Richard Blakely is a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey currently working with the Geology and Geophysics group in Menlo Park , California . His interests focus on the application of potential-field methods to geologic and tectonic problems. Recent investigations include the application of gravity measurements to estimate the size and depth of magma chambers beneath the Cascade Range of Oregon, mapping concealed faults in western Oregon and Washington with aeromagnetic and seismic techniques, and estimating the size and shape of Quaternary basins in the Death Valley region of California and Nevada .

Blakely received his B.S. degree from Oregon State University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University . He was an Associate Professor at Oregon State University prior to joining the U.S. Geological Survey in 1975. He also has served as consulting professor for Stanford University and Oregon State University and has taught classes to various organizations in the United States and South America .  Blakely is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America and has received the Meritorious Service Award from the Department of the Interior.