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2017 IRIS Undergraduate Interns

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Travis_Alongi

Travis_Alongi- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Refining slab geometry & geodynamic models of the tonga subduction zone Institution: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Host: Dr. Donna Blackman

Project Description:(Click to expand)

The primary object of the the project is improving understanding of subducting Tonga slab geometry by analyzing intermediate depth (70 - 300)km earthquakes. The project will specifically be focused on PS and SP waves converted at the slab surface. Precise location of the slab geometry will allow for better thermal models of the slab surface leading to better understanding intermediate-depth seismogenesis.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: DI51C-0320: Refining the Tonga Slab Geometry Using Slab Phases of Seismic Waves

Juan_Acevedo

Juan_Acevedo- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Seismic Anisotropy beneath Alaska as Constrained by Shear Wave Splitting Analysis Institution: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Host: Dr. Kelly Liu

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Shear wave splitting analysis is a common method used by geophysicists in studying structural seismology. The main purpose behind shear wave splitting is to study anisotropy present at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) as shear waves travel through the outer core and split up into their different radial and transverse components in the mantle. The splitting of the P-to-S converted phases along the CMB will have a specific polarization that can aid in determining the splitting parameters such as polarization direction of the fast wave and the splitting time between the fast and slow waves. The purpose of this study is to identify any anisotropy present at the CMB beneath Alaska where the Pacific plate is subducting underneath the North American plate. Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: DI43B-0359 Seismic Anisotropy beneath Alaska Constrained by Shear Wave Splitting Analysis

Alexandra_Allen

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Project Title: The anatomy of seismogenic faults in western Oklahoma Institution: University of Oklahoma, Host: Dr. Xiaowei Chen

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S31C-0827 Source Parameters and Rupture Directivities of Earthquakes Within the Mendocino Triple Junction

James_Atterholt

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Project Title: Attenuation model using Large-N seismic data for the Source Physics Experiment (SPE) Institution: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Host: Dr(s). Ting Chen and Cathy Snelson

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Over the period of one month, vertical and three-component seismic sensors recorded a large, underground, chemical explosion, hammer shots and ambient noise as part of the Source Physics Experiment (SPE). The ultimate goal of SPE is to produce a robust model which characterizes low yield nuclear tests to help discern these tests from other seismic activity. I will be working on creating an energy attenuation model using data from a portion of phase I (sources in hard rock geology) of the experiment. As of now, the method will be to use MATLAB to identify and measure variations in amplitude and frequency shifts recorded by the array during the experiment. I will then use these measurements to perform inversions which will yield a 2D (and possibly 3D) attenuation structure of the events. My work will then be combined with that of others working on the SPE to update and refine predictive models produced prior to data collection. The integration of predictive modeling and experimental data collection is what makes SPE unique from other experiments with a similar purpose.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S33A-0840 Attenuation Model Using the Large-N Array from the Source Physics Experiment

jonah_bartrand

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Project Title: Determination of Seismic Wave Scattering Using Translational and Rotational Seismology Data Institution: Sandia National Labs, Host: Dr. Rob Abbott

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Using three-component rotational and translational seismometers, we hope to generate a scattering map across an underground nuclear collapse chimney and determine the relationship between the degree of scattering and the location of the wavefront path relative to the chimney location.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S21A-0691 Using Co-located Rotational and Translational Ground-Motion Sensors to Characterize Seismic Scattering in the P-Wave Coda

Shane_Cronin

Shane_Cronin- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Assessing the Effectiveness of 4D Seismic Data in Characterizing an Enhanced Geothermal System: An Example with Conventional Seismic Data and DAS Institution: Colorado School of Mines , Host: Dr. Whitney Trainor-Guitton

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Characterizing how well distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) data can monitor the movement of hydrothermal fluids associated with the enhanced geothermal system at Brady's Natural Lab, and comparing this to traditional seismic data. I will expand this after talking to Whitney this week. It sounds like we may be adjusting a fair amount of the project...

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: H43E-1693 Integration of DAS (distributed acoustic sensing) vertical seismic profile and geostatistically modeled lithology data to characterize an enhanced geothermal system.

Claire_Doody

Claire_Doody- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Long-Period Seismic Noise Characterization from Locally induced Meteorological Events Institution: Albuquerque Seismological Labratory , Host: Dr. David Wilson

Project Description:(Click to expand)

My research focuses on constraining the degree of thermal variability a seismometer can experience before sensor output and sensor self-noise get driven off scale. Through this, we hope to better understand best practices for sensor installation to limit thermal noise sources.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S11C-0610 Effects of Thermal Variability on Broadband Seismometers: Controlled Experiments, Observations, and Implications

Gabriel_Ferragut

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Project Title: New Methodologies for Structural Imaging with Earthquake Data; with the Canadian Shield as a test case Institution: Stanford University , Host: Dr. Simon Klemperer

Project Description:(Click to expand)

The goal of this project is to compare Moho depth results using the relatively new method of Virtual Deep Seismic Sounding (VDSS) with the traditional P-wave receiver function method results using the records from Yellowknife Array in Canada. The VDSS method uses teleseismic S-waves that convert to P-waves when they encounter the free surface in the region of the array. These P-waves reflect back downward, and then reflect up again from the Moho where they are detected. Thus they look like a P-wave source from the surface, but are actually from 1000's of km away, hence the name virtual. These two methods can produce different measurements of Moho topography and the aim of this research is to understand where the discrepancy is coming from.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S31B-0808 Significant Variation of Post-critical SsPmp Amplitude as a Result of Variation in Near-surface Velocity: Observations from the Yellowknife Array

Anant_Hariharan

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Project Title: Exploring consistency in global tomography for the various scales of heterogeneity in the Earth’s mantle Institution: University of Maryland, College Park, Host: Dr(s). Pritwiraj "Raj" Moulik & Vedran Lekic

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Global tomography is a well-known technique used to probe the interior of the Earth; the images it generates have powerful use within Geodynamic models of large-scale Earth Processes, such as mantle convection and the subduction process. Over the last few decades, developments in computational power have helped create a range of tomographic models that have highlighted robust features within the interior of the Earth. However, these models may disagree on several key parameters, such as the values of elastic moduli within the Earth's Interior; this may in part be due to the fact that different global tomographic models draw upon different wavelengths to probe deep Earth structure. Here, I compare these models using a range of methods to understand where they differ, as part of a larger effort working towards a full, 3-D Reference Earth Model.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: DI31A-0389 Probing Mantle Heterogeneity Across Spatial Scales

Liam_Kenefic

Liam_Kenefic- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Detection and Analysis of Repeating Earthquakes Using Cascadia Initiative Amphibious Network Data Institution: New Mexico Tech, Host: Dr. Sue Bilek

Project Description:(Click to expand)

The Cascadian Subduction Zone (CSZ) is an interesting location as there are very few detected earthquakes. Most subduction zones, like the one in Japan and Chile, have many large earthquakes reaching magnitudes of 9.0 and higher. Thus, the CSZ has been a site of intense study. Previous studies have suggested that the boundary is most likely segmented along-strike, however, variations in frictional conditions in the CSZ fault zone are not well known. Recently oceanic seismometers were placed over and around the plate interface and seismogenic zone on the seafloor. This data set, called the Cascadian Initiative Amphibious Network, provides more data for events that can't be detected by land-based seismometers. I will be using a subspace detection method (SDM) to find new events that are occurring on the CSZ through the data collected by the sea-floor seismometers. SDM uses a family of templates to better detect and match new events. I will then remove any potential events not seen as a real event by visually inspecting the results. Following this, I will attempt to locate the earthquakes to discern if they occur on the megathrust zone or on smaller faults. If they occur on the megathrust the locations will inform us where seismic patches are, improving our understanding of the plate boundaries heterogeneity. (Edit: I will no longer be locating events. Due to time constraints, events will be located after I leave NMT)

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: T51E-0532 Detection of Repeating Earthquakes within the Cascadia Subduction Zone Using 2013-2014 Cascadia Initiative Amphibious Network Data

Alexis_Klimasewski

Alexis_Klimasewski- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Adding Material Properties Into Estimates of Ground Shaking from Earthquakes Institution: USGS - Menlo Park, Host: Dr. Valerie Sahakian

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs) are empirical equations used to estimate ground shaking from an earthquake. GMPEs are essential for seismic hazard analysis so it is important to reduce uncertainties in the equations in order for predictions to be as accurate as possible. GMPEs include source, path, and site terms. This summer, I will investigate how the path terms correlate with t*, a seismic attenuation parameter which measures how much high frequency energy decays over the path. The goal is to see if incorporating a t* term into the GMPEs reduces the error.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S41B-0754 Path spectra derived from inversion of source and site spectra for earthquakes in Southern California

Claire_Richardson

Claire_Richardson- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Probing the Earth’s lowermost mantle using broadband data recorded in Australia Institution: The Australian National University, Host: Dr. Hrvoje Tkalčić

Project Description:(Click to expand)

This summer, I will be working with a research group at the Australian National University using ScS-S travel times to image the core-mantle boundary (CMB), using a Bayesian framework and data recorded in Australia. The aim of this project is to characterize heterogeneities in the lowermost layer of the mantle, which includes partial melting, anisotropy, and thermal and chemical heterogeneities.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: DI31A-0384 Transdimensional Bayesian tomography of the lowermost mantle from shear waves

Theresa_Sawi

Theresa_Sawi- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Wavefields! Advances in Cross-correlation and Relative Earthquake Location using the IRIS Community Dataset in Oklahoma Institution: Southern Methodist University, Host: Dr. Heather DeShon

Project Description:(Click to expand)

I'll be analyzing six months of waveform data from Northern Oklahoma in order to compile a catalog of local earthquakes during that time period. The goal is to better understand the sources and processes associated with induced seismicity in the region.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S23C-0833 Imaging fault structure using cross-correlation and relative earthquake location from the IRIS Wavefields community dataset in Oklahoma

Abraham_Wallace

Abraham_Wallace- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Interrogating Strain and Deformation beneath Mount St. Helens Volcano, Washington Institution: University of Washington, Host: Dr. Erin Wirth

Project Description:(Click to expand)

I'm working at the University of Washington, studying Mount St. Helens, using data collected from the iMUSH project with Dr. Erin Wirth. (check out imush.org for more information!) We're going to perform a shear-wave splitting analysis on the seismic data, with the hopes of determining the state of deformation and strain of the mountain.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: 294-4 Shear Wave Splitting Observations Beneath Mount St. Helens Volcano, Washington

Brittany_Washington

Brittany_Washington- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Identifying, cataloging and characterizing unusual seismic signals recorded by an ocean bottom array in Southern Ocean in order to determine their origin. Institution: University of Maryland, College Park, Host: Dr(s). Vedran Lekic and Nick Schmerr

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Although the title is self explanatory, here's a little detail of my project: I have to figure out the source of some of these unusual seismic activity. What motion gave rise to the EQ's, figure out where the EQ has happened and then break them into categories like biological, volcanic, , or local EQ's.

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation: S21C-0734 Characterizing the Seismic Ocean Bottom Environment of the Bransfield Strait

Michael_Hubenthal

Michael_Hubenthal- Read Blog Entries

Project Title: Institution: , Host:

Project Description:(Click to expand)

Communicating Science to a Non-scientist Project(?):

Fall AGUMeeting Presentation:

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