DAVID K. KEEFER
766 Gantry Way, Mountain View, CA 94040, Phone 650-961-8148, E-mail: keefer@netgate.net
ACADEMIC DEGREES
Stanford University
University of Illinois, Urbana
Stanford University
Geology
Civil Engineering
Applied Earth Sciences
1966-71
1971-74
1974-77
B.S. 1971; M.S. 1971
M.S. 1973
Ph.D. 1977
PRIMARY PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATIONS AND AREAS OF RESEARCH
Earthquake-induced landslides
Other landslide and mass-wasting processes
Geomorphology with emphasis on hillslope processes
Quaternary Geology (with emphasis on Holocene and late Pleistocene of Andean region)
Engineering Geology (with emphasis on slope stability)
Geoarchaeology (with emphasis on environmental reconstruction)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
July 2008-Present
Independent Consultant
Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California
Adjunct Professor, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine (appointment effective Sept.
2008)
July 1974-July 2008
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California: Most Recent Grade GS-15
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Defined seismic and geologic parameters controlling occurrence, regional distribution, and
character of earthquake-induced landslides, including those caused by soil liquefaction, through
synthesis of data base on landslides in historical earthquakes worldwide
Conducted more than 20 post-earthquake field investigations of landslides and soil
liquefaction throughout the US, Japan, China, Argentina. Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru
Developed new techniques for mapping of seismic ground-failure hazards, especially in
urban areas
Developed multi-stage models to analyze coupled effects of earthquake-induced landslides
and other mass-wasting and sediment-transport processes on long-term erosion and hazards
 Dated and characterized physical effects and cultural consequences of prehistoric floods
and debris flows caused by combinations of earthquakes and El Niño activity in southern Peru
Conducted studies of landslides in the San Francisco Bay region, which led to creation of
real-time landslide warning system
Determined environmental, slope-stability, groundwater, and other environmental
conditions associated with construction of Romano-British villa in southern England during the
first century
Conceived and supervised study using large landslides in New Madrid seismic zone as
paleoseismic indicators
Developed models to explain mobilization and movement characteristics of earthflow-type
landslides
MAIN SOURCES OF RESEARCH FUNDING
U.S. Geological Survey—Earthquake Hazards, Landslide Hazards, and Coastal/Marine Geology
programs
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Pacific Gas and Electric, Inc. Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
Federal Emergency Management Agency
US Agency for International Development
State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
Asociación Contisuyo del Perú
Heinz Family Foundation
Alexander Abrahams Foundation
David K. Keefer
SUPERVISORY POSITION: GROUP LEADER
Supervised 8- to 12-person research group. Carried out performance ratings, managed
group budget, recruited new scientific and support personnel, and led collaborative research
efforts. Conducted negotiations that led to substantial external funding.Advised management
and served on various committees that determined research and staffing priorities.
Served as first Scientist-in-Charge of USGS Landslide Warning System for San Francisco
Bay region.
Led large multidisciplinary team composed of researchers from federal, state, and
academic institutions and private-sector firms in investigations of landslides caused by the 1989
Loma Prieta, California earthquake.
July-Dec. 1973: Harza Engineering, Chicago, Illinois
Geotechnical Engineer
Conducted rock-mechanics testing program in exploratory adit; mapped and evaluated proposed
reservoir site.
PUBLICATIONS
Authored, co-authored, or edited more than 130 monographs, articles, book chapters, maps, and
reports.
5 Relevant Publications
Keefer, DK, J Wasowski, J., and V Del Gaudio, eds., 2006, Special Issue of Engineering
Geology, “Landslides Induced by Earthquake and Volcanic Activity.” Engineering Geology 86:
no. 2-3, 85-210.
Keefer, DK, 2002. Investigating Landslides Caused by Earthquakes – A Historical Review.
Surveys in Geophysics 23:473-510.
Keefer, DK, 2000. Statistical analysis of an earthquake-induced landslide distribution — the 1989
Loma Prieta, California event. Engineering Geology 58:231-249.
Keefer, D.K., ed., 1998. The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989—
landslides. U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1551-C, 185 p. + 5 plates.
Keefer, D.K., 1984, Landslides caused by earthquakes: Geological Society of America Bulletin
95: 406-421.
5 Other Selected Recent Publications:
Keefer, DK, MC Larsen, 2007. Assessing Landslide Hazards. Science 316:1136-1138.
Keefer, DK, J. Wartman, CO Navarro, AM Rodriguez-Marek, GF Wieczorek, 2006. Landslides
caused by the M 7.6 Tecomán, Mexico earthquake of January 21, 2003. Engineering Geology
86: 183-197.
Keefer, DK, ME Moseley, 2004. Southern Peru desert shattered by the great 2001 earthquake:
Implications for paleoseismic and paleo-El Niño–Southern Oscillation records. Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences 101:10878-10883.
Keefer, DK, ME Moseley, SD deFrance, 2003. A 38 000-year record of floods and debris flows
in the Ilo region of southern Peru and its relation to El Niño events and great earthquakes.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 194: 41-77.
Keefer, D.K., SD deFrance, ME Moseley, JB Richardson, J. B. III, DR Satterlee, Day-Lewis, A.
1998. Early maritime economy and El Niño events at Quebrada Tacahuay, Peru. Science 281:
1833-1835.
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David K. Keefer
INVITED LECTURES, PAPERS PRESENTED AT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES,
ACADEMIC SERVICE, AND REVIEW ACTIVITIES
In addition to publications noted above, authored or co-authored 80 papers presented orally at
national and international scientific conferences. Presented more than 40 invited lectures at
universities, professional societies, and governmental agencies throughout the US and abroad.
Served on numerous M.S. and Ph.D. examining committees, review panels for the USGS, other
federal agencies, universities, state and local agencies, and professional societies. Perform peer
review of an average of 12 manuscripts and research proposals per year for journals, USGS
publications, and granting agencies.
Served as Associate Editor for Geological Society of America journal, Geology, 1995-1997.
AWARDS
U.S. Geological Survey Sustained Special Achievement Award, 1985
U.S. Geological Survey Branch Best Paper Award (USGS Special Achievement Award) for 1987
article in Science describing the landslide warning system, 1989
U.S. Geological Survey Special Achievement Award for Loma Prieta earthquake investigations,
1990
U.S. Department of the Interior Superior Service Award, 1995
U.S. Geological Survey STAR Award for seismic hazard mapping of Oakland, 1998
European Geosciences Union Sergey Soloviev Medal of the Natural Hazards Division, 2010
RECENT COLLABORATORS
Jibson, RW, Harp, EL, Schulz, W, Kayen, R, Wieczorek, GF, Larsen, MC (US Geological
Survey), Wartman, J (Drexel Univ). Rodriguez-Marek, AM (Washington State Univ.), Moseley,
ME, deFrance, SD (Univ. of Florida), Wasowski, J. (National Research Council of Italy) Del
Gaudio, V (University of Bari), Miles, SB (Western Washington Univ.), Contreras, D (Stanford
Univ.), Sandweiss, D (Univ. of Maine), Navarro, CO (Univ. of Colima, Mexico), Owen, L (Univ.
of Cincinnati), Londono, AC (Washington Univ.) Richardson, JB (Univ. of Pittsburg), Satterlee,
DR (retired), Day-Lewis, A (independent consultant), Ortloff, CO (retired)
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