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Recent Research Activities
GEO-URBAN
http://www.geothermica.eu/projects/geo-urban/
The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an important issue facing society at present. Appropriately designed, district-scale geothermal heating systems can satisfy society’s “energy trilemma”, by providing a secure energy supply that is economical and environmentally sustainable. The ability to use geothermal resources to generate heat in urban areas where the demand is greatest has the potential to significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and to support national and EU sustainable energy policies. Potential deep geothermal resources in challenging, lower-enthalpy EU settings remain poorly understood and largely untapped.
The GEO-URBAN project aims to explore the potential for low enthalpy geothermal energy in urban environments. The project will focus on two target locations – Dublin, Ireland and Vallès, Catalonia, Spain – and will provide a feasibility analysis for the commercial development of deep geothermal resources in these regions.
GEO-URBAN will evaluate novel geophysical exploration and modelling techniques for urban areas, which will be applied at both test locations. Geophysical data collected during GEO-URBAN will feed into a commercialisation strategy for the exploitation of deep geothermal resources in challenging urban environments, which will draw upon existing knowledge and experience from partners in Denmark, where the deep geothermal heat industry is more established. This knowledge transfer will be reciprocated by the cross-transfer of detailed geological and hydrological data on fractured limestone lithologies in Ireland, which are of interest as ultra-deep geothermal targets in Denmark and elsewhere in Europe.
PACIFIC
PACIFIC is a research project in the field of mineral exploration. The project aims at developing new exploration techniques that respect the environment and incur relatively low costs. Launched in June 2018, the project has received a funding of €3.2 million from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It is set to run for 36 months and is coordinated by Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA).
The Geophysics Section at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS): (i) plays a role in the development of new methods for the extraction of reflected waves
(ii) plays a role in the extraction, processing and interpretation of reflected phases from the passive experiment at Marathon
(iii) undertakes full wavefield numerical simulations for testing new methodologies in body wave extraction.
For more infomation go to https://www.pacific-h2020.eu/
EuroVolc
The European Network of Observatories and Research Infrastructures for Volcanology (EUROVOLC) is a H2020 Research and Innovation Project of the European Commission. It will construct an integrated and harmonized European volcanological community able to fully support, exploit and build-upon existing and emerging national and pan-European research infrastructures, including e-Infrastructures of the European Supersite volcanoes. The harmonization includes linking scientists and stakeholders and connecting still isolated volcanological infrastructures located at in situ volcano observatories (VO) and volcanological research institutions (VRIs). For more information please click here.
DIAS is a full partner of the EUROVOLC project.
SEA-SEIS
During Autumn 2018, the SEA-SEIS (Structure, Evolution And Seismicity of the Irish offshore) project recently deployed 18 Ocean Bottom Seismometers in the North Atlantic. Led by Prof. Sergei Lebedev, his research group intend to build cutting edge tomographic images of the geology beneath the North Atlantic to gain a better understanding of the geological structure and its evolution. For more info www.sea-seis.ie
iMARL
iMARL the “Insitu Marine Laboratory for Geosystems Research” is a network of various types of ocean floor located sensors, hosted by DIAS Geophysics. It comprises broadband Ocean Bottom Seismographs (OBS), broadband acoustic sensors, and sensors for measuring absolute water pressure & temperature at the ocean floor. A system capable of detecting tsunamis also forms part of the infrastructure. The sensor pool is largely mobile and can, in principle, be deployed around the world. However the current focus is on the NE Atlantic, offshore Ireland. One instrument will be fixed and will ultimately become a real-time sensing offshore element of the Irish National Seismic Network (www.insn.ie). Through an award to the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) the iMARL infrastructure is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) with support from the Geological Survey, Ireland. For more info www.imarl.ie
Magnetotelluric (MT) fieldwork on Sao Miguel, Azores (Portugal)
During September 2018, the electromagnetic group of DIAS Geophysics completed a large scale field campaign on Fogo Volcano and Furnas Volcano on Sao Miguel to investigate the geo-electrical structure beneath both volcanic systems as a way of understanding their formation and current processes and also assessing the geothermal potential of the island.
This international project led by DIAS Geophysics collaborated with the University of Azores, University of Frankfurt and University of Lisbon.
Contact: chogg-at-cp.dias.ie and duygu-at-cp.dias.ie
HERSK (HEkla Real-time Seismic monitoring networK)
An innovative, real-time monitoring system for Hekla Volcano in Iceland was installed by DIAS Geophysics in 2018 with the Iceland Met Office (IMO) as the local key partner. Hekla is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in Iceland and currently erupts about every 10 years. The next Hekla eruption is considered overdue and could be hazardous to air travel.
Hekla is seismically surprisingly quiet, resulting so far in a dangerously short pre-eruption warning time of only around one hour. The extreme weather environment has been a barrier to year-round real-time measurements, here we have developed a new cabled system concept to year-round real-time monitoring. This will lower the detection threshold of seismic events significantly. The result will be a better scientific understanding of the processes driving the evolution of pre-eruptive seismicity at Hekla and a substantial improvement in early warning capability.
The HERSK project is lead by Martin Möllhoff in collaboration with Chris Bean and has been awarded internationally peer reviewed Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) funding.
A poster about the HERSK project can be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.27536.25600
Contact: martin-at-dias.ie
Integrated geophysical and geological study of the Porcupine Basin
Researchers at DIAS Geophysics Section currently focuses on the evolution of the Porcupine Seabight and Rockall Plateau in the Irish Atlantic offshore The researchers use geophysical (wide angle and multichannel seismic data, magnetics, gravity) and geological (borehole) data to image rocks below the seafloor (second image below) and understand how these areas formed through geological time. This includes looking at the petrological nature of the crust and uppermost mantle, the sedimentation patterns of offshore basins and the distribution of volcanism in the Irish offshore. This research helps evaluate hydrocarbon potential in the region and hence contributes to the future energy security and economic well-being of Ireland.
The topography of the seafloor and illustrates how far the territory of Ireland extends into the North Atlantic Ocean (marked by red polygon). The names correspond to geological features, such as extinct volcanoes and basins. Source: Marine Institute.
NW–SE seismic line through wells 26/28-1 and 26/28-1 penetrating the Connemara hydrocarbon discovery in a tilted fault block and showing the sedimentary structure (image of rocks below the seafloor) of the Porcupine Seabight interpreted on the 3D seismic data.
Source: D.W. Jones & J.R. Underhill (2011). Structural and stratigraphic evolution of the Connemara discovery, Northern Porcupine Basin: significance for basin development and petroleum prospectivity along the Irish Atlantic Margin. Petroleum Geoscience, vol. 17, pp. 365-384.
IGUANA: Investigating Geophysical Unrest At Sierra Negra
Sierra Negra volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on the Galapagos Islands, approximately 1,000 km west of continental Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands are the manifestation of a mantle hot spot under the eastward-moving Nazca plate. Active volcanism is concentrated on the island of Isabela, where Sierra Negra volcano is located. Since March 2017, an increase of seismicity was recorded at one of the permanent seismic stations in the network of IGEPN in Ecuador. The increase ended on the 26th June 2018 when the volcano erupted. This sequence of events was recorded by the local network of 14 broadband seismic stations that we installed as part of the IGUANA project. Three stations are located inside the caldera to record near-field effects of the seismic waves, the other stations are located around the caldera.
The main aims of the project are:
The project is funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is a collaboration between the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), the Instituto Geofisico at the Escuela Politecnica Nacional (IGEPN) in Quito, Ecuador, and the Galapagos National Park.
Contact: martin-at-dias.ie
Ocean and Tidal Modelling
Oceans play an important role in the Earth system. At DIAS Geophysics, ongoing research focuses on wind and buoyancy driven circulations as well as tidally driven circulations within our oceans. Collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) Swarm satellite mission is investigating the magnetic signatures of the ocean circulation systems. The motivation is that the ocean-induced magnetic field may provide a greater understanding of ocean circulations.
G.O.THERM.3D: a 3D atlas of temperature in Ireland’s subsurface
With the backdrop of climate change and Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels, the need to exploit Ireland’s potential for secure, reliable and diverse indigenous renewable energy supply is immediate. The contribution of geothermal energy to the required energy transformation of Ireland has fallen behind targets and is far from realising its full potential. The G.O.THERM.3D project at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies proposes a novel approach to quantify and map temperature in Ireland’s crust in an integrated approach that simultaneously accounts for multiple geophysical and petrological datasets, where key rock properties are thermodynamically computed based on the temperature and bulk rock composition. Based on this integrative approach a new 3D temperature atlas for Ireland’s crust will be built with the aim of making it publicly available on an interactive online platform. It is envisaged that an interactive 3D temperature model would increase public awareness of geothermal energy, focus and encourage geothermal resource exploration and assist in the development of public policy on geothermal energy exploration, mapping, planning and exploitation.
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
Elodie Kendall (Postdoc in Geodynamic Modelling Section @GFZ_Potsdam) shares with us recent work on the mantle structures that could explain the Indian Ocean Geoid Low #EGUBlogs @EuroGeosciences blogs.egu.eu/divisions/gd/2… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Happy #ValentinesDay. Here's more #ScienceValentines by @Squidfan Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Includes an ESR position @dias_geophysics with Prof. Chris Bean and myself @GeosciencesEd looking at ground motion and unrest triggering at volcanoes spin-itn.eu/esr41/ - including at Sierra Negra volcano in the Galápagos Islands. Application deadline 31 March 2021 Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Looking for a PhD in #seismology? Help build the future of seismology by joining an exciting research & training network of leading European institutes: spin-itn.eu Now recruiting 15 PhDs in a new #MSCA #ITN 'SPIN' focusing on new sensors and geohazard monitoring! Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Happy #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience! Anyone can be a scientist, and we will always support you where we can on your geoscience journey. Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Dolines or sinkholes are the most common karst landform found in karst landscapes. We have over 11,000 recorded in our karst database #IYCK #karst Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
The European Catalogue of #Volcanoes (volcanos.eurovolc.eu) has been updated! #EUROVOLC team has created a reliable source of #volcanological info, available on an interactive web-page. Features such as eruption search, #tephra database & event trees have been improved. Enjoy! Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Today marks the 'International day of Women and Girls in Science'. Below you can meet some DIAS's past and present women leading innovation and empowering women and girls across the world! Our CEO Eucharia Meehan will be chatting with @HeritageHubIRE later today on this topic Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
#Otd 1846: #Dublin's Robert Mallet, FRS, MRIA presented ‘The Dynamics of Earthquakes’ to @RIAdawson. This @tcdalumni geophysicist & civil engineer used dynamite explosions to measure the speed of elastic waves in surface rocks, pioneering & coining eg 'seismology' & 'epicentre'! Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
#teachers of #geology #geoscience #Geography #earthscience this year you dont have to leave home to experience @EuroGeosciences #GIFT workshop. Enjoy online but you'll need to apply here egu.eu/education/gift… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Applications closing soon! twitter.com/dias_geophysic…
A new, open source #tool has been created within the #eurovolc project! The RETREAT #software can help track & locate #tremor signals from #volcanic #eruptions. Read more here: eurovolc.eu/?p=1694 #python #ObsPy #array #volcanology #monitoring #volcanoes Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics