Summary of the Impact

The Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) has established itself as a global leader in geophysics, building unparalleled research infrastructure and nurturing the next generation of geoscientists. Home to the world’s largest university-based cohort of HDR and ECR geophysicists, RSES leverages its cutting-edge capabilities to address critical challenges posed by natural and human-induced hazards. As a strategic global “listening post,” RSES monitors seismic activity to detect and analyse earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and nuclear or chemical blasts.

Our multidisciplinary approach combines the Australian Government funded seismic instrumentation pool, hosted at RSES, with advanced computational techniques, bespoke laboratory experiments, and state-of-the-art Earth system simulations. Through partnerships with the government, these capabilities directly inform hazard assessments and risk mitigation strategies across the Australasian region, including high-risk areas such as Indonesia and New Zealand.

RSES also plays a pivotal role on the global stage, operating the Warramunga Seismic and Infrasound Facility on behalf of the United Nations Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). In addition, we host the Australian Passive Seismic Data Centre (AusPass), preserving over four decades of seismic data to support research and decision-making worldwide. Through these efforts, RSES not only expands the boundaries of scientific knowledge but delivers tangible societal benefits, enhancing global safety, resilience, and preparedness.

Underpinning Research

Key Research Insights and Why They Matter

How can we better understand and mitigate the risks posed by Earth’s most destructive geohazards? This question drives some of the groundbreaking research at RSES. Natural hazards - earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides - threaten lives, infrastructure, and economies globally. Their impacts are exacerbated by rapid urbanization, population growth, and the increased complexity of modern societies. Addressing these threats requires a deep understanding of the physical processes driving these hazards, accurate forecasting methods, and effective tools for risk assessment and mitigation.

RSES is uniquely positioned to tackle these challenges. Its researchers have established a world-leading capability in geophysical observation, experimentation, and modelling. The school’s expertise spans the development of state-of-the-art seismic instruments, multi-year field experiments (e.g., Kennett et al. 2013, Rawlinson et al. 2014), and innovative computational tools (e.g., Mansour et al.2020). These resources provide the foundation for answering critical questions about the interconnected processes that shape our dynamic planet, including how seismic and volcanic activity relate to mountain building, sea-level changes, and broader societal impacts.

A hallmark of RSES research is its development of cutting-edge algorithms that set the standard for probabilistic geophysical inference (e.g., Sambridge et al. 1999; Tkalčić et al. 2020). These algorithms not only enhance our ability to understand Earth’s subsurface but also drive advances in hazard mapping and risk prediction, making them indispensable for assessing seismic and volcanic threats worldwide.

RSES: A National Leader in Tackling Geohazards

RSES stands at the forefront of geohazard research in Australia, combining unparalleled infrastructure, expertise, and partnerships. Its scientists lead extensive field campaigns across Australasia, deploying custom-built seismic instruments to collect vast datasets. These efforts, supported by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), underpin the school’s ability to integrate high-quality field data with advanced computational simulations. This integration enables RSES to model Earth processes with unprecedented fidelity, providing insights into catastrophic events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions (e.g., Miller et al. 2023).

The outputs of RSES research go far beyond academic understanding. The school has produced hazard maps and ground motion models that directly inform disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies across high-risk regions like Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and New Zealand. Collaborations with agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Geoscience Australia, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) ensure these tools are rapidly applied to real-world challenges. Civil engineers, urban planners, and policymakers rely on these resources to design safer buildings, develop effective disaster response strategies, and protect vulnerable populations.

A Legacy of Open Science and Global Impact

RSES’s commitment to open science has cemented its reputation as a global leader. Through initiatives like the Australian Passive Seismic Data Centre (AusPass), the school makes decades of seismic data accessible, fostering collaboration and innovation worldwide. Its open-source computational tools enable researchers everywhere to tackle the non-linear complexities of Earth processes and associated hazards, pushing the boundaries of geophysical science.

By combining sophisticated instrumentation, advanced modelling, and an unwavering focus on societal impact, RSES is not only advancing the frontiers of knowledge but also safeguarding communities from the devastating consequences of Earth’s dynamic hazards. These efforts exemplify the school’s role as a vital hub for geoscience research and innovation in Australia and beyond.

References to the Research

References

• Kennett, B.L., Fichtner, A., Fishwick, S. and Yoshizawa, K., 2013. Australian seismological reference model (AuSREM): mantle component. Geophysical Journal International, 192(2), pp.871-887.
• Mansour, J., Giordani, J., Moresi, L., Beucher, R., Kaluza, O., Velic, M., Farrington, R., Quenette, S. and Beall, A., 2020. Underworld2: Python geodynamics modelling for desktop, HPC and cloud. Journal of Open Source Software, 5(47), p.1797.
• Miller, M.S., Pickle, R., Murdie, R., Yuan, H., Allen, T.I., Gessner, K., Kennett, B.L. and Whitney, J., 2023. Southwest Australia Seismic Network (SWAN): recording earthquakes in Australia’s most active seismic zone. Seismological Society of America, 94(2A), pp.999-1011.
• Rawlinson, N., Salmon, M. and Kennett, B.L., 2014. Transportable seismic array tomography in southeast Australia: Illuminating the transition from Proterozoic to Phanerozoic lithosphere. Lithos, 189.
• Sambridge, M., 1999. Geophysical inversion with a neighbourhood algorithm—I. Searching a parameter space. Geophysical journal international, 138(2), pp.479-494.
• Tkalčić, H., Phạm, T.S. and Wang, S., 2020. The Earth's coda correlation wavefield: Rise of the new paradigm and recent advances. Earth-Science Reviews, 208, p.103285.
• Completion Report on Cooperation on the Disaster Risk Management Program in Indonesia (DFAT).

Selection of conversation articles

• Australian cities are quiet during lockdown. Earthquake scientists are making the most of it.
• Seismology at light speed: how fibre-optic telecommunications cables deliver a close-up view of NZ’s
  Alpine Fault.
• Why are shallow earthquakes more destructive: The disaster in Java is a devastating example.
• We may never be able to predict earthquakes, but we can already know enough to be prepared.
• Two types of tectonic plate activity create earthquake and tsunami risk on Lombok.

Grants

• 2002-2024 Budget for multiple contract years for International Monitoring System (IMS) Primary Seismic Station PS02 and IMS Infrasound Station IS07 in Warramunga, Australia (Amendment No. 12); Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. ~$10M.
• 2007-2025 Budget for multiple contract years for AuScope seismic instrumentation and open data access. NCRIS, Australian Department of Education. ~$28M.
• 2014-2025 Budget for multiple contract years for AuScope Simulation Analysis Modeling Program for developing software for Earth processes. NCRIS, Australian Department of Education ~$6M.
• 2011-2015 ARC – Discovery Project: Earthquake Hazard in Indonesia.
• 2014-2017 ARC Discovery Grant DP140102533 Rapid determination of earthquake sources in Australia.
• 2016-2017 Establishing Earthquake Monitoring in Timor-Leste, Geoscientists Without Borders.
• 2013–2017 “Improved Earth structure in Northeast Asia and seismic moment tensor inversion using Bayesian partition modelling”; US Air Force Research Lab (DoD/AFRL) and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA).
• 2024–2026 “TReaty MOnitoring Research (TREMOR) Consortium: Improving capabilities to detect, locate, discriminate and characterize the depths, yields and emplacement conditions of nuclear explosion”; US Air Force Research Lab (DoD/AFRL).
• 2023-2024: QA/QC of Australian Ground-Motion Database (Geoscience Australia).
• 2023-2026 ARC – Discovery Project: Measuring the seismic pulse of the Earth using fibre optics.
• 2020-2025 ARC – Linkage Project: Enhanced 3-D Seismic Structure for Southwestern Australia (Geoscience Australia, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, DEMIRS).
• 2023-2025 Deep learning, deep underground: new insights into earthquake phenomena from distributed acoustic sensing and machine learning (Natural Hazards Commission NZ and Royal Society Te Aparangi).

Details of the Impact

Australia’s distinct geological landscape and its strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region place it at the forefront of Earth observation and monitoring. At RSES, our multidisciplinary research in solid Earth geophysics transcends academic advancement, driving tangible societal benefits. By addressing natural and human-induced hazards, we enhance public safety, strengthen resilience, and support global security initiatives such as nuclear non-proliferation.

Enhancing Public Safety and Urban Resilience

RSES’s collaborations with Geoscience Australia, the Geological Survey of Western Australia, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services have transformed seismic hazard mapping in Western Australia (1,12). This initiative has provided critical tools for urban planning, ensuring infrastructure safety in areas vulnerable to seismic activity. Such work exemplifies our role in shaping evidence-based public policy and fostering safer communities across Australia. These efforts directly impact the design of building codes, disaster preparedness strategies, and risk mitigation measures (2,12).

Extending Global Reach to High-Risk Regions

Internationally, RSES contributes to reducing risks in some of the most hazard-prone areas in the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia and New Zealand. By (i) deploying ANSIR/AuScope seismic equipment (3), (ii) making this data available to the global community (4), and (iii) collaborating with Geoscience Australia and DFAT on Disaster Risk Management in Indonesia (5), our research supports local hazard assessments and bolsters disaster preparedness with the Natural Hazards Commission New Zealand (10) and the Institute of Geosciences Timor-Leste (11). These initiatives exemplify how international partnerships, underpinned by RSES expertise, save lives and foster cross-border cooperation. Recognition of our contributions, such as the
Federal Public Service Medal (6), underscores the global importance of our work.

Safeguarding Global Security

A cornerstone of RSES’s impact is the operation of the Warramunga Seismic and Infrasound Facility, a globally significant asset for nuclear non-proliferation under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (7). Strategically located with extensive Indigenous consultation, the facility detects seismic and atmospheric signals from nuclear detonations, transmitting real-time data to the International Data Centre in Vienna (8). This dual-purpose facility enhances global security while advancing geophysical research, reinforcing Australia’s role as a leader in international safety and governance.

Inspiring the Next Generation

RSES is committed to shaping the future through education and outreach. Our Seismometers in Schools program engages students with real-time seismic data, fostering curiosity and scientific literacy (9). By reaching students in diverse settings, including remote and Indigenous communities at 50 schools across the country, we connect young minds with the dynamic processes shaping our planet. Since inception in 2012 this initiative has reached over 70,000 students in all states and territories. It not only inspires a passion for Earth sciences but also cultivates future leaders equipped to address complex geoscience challenges.

Driving Actionable Change

RSES’s integrated research approach has a profound and far-reaching impact:

• Policy Influence: Shaping disaster risk reduction strategies and urban planning frameworks.
• Global Security: Strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
• Community Enrichment: Supporting resilience and safety in at-risk regions.
• Education and Equity: Empowering students from all backgrounds to engage with Earth sciences.

Through these efforts, RSES bridges cutting-edge science with real-world applications, creating safer communities, empowering the next generation, and positioning Australia as a leader in addressing the challenges of a dynamic and changing planet. Our work not only safeguards lives but also lays the groundwork for a more resilient and informed global society.

Where next?

Future Directions in RSES Geophysics

As geophysics continues to evolve, RSES is poised to lead the next generation of research by addressing the challenges posed by rapidly growing data volumes from cutting-edge experiments and computational models. Leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, RSES aims to revolutionize geophysical inference methods, enabling the efficient processing of massive digital waveform datasets and the rapid modelling of complex geological systems. These innovations will produce higher-resolution images and a process-based understanding of subsurface structures, refining earthquake hazard models and significantly enhancing our ability to forecast and respond to seismic risks.

Advancing Observational Technology

RSES is at the forefront of deploying transformative technologies, including large-scale continental seismic arrays, spiral-arm short-aperture arrays, ocean-bottom seismometers, and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems. These advancements provide real-time monitoring capabilities for geohazards, allowing for the rapid detection and characterization of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. The integration of these systems into early warning frameworks will bolster community preparedness in vulnerable regions, leveraging more than $25 million in capital investment through the Australian Government’s NCRIS scheme.

Pioneering Environmental Seismology

The emerging field of environmental seismology offers unprecedented opportunities for future research at RSES. Advances in seismometry, computational power, and theoretical frameworks enable the study of near-surface geophysical  processes, such as glacial quakes, landslides, and storm-induced seismic activity. RSES is uniquely positioned to detect unconventional signals, including clandestine nuclear explosions, and to explore anthropogenic sources during COVID and marine phenomena such as whale migration. By leveraging continuous data collection systems, RSES will investigate temporal changes in Earth’s properties, uncovering new insights into the dynamic interplay between environmental factors and seismic activity.

Expanding Regional and Global Impact

RSES plans to expand its research footprint across the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, fostering international collaborations to enhance our understanding of regional seismicity. These partnerships will strengthen shared knowledge, resources, and strategies for hazard mitigation, empowering communities across the Asia-Pacific to better prepare for seismic events. By addressing region-specific challenges and cultivating cooperative frameworks, RSES aims to lead the global effort to reduce the human and economic toll of geohazards.

Delivering Impact Beyond Academia

Through these advancements, RSES will ensure its research delivers meaningful societal benefits:

• Enhanced Public Safety: Improved early warning systems and hazard models will protect
  communities in high-risk regions.
• Resilient Infrastructure: High-resolution subsurface imaging will inform safer construction practices
  and disaster response planning.
• Global Security: Cutting-edge monitoring technologies will support nuclear non-proliferation efforts
  and detect illicit nuclear tests.
• Broader Environmental Insights: Novel applications of seismic techniques will address pressing
  challenges, from climate change to marine conservation.

By merging innovative technologies, interdisciplinary approaches, and global partnerships, RSES will not only advance the scientific understanding of Earth’s dynamic systems but also transform this knowledge into actionable solutions that enhance resilience, safety, and sustainability in the face of a changing planet.

Demonstrated alignment with school, university and national priorities

Our research aligns seamlessly with the strategic priorities of RSES, the ANU, and national research agendas, driving innovation and delivering meaningful societal benefits.

Alignment with RSES Priorities

At the school level, we are at the forefront of advancing capabilities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics, applying these cutting-edge tools to tackle critical questions in geophysics. The seismic and geophysical data we collect and openly host for the community play a pivotal role in subsurface exploration, whether for groundwater management, critical mineral discovery, or understanding Earth’s dynamic processes.

Alignment with ANU Priorities

At the University level, our research embodies ANU’s mission to deliver transformative research and education that serve the nation and its region. By focusing on the observation, assessment, and understanding of natural hazards, we strengthen Australia’s resilience and support its Asia-Pacific neighbours. Through the development of a national seismic array network and the nurturing of the next generation of STEM researchers, we create transformative outcomes that enhance national capabilities. 

Our commitment to education extends to integrating cutting-edge research into our curriculum, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with world-class science. Programs such as Seismometers in Schools exemplify our dedication to diversity and inclusion, bringing real-time scientific data and Earth science education to students from diverse and underrepresented communities across Australia. Additionally, we elevate Indigenous knowledge systems by incorporating historical seismology into our research, fostering a richer understanding of Australia’s geological history and cultural heritage.

Alignment with National and Global Priorities

At the national level, our research supports Australia’s priorities in creating a secure and resilient nation. By improving the understanding and assessment of geohazards, we enable risk mitigation and disaster preparedness, safeguarding communities and infrastructure. Our work also contributes to the protection of Australia’s environment and resources, ensuring sustainable exploration and management of groundwater and critical minerals essential to the nation’s economic and environmental future.
Internationally, our research enhances Australia’s leadership in addressing global challenges. By contributing to nuclear non-proliferation, advancing early warning systems for natural disasters, and fostering international collaborations in the Asia-Pacific region, we position Australia as a global leader in geoscience research and disaster resilience.

Delivering Impact Across Priorities

Through these endeavours, RSES not only advances scientific understanding but also translates research into actionable solutions that align with the broader goals of ANU and the nation. 

We aim to:

• Strengthen national and regional resilience to natural hazards.
• Protect and locate critical resources such as water and minerals.
• Empower the next generation of diverse researchers.
• Elevate Australia’s international reputation in geoscience leadership.

By integrating innovation, education, and collaboration, we continue to drive impactful research that resonates across academic, societal, and global dimensions, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all.