Alaska Earthquake Information Center

Prospective Students

Opportunities for Prospective Graduate and Postdoctoral Students

Student assistantships are available each year with the Seismology and Geodesy research group. Students interested in applying the computational tools of geophysics to issues in tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska and abroad are sought. Research assistantships provide tuition waivers and competitive stipends, as well as travel to conferences and fieldwork. Because of the unique experiences available in earthquake and volcano studies in Alaska, our program is quite competitive. We support the Master of Science and doctoral programs offered through the UAF Department of Geology & Geophysics. Experience in geophysics is not required. However, a solid background in physics, mathematics or computer science is excellent preparation when combined with a strong interest in Earth sciences.

Many students affiliated with the Seismology and Geodesy research group assist with the daily operations of the Alaska Volcano Observatory and/or the Alaska Earthquake Information Center. The facilities provide students a chance to complement their individual research with real world application. Advanced degree students often play an important role in the operations of these facilities. This may mean an unscheduled instrument deployment following a crisis, a rapid analysis of an aftershock sequence or a midnight shift monitoring data streams from a restless volcano. These opportunities provide a context for individual research and experience with state-of-the-art data systems. Both the AVO and AEIC provide professional facilities and data on which to build research in seismology and geodesy. This allows students to carry out research efficiently, focusing on analysis and interpretation, instead of data preparation. The student body in the geophysics area is quite strong and alumni go to a wide range of jobs in seismology and volcanology. Recent graduates hold positions with other universities, geophysical networks, observatories and private research institutions.

How to apply

If this mix of quantitative science and application appeals to you, there are several steps you can follow to become more acquainted with our program. Peruse faculty information online and feel free to contact them directly. For details about how to apply to the program, visit the UAF Department of Geology & Geophysics.

Our Group

The faculty and research scientists who comprise the Seismology and Geodesy research group pursue research around the globe, while remaining directly connected to seismic and geodetic measurements of Alaska's dynamic tectonics. We study earthquakes in the solid Earth and glaciers, crustal and mantle structure, active tectonics and deformation of the Earth. The Alaska Earthquake Information Center, located on site, is in charge of monitoring earthquakes in mainland Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Center personnel educate residents about earthquakes throughout Alaska the most seismically active state in the nation. As part of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation program, AEIC informs Alaska communities on the risks of tsunamis and provides inundation mapping for many of Alaska's coastal communities.

Many faculty and staff from the group are affiliated with the Alaska Volcano Observatory, which is responsible for understanding and monitoring volcanic activity across the North Pacific.

We collaborate with the following groups at UAF:

• Alaska Earthquake Information Center
• Alaska Volcano Observatory
• Arctic Region Supercomputing Center
• Alaska Satellite Facility (InSAR)
• UAF Department of Geology & Geophysics
• EarthScope in Alaska

Students and Postdocs

Last	First	Contact	Email	Research
Bartholomaus	Timothy	(907) 474-5751	tbartholomaus [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] eduGlacier seismology
Bellesiles	Anna		akbellesiles [at] alaska [dot] edu	Shear-wave splitting beneath Alaska
	Bruton, Christopher	(907) 474-5517 Elvey 308	cpbruton [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Automated seismic event classification
Buurman	Helena	(907) 474-7309 Elvey 307	helena [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Volcano source seismology
Christensen	Branden		bchris40 [at] alaska [dot] edu	Volcanic earthquake swarms
DeRoin	Nicole	(907) 474-5517 Elvey 307	nderoin [at] alaska [dot] edu	Rockfalls at Augustine volcano
Elliott	Julie	(907) 474-7428 Elvey 413A	julie [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Deformation in the St. Elias Range, southern Alaska
Fu	Yuning	(907) 474-5997 Elvey 413	yuning [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Vertical motion of the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas
	Gardine, Matt		mgardine1 [at] usf [dot] edu	Volcano structure and magmatic processes
George	Ophelia	(907) 474-5517 Elvey 307	ogeorge [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Deep long-period seismicity
Grapenthin	Ronni	(907) 474-1896 Elvey 410	hmarijke [at] gmail [dot] com	Crustal deformation, volcano geodesy
Miller	Summer	(907) 474-5997 Elvey 413	summer [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Volcano deformation at Okmok using InSAR
Peterson	Chloe			Nonvolcanic tremor in Alaska
Reyes	Celso	(907) 474-5517 Elvey 307	celso [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Volcanic tremor at Okmok volcano
Veenstra	Elizabeth		liz [dot] veenstra [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu	Crustal structure and Moho variations in central Alaska

This includes students who have graduated within the last 2 years. Photos are for current students and degree and graduation date are for recent graduates where provided.

 

Ophelia George
Deep long-period seismicity
(907)  474-5517
Elvey 307

Ronni Grapenthin
Crustal deformation, volcano geodesy
hmarijke [at] gmail [dot] com
(907) 474-5997
Elvey 413

Celso Reyes
Volcanic tremor at Okmok volcano
celso [at] gieis [dot] alaska [dot] edu
(907) 474-5517
Elvey 307

Elizabeth Veenstra
Crustal structure and Moho variations in central Alaska
liz [dot] veenstra [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu

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