EDUCATION:

Ph.D. (Geology/Geophysics), 1992, University of Kentucky
M.S. (Geology/Geophysics), 1989, University of Kentucky
B.S. (Geophysics), 1985, University of Houston
B.S. (Geology), 1982, Eastern Kentucky University

GEOLOGY COURSES:

Geology 1000: The Physical Earth
Geology 2000: Plate Tectonics and Earth History
Geology 4200: Structural Geology
Geology 4300: Environmental and Engineering Geophysics
Geology 4350: Solid Earth Geophysics
Geology 4402: Field Methods
Geology 4506: Field Geology

RESEARCH PROGRAM:

My primary research interests are in the use of high-resolution seismic methods (P- and S-wave reflection and refraction techniques, downhole seismic) to investigate near-surface geology. Applications of this research include imaging of shallow geologic structure (e.g., bedrock depth and configuration, faults and other deformational features), determination of engineering properties of the shallow subsurface (e.g., shear modulus and attenuation values), and characterization of near-surface groundwater systems (e.g., aquifer geometry and fracture orientation). Recently, I have become interested in measuring seismic anisotropy in shallow sedimentary environments (using seismic reflection and downhole data) and relating it to interpretation of fault/fracture density and orientation (Harris, 1996, Geophysics) and evaluation of in-situ stresses (Harris et al., 1996, 7th International Workshop on Seismic Anisotropy).

My ongoing research projects include near-surface seismic reflection investigations of active tectonics in the Mississippi embayment, integrated seismic studies of the Fraser River delta, British Columbia, and seismic investigations in support of environmental projects (e.g., groundwater studies in Memphis, seismic testing in the Greater Yellowstone area, and archeological studies in Turkey).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Cox, R.T., Van Arsdale, R.B., Harris, J.B., and Larsen, D., 2001, Neotectonics of the southeastern Reelfoot rift zone margin, central United States, and implications for regional strain accommodation: Geology, v. 29, p. 419-422.

Cox, R.T., Van Arsdale, R.B., and Harris, J.B., 2001, Identification of possible Quaternary deformation in the northeastern Mississippi Embayment using quantitative geomorphic analysis of drainage-basin symmetry: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 113, p. 615-624.

Harris, J. B., Cox, R. T., Berman, S. A., and Cole, B. W., 2000, Shallow seismic reflection imaging of the Big Creek Fault Zone in the Lower Mississippi Valley: Geological Society of America, 2000 Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, p. A-56.

Cox, R. T., Van Arsdale, R. B., Harris, J. B., Forman, S. L., Beard, W., and Galluzzi, J., 2000, Quaternary faulting in the southern Mississippi embayment and implications for tectonics and seismicity in an intraplate setting: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 112, p. 1724-1735.

Woolery, E. W., Street, R. L., Wang, Z., Harris, J. B., and McIntyre, J., 1999, Neotectonic structure in the central New Madrid seismic zone: Evidence from multimode seismic-reflection data: Seismological Research Letters, v. 70, p. 554-576.

Harris, J. B., Berman, S. A., Beard, W. C., Street, R. L., and Cox, R. T., 1998, Shallow seismic reflection investigations of neotectonic activity in the Lower Mississippi Valley: 68th Annual International Meeting, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Expanded Abstracts, p. 848-851.

Harris, J. B., 1996, Shear-wave splitting in Quaternary sediments: Neotectonic implications in the central New Madrid seismic zone: Geophysics, v. 61, p. 1871-1882.

Woolery, E. W., Wang, Z., Street, R. L., and Harris, J. B., 1996, A P- and SH-wave seismic reflection investigation of the Kentucky Bend scarp in the New Madrid seismic zone: Seismological Research Letters, v. 67, p. 67-74.

Harris, J. B., Woolery, E. W., Wang, Z., Kelson, K. I., Simpson, G. D., and Van Arsdale, R. B., 1995, S-wave seismic reflection profiling over the Reelfoot scarp: A link between trenching and conventional P-wave seismic reflection data: Geological Society of America, 1995 Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, p. A-393.

Harris, J. B., and Kiefer, J. D., 1994, Update on the New Madrid seismic zone: Geotimes, v. 39, no. 7, p. 14-18.

Woolery, E. W., Street, R., Wang. Z., and Harris, J. B., 1993, Near-surface deformation in the New Madrid seismic zone as imaged by high-resolution SH-wave seismic methods: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 20, no. 15, p. 1615-1618.