Peter LaFemina

LaFemina

Peter LaFemina

Associate Professor
Email: 
pcl11@psu.edu
Phone: 
814-865-7326
Education: 

Ph.D., University of Miami, 2005

Research Interests: 
  • Plate Boundary Zone Deformation
  • Magma-Tectonic Interactions
  • Physical Volcanology

Dr. Peter La Femina is an Associate Professor of Geosciences at The Pennsylvania State University. In his geodynamics research, he integrates geophysical measurements with numerical modeling to study active tectonic and volcanic processes. Specifically, he applies satellite geodesy (Global Positioning System) to the investigation of strain accumulation and partitioning across plate boundary zones and to monitoring volcanic systems. He combines these data with geologic, geophysical (seismic) and laboratory data, to better model the geodynamics of strain accumulation and release in the lithosphere, the long-term evolution of plate boundary zones and magma-tectonic interactions. The goals of this research are to gain and improve our knowledge of fault systems during the earthquake cycle, the geodynamics of plate boundary zone deformation and the short and long-term interaction of magmatic and fault systems. Dr. La Femina currently is Chairman of the Board of Directors – UNAVCO, Inc. and currently on sabbatical in Bremen, Germany.

Download Dr. La Femina's CV (PDF, 176k)

a principal author, b supervising author, c contributing author, d student author

 

  1. F. Sigmundsson, A. Hooper, S. Hreinsdóttir, K.S. Vogfjörd, B.G. Ófeigsson, E.R. Heimisson, S. Dumont, M. Parks, K. Spaans, G.B. Gudmundsson, V. Drouin, T. Árnadóttir, K. Jónsdóttir, M.T. Gudmundsson, T. Högnadóttir, H.M. Fridriksdóttir, M. Hensch, P. Einarsson, E. Magnússon, S. Samsonov, B. Brandsdóttir, R.S. White, Thorbjörg Ágústsdóttir, T. Greenfield, R. G. Green, Á.R. Hjartardóttir, R. Pedersen, R.A. Bennett, H. Geirsson, P.C. La Femina, H. Björnsson, F. Pálsson, E. Sturkell, C.J. Bean, M. Möllhoff, A.K. Braiden, E.P.S. Eibl, (2015). Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bárðarbunga volcanic system, Iceland, Nature, 517, 191–195.

  2. Rodgers, M., Roman, D.C., dGeirsson, H., cLaFemina, P., McNutt, S.R., Muñoz, A., Tenorio, V., (2015), Stable and unstable phases of elevated seismic activity at the persistently restless Telica Volcano, Nicaragua, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.11.012.

  3. dKobayashi, D., bP. LaFemina, dH. Geirsson, E. Chichaco, A. A. Abrego, H. Mora, and E. Camacho (2014), Kinematics of the western Caribbean: Collision of the Cocos Ridge and upper plate deformation, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 15, doi:10.10022014GC005234.

  4. dGeirsson, H., Rodgers, M., bLaFemina, P., dWitter, M., Roman, D., Muñoz, A., Tenorio, V., Alvarez, J., Conde Jacobo, V., Nilsson, D., Galle, B., Feineman, M.D., Furman, T., Morales, A., (2014), Multidisciplinary observations of the 2011 explosive eruption of Telica volcano, Nicaragua: Implications for the dynamics of low-explosivity ash eruptions. In: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, volume 271 Pages 55–69, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2013.11.009.

  5. Rodgers, M., Roman, D., dGeirsson, H., cLaFemina, P., Munoz, A., Guzman, C., and Tenorio, V., (2013), Seismicity accompanying the 1999 eruptive episode at Telica Volcano, Nicaragua. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Volume 265, 1 September 2013, Pages 39-51, doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2013.08.010.

  6. Sturkell, E., K. Ágústsson, A. T. Linde, S. I. Sacks, P. Einarsson, F. Sigmundsson, H. Geirsson, R. Pedersen, cP. C. LaFemina, H. Ólafsson, (2013). New insights into volcanic activity from strain and other deformation data for the Hekla 2000 eruption, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Volume 256, 15 April 2013, Pages 78-86, doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2013.02.001.

  7. dGeirsson, H., bLaFemina, P., Sturkell, E., Árnadóttir, Þ., Sigmundsson, F., Travis, M., Schmidt, P., Lund, B., Hreinsdóttir, S., Bennett, R., (2012). Volcano deformation at active plate boundaries: Deep magma accumulation at Hekla volcano and plate boundary deformation in south Iceland, Journal of Geophysical Research, 177, B, doi:10.1029/2012JB009400.

  8. dChesley, C., bLaFemina, P.C., Puskas, C.M., Kobayashi, D., 2012. The 1707 M8.7 Hoei Earthquake Triggered the Largest Histoircal Eruption of Mt. Fuji, Japan Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 39, L24309, doi:10.1029/2012GL053868.

  9. Brounce, M., Feineman, M., cbLaFemina, P., Gurenko, A., (2012). Insights into crustal assimilation by Icelandic basalts from boron isotopes in melt inclusions from the 1783–1784 Lakagígar Eruption, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; 94, 164–180.

  10. Pritchard, M., Owen, S., Anandakrishnan, S., Holt, W., Bennett, R., cLaFemina, P., Jansma, P., MacGregor, I., Raymond, C., Schwartz, S., Stein, S., Miller, M., (2012). FORUM: Open access to geophysical data sets requires community responsibility, EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, vol. 93, (26), 243, 2012
doi:10.1029/2012EO260006.

  11. Saballos, J.A., Malservisi, R., Connor, C.B., cLaFemina, P.C., Wetmore, P.H., Gravity and Geodesy of Concepcion Volcano, Nicaragua, (2013). GSA Special Publication Understanding Open-Vent Volcanism and Related Hazards, Palma, L., Rose, B., Varley, N. and Delgado, H., Eds. Geological Society of America, Denver, CO, Pages 77-88, doi:10.1130/2013.2498(05).

  12. Scheiber-Enslin, S., bLaFemina, P., Sturkell, E., Hooper, A. and Webb, S., Geodetic Investigation of Plate Spreading Along a Propagating Ridge, (2011). Geophysical Journal International, 187, 1175–1194, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05243.x. Supervisor of Principal Author.

  13. Morell, K.D., Fisher, D.S., Gardner, T.W., cLaFemina, P.C., Davidson, D., Teletzke, A., (2011). Quaternary outer forearc deformation and uplift inboard of the Panama Triple Junction, Burica Peninsula, Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, B05402, doi:10.1029/2010JB007979.

  14. Geirsson, H., Árnadóttir, T., Hreinsdóttir, S., Decriem, J., cLaFemina, P.C., Jónsson, S., Bennett, R.A., Metzger, S., Holland, A., Sturkell, E., Villemin, T., Völksen, C., Sigmundsson, F., Einarsson, P., Roberts, M.J., Sveinbjörnsson, H., (2010). Overview of results from continuous GPS observations in Iceland from 1995 to 2010, Jokull, 60, 3-22.

  15. Decriem, J., Arnadottir, A., Hooper, A., Geirsson, H., Sigmundsson, F., Keiding, M., Ofeigsson, B.G., Hreinsdottir, S., Einarsson, P., cLaFemina, P., Bennett, R., (2010). The 2008 May 29 Earthquake Doublet in SW Iceland, Geophysical Journal International, 181, 1128-1146, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04565.x.

  16. aLaFemina, P., Dixon, T.H., Govers, R., Norabuena, E., Turner, H., Saballos, A., Mattiolli, G., Protti, M., Strauch, W., (2009). Fore-arc Motion and Cocos Ridge Collision in Central America, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 10 (5), Q05S14, doi:10.1029/2008GC002181.

  17. Hreinsdottir, S., Arnadottir, T., Decriem, J., Geirsson, H., Tryggvason, A., Bennett, R.A., cLaFemina, P., (2009). A complex earthquake sequence captured by the continuous GPS network in SW Iceland, Geophysical Research Letters, 36, L12309, doi:10.1029/2009GL038391.

  18. Sak, P., Fisher, D.M., Gardner, T.W., Marshall, J.S., cLaFemina, P.C., (2009). Rough crust subduction, fore arc kinematics, and Quaternary uplift rates, Costa Rican segment of the Middle American Trench, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 121 (7/8), 992-1012, doi: 10.1130/B26237.1.

  19. Plattner, C., Malservisi, R., Dixon, T., cLaFemina, P., Sella, G., Fletcher, J., Suarez-Vidal, F. (2007). New constraints on relative motion between the Pacific Plate and Baja California microplate (Mexico) from GPS measurements, Geophysical Journal International, 170, 1373–1380, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03494.x.

  20. Turner, H. L., III, cP. LaFemina, A. Saballos, G. S. Mattioli, P. E. Jansma, and T. Dixon (2007). Kinematics of the Nicaraguan forearc from GPS geodesy, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L02302, doi:10.1029/2006GL027586.

  21. Cailleau, B., cLaFemina, P.C., and Dixon, T.H., (2007), Stress accumulation between volcanoes: an explanation for intra-arc earthquakes in Nicaragua?, Geophysical Journal International, 169, 1132-1138 , doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03353.x.

  22. Lopez, A.M., Stein, S., Dixon, T., Sella, G., Calais, E., Jansma, P., Weber, J. and cLaFemina, P. (2006). Is there a Lesser Antilles forearc block?, Geophysical Research Letters, 33, L07313, doi:10.1029/2005GL025293.

  23. aLa Femina, P.C., Dixon, T.H., Malservisi, R., Arnadottir, T., Sturkell, E., Sigmundsson, F., Einarsson, P., (2005). Strain partitioning and accumulation in a propagating ridge system: Geodetic GPS measurements in south Iceland, Journal of Geophysical Research, 110, B11405, doi:10.1029/2005JB003675.

  24. Diez, M., bLa Femina, P.C., Connor, C.B., Strauch, W., Tenorio, V., (2005). Evidence for Static Stress Changes Triggering the 1999 Eruption of Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua and Regional Seismic Swarms, Geophysical Research Letters, 32, L04309, doi:10.1029/2004GL021788.

  25. aLa Femina, P.C., C.B. Connor, B.E. Hill, W. Strauch, and A.J. Saballos, (2004). Magma-Tectonic Interactions in Nicaragua: The 1999 Seismic Swarm and Eruption of Cerro Negro Volcano, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 137 (1-3), 187-199, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2004.05.006.

  26. Dunn, W. M., Ferrill, D.A., Crider, J.G., Hill, B.E., Waiting, D.J., cLa Femina, P.C., Morris, A.P., Fedors, R.W., (2003). Orthogonal jointing during coeval igneous degassing and normal faulting, Yucca Mountain, Nevada. GSA Bulletin, 115 (12), 1492-1509.

  27. Malservisi, R., Dixon, T.H., cLa Femina, P.C., and Furlong, K.P., (2003). Holocene slip rate of the Wasatch fault zone, Utah, from geodetic data: Earthquake cycle effects, Geophysical Research Letters, 30 (13), 1673, doi:10.1029/2003GL017408.

  28. aLa Femina, P.C., Dixon, T.H., and Strauch, W., (2002). Bookshelf faulting in Nicaragua, Geology, 30 (8), 751-754.

  29. aLa Femina, P.C., Connor, C.B., Stamatakos, J.A., Farrell, D.A., (2002). Imaging an Active Normal Fault in Alluvium by High-Resolution Magnetic and Electromagnetic Surveys, Environmental and Engineering Geosciences, 8 (3), 193-207.

  30. Connor, C.B., Hill, B.E., Winfrey, B., Franklin, N.M., cLa Femina, P.C., (2001). Estimation of volcanic hazards from tephra fallout, Natural Hazards Review, 2, (1), 33-42.

  31. Hill, B.E., Connor, C.B., Jarzemba, M.S., cLa Femina, P.C., Navaro, M., Strauch, W., (1998). 1995 eruptions of Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua, and risk assessment for future eruptions, GSA Bulletin, 110 (10), 1231-1241.

  32. Connor, C.B., Lane-Magsino, S., Stamatakos, J.A., Martin, R.H., cLa Femina, P.C., Hill, B.E. and Lieber, S., (1997). Magnetic surveys help reassess volcanic hazards at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, Eos, Transactions, AGU, 78 (7), February 18, 1997, 73, 77-78.

  33. Connor, C.B., Lane-Magsino, S., Stamatakos, J.A., Martin, R.H., cLa Femina, P.C., Hill, B.E. and Lieber, S., (1997). Blasts from the past indicate hazard level at Yucca Mountain.  Earth in Space: For teachers and students of Science, May, 1997, 11-14.

  34. Connor, C.B., Hill, B.E., cLa Femina, P.C., Navarro, M. and Conway, F.M., (1996). Soil radon pulse during the 1995 phreatic eruption of Cerro Negro, Nicaragua. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 73, 119-127.