Recent news posted to the IRIS Internship website. http://www.iris.edu/internship 2012-01-17T12:49:28-05:00 IRIS Internship http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/alumni_receives_ssas_student_presentation_award

Annually, the Seismological Society of America (SSA) recognizes excellence in student research with its Student Presentation Award.  This year's list of eight recipients includes IRIS Internship alumni Justin Brown (Class of 2004).  Justin was recognized for his continued efforts to better understand factors that influence Tremor (abstract below).  Congratulations Justin! Justin was also recognized by the SSA community with a previous Student Presentation Award in 2008.  Be sure to browse the lists of past recipients when visiting the SSA website as other program alumni have also won this award.   Factors Influencing Tremor Occurrence in Subduction Zones BROWN, J. R., Stanford University, Stanford, CA, jrbrown5@stanford.edu; BEROZA, G. C., Stanford University, Stanford, CA, beroza@stanford.edu Tectonic tremor from multiple circum-Pacific subduction zones has been shown to consist of repeating low frequency earthquakes on the plate interface. Tremor/LFE occurrence in some areas exhibits episodic behavior down-dip of previous great mega-thrust earthquakes suggesting that the tremor may delimit the lower edges of large earthquake rupture. We investigate where and why tremor does (and does not) occur. We compare observations of LFE locations in five subduction zones: southwest Japan, Cascadia, Alaska-Aleutian Arc, Costa Rica and Mexico. We compare the LFE location patterns among the five areas with subduction parameters such as incoming sediment thickness, plate age, convergence rate and temperature. A preliminary conclusion is that temperature exerts a strong influence on LFE depth; warmer subduction zones (e.g. southwest Japan, Cascadia) experience tremor activity around 30-40 km depth, whereas cooler subduction zones (e.g. the Alaska-Aleutian Arc) experience tremor between 45-55 km depth. In addition, sediment thickness seems to play little to no role in tremor/LFE depths. This may be attributable to the amount of shear and chemical alterations that occur in the primary seismogenic zone up-dip from the tremor zone.

2012-01-17T12:49:28-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2011_intern_missed_agu_but_made_it_to_the_south_pole_or_nearly

Piage Czoski, an undergraduate at New Mexico Tech (NMT) and 2011 IRIS Intern, is just back from conducting research for her senior thesis in Antarctica. She arrived to Mc Murdo Station in late November and spent much of her time working on Mt. Erebus. Mt. Erebus ( 3,794 m in elevation) is the southern most active volcano located on Ross Island. Mt. Erebus has a lava lake that continuously experiences Strombolian eruptions in which large gas bubbles bursts at the surface of the lake throwing lava as far into the air. Czoski deployed six infrasound (sound that is below the human realm of hearing... less then 20 Hertz) microphones in a 30 m radius, spoke-wheel like pattern to better characterize signals coming from different sources on Mt. Erebus. While there are already some permanent infrasound sensors on Mt. Erebus, this array with its small aperture and geometry, will allow Czoski to differentiate signals much more accurately to determine the different sources. Czoski anticipates being able to identify and locate eruptions from the lava lake, ash eruptions out of another vent, rock falls from the crater rim, and perhaps ice quakes from glaciers breaking.

2012-01-12T10:58:24-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/workshop_for_advanced_graduate_students_and_post-docs_-_cider

Advanced graduate students and post-docs: Come to the CIDER 2012 summer lecture and tutorial program, July 15th- August 10th to improve your understanding of geoscience disciplines other than your specialty and engage in multi-disciplinary research. This year's CIDER summer program main theme is:"Deep Time: How did early Earth become our modern world?" Lectures and Researchers at more senior levels: Come to any part of the summer program, interact with colleagues from other disciplines; bring your collaborators to work on burgeoning plans to develop collaborative projects in a stimulating environment away from your office and everyday woes. Apply NOW: http://www.deep-earth.org/summer12.shtml ****Application deadline: February 1, 2012***** More information can be found on the program website. Sponsored by NSF/FESD program

2012-01-04T08:34:02-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/usgs_mendenhall_postdoc_exploring_fault_slip_modes_in_alaska_and_the_aleuti

We seek a postdoctoral Fellow to study ‘slow’ to ‘fast’ fault slip in Alaska and along the Aleutian arc, which are home to a 2500 km span of subduction zone and one of the world’s most prominent volcanic arcs. These major plate boundaries have hosted episodes of aseismic slip and tremor and an extraordinarily high rate of large earthquakes, providing the opportunity to examine directly spatial and temporal connections between slow slip and earthquakes. Moreover, traversing Alaska and the Aleutian arc samples subduction beneath oceanic, transitional, and continental lithosphere of varying ages, permitting exploration of the range of physical properties under which these processes occur. The Fellow’s research will quantify the occurrence and extent of tremor using the seismic networks of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) and the Alaska Earthquake Information Center. The Fellow also may investigate ties between tremor and aseismic slip, earthquakes, volcanic activity and deep subduction zone processes using Plate Boundary Observatory and AVO GPS data, and other data types. The Fellow may participate in scientific preparations for the 2015 arrival of NSF’s USArray and complementary Flexible Array and other studies, NSF’s GeoPRISMs program, and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program drilling along the northern-most Aleutian trench in 2012. The Duty Station is Anchorage or Seattle. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or an equivalent degree. Research Advisors include Stephanie Prejean and Peter Haeussler (USGS Volcano Sci. Ctr., Anchorage AK); Joan Gomberg (USGS Earthquake Sci. Ctr., Seattle WA); Doug Christensen and Jeffrey Freymueller (Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks AK). Contact Stephanie Prejean, sprejean@usgs.gov or Joan Gomberg, gomberg@usgs.gov. For program information see http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/. APPLICATIONS DUE February 21, 2012.

2012-01-03T10:31:30-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/opportunity_for_graduate_and_advanced_undergrad_students_sail_on_the_r

The following comes from W. Steven Holbrook at the University of Wyoming. Three alumni of our program are currently enrolled in the department (Austin Andrus 09', Eric Everson 07' & Katie Foster 09') as graduate students.   We announce an opportunity for students and early-career scientists to sail on the R/V Marcus G. Langseth in July 2012 on a 10-day cruise on the Cascadia continental margin off Grays Harbor, Washington. We will collect approximately 1000 km of 2D seismic reflection data, with the goal of improving knowledge of subduction processes and the location of the downgoing plate boundary. Berths for approximately 12 additional students/scientists will be available. The cruise is scheduled for July 12-23, 2012, though these dates could change up to one week in either direction; applicants should possess sufficient flexibility in their schedule to accommodate this uncertainty and must arrive in port at least one day prior to sailing. Travel funds will be provided to and from the port of departure (Astoria, Oregon). The goal of this call for open participation is to help expand the Langseth user base by providing opportunities for students and scientists to directly experience at-sea acquisition of marine seismic data. Participants must have a strong interest in learning field techniques in reflection seismology and be willing to work long hours at sea assisting in data acquisition and processing. Eligible applicants include graduate students and early-career scientists in fields related to marine seismology; in rare cases, senior-level undergraduates may also be eligible. Preference will be given to employees of U.S. institutions. All seismic reflection data will be made publicly available shortly following the cruise. Applications should be sent electronically by Jan. 31, 2012, to Dr. W. Steven Holbrook (steveh@uwyo.edu) and should include a 2-page CV and a personal statement (not to exceed 500 words) describing the applicant's experience in marine geophysics and motivation for participating in this expedition. Applicants who will be graduate students during summer 2012 must include a letter of support from their advisor. Participants will be ranked by the Marcus Langseth Science Oversight Committee, in consultation with the project PI's (listed below). Applicants will be notified by March 31, 2012. W. Steven Holbrook, University of Wyoming Graham Kent, University of Nevada Anne Trehu, Oregon State University Katie Keranen, University of Oklahoma Paul Johnson, University of Washington

2011-12-15T11:53:27-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/dont_miss_the_9th_annual_alumni_reunion_at_agu

All alumni of the program, regardless of their year of participation, are encouraged to attend this celebration!  The event is located only a few short blocks from the AGU meeting! 

2011-11-15T09:42:28-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/catch-up_with_the_iris_interns_at_agu

The culmination of each student’s internship experience with IRIS is the opportunity to present the results of their summer research. Most interns and their hosts choose to present at the Fall AGU meeting. This year, 13 of 15 interns will be presenting papers at AGU (the other two are presenting at SSA). To enable you to meet them and explore their research with them please download the attached 2011 IRIS Internship Paper Schedule.

2011-11-14T13:36:37-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/program_alumni_seeks_graduate_student_for_antarctic_fieldwork_and_eart

The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama seeks motivated students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in earthquake seismology. Support for two student research positions (1 MS, 1 PhD) is available starting Fall 2012 through an NSF-funded CAREER grant. Research projects will focus on characterizing the seismic structure beneath the northern Transantarctic Mountains. Prior research experience and computer programming skills are beneficial. Students must be willing and able to participate in several seasons of Antarctic fieldwork. For more information, please contact Dr. Samantha Hansen (shansen@geo.ua.edu). PS> Dr. Hansen was an IRIS intern in 1999!

2011-11-09T08:20:13-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/alumni_opportunity_dont_miss_the_3rd_annual_iris_early_career_breakfast_at_

Are you an "Early Career" seismologist & interested in IRIS? IRIS welcomes any post docs to pre-tenure faculty to join us for breakfast to discuss ways in which IRIS can support you with your research and educational endeavors. When: Tuesday, December 6 at 7AM RSVP & More Info: contact Leslie@iris.edu *RSVP By November 28*

2011-10-31T12:03:40-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/are_you_the_next_alumni_mentor_for_the_iris_undergraduate_internship_p

Currently, we are seeking an alumni of the program to serve as the next Alumni Mentor for the program. This alumnus, a student advanced in a PhD program, will provide general support and assist instructionally during the orientation week. Throughout the following summer and fall the Alumni Mentor will monitor intern blogs and our Facebook group to offer technical suggestions to individual research and also pose thoughtful and challenging questions that help ensure interns continue to make progress with their research through the summer. The Alumni Mentor will receive a stipend of $2000/year, full travel support to attend the internship orientation as well as partial funding to attend the annual Fall AGU meeting. If you are interested in learning more about the alumni mentor position, please contact Rob Porritt (rob at seismo.berkeley.edu) or Michael Hubenthal (hubenth @ iris.edu) for more information or to express your interest in the position.

2011-09-22T07:54:30-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2011_best_blogger_award_goes_to

With votes form all of the 2011 interns now cast, the 2011 Best Blogger Award goes to Sara Kowalke!  Competition this year was stiff as the runner-up spot was a tie between Ado for her impressive prose and Neesha for her "figure-rich" reflections on detecting tremor.  Other notable blogs include Caroline B's winning of the "Porritt Award" for prolific posting and Dylan's lengthy "mini-stories" about life on the river.  Please join me in congratulating Sara, the runners-up and all the interns for an excellent summer of research!  We, both the IRIS Internship and broader seismological communities can't wait to see your presentations at this fall's AGU meeting.

2011-08-15T12:27:55-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/aaas_office_of_public_programs_to_deliver_webinar_to_interns_7_7_11

Communicating your summer's research with a non-scientist audience (July 7, 2011) This session, presented by Tiffany Lohwater (AAAS Public Engagement Manager), will focus on how to communicate scientific research to a non-scientific audience. Concepts will include: the challenges and opportunities of science communication; understanding your audience and their interests; developing your research messages; and choosing language and visuals. Following the session interns will apply their new understanding by creating either a short presentation or news article about the research they are currently conducting. After receiving feedback from the AAAS staff, presentations/articles will be updated at the end of the summer and delivered by students as either mini-talks at their home departments weekly seminar series or as an article in the deparment's newsletter. 

2011-07-07T09:36:38-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/sit_07_receives_outstanding_student_paper_award_from_agu_seismology_section

Stefany Sit was recently recognized by the AGU Seismolgy section for her paper submitted to the 2010 Fall AGU meeting "Quantifying NVT in southern Mexico and its apparent lack of correltation with slow slip".  Stefany's work on tremor began in 2007 when she was an IRIS intern and placed at Miami of Ohio to work with Dr. Mike Brudzinski.  Since then she has continued study tremmor with Brudzinski and is and is currenly enrolled in the PhD program at Miami of Ohio.  Please join us in congratulating Stefany!

2011-06-16T10:05:45-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/winner_of_the_t-shirt_deisgn_competition

The winner of this year's alumni T-shirt design competition was Cate Fox-Lent (2003). After participating in the IRIS internship program Cate received her B.S. in Geoloical Sciences from Brown University in 2005. Currently, Cate is a high school science teacher in Austin, TX. Congratulations Cate! For her efforts, she will receive a t-shirt as well as an iTunes gift card. The second place winner, Megan Torpey (2010), will also receive a gift card.  A special thanks to the sponsor of the T-shirt design competition! The design (above) was inspired by Cate's submission and features a record section from the Honshu earthquake that occurred on March 11th, 2011. Waveforms ( 0.01 − 0.05 Hz BHZ ) from stations between 40 and 100 degrees were aligned on the S-phase to create a visually interesting stack. This section was then used to create a seismological "spoof" of the English post-punk band Joy Division's debut album, released in 1979. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_Pleasures) The time series data on the original album cover featured successive pulses from the first pulsar discovered PSR B1919+21 but I like the seismograms much better! We will hold a t-shirt design competion again next year, so start thinking of your ideas now.  You could be the winner next year!    

2011-06-09T09:47:26-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2011_internship_orientation_underway

This week, May 30 to June 4th, the 2011 class of IRIS interns have gathered in Socorro, NM. This orientation week is designed to help the interns get to know one another and to provide them with an opportunity to learn the basics of seismology and computer programming. The week kicked off with a welcome dinner, bonfire and a number of get to know you activities. Day one of the program featured the deployment of 3 broadband seismographs behind the PASSCAL Instrument Center and an introduction to various seismology topics. Many thanks to Pnina Miller and the other staff who helped make the deployments run smoothly. Following this classroom sessions provided an introduction to the Grand Challenges seismology faces in the next decade (Rick Aster, NMT), an introduction to Earth's structure (Glenn Kroeger, Trinity U.) as well as an introduction to the realities of graduate school (Rob Porrit, a program alumnus & PhD student at Berkley). In addition to time in the classroom the group has also had several opportunities to get out into the field and see both the micro scale (from visiting faults) to the macro scale (a view of regional volcanism and rifting from about ~11,000ft).  We even squeezed in sometime at the NMT driving range   Lots more to go in the next two days of the week!  

2011-06-02T07:38:03-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/kluskiewicz_09_awarded_nsf_graduate_research_fellowship

Daniel Kluskiewicz, a graduate of Penn State University (2010), was recently awarded a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to support his graduate work at the University of Washington.  Kluskiewicz participated in the IRIS Internship program during the summer of 2009 where he worked with Shad O'Neel of the United States Geological Survey and the University of Alaska in Fairbanks to deploy an array of seismometers and time-lapse cameras around the Yahtse Glacier in South-central Alaska. He then used the seismic data he collected, along with video footage and first-hand observations of the glacier's activity, to characterize the seismicity of different types of glacier events and automate methods of detection and analysis. Congratulations Dan!    The NSF GRSP program is a excellent opportunity for funding your graduate education.  Thus, I would strongly encourage all our alumni to consider applying. 

2011-04-14T19:13:37-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/welcome_class_of_2011

The IRIS undergraduate internship program is pleased to announce the 2011 internship class! Below is a listing of all students accepted into this year's program.  Their summer placements have been finalized and the interns are now in the process of finalizing the details of their summer experiences with their hosts.    Name Institution Major Elizabeth Abbott  Harvard College Earth and Planetary Science Caroline Bartlett Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Physics/Mathematics Kelsey Brunner The College of New Jersey Physics & Earth Science Paige Czoski New Mexico Tech Earth Science Jonathan Delph Arizona State University Earth and Space Exploration Brady Flinchum University of Nevada, Reno Geophysics Lisa Kant University of Puget Sound Geology/Math Lindsey Kenyon Michigan Technological University Geology Sara Kowalke San Diego State University Geological Sciences Kimberly McCormack University of South Carolina Geophysics/Marine Science Dylan Meyer Eckerd College Marine Science/Geophysics Adonara Mucek University of Hawai'i at Manoa Geology/Geophysics Neesha Schnepf Cornell University Science of Earth Systems Caroline Webb Brown University Geology & Physics/Math Dwight Williams Morehouse College Physics/Electrical Engineering  

2011-04-04T19:09:53-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/t-shirt_design_competition_for_alumni

Calling alumni of the IRIS Internship Program! Now is your chance to grab fame and fortune by submtting a design idea for the 2011 Internship T-Shirt. Who is eligible: All alumni of the internship program What: Submit a design featuring your own original work (either scientific or artistic) for a "seismology" T-shirt.  Even if you can only sketch out your idea as stick figures, you can participate as IRIS has a graphics artist on staff to turn great ideas into polished products. When: All designs must be received by April 30th, 2011 How: Ideas must be sent to Michael Hubenthal at hubenth@iris.edu  Concepts will be evaluted based on their ability to be transitioned into a final product. What do you win: Well, besides the envy of your peers, you will also receive a complimentary copy of the final T-shirt and a posting to the internship website to commorate your victory!  Thanks: We would like to thank Noble Energy for their gracious donation of funding for this year's shirts! As an example, last year's T-shirt design (above) features the work of Scott Burdick and colleagues. Scott was an IRIS intern in 2005 and is currently a PhD student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Other past designs are featured below... 2009 2008 2007 2006

2011-03-30T14:09:40-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/two_great_fieldcamp_opportunities_from_gsa_exxon

Program 1. GSA and ExxonMobil are excited to announce the third annual Field Seminar in the Bighorn Basin of north-central Wyoming, which will emphasize multi-disciplinary integrated basin analysis. An all-expenses paid field camp (through an award) in Wyoming from July 31 - Aug. 5, run by the GSA, sponsored by Exxon Mobil. Deadline: APRIL 1st.   Program 2. GSA and ExxonMobil are excited to announce a new award for undergraduate students to attend summer field camp. Twelve students will be awarded $2,000 each to attend the field camp of their choice based on diversity, economic/financial need, and merit. Deadline: APRIL 15th. Learn more here!  

2011-03-25T07:26:22-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/opportunity_for_program_alumni_dynamics_of_mountain_building_summer_worksho

Cooperative Institute for Dynamic Earth Research (CIDER) Workshop: Tutorial and workshop for advanced graduate students and post-docs. The goal is to familiarize participants with the tools of geochemistry, geodynamics, mineral and rock physics and seismology that are used for understanding mountain belt formation. There will be formal lectures by prominent faculty members from different institutions and different fields, and hands on exercises. During Week 2, small interdisciplinary groups will be formed around research topics chosen by the participants. The groups will develop the project, the results of which will be presented at the end of the program. Location: This summer program will be held at the University of California in Berkeley, CA, USA. It is supported by NSF/CSEDI program. To learn more visit the CIDER workshop page.

2011-01-31T10:23:27-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/dont_be_left_out

The IRIS Undergraduate Internship Program is accepting applications for our 2011 internship class.  Act now as the February 1 deadline to apply is quickly approaching! We are waiting to fill our fourteen slots  with qualified applicants just like you!   Learn more, apply now, or share this link with others http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/about

2011-01-24T11:35:12-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/geothermal_geothermal_research_fellowship_opportunity_at_u._of_nevada_

The goal of the fellowship program is to encourage outstanding students to pursue graduate degrees in geoscience and engineering fields related to geothermal energy.  The Fellowship award provides tuition support, health insurance, and an annual stipend of $26,000 for living expenses for pursuit of full-time graduate study and thesis/dissertation research. The award is renewable for additional years, pending satisfactory progress. Support is limited to two years for MS students and four years for PhD students.  http://www.unr.edu/geothermal/GeothermalFellowship.htm Criteria: The graduate fellowship stipend will be competitively awarded based on undergraduate preparation and GPA, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation provided with the application to graduate school at UNR. Applicants must be US citizens. The student must be accepted into a graduate MS or PhD degree program at UNR in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, Graduate Program in Hydrological Sciences or one of the Departments in the College of Engineering. In addition to all application materials required by the home department submitted directly to the department or the graduate school, the candidate will need to provide a personal essay describing career goals and a letter of recommendation from a UNR faculty member willing to supervise the candidate. The essay and faculty letter should outline a proposed thesis/dissertation project relevant to the discovery, production, or use of geothermal energy resources and should be forwarded directly to the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy (geothermal@mines.unr.edu). These awards will be highly competitive as we expect to fund only two students to begin studies in Fall 2011. Full Fellowship Application will be posted at www.unr.edu/geothermal. IMPORTANT NOTE: Departmental deadlines must be adhered to and typically occur prior to the deadline for this Fellowship. Make certain that Departmental materials are submitted to your preferred graduate program prior to completing your geothermal fellowship application. Graduate Fellowship materials are due to GBCGE on March 1, 2011!

2010-12-20T08:39:19-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2010_interns_papers_at_agu

The presentation of research results at a professional meeting, like AGU, continues to be a corner stone of the IRIS Internship program.  Not only does this process provide closure to the reseach phase of the program but it also provides the interns with, an opportunity to interact with other students and researchers about their work, an exposure to the fullness of Earth science research as a viable career option, and numerous networking opportunities with internship alumni and potential graduate advisors. This year 13 intern papers will be presented at AGU and one paper has already been presented at the SCEC annual meeting.  A listing of the 2010 IRIS Intern Papers at AGU can be downloaded here.

2010-11-23T11:03:45-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/announcing_the_8th_annual_iris_internship_reception_agu

2010-11-16T15:16:31-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/now_accepting_student_applicatinos_for_summer_2011

Are you an undergraduate physics, math or geoscience major interested in working on a seismological research project this summer? If so, consider applying to the IRIS Summer Undergraduate Internship Program! Through the program you will spend 8 to 10 weeks working on a seismological research project with researchers at an IRIS member institution. Research projects may involve the deployment of seismic instruments in the field (within the US or internationally), and/or analyses of seismic data in a lab setting with the ultimate goal of producing results to be presented at a national scientific meeting. Each project will provide you with ample opportunities to: conduct research with state-of-the-art geophysical data and leading researchers at IRIS institutions develop an understanding of scientific inquiry, including designing and conducting scientific investigations, defending scientific arguments, and preparing publications gather, manage, and convey information, using various skills, strategies, resources, and learn, use, and evaluate technologies for the collection and study of geophysical data. Your summer research project will culminate with the opportunity to experience the exciting atmosphere of a professional meeting, while presenting your results. Learn more about the program by browsing the site or to apply

2010-11-09T15:15:04-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/phd_scholarships_in_geophysics_at_victoria_university_of_wellington

The Institute of Geophysics, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand announces PhD scholarship opportunities at our university. We have several seismological projects of interest for which we would like to guide a PhD student: 1) Studies of the Sept. 4 2010, M=7.2 Darfield earthquake near Christchurch, New Zealand. An enormous amount of data has been collected and is being collected on this earthquake and its aftershock sequence. We will be studying aspects including the anisotropic velocity structure in the region and time varying seismic properties related to the earthquake. The project involves investigators in New Zealand and the United States. 2) We are in the early stages of an international collaborative project involving investigators from New Zealand, Japan and the United States to study the subduction zone structure under the Wellington region, North Island, New Zealand. The aim is to determine the material properties of interfaces (especially the subduction interface) at various depths, to try to understand the properties in a locked subduction zone. This project will combine active onshore-offshore seismic experiments (explosions and airgun sources) with passive (earthquake) recordings using short period and broadband recorders. 3) Ongoing studies of the Alpine Fault in the South Island are continuing, with recent success in funding for a project that will drill a 1 km deep borehole to study fault zone properties and their change with depth of exhumation. If you are interested in any of these projects, please contact Martha Savage. The application deadline is 1 November 2010 and the application is free of charge. Successful scholarship students from any country will receive a NZ$21,000 stipend and will not have to pay tuition fees. Further details including grant proposals are available upon request to Professor Martha Savage, martha.savage@vuw.ac.nz.

2010-10-18T13:01:36-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2010_-_2011_minority_recriument_speakers_announced

Each year, the IRIS Undergraduate Internship Program sends almuni of its program to the physics departments of minority serving institutions to promote both the field of seismology as a career option as well as the IRIS Internship program as a path to such a career.  We are pleased to announce that the 2010-2011 talks will be delivered by the following alumni Justin Brown (2004) Sandra Saldana (2005) Stephen Hernandez (2009) For more information on this program or a description of each speakers talk, please see the main page. If your institution is interested in hosting one of these speakers please contact us as we are booking venues now!

2010-09-27T07:59:52-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/virtual_poster_competition_for_undergraduates

The Journal of Young Investigators, the premier science journal for undergraduates, is hosting a Virtual Poster Session competition. Entries will be accepted until November 19, 2010. Interested students should make a video of themselves discussing a scientific poster and upload their submission to YouTube. Details about the competition, the prizes and the official entry form, can be found at http://www.jyi.org/competitions/virtual_poster_2010/. Last year's participants and winning entries can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/JYIJournal.

2010-09-16T07:12:35-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/program_alumnis_research_featured_on_2010_t-shirt_design

This year's internship T-shirt design features the work of Scott Burdick et al.'s P-wave tomography using data from regional and teleseismic distances. Scott was an IRIS intern in 2005 working with George Zandt at the University of Arizona and is currently a PhD student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  The dataset used to create the slice featured on the T-shirt includes USArray and TA data.  As the array moves east Burdick et al. plan to update the model leading to a high-resolution image of upper mantle structure beneath the U.S. Reference: Burdick, S., et. al., Seismological Research Letters, 79(3), 384-392, May/June 2008. http://web.mit.edu/~sburdick/www/tomography.html

2010-09-07T10:31:04-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/funding_opportunity_nsf_graduate_research_fellowship_program_grfp

The GRFP provides 3 years of Fellowship support to our nation’s best future scientists and engineers who seek research-based masters or PhD degrees in the science and engineering fields supported by NSF. The award includes a $30,000 per fellowship year stipend to the student, and a $10,500 fellowship year cost-of-education allowance to the graduate institution they will choose to attend. Undergraduates in their senior year and graduate students in the first or second year of their programs are generally eligible to apply. 2010 IRIS interns and alumni of the program interested in graduate school should consider applying.  More details and the deadlines (in mid November) can be found here http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201

2010-09-03T11:49:47-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/preparing_for_the_2010_fall_agu_meeting

For many of the interns summer is winding down and they are in their final weeks of their research.  As a result, they and their advisors are working with an eye towards the 2010 Fall AGU meeting.  This meeting will be held in San Francisco, CA on December 13 to the 17.  What this isn't for several months, the  deadline for submitting an abstract to present at the conference is due on September 2, 2010.  Details on the meeting including the scientific program and online abstract submission form are available from the AGU website. For our interns, this meeting represent a capstone opportunity as they present their research.   Additionally, it is an opportunity for alumni of the program to gather, celebrate this year's interns, and look to the future.

2010-08-06T05:44:13-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/orientation_wraps-up_and_research_begins

As ususal, the orientation week closed with a bonfire and BBQ in the beautiful San Lorenzo Canyon.  Hiking, eating, star gazing and stories of local (and inter-galactic) visitors to the region were pleasant diversions for the interns after intensive days of learning content and skills.  The next morning the interns all flew out from Albuquerque to begin their summer adventures.  Many traveling directly to their host institutions to begin their summer research while a few returned to their home institutions to wrap up finals.  As usual this year's program features a spectrum of research topics from the analysis of tremor to the acquisition of airgun data on the Mississippi River.  You can check out the progress of all of the interns by checking out their blogs.  To faciliate this, the homepage of the internship site features the Latest Blog Entries.

2010-06-16T11:50:08-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2010_internship_orientation_underway

This week, May 31 to June 5th, the 2010 class of IRIS interns have gathered in Socorro, NM.  This orientation week is designed to help them get to know one another and to provide them with an opportunity to learn the basics of seismology and computer programming.  The week kicked off with a welcome dinner, bonfire and a number of get to know you activities.  For example, below IRIS Interns were challenged to line up to create a human map of where they attend school during the year.   Day one of the program featured the deployment of 3 broadband seismographs behind the PASSCAL Instrument Center and an introduction to various seismology topics.  Many thanks to Pnina Miller and the other staff who helped make the deployments run smoothly. Following this classroom sessions provided an introduction to the Grand Challenges seismology faces in the next decade (Rick Aster, NMT), an introduction to Earth's structure (Seth Stein, Northwestern U.) as well as an introduction to the realities of graduate school (Rob Porrit, a program alumnus & PhD student at Berkley).  

2010-05-31T14:32:12-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/alumni_work_appears_in_the_journal_nature

Not one, but two! Amanda Thomas (2005), a PhD student at UC Berkeley and Danny Brothers (2003), a PhD student at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, have each recently had their work published in nature. Congratulations to both Amanda and Danny! Amanda and her colleagues have identified a robust correlation between extremely small, tidally induced shear stress parallel to the San Andreas fault and non-volcanic tremor activity near Parkfield, California. They suggest that this tremor represents shear failure on a critically stressed fault in the presence of near-lithostatic pore pressure. There are a number of similarities between tremor in subduction zone environments, such as Cascadia and Japan, and tremor on the deep San Andreas transform, suggesting that the results may also be applicable in other tectonic settings. Read the full abstract.       Danny and his colleagues have linked historical earthquakes on the southern section of California's famed San Andreas fault to ancient floods from the nearby Colorado River."We found quakes happened about every 100 to 200 years and were correlated with floods," says Brothers. "The Colorado River spills, loads the crust and then there is a rupture." Read about this work on the web or the full abstract.

2010-05-05T09:29:36-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/toasting_the_successes_of_the_past_and_a_bright_future_for_iris

Alumni, faculty hosts and supporters of the IRIS Internship program gathered with the 2009 internship class at the Le Charm Bistro in San Francisco to celebrate another successful year. The 7th Annual Alumni Reception was a wonderful opportunity for this years cohort to extend their networks and a great chance for alumni to catch-up with each other. Returning alumni spanned a range of years from 2002 to 2008. This vibrant and growing community represents a bright future for IRIS! More photos from the 2009 Fall AGU meeting are available in the 2009 Image Gallery

2010-05-05T09:25:56-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2009_iris_internship_program_at_the_fall_agu_meeting

This year, 12 IRIS interns will be presenting their research at the 2009 American Geophysical Union - Fall Meeting. We will celebrate their accomplishsments that the 7th Annual IRIS Undergraduate Internship Program Alumni Reception! Download the 2009 IRIS Intern presentation schedule for the Fall 2009 AGU Download the flyer for the 7th Annual IRIS Undergraduate Internship Program Alumni Reception This meeting, held in San Francisco, CA each December, is expected to draw a crowd of over 16,000 geophysicists from around the world. The Fall Meeting provides an opportunity for researchers, teachers, students, and consultants to present and review the latest issues affecting the Earth, the planets, and their environments in space. The opportunity for students to present their research results, meet peers and become part of the community of scientists continues to be a powerful component of the IRIS REU program. Whether you are looking for potential graduate students or are share an interest in a particular area of research, we encourage IRIS community members to stop by the posters and presentations of our interns.

2010-05-04T14:04:17-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/u.s._geoscience_salaries_continue_upward_climb

Salaries for all geoscience-related professions continue to exceed the national mean salary for all other science occupations in 2008. Petroleum engineering salaries averaged $119,400, and salaries for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) averaged $89,300. Salaries for environmental scientists and specialists averaged $65,280, just $1,000 over the national average for other science occupations. Source: AGI Geoscience Workforce Program, data derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, 1999-2008. http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/Currents/Currents-024-Salaries99-08.pdf

2010-05-04T14:04:10-05:00 http://www.iris.edu/hq/internship/rss/news/2008_program_alumni_wins_prestigious_geology_internship_in_washington_

Mollie Pettit, a duel mathematics and geology major in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University and 2008 IRIS Internship Alumni has recently been awarded with the prestigious American Geological Institute (AGI)/American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) fall semester internship in Geoscience Public Policy in Washington, D.C. Through this internship, Pettit will actively work with Congress and federal agencies to promote sound public policy in areas that affect geoscientists, including water, energy, mineral resources, geologic hazards, environmental protection, and federal funding for geoscience research and education. Interns will gain a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies. For more info on the AGI program please visit http://www.agiweb.org/gap/interns/internse.html

2010-05-04T13:54:35-05:00