Seismology and Geodesy

We offer a unique   perspective for monitoring and modeling the Earth's deformation as manifested by earthquakes, volcanism, glacier dynamics and tsunamis.

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 Alaska¹s 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

AEIC logo

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center was established by Alaska statute in 1986.

AEIC's mandate is to collect, analyze and archive seismic event data for the state of Alaska, providing information and assistance to the public as well as state and local agencies.

The AEIC records data from an integrated network of more than 400 seismic sites across the state and serves as the regional data center locating and reporting about 20,000 earthquakes per year.

[ Alaska Earthquake Information Center website ]

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.

Life at the Geophysical Institute

Faculty and students in the Seismology and Geodesy research group spend the bulk of their time at the Geophysical Institute, although all are affiliated with the UAF Department of Geology & Geophysics. Graduate students benefit from the academic structure of the department, combined with the research freedom the Geophysical Institute affords.

Geophysical Institute research spans space physics to glaciology to climate science. The institute is located in the Elvey Building and is contiguous with the buildings that house the International Arctic Research Center and the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center. The institute maintains close collaborations with both centers.

The Geophysical Institute is located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. There is an extensive trail system next to the institute that is maintained for running and cycle use in the summer. In the winter, the trails are lighted and professionally groomed for cross-country skiing. Geophysical Institute students are active outdoors and often take advantage of Alaska’s limitless wilderness opportunities, often in conjunction with their research. As the second largest city in the state, Fairbanks combines the conveniences and cultural resources of a larger city with the wilds of Interior Alaska.

Our Group

We offer a unique   perspective for monitoring and modeling the Earth's deformation as manifested by earthquakes, volcanism, glacier dynamics and tsunamis.

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:

Faculty

Douglas  Christensen Douglas Christensen
Professor of Geophysics
Associate Director of Geophysical Institute
doug [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7426
Elvey 413C


Jeffrey FreymuellerJeffrey Freymueller
Professor of Geophysics
jeff [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7286
Elvey 413B

 

Roger HansenRoger Hansen
Professor of Geophysics
State Seismologist
roger [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-5533
Elvey 301J
 

Steve McNuttSteve McNutt
Director of Alaska Volcano Observatory
Research Professor of Geophysics
steve [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7131


Carl TapeCarl Tape
Assistant Professor of Geophysics
carltape [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-5456
Elvey 413D

 

Michael WestMichael West
Research Assistant Professor of Geophysics
mewest [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-6977
Elvey 413D

 

Nirendra Biswas
Professor Emeritus
nnbiswas [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7373
Evley 410A

 

 

 

 



Staff

Natalia Ruppert
Seismologist
natasha [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7472
Elvey 301K

John Sandru
Seismic Technician
jmsandruiv [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-1151
Elvey 301D

Joshua Stachnik
Data Manager
jcstachnik [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-1830
Elvey 301B

Elena Suleimani
Research Analyst
ensuleimani [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7997
Elvey 301C

Glenn Thompson
Research Seismologist
gthompson [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7424
Elvey 307A

Elizabeth Veenstra
Seismologist
liz [at] giseis [dot] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7460
Elvey 301A

Steven Estes
Senior Project Engineer
sestes [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7425
Elvey 301F

Sharon Hansen
Field Technician
Alaska Earthquake Information Center
sepitiss [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-5481
Elvey 301H

Max Kaufman
Research Assistant
amkaufman [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-6574
Elvey 413A

Natalia Kozyreva
Research Scholar
nkozyreva [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-6873
Elvey 301L

John Peters
Manager
High Latitude Monitoring Station (HLMS)
jwpeters [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-552-4531
Radar Bldg Elmendorf AFB

Mitchell Robinson
Senior System Analyst
mrrobinson [at] alaska [dot] edu
907-474-7440
Elvey 301G

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
Christopher Bruton
 
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
Matt Gardine 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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