About

Susan L. Beck is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on seismology and tectonics, contributing to the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes. She is involved in academic activities, advising students, and participating in departmental initiatives. Her contact information includes a phone number and email address, and she is affiliated with the university's geosciences department in Tucson, Arizona.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Internal medicine
• Psychology
• Geophysics
• Seismology
• World Wide Web
• Geology
• Psychiatry
• Family medicine
• Social psychology

Selected publications

• Deep Seafloor Ambient Seismic Noise Monitoring for Oceanic and Atmospheric Pressure Changes

  Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth · 2026-03-01

  articleSenior author

  Abstract Seismic noise interferometry enables monitoring of near‐surface medium variations driven by environmental changes without the need for active sources. However, its application in ocean environments has been limited by the scarcity of long‐term ocean‐bottom seismic recordings. Here, we analyze seismograms from eight ocean‐bottom seismometers deployed at depths >5,500 m and measure time‐lapse relative changes in seismic velocity () over ∼1.5 yr. The results reveal a strong correlation between and pressure variations spanning from the sea surface to the deep seafloor. The association between sealevel pressure, cyclones/anticyclones, and wind fields indicates that the observed anomalies originate in the atmosphere and diffuse downward to the seafloor. Two best‐fit pressure diffusion models reproduce both the long‐term trend and in‐phase periodic variations in , suggesting that the seismic response is primarily driven by poroelastic strain in the near‐seafloor medium. To evaluate potential OBS timing artifacts, we perform independent clock‐drift estimations and subarray jackknife tests. These analyses show that incoherent timing‐related errors average out across the network, whereas the coherent component of remains robust and physically interpretable. Our findings demonstrate that deep‐seafloor seismic responses are sufficiently sensitive to capture atmospheric activity and highlight the potential of passive seismic sensing as a tool for monitoring oceanographic and atmospheric processes and associated hazards.

  PublisherDOI

• Hearing the forest for the trees: machine learning and topological acoustics for remote sensing with seismic noise

  Open MIND · 2026-02-10

  preprint

  Monitoring remote forests is a global challenge central to climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, yet satellite observations are frequently limited by weather, dense canopies, and solar dependency. Here we show that passive seismic sensing offers a persistent, all-weather alternative for autonomous ecosystem monitoring by capturing characteristic learnable signatures of trees within the ambient wavefield. Using seismic data from Alaska, we demonstrate that cross-correlations between stations provide a physical basis for forest detection by approximating the empirical Green's function of the medium. Supervised machine learning models applied to these data achieve a classification accuracy of 86%, identifying key discriminating frequencies (35 to 60 Hz) consistent with known forest-wave interactions. A topological acoustics analysis of the geometric phase change independently confirms the physical origin of these data-driven classifications. Together, these results provide the first demonstration that subtle forest-wave interactions manifest in ambient seismic noise and can be harnessed as a scalable tool for continuous vegetation monitoring, offering a robust solution for tracking environmental change challenging regions.

  DOI

• Dual Role of a Subducted Seamount in Megathrust Rupture Initiation and Rupture Barrier

  2026-01-22

  article

  Using high-resolution 3D tomography and a relocated 2010-2022 earthquake catalog, we identify a seamount at 20-25 km depth beneath the Mompiche–Cojimíes region in the coastal forearc of Ecuador. This provides a rare, well-resolved example of seamount preservation at these depths. The seamount coincides with a low interseismic-coupling corridor and shows persistent seismicity along its flanks. Rupture of the 2016 Mw 7.8 Pedernales earthquake initiated on the southern flank of the seamount. The rupture propagated south, but northward propagation was arrested near the decoupled, aseismic crest, illustrating the dual mechanical behavior of the seamount. After the megathrust earthquake, seismicity migrated downdip, particularly along the eastern margin. These results show the influence of subducted topography on coupling, seismicity, and rupture segmentation in megathrust systems.

  PublisherDOI

• Hearing the forest for the trees: machine learning and topological acoustics for remote sensing with seismic noise

  arXiv (Cornell University) · 2026-02-10

  articleOpen access

  Monitoring remote forests is a global challenge central to climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, yet satellite observations are frequently limited by weather, dense canopies, and solar dependency. Here we show that passive seismic sensing offers a persistent, all-weather alternative for autonomous ecosystem monitoring by capturing characteristic learnable signatures of trees within the ambient wavefield. Using seismic data from Alaska, we demonstrate that cross-correlations between stations provide a physical basis for forest detection by approximating the empirical Green's function of the medium. Supervised machine learning models applied to these data achieve a classification accuracy of 86%, identifying key discriminating frequencies (35 to 60 Hz) consistent with known forest-wave interactions. A topological acoustics analysis of the geometric phase change independently confirms the physical origin of these data-driven classifications. Together, these results provide the first demonstration that subtle forest-wave interactions manifest in ambient seismic noise and can be harnessed as a scalable tool for continuous vegetation monitoring, offering a robust solution for tracking environmental change challenging regions.

  PublisherOA PDF

• P040 Identifying key OSA predisposing factors in non-Caucasian populations of Australia

  SLEEP Advances · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is linked to obesity, daytime sleepiness, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increased accident risk.1,2 While traditional risk factors are well-studied in Caucasians, data on non-Caucasian Australians remains limited, despite higher cardiovascular risks.3 Emerging evidence suggests OSA in these groups may involve factors beyond obesity alone. This study compares key OSA predictors across ethnic groups within our health service to support more equitable and targeted screening. Methods We retrospectively analysed records of adults (≥18 years) who underwent diagnostic sleep studies in 2022-2023 at a local tertiary public hospital and private sleep clinic in Queensland, Australia. The association between traditional OSA predictors and AHI (apnoea-hypopnoea index) in Caucasians and non-Caucasians was determined with linear regression. Results Among 2181 patients, 77% had OSA (31% mild, 23% moderate, 32% severe). Median age was 50 years (IQR 39-61); 60% were male. BMI (body mass index) significantly predicted AHI in both groups, with a stronger effect in non-Caucasians; Asian population showed the strongest BMI-AHI association (1.8units per BMI point; p<.001). BMI threshold for moderate-to-severe OSA was lower in non-Caucasians (28kg/m2). Male sex and hypertension were also linked to higher AHI. Discussion Our findings suggest a trend toward greater OSA severity in non-Caucasian patients at lower BMIs, with gender and hypertension also emerging as potential predictors in these groups. These patterns highlight the need for ethnicity-specific screening thresholds and risk-assessment strategies. Further research should evaluate the performance of tools like STOP-BANG and Epworth Sleepiness Scale in diverse populations to enhance diagnostic accuracy and equity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Seismic imaging of the Ecuadorian forearc and arc from joint ambient noise, local, and teleseismic tomography: catching the Nazca slab in the act of flattening

  Geophysical Journal International · 2025-03-27 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  SUMMARY The Ecuadorian Andes are a complex region characterized by accreted oceanic terranes driven by the ongoing subduction of the oceanic Nazca plate beneath South America. Present-day tectonics in Ecuador are linked to the downgoing plate geometry featuring the subduction of the aseismic, oceanic Carnegie Ridge, which is currently entering the trench. Using seismic tomography, we jointly invert arrival times of P and S waves from local and teleseismic earthquakes with surface wave dispersion curves to image the structure of the forearc and magmatic arc of the Ecuadorian Andes. Our data set includes > 100 000 traveltimes recorded at 294 stations across Ecuador. Our images show the basement of the central forearc is composed of accreted oceanic terranes with high elastic wave speeds. Inboard of the Carnegie Ridge, the westernmost forearc and coastal cordilleras display relatively low Vp and Vs and high Vp/Vs values, which we attribute to the increased hydration and fracturing of the overriding plate due to the subduction of the thick oceanic crust of the Carnegie Ridge. We additionally image across-arc differences in magmatic architecture. The frontal volcanic arc overlies accreted terranes and is characterized by low velocities and high Vp/Vs indicative of partial melt reservoirs which are limited to the upper crust. In contrast, the main arc displays regions of partial melt across a wider range of depths. The Subandean zone of Ecuador has two active volcanoes built on continental crust suggesting the arc is expanding eastwards. The mid to lower crust does not show indications of being modified from the magmatic process. We infer that the slab is in the process of flattening as a consequence of early-stage subduction of the buoyant Carnegie Ridge.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Analyzing the Seismic Swarm in Atacames, Ecuador

  2025-01-14 · 2 citations

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  The relationship between megathrust rupture, slow slip events (SSE), and fluid dynamics is an active research area. Earthquake swarms, frequently observed in subduction zones and associated with SSE and fluid migration, can provide insights into processes that link slow slip and fault rupture. The 2016 Mw 7.8 Pedernales earthquake ruptured the Ecuador subduction zone north of the Carnegie Ridge, triggering slow slip and the Esmeraldas swarm on a crustal fault in an adjacent segment of the subduction zone. Six months later, a second earthquake swarm occurred near Atacames in the same northern segment of the subduction zone. Using seismic data from temporary and permanent stations, we developed a catalog of events in the Atacames swarm utilizing advanced phase detection and association models, PhaseNet, and GaMMA. We used stations ≤100 km from event hypocenters and at least 8 P and 6 S phases per event to relocate events with the double difference method implemented in HypoDD. The swarm contains 312 events between Dec 02, 2016, and Jan 01, 2017, with local magnitudes from >1.0 to 5.76 and depths from 2 to 21 km. The swarm consists of three distinct bursts interspersed with two quiescent phases. The bursts gradually increase in events per day over time, with two smaller ones preceding the main burst. Event depths increase as the swarm progresses. The main burst, spanning nine days from Dec 19-28, contains 213 events, peaking at 74 events per day, and includes the largest magnitude event of the swarm (5.76). Hypocenters align along a south-dipping crustal structure. This alignment may indicate the presence of a previously unrecognized fault or fracture system within the crust, potentially influenced by fluid migration from the plate interface. The initial smaller bursts may have acted as precursors to the main burst, weakening the fault and facilitating subsequent larger slips. The periods of quiescence between bursts could indicate transient stress drops or temporary fault stabilization.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Structure and Evolution of a Lithospheric-scale Arc Magma System using Geologically-informed Seismic Images

  Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America · 2025-01-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Insights into subduction zone complexity in the Northern Ecuadorian forearc from 3-D local earthquake tomography

  Geophysical Journal International · 2025-05-23 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  SUMMARY The Ecuadorian forearc, formed by the accretion of oceanic plateaus, island arcs, subduction of an aseismic ridge, records a history of long-lived subduction. The modern system includes subduction of the Carnegie Ridge and seamounts, young forearc coastal ranges and translation of a forearc sliver from oblique subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath South America. The margin has experienced large megathrust earthquakes and exhibits slow-slip events and earthquake swarms. We present results from joint tomographic inversion of local earthquakes for 3D velocity structure and earthquake location. Our joint inversion uses seismic arrival-time data from local earthquakes recorded by permanent stations and dense seismic temporary networks deployed near the coast after the 2016 Mw 7.8 Pedernales megathrust rupture and across the entire northern forearc into the foothills of the Andes in 2021-2022. Our results show that seismicity distribution and megathrust rupture are controlled by inherited and modern structures in the upper plate forearc and subducting Nazca Plate. Forearc sedimentary basins observed as low-velocities (Vp< 5.8 km/s, Vs< 3.2 km/s) are dissected by forearc basement highs observed as fast velocities (Vp 6.6-7.2 km/s, Vs 3.6-4.0 km/s). Localized deep depocenters adjacent to basement highs preserve older sedimentary sections beneath younger forearc deposits. Differences in velocity allow discrimination between oceanic plateau basement associated with the Piñón terrane beneath the forearc and accreted island arc terranes along the eastern forearc boundary with the Andes. Along the coast, basement velocities are consistent with a hydrated upper plate. We observe an apparent transient in Vp/Vs (higher to lower) in the upper plate after the 2016 megathrust rupture, representing a transient flux of fluids from the subducting slab into the upper plate triggered by the earthquake. We observe variable thickness of the subducting Nazca plate from ~10 km north of the Carnegie Ridge reaching 20-25 km where the Carnegie Ridge subducts beneath the forearc. Lateral velocity variations in the subducting plate indicate heterogeneity along strike and dip associated with magmatic evolution of the ridge. High-velocity domains at depth correlate with seamounts and subducted relief along the Carnegie Ridge. A low-velocity zone marks the boundary between the subducting and overriding plates. The downdip termination of the Pedernales megathrust rupture coincides with structure of the Carnegie Ridge and along strike changes in the plate interface. The downdip edge of the rupture occurs where the low-velocity zone is absent, and the subducting Carnegie Ridge intersects the overlying mantle wedge. Earthquakes located with the joint inversion focus into tight clusters controlled by relief at the top of the subducting slab and basement structure in the overriding plate. Along the coast, seismicity shallows from south to north across the east-west striking Canandé Fault. South of the fault, seismicity locates predominantly within the subducting plate and plate interface. To the north, seismicity concentrates within the plate interface and upper plate. The northward shift in hypocenter depths and an offset in the eastern limit of thick subducting Nazca plate across the Canandé fault marks a significant transition in the forearc across the fault.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Geometric Phase-Based Inverse Problems Under Uncertainty for the Prediction of Soil Property Change

  2025-11-16

  articleSenior author

  Abstract Changes in soil properties can be monitored remotely using seismic wave data. However, accurately quantifying these variations involves solving a complex inverse problem influenced by various sources of uncertainty. This study introduces a novel inverse problem framework based on geometric phase, which is particularly effective due to the geometric phase’s high sensitivity to soil property variations. To identify soil characteristics, the method uses fidelity maps—a classification-based technique that enables likelihood estimation while accounting for statistical correlations in observed responses. This approach is robust to discontinuities or sharp gradients, such as those occurring in geometric phase behavior near resonances. The framework is integrated with a Bayesian update process for parameter estimation. As a proof of concept, the geometric phase-based inverse problem is tested on a simplified forest model to evaluate whether ground stiffness can be recovered from target geometric phase values while accounting for uncertainties in tree stiffness. The results show that the framework successfully recovers the expected ground stiffness under the given conditions.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Collaborative Research: TransANdean Great Orogeny (TANGO)

  NSF · $2.2M · 2020–2027

• NIH Grant R21MH099488

  NIH · $452k · 2014

• Lithospheric Structure and Deformation of the Flat Slab Region of Argentina

  NSF · $548k · 2005–2011

• NIH Grant R01NS028512

  NIH · $1.2M · 2002

• NNSFGEO-NERC: Collaboration: The Role OF Asperities and Slow Slip in Subduction Zone Rupture and Aftershock Sequences: Insights from the 16 April 2016 Pedernales Ecuador Earthquake

  NSF · $181k · 2017–2022

Frequent coauthors

• William N. Dudley

  University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  147 shared

• Douglas E. Peterson

  UConn Health

  81 shared

• Deborah B. McGuire

  Virginia Commonwealth University

  81 shared

• Kathleen H. Mooney

  University of Utah

  81 shared

• Carlton G. Brown

  81 shared

• Jia‐Wen Guo

  Huaqiao University

  66 shared

• Kathi Mooney

  University of Utah

  64 shared

• Bob Wong

  57 shared