Peter Shearer

Peter Shearer is a Professor of Geophysics at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on observational seismology, mantle discontinuities, earthquake location methods, source properties, and seismicity patterns.

• Education:
  • B.S. in Geology and Geophysics, Yale University (1978)
  • Ph.D. in Geophysics, UCSD Scripps Institution (1986)

Research Interests

Shearer's work uses large seismic datasets to study Earth's interior structure, particularly mantle transition zones, lithospheric discontinuities, and earthquake triggering mechanisms. His methods include waveform cross-correlation relocation, SS precursor analysis, and seismic wave scattering studies.

Scientific Contributions

His publications span 40+ years, with recent works analyzing aftershock migration, mantle discontinuities, and fault weakening. Key themes include

• Global mantle imaging using teleseismic data
• High-resolution fault zone seismicity
• Deep Earth structure from scattered waves

Scientific Awards

• AGU Fellow (1999)
• SIO Outstanding Teaching Award (2003)
• Lehmann Medal (AGU, 2020)
• National Academy of Sciences member (2009)