Figure: Time evolution of precursory signals for the Nuugaatsiaq landslide. A) Cumulative number of event as function of time. B) The 95 detected events ranged as function of time. The stack of these signals gives the reference trace (C) in which clear P and S waves are observed. The amplitude time evolution (D) is in clear agrees with the exponential increment of events seen in (A). From Poli (2017). 

Understanding Deep Earthquakes: A Window into the Hidden Earth

Deep earthquakes, those occurring more than 70 km below the surface, are among the most mysterious natural phenomena on our planet. They can reach magnitudes as large as 9, yet their very existence challenges what we think we know about how rocks behave.

At such high pressures and temperatures, rocks should deform smoothly rather than break suddenly… so why do deep earthquakes happen at all?

This long-standing scientific puzzle has remained unsolved for more than a century. Traditional models cannot fully explain the physics behind these events, and new ideas are needed.

A New Approach: SODA (Dynamics of Deep Earthquakes)

The SODA project is built on a simple idea: to understand deep earthquakes, we must observe the deep Earth in ways that were not previously possible.

To do this, SODA brings together:

• Deep learning applied to global seismological datasets

• Advanced physical modelling of subducting slabs

• High-performance computing and innovative analysis methods

With these tools, we aim to detect, classify, and characterise deep earthquakes with far greater precision than ever before. This includes identifying subtle spatiotemporal patterns—such as slow migrations or fluid-related activity—that may hold the key to understanding how these events initiate and evolve.

What We Aim to Discover

By combining new observations with realistic models of subduction zones, SODA seeks to reveal:

• The thermal structure, mineralogy, and geometry of slabs at depth

• How fluids, phase transformations, and aseismic deformation influence deep earthquakes

• The physical conditions that control where, when, and how deep earthquakes occur

Ultimately, this integrated approach will provide a quantitative view of deep Earth dynamics, shedding new light on the processes governing the mantle and offering a major step forward in our understanding of plate tectonics as a whole.

Join Us — Open Positions for PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers

As the SODA project begins, we are building a dynamic research team at the University of Padova.
We are opening PhD and Postdoctoral positions for motivated researchers interested in:

• Deep-earthquake seismology

• Global seismic data analysis

• Machine learning and high-performance computing

• Thermomechanical and geodynamic modelling

We offer a vibrant, international environment within one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
If you are excited about pushing the boundaries of what we know about the deep Earth, we would be glad to hear from you.

For more information or to express interest, please contact:
📧 piero.poli@unipd.it

or check the 'Open research positions' page on this website.