James La Greca
James is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne and an Earthquake Hazard Scientist at Geoscience Australia. His research interests are earthquake geology, paleoseismology and seismology. James’ PhD research is on rupture behavior, slip rates, and earthquake recurrence on the Alpine Fault and interacting fault systems, South Island, New Zealand.
James’ Master of Science research involved earthquake reconnaissance of the September 2021 Mw 5.9 Woods Point earthquake in Victoria, Australia and used Bayesian inference with chimney fragility curves to evaluate relative ground motion model performance in estimating ground motions of the earthquake. He also examined earthquake environmental effects associated with the earthquake.
Education
PhD at the University of Melbourne
2023 – Current
Thesis Title: Rupture behavior, slip rates, and earthquake recurrence on the Alpine Fault and interacting fault systems, South Island, New Zealand.
Supervisors:
Professor Mark Quigley
Dr. Robert Langridge
Dr. Samuel Boone
Master of Science (Earth Science) at the University of Melbourne
2021 – 2022
Thesis Title: Earthquake environmental effects and Bayesian analysis of ground motion models using chimney fragility curves, 2021 Mw 5.9 Woods Point earthquake, southeast Victoria, Australia
Supervisor:
Professor Mark Quigley
Bachelor of Science (Geology) at the University of Melbourne
2017 – 2020
Academic Work History
James is currently working part-time at Geoscience Australia as an Earthquake Hazard Scientist
Earthquake Scientist / Seismologist
The Seismology Research Center
2023 – 2024: Part Time
2022 – 6 Month Internship
James’ work at the SRC has been to locate Australian earthquakes, undertake fieldwork for investigating potential neotectonics faults and to determine geological inputs (i.e. slip rates, fault dip) for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments for ‘critical’ infrastructure.
Geological Society of Australia, Victoria
Student Representative Committee Member
2024 – 2025
James is currently the Melbourne University student representative on the Geological Society of Australia, Victoria division committee.
Research and Technical Assistant
The University of Melbourne
2021
Two Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) Geophysical Surveys were undertaken for a client (Melbourne Water) to determine the shear wave velocity of up to 30m deep (vs30) to inform earthquake hazard assessments at two of Melbourne’s reservoirs.
Demonstrator / Teachers Assistant
The University of Melbourne
2021 – 2025
Geology of Gold (Master’s Level Subject)
James assisted on a field trip in Northwestern Victoria where students learned about Victorian gold geology through hands-on experience at multiple gold mines, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s geological features and its significance in Australia’s mining history.
Hydrogeology & Environmental Geochemistry (Master’s Level Subject)
James assisted on a field trip through Western Victoria and to Mount Gambier in South Australia to learn about the geological and hydrological factors that affect the geochemistry of southeast Australian lakes.
Understanding Planet Earth (1st Year Undergraduate Level Subject)
James assisted in semester long practical sessions and a week long field trip to Southeastern Victoria where students were taught the foundations of geology.
Applied Geophysics (3rd Year Undergraduate Level Subject)
James provided support in practical sessions where students were instructed in the use of Oasis montaj for gridding, processing, and filtering geophysical data to facilitate geological mapping and inversions.
James La Greca 