DIAS is currently carrying out an academic research program that aims at an evaluation of geophysical imaging methods, which are needed for a better understanding the subsurface. The identification of subsurface structure and properties is important for many potential uses, such as CO2 long term storage or geothermal energy, with a strong commitment to environmental safety.
This research aims at reducing Ireland’s CO2 footprint, either by reducing its emissions by reducing hydrocarbon usage, or by inhibiting greenhouse gas emissions from existing producers (e.g. power stations) entering the atmosphere, where it would aggravate human-made climate change. Both, long-term underground carbon storage and the use of geothermal energy, are seen worldwide as technologies which contribute to the smooth movement from the extensive use of fossil fuels to the use of renewable energy sources. While there are no plans for carbon storage in Ireland, geothermal energy may play a limited role in this process. However, a better knowledge of the subsurface, and the development of techniques to reliably image it are essential in the wider framework of European and worldwide research and technology development.
The current project “IRECCSEM” is part of this effort. As academic research it is neither related to any commercial Irish carbon storage project, nor to any shale gas exploration (“fracking technology”). Our research project takes the Northwest Carboniferous Basin as a test area to evaluate whether our geophysical imaging methods are suitable for the discrimination of geological structures which are favourable for the aforementioned uses, or have to be discarded. This area was chosen to test the geophysical surveying, as it already has a database of information on the subsurface, including seismic surveys and drilling from hydrocarbon exploration in the late 1970’s and 1980’s.
To reach our research objective, we will make passive electromagnetic measurements at many localities primarily in County Fermanagh, and possibly County Leitrim and County Cavan, depending on data quality. The geophysical method used is “Magnetotellurics” (MT), which is a non-invasive, non-destructive, geophysical imaging method in which Earth’s naturally-occurring electrical and magnetic fields are recorded and subsequently used to produce an image of the rocks below the surface. The installation of these instruments will cause no damage to fields and offers no risk to crops and livestock. They will remain on site for one to three days and nights only. The survey will be carried out between July 15th and August 30th 2015.
The Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) is a publically funded independent centre for research, carrying out work in the areas of Celtic studies, Cosmic Physics & Geophysics and Theoretical Physics.
Informations on the instruments being deployed in the survey: MT_Instruments.pdf
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Last Updated: 22nd March 2016 by Anna
Geophysical Survey in Fermanagh
DIAS is currently carrying out an academic research program that aims at an evaluation of geophysical imaging methods, which are needed for a better understanding the subsurface. The identification of subsurface structure and properties is important for many potential uses, such as CO2 long term storage or geothermal energy, with a strong commitment to environmental safety.
This research aims at reducing Ireland’s CO2 footprint, either by reducing its emissions by reducing hydrocarbon usage, or by inhibiting greenhouse gas emissions from existing producers (e.g. power stations) entering the atmosphere, where it would aggravate human-made climate change. Both, long-term underground carbon storage and the use of geothermal energy, are seen worldwide as technologies which contribute to the smooth movement from the extensive use of fossil fuels to the use of renewable energy sources. While there are no plans for carbon storage in Ireland, geothermal energy may play a limited role in this process. However, a better knowledge of the subsurface, and the development of techniques to reliably image it are essential in the wider framework of European and worldwide research and technology development.
The current project “IRECCSEM” is part of this effort. As academic research it is neither related to any commercial Irish carbon storage project, nor to any shale gas exploration (“fracking technology”). Our research project takes the Northwest Carboniferous Basin as a test area to evaluate whether our geophysical imaging methods are suitable for the discrimination of geological structures which are favourable for the aforementioned uses, or have to be discarded. This area was chosen to test the geophysical surveying, as it already has a database of information on the subsurface, including seismic surveys and drilling from hydrocarbon exploration in the late 1970’s and 1980’s.
To reach our research objective, we will make passive electromagnetic measurements at many localities primarily in County Fermanagh, and possibly County Leitrim and County Cavan, depending on data quality. The geophysical method used is “Magnetotellurics” (MT), which is a non-invasive, non-destructive, geophysical imaging method in which Earth’s naturally-occurring electrical and magnetic fields are recorded and subsequently used to produce an image of the rocks below the surface. The installation of these instruments will cause no damage to fields and offers no risk to crops and livestock. They will remain on site for one to three days and nights only. The survey will be carried out between July 15th and August 30th 2015.
The Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) is a publically funded independent centre for research, carrying out work in the areas of Celtic studies, Cosmic Physics & Geophysics and Theoretical Physics.
Informations on the instruments being deployed in the survey: MT_Instruments.pdf
View PDF version
Category: Geophysics Section News & Events
Geophysics
#EUROVOLC team published a paper on particle rafting in @NatureComms #volcanichazard #volcanicrisk #tephra twitter.com/NatureComms/st… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Irish scientists were members of an international research team that recorded the first-ever detailed description of a volcanic eruption in Ecuador. @griffin_caitlin reports irishexaminer.com/news/arid-4023… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Caldera resurgence during the 2018 eruption of Sierra Negra volcano, Galápagos Islands go.nature.com/3kAti7p Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Lead up to volcanic eruption in Galapagos captured in rare detail | Penn State University news.psu.edu/story/649350/2… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Earthquakes were very much concentrated on the intra-caldera shallow trapdoor fault system. Through the inflation-deflation syscle, the 'sinuous ridge' within the caldera grew by 1.5 m relative to the caldera floor Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Have a look at our latest Galapagos research out now in @NatureComms! Great work by @AndyFBell leading this multidisciplinary effort and putting everything together! nature.com/articles/s4146… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
The #Galapagos volcanoes have done it again: #SierraNegra2018, an eruption featuring amazing deformation, seismicity and everything else. I contributed with #InSAR data but @AndyFBell @volcano_dr @IGecuador et al. have brought it home! nature.com/articles/s4146… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
@DIAS_Dublin #DIASdiscovers
Happy to see our research #SierraNegra2018 eruption published. Glad to work with @AndyFBell @IGecuador @dias_geophysics @Volcan_Ecuador @sarahjjjaye @marco_bagnardi @MikeJ_Stock @hernarado nature.com/articles/s4146… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
New paper out today in @NatureComms on the Sierra Negra volcano, Galápagos. It was wonderful to be part of such a great multidisciplinary team including @AndyFBell @volcano_dr @IGecuador @marco_bagnardi @Volcan_Ecuador @hernarado @sarahjjjaye @MikeJ_Stock nature.com/articles/s4146…
Not all volcanoes are created equal!🌋New multidisciplinary paper out today showing that pre-eruptive processes in Galapagos are very different to Iceland/Hawaii! Great to work with @AndyFBell @volcano_dr @IGecuador and others! @tcddublin @GeosciencesEd ➡️nature.com/articles/s4146… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Pleased that our paper on the 2018 eruption of Sierra Negra in the Galápagos is out today. Very much an multidisciplinary team effort, including @volcano_dr @IGecuador @marco_bagnardi @dias_geophysics @Volcan_Ecuador @hernarado @sarahjjjaye @MikeJ_Stock nature.com/articles/s4146… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
A pot of lava at the end of the rainbow? A #rainbow forms over Halema‘uma‘u crater following an afternoon rain shower on February 22. #Rainbows are often observed over #Halemaumau, as mist and rain move across the Kīlauea #caldera. #Kilauea2021 Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Lava fountains, pyroclastic flow and lightning during the latest paroxysmal eruptive episode at #Etna, 24 February 2021 Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Dr Melissa A Pfeffer & Dr Sara Barsotti from IMO carried out gas measurements in Reykjanes. Despite the ongoing seismic swarm for the last 24 hrs, no increase of gases was detected. Another field campaign is being prepared & the area is under strong surveillance. #EUROVOLC Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Grand day for a master class from Florian Le Pape on the @dias_geophysics ocean bottom seismometers. We'll be deploying these as part of the @iCRAGcentre survey led by Andy Trafford & Shane Donohoe @ucddublin to develop a fibre-optic approach for offshore site investigation Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
An example of selected schools for @AtSeismo are inviting students from nearby schools to share earthquake-related knowledge, thanks to high-motivated students and teachers. Good to see knowledge is transferring into the community. @SubediShiba1 seismoschoolnp.org Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Earthquake swarm began this morning close to Fagradalsfjall. An M5.7 earthq. occurred at 10:05 many aftershocks followed. Info will be updated when activity has been reviewed further. Activity is within the Reykjanes peninsula. Other locations of large earthquakes are unreliable. Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
A seismic swarm is shaking the Reykjanes peninsula, the volcano-tectonic episode close to Grindavík is still ongoing. Several earthquakes of ~M5 have taken place for the past hour. The 10:05 earthquake has been calculated Mw5.65. en.vedur.is/earthquakes-an… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Results from the real-time #GPS #analysis from station SENG 12km SW of the epicenter of the Mw5.65 #earthquake this morning at 10:05 local time showing 3cm southward motion. #EUROVOLC #volcanichazard #volcanicrisk #volcanos Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics