Elisabeth Olson
Staff Geoscientist
Elisabeth Olson is a Staff Geoscientist at MPERA who brings sharp field instincts and meticulous documentation to every project. She works where the data starts, at the drill rig, on the slope, and beside the excavation, and turns what she sees in the ground into clear, reliable information that design teams can build on.
Before joining MPERA, Elisabeth worked as a staff geologist with Nelson Geotechnical Associates and as a geotechnical field technician with The Riley Group across the Puget Sound region. She has supported helical anchor drilling and sampling in an active landslide area on a Vashon Island bluff, monitored pin-pile installation and load testing in Edmonds, and observed retaining wall and utility construction against ASTM standards on developments in Kitsap, Thurston, and Pierce Counties.
Elisabeth earned her B.S. in Geoscience from the University of Washington, where she analyzed USGS geospatial data on the Cascadia subduction zone as a research assistant. A Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead and portable nuclear gauge technician, she pairs technical rigor with the organized, deadline-driven coordination that keeps field programs on schedule and well documented.
Education
B.S., Geoscience, University of Washington, 2024
Certifications
Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead (CESCL)
Portable Nuclear Gauge Technician
Select Projects
Puget Sound Bluff Residence | Vashon Island, WA (Nelson Geotechnical Associates)
Supported geotechnical site investigations in a recent landslide area on a Puget Sound bluff, including helical anchor drilling and soil sampling. The work helped stabilize the bluff against further erosion and confirmed the drainage system was integrated correctly into the final design.
Single Family Foundation | Edmonds, WA (Nelson Geotechnical Associates)
Monitored the drilling of load-bearing pin piles and the load testing that followed, documenting field conditions and results that underpin a stable foundation for a new residence.
McCormick Woods Plat Development | Port Orchard, WA (The Riley Group)
Provided construction-phase support for utility and retaining wall installation, checked instrumentation readings against ASTM standards, and collected in-situ material samples, giving the design team field evidence to confirm a stable foundation.
Cascadia Subduction Zone Research | University of Washington
As a research assistant, analyzed USGS geospatial data on the Cascadia subduction zone, building the GIS and data interpretation skills she now brings to subsurface investigations.