Joint Inversion of Seismic Body and Surface Wave Data

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Earth Sciences

Abstract

Seismic imaging methods such as reflection profiling, wide-angle imaging, surface wave tomography, and teleseismic tomography have played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the architecture and physical properties of the lithosphere. However, a key challenge that remains is to unravel the structural relationship between the lower crust and adjacent lithospheric mantle; this is essential if we are to properly understand fundamental Earth processes such as continental growth, subduction, rifting, volcanism, delamination and mineralisation. Traditional imaging methods have struggled to address this issue due to the need to account for the Moho and the lack of datasets which can resolve both crustal and upper mantle structure. While several recent advances, including the joint inversion of multiple datasets and ambient noise imaging, have helped to address these challenges, considerable work is still required if we are to achieve a truly integrated view of the lithosphere.

The aim of this Project is to develop and apply methods for the joint inversion of body and surface wave data in order to image structure throughout the full thickness of the lithosphere, thereby achieving a greater understanding of the processes which shape the crust-upper mantle system. Full waveform inversion will be the primary tool used in this project, with an emphasis on integrating a range of different datasets, including local earthquake, teleseismic, ambient noise, and where possible active sources.

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509620/1 30/09/2016 29/09/2022
2073302 Studentship EP/N509620/1 30/09/2018 29/09/2022 Deborah Wehner
EP/R513180/1 30/09/2018 29/09/2023
2073302 Studentship EP/R513180/1 30/09/2018 29/09/2022 Deborah Wehner
 
Description Collaboration with ETH Zürich, ANU Canberra and BMKG Jakarta 
Organisation Australian National University (ANU)
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have established a year-long collaboration with researchers from Australia, Indonesia and Switzerland.
Collaborator Contribution The majority of the dataset used throughout my PhD was gathered in cooperation with ANU and BMKG, while the software used in my PhD was developed by researchers at ETH.
Impact Wehner, D., Blom, N., Rawlinson, N., Daryono, D., Boehm, C., Miller, M.S., Supendi, P. and Widiyantoro, S., 2021. "SASSY21: A 3-D seismic structural model of the lithosphere and underlying mantle beneath Southeast Asia from multi-scale adjoint waveform tomography."
Start Year 2018
 
Description Collaboration with ETH Zürich, ANU Canberra and BMKG Jakarta 
Organisation ETH Zurich
Country Switzerland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have established a year-long collaboration with researchers from Australia, Indonesia and Switzerland.
Collaborator Contribution The majority of the dataset used throughout my PhD was gathered in cooperation with ANU and BMKG, while the software used in my PhD was developed by researchers at ETH.
Impact Wehner, D., Blom, N., Rawlinson, N., Daryono, D., Boehm, C., Miller, M.S., Supendi, P. and Widiyantoro, S., 2021. "SASSY21: A 3-D seismic structural model of the lithosphere and underlying mantle beneath Southeast Asia from multi-scale adjoint waveform tomography."
Start Year 2018
 
Description Collaboration with ETH Zürich, ANU Canberra and BMKG Jakarta 
Organisation Government of Indonesia
Department Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency
Country Indonesia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We have established a year-long collaboration with researchers from Australia, Indonesia and Switzerland.
Collaborator Contribution The majority of the dataset used throughout my PhD was gathered in cooperation with ANU and BMKG, while the software used in my PhD was developed by researchers at ETH.
Impact Wehner, D., Blom, N., Rawlinson, N., Daryono, D., Boehm, C., Miller, M.S., Supendi, P. and Widiyantoro, S., 2021. "SASSY21: A 3-D seismic structural model of the lithosphere and underlying mantle beneath Southeast Asia from multi-scale adjoint waveform tomography."
Start Year 2018