Dr. Sheri Molnar

Seismology, Geophysics, Geology, Geotechnical Engineering

Sheri Molnar

Associate Professor
Ph.D. Univ. of Victoria, Earthquake Seismology, 2011
Postdoc, Univ. British Columbia, Earthquake Engineering, 2012-2014
Office: BGS 1040
Lab: BGS 0155 and BGS 1020
Phone: 519-661-2111 x87031
Fax: 519-661-3198
Email: smolnar8@uwo.ca


Research Interests

Seismic hazards, with a focus on earthquake site effects and microzonation mapping; Surface seismic field techniques for shallow crustal velocity structure; Numerical (parallel computing) wave propagation simulation of scenario earthquakes; Ambient vibration testing and modal analysis; Soil structure interaction

Projects

  • 2023-2028: NSERC Discovery, Improving Site-Specific Earthquake Ground Motions in Canada
  • 2017-2026: Metro Vancouver Seismic Microzonation Mapping Project,  
  • 2019-2023: New Frontiers Research Fund, Reducing the catastrophic risk of a Cascadia megathrust earthquake
  • 2017-2021: Canadian Foundation of Innovation, John R. Evans Leaders Fund, Seismic Vibrations and Excitations Laboratory
  • 2017-2018: NSERC Engage, Pilot ambient noise tomography study for mineral exploration 

Selected Publications

  • A. Javanbakht, S. Molnar, A. Sadrekarimi, H. Ghofrani (2023). Estimation of historical earthquake-induced liquefaction in Fraser River delta using NBCC 2020 GMPEs in deterministic and probabilistic frameworks, Earthquake Spectra, 39, 2584–2612,
  • S. Molnar, T. Foulon, H. Sharma, M. Ross, M. Parent (2023). Seismic site characterization in the Charlevoix Region, Quebec, Seismological Research Letters, 94, 5, 2426-2440,
  • SR Adhikari, S. Molnar and J. Wang (2023). Seismic microzonation mapping of Greater Vancouver based on various site classification metrics. Frontiers in Earth Science, 11, 1221234.
  • P. Kakoty, C. Molina Hutt, H. Ghofrani, S. Molnar, (2023). Spectral acceleration basin amplification factors for interface Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes in Canada’s 2020 national seismic hazard model, Earthquake Spectra, 39, 1166-1188,
  • J. Assaf, S. Molnar, H. El Naggar, 2023. CPT-Vs correlations for post-glacial sediments in Metropolitan Vancouver, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 165, 107693,
  • A. Fallah Yeznabad, S. Molnar, H. El Naggar, H. Ghofrani, 2022. Estimation of probabilistic seismic sliding displacement and pseudo-static coefficients (k15) for seismic stability assessment of slopes in the southern Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 161, 107364, .  
  • J. Assaf, S. Molnar, H. El Naggar, A. Sirohey, 2022. Seismic site characterization in Fraser River delta in Metropolitan Vancouver, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 161,107384, .
  • S. Molnar, A. Sirohey, J. Assaf, S. Castellaro, C. Cornou, B. Cox, B. Guillier, B. Hassani, H. Kawase, S. Matsushima, F.J. Sánchez-Sesma, A. Yong, 2022. A review of the microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (MHVSR) method. Journal of Seismology, .  
  • A. Bilson Darko, S. Molnar, A. Sadrekarimi, 2021. Reviewing Earthquake Site Classification Methods at Ontario Highway Sites, Journal of Earthquake Engineering, .
  • S. Ladak, S. Molnar, S. Palmer, 2021. Multi-method site characterization to verify the hard rock (site class A) assumption at 25 seismograph stations across Eastern Canada. Earthquake Spectra, 37(S1), 1487-1515, .
  • A. Fallah Yeznabad, S. Molnar and M. H. El Naggar, 2021. Probabilistic solution for the seismic sliding displacement of slopes in Greater Vancouver. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 140, 106393, . 
  • P. He, J. Gonzalez-Hurtado, T. Newson, H. Hong, M. Postman and S. Molnar. Field monitoring of the ground vibrations adjacent to an onshore wind turbine foundation, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, published online 2 June 2020.
  • S. Molnar, J. Assaf, A. Sirohey, S. R. Adhikari, 2020. Overview of local site effects and seismic microzonation mapping in Metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Engineering Geology, Special Issue “Seismic site response estimation for microzonation studies promoting the resilience of urban centers”, 270, 5 June 2020, 105568.
  • A. Bilson Darko, S. Molnar, A. Sadrekarimi, 2020. Blind comparison of non-invasive shear wave velocity profiling with invasive methods at bridge sites in Windsor, Ontario. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 129, 105906,

Courses 

  • Earth Sciences 4551Z/GP9509: Geophysics Field Techniques
  • Earth Sciences 4423/GP9508: Applied Seismology
  • HRR 9574: Natural hazard and risk evaluation in a team-based and experiential-learning environment

Former Graduate Students

  • J. Farrugia (2017). MSc Geophysics,
  • F. Jackson (2017). MSc Geophysics,
  • A. Bilson Darko (2018). MSc Geophysics,
  • J. Kukovica (2019). MSc Geophysics,
  • S. Ladak (2020). MSc Geophysics,
  • A. Fallah Yeznabad (2021). Probabilistic seismic landslide mapping for western Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, PhD Civil & Env. Engineering,
  • A. Sirohey (2022). Soil amplification and peak frequencies from thousands of passive seismic measurements across Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, MSc Geophysics,
  • C. Boucher (2022). Approaches to model non-uniqueness and site complexity for non-invasive shear-wave depth profiling, MSc Geophysics,
  • S. Bian (2022). Course-based MSc Geophysics.
  • J. Assaf (2022). Seismic Site Characterization and Response in Metropolitan Vancouver, PhD Civil & Env. Engineering,
  • A. Vanderhoeff (2023). Impact of surface topography to 3D wave propagation simulations, MSc Geophysics,
  • M. Fyfe (2023). Evaluation of Effectiveness in Seismic Microzonation Hazard Mapping in Canada: Communication, Use, Standardization and Levels, MSc Geophysics,
  • N. Gomez Jaramillo (2023). Empirical non-linear site response for Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, MSc Geophysics,
  • A. Javanbakht Samani (2023). Probabilistic seismic liquefaction hazard mapping of western Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, PhD Geophysics.