Dr. Hiroo Kanamori is a world-renowned geophysicist whose pioneering work has fundamentally transformed earthquake science and seismic hazard mitigation. He currently holds the distinguished position of John E. and Hazel S. Smits Professor of Geophysics Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology, where he has been affiliated since 1965. Born in Japan in 1936, he earned his BS in Physics (1959), MS in Geophysics (1961), and PhD in Geophysics (1964) from the University of Tokyo, establishing the foundation for his groundbreaking career. His early academic journey included positions as Research Associate and Professor at Tokyo University's Earthquake Research Institute before he joined Caltech as a full professor in 1972. He subsequently served as Director of Caltech's Seismological Laboratory from 1990 to 1998, leading the institution through a period of significant technological advancement and scientific discovery.
Kanamori's most transformative contribution was the development of the moment magnitude scale with Thomas C. Hanks, which revolutionized earthquake measurement by replacing the Richter scale as the standard for quantifying seismic events. His seminal research in the early 1970s established the field of 'great earthquake seismology' through the analysis of island arc earthquakes and the introduction of the concept of tsunami earthquakes, providing critical verification for the emerging theory of plate tectonics. He discovered the W phase and pioneered real-time seismology, creating the foundation for practical seismic hazard mitigation systems including the Caltech-USGS Broadcast of Earthquakes (CUBE) network. His work on quantifying very large earthquakes using long-period waves and slow (tsunami) earthquakes fundamentally changed how scientists understand seismic energy release and wave propagation. These innovations have had profound global impact, directly informing modern building codes and early warning systems that protect millions of lives worldwide.
Beyond his research achievements, Kanamori has been an influential mentor who shaped multiple generations of earth scientists, with many former students becoming leaders in academia and government agencies. His leadership in establishing the 1987 TERRAscope network created a digital seismic monitoring system that laid the groundwork for contemporary earthquake detection and analysis. He has dedicated significant effort to applying geophysical research for public safety, particularly in seismic hazard reduction for Southern California and Japan through practical warning systems and risk assessment methodologies. His real-time seismology approaches are now implemented in countries worldwide, demonstrating the global reach of his translational research. Kanamori's enduring legacy lies at the intersection of fundamental scientific discovery and practical application, where his work continues to advance both the theoretical understanding of earthquakes and the development of life-saving technologies.
