I have projects on earthquake source studies and seismic imaging. Please check out the info below and contact me if you are qualified, interested, and have questions. Several projects will make use of codes such as specfem3d, mtuq, or seisflows. Experience with seismic wave propagation, moment tensor estimation, uncertainty estimation, high-performance computing, or python is beneficial. UAF has several unique facilities, such as the Alaska Earthquake Center, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Wilson Alaska Technical Center (including the Geophysical Detection of Nuclear Proliferation University Affiliated Research Center).
Opportunities for students
Prospective graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.)
I am interested in computational and observational seismology, and in how these can be used to investigate Earth structure and earthquake source processes. Possible research topics for students include: (1) testing different moment tensor algorithms with different 1D and 3D tomographic models; (2) building 3D crustal and upper mantle models from various data sets: detailed 2D cross sections, 3D tomographic models, geological models, and seismicity maps; (3) computing sensitivity kernels in 2D or 3D models at various scales: subducting slab, crust, sedimentary basin, glacier, volcano, etc; (4) using ambient noise tomography to develop 3D crustal models; (5) comparing different 3D models by generating synthetic data sets using 3D wavefield simulations; (6) seismic imaging at all scales using wavefield simulations; (7) Monte Carlo approach to estimating the variation in seismic waveforms due to variations in "scenario" earthquakes.
I encourage any motivated students in geophysics to apply to UAF for graduate school. Any of the following would strengthen a prospective student's application for my group: (1) Master's degree in physics, geophysics, math, or computer science; (2) bachelor's degree in geophysics, physics, math, or computer science; (3) research experience, particularly in physics or geophysics; (4) computer programming experience (python, Matlab, fortran, C); (5) familiarity with seismograms or seismic modeling.
Common programming tools in seismology include python, matlab, C, and fortran. We use seismic wave propagation codes that run on computing clusters and use parallel (MPI) programming.
If you are considering pursuing a graduate degree at UAF, examine the decision at all scales: Alaska, Fairbanks, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute, the GI Seismology/Geodesy Group, and the research performed by individual scientists. UAF/GI is an exciting place for seismology, with many different ongoing research projects on earthquakes, volcanoes, and glaciers.
Feel free to contact me after exploring the information on the web (see below).
Example of a recent project opportunity for a PhD student
For the pitch from the GI seismology and geodesy group, go here.
Some links to admission requirements and course descriptions, go here.
Unique aspects of earthquake science in Alaska, go here.
Also, check out what facilities UAF has to offer:
GI Seismology and Geodesy Group
Wilson Alaska Technical Center
UAF Research Computing Systems
Finally, some options of things to do in the Fairbanks region.
Where is Fairbanks relative to the plate tectonic boundary? Alaska is huge and far north; note California at lower right.
If you are interested in tectonics of Alaska, we have plenty of earthquakes to study (Mw > 4 over the past 20 years). The view shows southern and central Alaska, as well as westernmost Canada.
This spectacular USGS photo shows a massive landslide covering Black Rapids Glacier, resulting from the 2002-11-03 magnitude 7.9 Denali fault earthquake, central Alaska. The fault zone runs parallel to this glacial valley in the Alaska Range.