the Coordinator of the Advanced National Seismic System from 2003-2012, and as USGS Acting Associate Director in 2010-2011.