Heidi Houston

Heidi Houston is a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), where she has served since 2018. Previously, she held professorial roles at the University of Washington, UCLA, and UC Santa Cruz. Her research focuses on earthquake physics, fault mechanics, and the dynamics of major plate boundaries, including subduction zones and deep earthquakes. She also investigates slow slip and tremor phenomena. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the California Institute of Technology, a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Washington, and an M.S. in Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Research Interests:
Prof. Houston specializes in understanding seismic processes through the lens of geophysics and seismology. Her work addresses critical questions in fault mechanics, particularly in subduction zones and the mechanisms governing deep earthquakes. She employs advanced analytical and observational techniques to study seismic activity patterns and their implications for earthquake hazard assessment.