DelWayne Bohnenstiehl

DelWayne Bohnenstiehl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University. He is also a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Geospatial Analytics. His research spans interdisciplinary geophysical applications, including seafloor exploration via advanced technologies, earthquake seismology and hazard assessment, underwater acoustics, and archaeological geophysics. He has led or co-led over 15 major research grants totaling millions in funding, addressing topics like Holocene paleoseismology, oyster reef restoration resilience, and marine dredging impacts. His work integrates cutting-edge methods such as LiDAR, passive acoustics, and machine learning to study complex environmental systems.

Key projects include investigating the Darrington-Devils Mountain Fault Zone's seismic hazards and analyzing Lake Cavanaugh's sediment records to reconstruct earthquake histories. He also explores how oyster cultch reefs influence fish habitats and resilience to climate extremes. His team employs satellite imagery and deep learning to map artificial reef usage patterns, enhancing coastal management strategies. Recent breakthroughs include documenting the first seismic surface rupture in the eastern U.S. following the 2020 Sparta earthquake, which required rapid LiDAR and geophysical surveys before site degradation.

Bohnenstiehl's research extends to planetary geology, analyzing crustal deformation on Mars and Venus through morphometric studies. He has pioneered acoustic monitoring techniques for coral reef resilience post-hurricanes and quantified fish behavior via passive acoustics. His collaborative efforts with NOAA, USGS, and the Army Corps of Engineers ensure applied outcomes for policy and risk reduction.

• Grants (select): Holocene Paleoseismology (USGS, $121,776), Oyster Reef Persistence (NC DMF, $389,794), Dredging Impacts (Sea Grant, $118,320)
• Labs/Teams: Center for Geospatial Analytics, Marine Acoustics Research Group, Earthquake Hazards Team
• Future Work: Long-term deep-core drilling of Lake Cavanaugh sediments, satellite-based marine spatial tracking, AI-driven acoustic biodiversity assessments