Dr. Norman Sleep

Professor

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Biography

Norman Sleep is a Professor Emeritus in Geophysics at Stanford University, with a research focus on heat mass transfer and physical processes in the Earth. His work addresses geodynamics and its applications to modern Earth conditions as well as the origin of life on early Earth and Mars. He is particularly interested in microphysics, friction, and nonlinear seismology, applying results on nonlinear attenuation to understand ground damage from strong seismic waves. Sleep developed a self-consistent rheology for faults considering dynamic weakening due to heating at real contact asperities, and he is working on flow-law alternatives to traditional geotechnical approaches, such as the Masing Rules, validated through real data. His research also explores the interaction of high-frequency S waves with low-frequency near-field velocity pulses, as evidenced by records from significant events like the Denali earthquake.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Tenured professor researching geophysics and teaching graduate courses.

Associate Professor

— Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Held a position as associate professor focusing on geophysics and geology.

Assistant Professor

— Present

Northwestern University •

Started academic career as assistant professor of geophysics.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

— Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology •

Conducted postdoctoral research in geophysics.

Awards

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Fellow

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James B. Macelwane Award

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Fellow

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George P. Woollard Award

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Fellow

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Wegener Medal

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Walter H. Bucher Medal

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Member

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Wollaston Medal

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.