James Dolan

James Dolan is a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on tectonics, geophysics, and fault dynamics, with particular emphasis on understanding slip rate variability, fault system interactions, and earthquake mechanics. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from UC Santa Cruz (1988) and a B.S. in Geology from UC Davis (1981).

His work integrates geodetic imaging, luminescence dating, and field-based studies to investigate fault behavior across diverse regions, including the Garlock Fault (California), Marlborough Fault System (New Zealand), and the East Anatolian Fault (Turkey). Key contributions include refining Holocene slip rates, analyzing coseismic slip distributions, and exploring the implications of non-constant earthquake behavior for seismic hazard assessment.

• Expertise: Structural geology, paleoseismology, and geochronology.
• Techniques: LiDAR, remote sensing, and advanced luminescence dating methods.
• Fieldwork: Alaska, New Zealand, and California, emphasizing fault zone evolution and geomorphic markers.

His publications highlight innovative approaches to quantifying fault slip variability and strain localization, with applications to improving earthquake rupture models and hazard mitigation strategies.