Summer 2026 Research Spotlight: LMU Students Study Methane and Earthquake Activity at La Brea Tar Pits

The La Brea Tar Pits are famous for their bubbling pools of tar and prehistoric fossils situated in the heart of bustling Los Angeles. This summer, the iconic landmark became an outdoor laboratory for Loyola Marymount University students conducting environmental research on methane emissions and earthquake activity beneath the city.

Part of LMU Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering 's Summer Opportunities for Advanced Research (SOAR) program, two student research teams spent six weeks working alongside faculty mentors Robert Welch, assistant professor of environmental science, and Lambert Doezema, professor and chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, on an interdisciplinary project investigating how methane seepage at the La Brea Tar Pits may be connected to underground geologic faults.

Welch's group of environmental science students focused on mapping faults and measuring seismic activity beneath the La Brea Tar Pits area, while Doezema's team of chemistry students collected methane seepage rates and mapped the data across the area. The teams compared and layered their data to investigate whether underground fault systems and seismic activity influence where and when methane reaches the surface.

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, making it important for scientists to better understand where emissions originate and how they vary over time.

"The goal of our research was to develop a greater understanding of the temporal and spatial variability of methane emissions at the La Brea Tar Pits, their relationship to seismic activity and geologic features, and also their contribution to methane emissions at a local scale," said Alyssa Hsieh, '27, a chemistry major on Doezema's research team. "By studying these patterns, we can improve our understanding of methane sources and impacts as a whole."

Hsieh and her fellow chemistry researchers collected more than 400 methane flux measurements across the La Brea Tar Pits using a Trace Gas Analyzer and Trimble GNSS system. The team worked to identify emission hotspots and evaluate whether methane levels changed depending on location, surface conditions, time of day, or nearby geologic features.

"It's valuable to collect data from places like the La Brea Tar Pits, where methane seepage occurs at elevated levels," Hsieh said. "In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists first need to know how much methane is coming from natural sources versus human sources, and our research helps improve that understanding."

Harry Lissner, '28, an environmental science major on Welch's team, helped deploy portable seismometers and geospatial mapping equipment throughout the area to study hidden fault systems below the surface. His work included operating Raspberry Shake Seismometers and a Trimble GNSS station to collect seismic and location data for the project.

"Our goal was to understand if seismic activity in the area was related to the release of methane through our macro seeps," Lissner said. "Additionally, we looked at past research to understand where fault lines are across La Brea and see if they line up with any of our common seep locations."

Hsieh and Lissner had the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary research that extends beyond the classroom while contributing to ongoing scientific questions with environmental and public safety implications.

For Hsieh, the research experience showed her how much patience and attention to detail are required for field research. "One of the most surprising things I learned was how much methane emissions can change over incredibly short distances or time periods," Hsieh said. "It showed me that environmental systems are much more dynamic than I expected."

Hsieh also discovered that she really enjoyed hands-on research and problem-solving in the field. "I grew more confident working with scientific instruments, analyzing data, and communicating research findings," Hsieh said.

At one of Los Angeles' most iconic landmarks, LMU students gained hands-on research experience while contributing to meaningful scientific inquiry. Projects like this are a hallmark of the Seaver undergraduate research experience, giving students the opportunity to work alongside faculty mentors on real-world challenges.