Seismology & Mathematical Geophysics

The Seismology & Mathematical Geophysics group studies planetary interiors and the physics of earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, using observational and theoretical seismology to image the planet and to detect natural and man-made events.

contact_support Contact

Dr Caroline M. Eakin

caroline.eakin@anu.edu.au

Professor Meghan S. Miller

meghan.miller@anu.edu.au

Professor Louis Moresi

louis.moresi@anu.edu.au

Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić

hrvoje.tkalcic@anu.edu.au

About

Overview and mission

The Seismology & Mathematical Geophysics group works to provide a fundamental new understanding of the Earth's internal composition, dynamics and evolution, and of the physical mechanisms behind earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. We use observational and theoretical seismology, together with associated tools including geophysical inverse theory, mathematical geophysics, numerical modelling, signal processing and interferometry.

Our research follows two main themes. The first is understanding the origin and physical characteristics of natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes, along with their detection and the detection of man-made events such as nuclear explosions. The second is understanding the structure and dynamic processes of the Earth and other planets by illuminating them with the seismic and correlation wavefields generated by natural and man-made sources. Seismology makes it possible to image the subsurface architecture of the crust, to locate ore bodies and reservoirs, and to constrain what our planet is made of, how it has evolved, and its present-day dynamics.

Facilities

We hold substantial expertise in, and access to, the Australian facilities for solid Earth geophysics. Our research and teaching often bring a distinctive Southern Hemisphere perspective to questions of global relevance, with the Australian region frequently used as a natural laboratory to develop and demonstrate new techniques. The group operates the Australian National Seismic Imaging Resource (Australian National Seismic Imaging Resource (ANSIR) facility seismic instrumentation and AusPass FDSN data centre dedicated to the management and distribution of passive seismological data in Australia and its periphery. The group also operates the Warramunga Seismic and Infrasonic Facility on behalf of the UN-CTBTO, which is at the forefront of the world's nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

Affiliations and connections

The seismology group has many collaborations and contributions across Australia and globally. We lead the NCRIS funded AuScope Earth Imaging Program, are a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science, and are home to AuScope funded CoFI and Australian Seismometers in Schools (AuSiS) Programs.

Potential student projects

We are actively seeking PhD students across our diverse range of research projects. A subset of our projects are listed below. But feel free to reach out to a relevant member of our group to learn more.

Recent group activities

We hold weekly group meetings for all Geophysics Members and Friends at 11am on Fridays. Any geologists, geophysicists, seismologists and RSES members and affiliates are welcome to attend.

2023 Geophysics Area Retreat at ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus

Facilities

AusPass: the Australian Passive Seismic Server

AusPass is an initiative supported with funding from AuScope and the Australian National University to provide F.A.I.R. access to passive seismic data collected in and around Australia.

Australian National Seismic Imaging Resource (ANSIR)

ANSIR specialises in passive seismic infrastructure that includes instruments, data and research tools. Since 1997, it offers advanced seismic equipment for domestic and international seismology projects.

Computational Earth Laboratory

A shared RSES capability for high-performance computing, numerical Earth-system modelling, inverse methods, data analysis and research software.

Mt. Stromlo Seismic Observatory

Mt Stromlo is located just outside Canberra where a suite of seismic instrumentation are operated on behalf of the French Geoscope Network, AuSiS and RSES which and provides high quality broad-band and DAS seismic data to the international community.

Warramunga Seismic and Infrasound Research Station

The Warramunga Seismic and Infrasound Research Station uses arrays of seismometers to detect tremors from nuclear testing on the ground, and infrasound sensors to detect atmospheric waves from nuclear testing in the air.

Projects

Antarctic Seismology

The recent over-ice seismic deployments in Antarctica provide datasets that enable exciting opportunities for seismological research. This project involves innovative development in passive seismology methods adapted for challenging icy conditions to unravel ice and solid Earth structure in Antarctica.

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Potential

People

Architecture of the Australian continental lithosphere

Some of the oldest continental building blocks (e.g. cratons) are found in Australia. At depth, the ancient rock record has invaluable information about the dynamics of the Earth. Seismology can provide remarkable views into the deep lithospheric structure using imaging techniques on broadband seismic data.

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Potential

People

Constraining Australian continental deformation through seismic anisotropy

Project to analyse the pattern of seismic anisotropy beneath the continent utilising data from temporary broadband networks deployed across Australia

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Potential

People

Dr Caroline M. Eakin

Imaging lithosphere structures of the Earth’s hidden continent, Zealandia

Zealandia, the Earth’s hidden continent submerged in the southwest Pacific Ocean, is the youngest and thinnest geological continent in the world. Yet, how this continent is formed remains to be further explored, mostly due to a poor understanding of its sub-surface structure.

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Potential

People

Mathematical Geophysics

Earth’s internal structure and processes, which cannot be observed directly, must be inferred from data that can be collected at (or above) Earth’s surface. Our research in Mathematical Geophysics at ANU attempts to address the question of `How to do this?' `How robust are the results? '.

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Potential

People

Professor Malcolm Sambridge

Novel approaches to geophysical inversion

We wish to understand the Earth’s internal structure and processes, but we cannot observe these directly: everything must be inferred from data that can be collected at (or above) Earth’s surface. This project explores novel mathematical and computational methods for solving these challenging problems.