Geodetic information 

An explosion of Earth observation data streams

During the past few decades, advances in GPS and InSAR produced quantum leaps in our ability to observe how earthquakes and volcanoes change the shape of the Earth's surface. Models are the critical linkage between this observed deformation and the inaccessible processes of earthquakes and volcanoes at depth.  The Pinned Mesh Perturbation method revolutionized our ability to combine the power of FEMs with multiple data streams. FEMs are the key to understanding geodetic information. Check out out summary chapters of FEM applications for Earthquakes and Volcanoes.

Finite Element Models and Machine Learning: 

Optimizing models and understanding the uncertainties

For a given deformation model, we can use forward models to predict the resulting surface deformation. In practice, we face the much more challenging inverse modeling problem of quantifying the deformation source parameters, based on observed deformation.  In both cases, the model configuration defines the relationship between the deformation and its source. Check out our FEM-based Machine Learning application to Okmok Volcano published in JGR. My industry partners and I presented our paper that uses Machine Learning to locate creeping salt in underground salt dome caverns at the SMRI 2023.

Volcanoes, Underground excavations, and Salt caverns

Simulating geodetic signatures of pressurized cavities. The predicted surface deformation is a nonlinear function of the location and shape parameters of depressurizing magma chambers, excavation cavities, or creeping salt caverns. Check out our pioneering FEM-based non-linear inverse analysis of Okmok Volcano published in JGR.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis

The near-trench slip configuration and distribution of surrounding rock properties strongly control seafloor deformation and tsunami genesis. Check out our FEM-based analysis of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami published in PAGEOPH.

Poroelasticity, Dike propagation, Hydrofracking, Geothermal Systems, Underground Storage, and Induced Seismicity

Fluid-solid (and sometimes thermal) coupling in the crust.

An understanding of the coupling of fluids and solids in the crust is prerequisite to understanding deformation of the crust. My research team develops quantitative representations of the complex fluid-solid interplay poroelastic deformation, dike propagation, hydrofracking, geothermal systems, and induced seismicity. My industry partners and I presented a study of seismic hazards and energy solutions for potential underground energy storage options in Pakistan SMRI 2024.