This research area investigates the structure and dynamics of the deep Earth, from its crust to its core. Seismic waves generated by distant global earthquakes, are used to study wave propagation by applying tomographic methods that are similar to medical imaging techniques. These yield information about the chemical and thermal state of the Earths crust and mantle and the tectonic processes that operate deep within the Earth that are responsible for the growth and deformation of continents and oceans. In addition to global-scale seismic imaging investigations of the Irish and European lithosphere using locally deployed seismic instruments are also undertaken. A permanent array of seismic instruments is also deployed across Ireland to monitor seismic activity on land and the surrounding offshore. One particular focus of this global research theme is the North Atlantic lithosphere between western Europe and eastern North America. This is strongly related to and complimentary to the Marine Geophysics research theme.
GLOBAL TOMOGRAPHY
Seismic stations around the world record the tiny vibrations of the Earth’s surface caused by earthquakes thousands of kilometers away. Recordings of these vibrations (seismograms) enable seismologists to perform seismic tomography, or 3D imaging of the Earth’s deep interior. This image below shows variations of seismic velocities at a 100-km depth in the Earth’s mantle. High velocities indicate low temperatures, most noticeable within the cold, thick tectonic plates of the ancient cores of continents (cratons). Low velocities indicate high temperatures or partial melting of the rock, such us beneath the mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed.
Some recent research by DIAS Geophysics scientists, with major impact internationally:
Schaeffer, A. J. and S. Lebedev, Global shear-speed structure of the upper mantle and transition zone. Geophys. J. Int., 194 (1), 417-449, 2013. doi:10.1093/gji/ggt095 [Link]
Ireland Array is a new array of broadband seismic stations deployed across Ireland by DIAS Geophysics The backbone component of the array is formed by 20 stations, equipped with Trillium 120PA seismometers and distributed uniformly across Ireland. These 20 stations have been installed in 2010 – 2012 and will be deployed for 5 years. Deployments of additional 15 stations (each with a Guralp 40T seismometer) are used to complement the backbone-component coverage and to target fine structure of the subsurface in specific target areas.
Ireland Array is a major new geophysical facility, producing abundant seismic data. It will reveal Ireland’s deep structure and evolution in unprecedented detail. Ireland Array will also underpin geothermal energy research by illuminating in detail the structure of Ireland’s crust and entire lithosphere. New insight into 3-D regional lithospheric structure and evolution will also benefit basin-evolution research, relevant for hydrocarbon exploration. Yet another target of Ireland Array will be Ireland’s seismicity, modest but insufficiently understood at present. Ireland Array invites collaborations with Earth scientists in Ireland, as well as abroad, and is aimed to benefit the entire community. For more details click here.
CatchmentCARE project partners @GeolSurvIE are delighted to break ground at their #groundwater monitoring stations near Fintown. We will measure how the water table changes over the year. Understanding it helps protect and care for water for local people and wildlife in the area. Retweeted by
DIAS Geophysics
Beautiful little sketch by @ScienceMagazine showing the variety of sources that contribute to the signals that we record on seismometers - not just earthquakes. Nice independent perspective of our recent COVID seismic noise paper, too: science.sciencemag.org/content/369/65…Retweeted by
DIAS Geophysics
The first ever Black in Geoscience Week will be taking place from Sunday 6th September–Saturday 12th Sept. Most activities will take place on social media
We’ll be adding to this document throughout the week, so keep checking back.
docs.google.com/document/d/1hH…Retweeted by
DIAS Geophysics
If you are interested in learning more about Haleh's work, she will be discussing groundwater as a geohazard in an open talk on Culture Night: eventbrite.ie/e/earthquakes-…
@iCRAGcentre@dias_geophysics Congratulations Haleh! Haleh was one of the fantastic people that helped to steer the Girls into Geoscience - Ireland 2019 events, we're so proud of her! Retweeted by
DIAS Geophysics
Global and Local Seismology
This research area investigates the structure and dynamics of the deep Earth, from its crust to its core. Seismic waves generated by distant global earthquakes, are used to study wave propagation by applying tomographic methods that are similar to medical imaging techniques. These yield information about the chemical and thermal state of the Earths crust and mantle and the tectonic processes that operate deep within the Earth that are responsible for the growth and deformation of continents and oceans. In addition to global-scale seismic imaging investigations of the Irish and European lithosphere using locally deployed seismic instruments are also undertaken. A permanent array of seismic instruments is also deployed across Ireland to monitor seismic activity on land and the surrounding offshore. One particular focus of this global research theme is the North Atlantic lithosphere between western Europe and eastern North America. This is strongly related to and complimentary to the Marine Geophysics research theme.
GLOBAL TOMOGRAPHY
Seismic stations around the world record the tiny vibrations of the Earth’s surface caused by earthquakes thousands of kilometers away. Recordings of these vibrations (seismograms) enable seismologists to perform seismic tomography, or 3D imaging of the Earth’s deep interior. This image below shows variations of seismic velocities at a 100-km depth in the Earth’s mantle. High velocities indicate low temperatures, most noticeable within the cold, thick tectonic plates of the ancient cores of continents (cratons). Low velocities indicate high temperatures or partial melting of the rock, such us beneath the mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed.
Some recent research by DIAS Geophysics scientists, with major impact internationally:
Schaeffer, A. J. and S. Lebedev, Global shear-speed structure of the upper mantle and transition zone. Geophys. J. Int., 194 (1), 417-449, 2013. doi:10.1093/gji/ggt095 [Link]
To download the SL2013sv model [Link]
IRELAND ARRAY
Ireland Array is a new array of broadband seismic stations deployed across Ireland by DIAS Geophysics The backbone component of the array is formed by 20 stations, equipped with Trillium 120PA seismometers and distributed uniformly across Ireland. These 20 stations have been installed in 2010 – 2012 and will be deployed for 5 years. Deployments of additional 15 stations (each with a Guralp 40T seismometer) are used to complement the backbone-component coverage and to target fine structure of the subsurface in specific target areas.
Ireland Array is a major new geophysical facility, producing abundant seismic data. It will reveal Ireland’s deep structure and evolution in unprecedented detail. Ireland Array will also underpin geothermal energy research by illuminating in detail the structure of Ireland’s crust and entire lithosphere. New insight into 3-D regional lithospheric structure and evolution will also benefit basin-evolution research, relevant for hydrocarbon exploration. Yet another target of Ireland Array will be Ireland’s seismicity, modest but insufficiently understood at present. Ireland Array invites collaborations with Earth scientists in Ireland, as well as abroad, and is aimed to benefit the entire community. For more details click here.
Geophysics
Ready for Culture Night today evening. @DIASDunsink @DIAS_Dublin @RCPCA1 @Fingalcoco @opwireland @petertgallagher @jm_astro @cm_jackman @drsophiemurray Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Looking forward to our Culture Night talks this evening! We still have some places available so if you're interested in attending, please register on Eventbrite @DIAS_Dublin @CultureNight #DIASdiscovers eventbrite.ie/e/earthquakes-…
CatchmentCARE project partners @GeolSurvIE are delighted to break ground at their #groundwater monitoring stations near Fintown. We will measure how the water table changes over the year. Understanding it helps protect and care for water for local people and wildlife in the area. Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
@EOS_NUIG @iCRAGcentre @dias_geophysics @uccBEES @TCDOnTheRocks @UCD_Earth_Sci twitter.com/BritGeoSurvey/… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
@dias_geophysics have developed something special for @galway2020 in collaboration with composer David Stalling. It is an audio-visual composition “Palace of Ships,” based on sounds, images and seismic data from DIAS’ @SEA_SEIS Expeditions. More: dias.ie/2020/09/14/dia… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
On the @EGU_GMPV #EGUblogs this week they are exploring the experiences of #LGBTQIA+ researchers in Earth Sciences, across Europe and the world. Read more: egu.eu/1IN0UI/ Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Beautiful little sketch by @ScienceMagazine showing the variety of sources that contribute to the signals that we record on seismometers - not just earthquakes. Nice independent perspective of our recent COVID seismic noise paper, too: science.sciencemag.org/content/369/65… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Chris will be collaborating with artist @SioMcDonald as part of the STUDIOPIA residency siobhanmcdonald.com
Tune in to "The Organ of Consciousness" @ArsElectronica at 5pm Irish time this evening (6pm UTC+2) to talk about the intersection of art, science and the world with Chris Bean of @DIAS_Dublin and others #DIASdiscovers ars.electronica.art/keplersgardens…
If you missed our guest speaker Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell on @PatKennyNT this morning you can listen to the podcast here: newstalk.com/shows/pat-kenn… There are some tickets left for this evenings lecture: eventbrite.ie/e/the-last-and… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Looking forward to the premier of David Stalling’s audio-visual composition tomorrow on Inis Oírr: galway2020.ie/en/news/galway… - a collaboration with @DIAS_Dublin scientists under Aerial/Sparks at @galway2020. @scienceirel @GeolSurvIE @Education_Ire @iCRAGcentre @dias_geophysics Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Behind lava & pyroclastic flows, what’s going on inside volcanoes? @seis_matters explains how geoscientists use seismic data to scan volcanic plumbing systems youtu.be/jYuA_2SEokI Get more geoscience content all week from the pros at #BlackInGeoscienceWeek @BlkinGeoscience Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
In collaboration with @DIAS_Dublin seismologists, David Stalling created music and visual art using sonification and visualization of the seismic data from Ireland Array onshore and SEA-SEIS offshore Ireland. @scienceirel @GeolSurvIE @Education_Ire @iCRAGcentre @dias_geophysics Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
We are at Ars Electronica Festival 2020! Our video: ars.electronica.art/keplersgardens… - composer David Stalling, seismologist Sergei Lebedev, sounds of seismic data and stunning SEA-SEIS expedition imagery. @DIAS_Dublin @scienceirel @GeolSurvIE @Education_Ire @iCRAGcentre @dias_geophysics Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
ONLINE THIS WEEK! Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell will guide us through The last and Next 100 Years of Astronomy! Tickets: eventbrite.ie/e/the-last-and… @RIAdawson @I_LOFAR @ArmaghPlanet @blackrockcastle @Dr_Niamh_Shaw @ucdscience @TCD_physics @SpaceNorah @mathsweek @scienceirel twitter.com/IrishTimes/sta… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
This week, we are focusing on #BlackinGeoscienceWeek 🌍 In our editorial, @TheDroneLady, @HendrattaAli and @C_Poku93 tell us about the motivation behind the event and what they hope it will achieve, and we suggest ways you can support @BlkinGeoscience! geoscienceforthefuture.com/blackingeoscie… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
The first ever Black in Geoscience Week will be taking place from Sunday 6th September–Saturday 12th Sept. Most activities will take place on social media We’ll be adding to this document throughout the week, so keep checking back. docs.google.com/document/d/1hH… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
If you are interested in learning more about Haleh's work, she will be discussing groundwater as a geohazard in an open talk on Culture Night: eventbrite.ie/e/earthquakes-…
@iCRAGcentre @dias_geophysics Congratulations Haleh! Haleh was one of the fantastic people that helped to steer the Girls into Geoscience - Ireland 2019 events, we're so proud of her! Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Congratulations to our postdoc Dr Haleh Karbala Ali who was awarded Best Oral Presentation at the 2020 SEG Workshop on Underground Water and Karst Imaging! dias.ie/2020/09/07/dr-… @iCRAGcentre @SEG_org @DIAS_Dublin #DIASdiscovers