معرفی
Heather DeShon is a Professor of Geophysics and Department Chair in the Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Her research focuses on earthquake physics, induced seismicity, and seismogenic zone processes, particularly in subduction zones and intraplate faults. She holds a B.S. in Geophysics and Mathematics from SMU (1999) and a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz (2004).
Her work integrates advanced seismic techniques such as local earthquake tomography, waveform cross-correlation, and InSAR data to study fault dynamics and earthquake mechanisms. Key projects include analyzing induced seismicity in Texas basins (e.g., Fort Worth, Delaware), subduction zone processes in Costa Rica and Ecuador, and volcano seismology. She leads collaborative efforts to improve seismic monitoring and hazard assessment in industrial and natural settings.
Recent studies emphasize the spatiotemporal evolution of human-induced earthquakes, stress drop variations near disposal wells, and fault slip potential linked to fluid injection. She has developed high-resolution seismic catalogs and 3D velocity models to better understand seismicity patterns in oil and gas regions.
DeShon’s research also explores seismogenic zone characteristics through teleseismic relocations and fault imaging. She advises on scientific communication strategies for public safety during seismic events, particularly in urban areas like Dallas-Fort Worth.
