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Scientific Research
In studying the internal structure of the Earth the Geophysics section relies on the classical tools of seismology and the variations in the gravitational field supplemented by electromagnetic methods and theoretical geodynamic modelling.
In recent years, our research has exploited measurements from Space, of the effects of global ocean circulation on the Earth’s magnetic field to detailed images of the Earth’s mantle, obtained from combining earthquake waves recorded on worldwide seismometers, gravity and magnetic datasets.
Researchers within the section study the impact on the deep ocean of large atmospheric storms and the long term geophysical processes that lead to the formation of sedimentary basins, offshore Ireland. Through the installation of temporary high density seismic networks, significant advances were also made in our understanding of small earthquake populations in Ireland. We see superb examples of very small earthquakes (usually too small to be felt by humans) repeat slipping in an identical fashion. Hence even in a geographical location with little tectonic activity, there are very interesting dynamic processes at play.
These seismic networks are also leading to better images of sub-surface geological structure, which has implications for our understanding of how the Earth’s crust and its resources formed. Although DIAS has a remit to focus on fundamental research, nonetheless through the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience (iCRAG) and collaborations with the Geological Survey, Ireland (GSI) the geophysics section has strengthened its collaboration with industry partners, over recent years.
Our fieldwork activities in recent years saw the deployment of Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) in the NE Atlantic, the development of our of bespoke seismic networks in Iceland and the Galapagos, and electromagnetic networks on the Azores. These latter deployments both have a focus on volcanoes and both involve strong international collaborations.
The section had several new project successes in recent years, noteably the €1 million Euro European Space Agency (ESA) award to Zdenek Martenic, Sergei Lebedev and Javier Fullea entitled “3D Earth – A Dynamic Living Planet,” and a prestigious Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) award to Javier Fullea deriving from his successful A-rated European Research Council starter (ERC) application.
Others include, Sergei Levedev’s SFI/GSI/Marine Institute 2017 funded project (€1.25 Million), SEA-SEIS (Structure, Evolution and SEISmic hazard off the Irish offshore). Led by DIAS the project will also bring together collaborators from the Geological Survey Ireland, University of Oxford and GFZ Potsdam. In turn SEASEIS is made possible by the 2017 commissioned iMARL Marine Infrastructure award (€2.9 Million) to Chris Bean. SEA-SEIS will bridge our understanding of the NorthAtlantic – Arctic region, for the first time.
In terms of infrastructure, the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) is in the process of expansion with support from the GSI.
For more detailed information on individual research projects and their research outcomes, see the staff page and the publications page.
Check out our most Recent Research Activies.
Geophysics
From there the data is transferred by satellite to the INSN data centre. This allows seismic data from the ocean floor to be viewed in almost real time. (3/3)
For example, real time ocean floor monitoring as part of the Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network. The ocean bottom seismometer sits on the ocean floor. When a seismic event occurs, a trigger will transmit the data from the OBS to the weather buoy floating above it. (2/3)
Happy #TechWeek2021! One of the ways DIAS is using pioneering tech in our research is with the marine monitoring equipment that makes up the iMARL pool. (1/3) imarl.ie @DIAS_Dublin @RVMarineInst @MetEireann #DIASdiscovers #techweekirl
Was there today! Great to see the iconic hurler on the moon photograph with @hogg82 from @dias_geophysics featured twitter.com/rtenews/status… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Attending #vEGU21 #EGU21 this year? Want an interesting way to share your science? Let me Lego-fy it for you! I'm one of the @EuroGeosciences Artists in Residence and I want to turn your abstract into a Lego scene! Here's some I did last year! DM me if you're interested! 🧱😁 Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
La Soufriere volcano raised to alert level Red St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. – 6:30pm April 8th, 2021 - Scientists have observed a significant increase in activity at La Soufriere volcano which has prompted The Government of SVG to raise the volcanic alert level 1/7 Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
A nice new collection of work on volcanic, earthquake, and landslide hazards from the nature group. Lots of interesting stuff here, including our recent paper on Sierra Negra with @GeosciencesEd, @volcano_dr, @IGecuador, @dias_geophysics, et al. twitter.com/NatureComms/st… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
A new #volcanic #fissure opened up yesterday noon, NE of Geldingadalir, where an #eruption has been ongoing since 19 March. #Magma is flowing at a rather fast pace from the ~200m long fissure to Merardalir valley #EUROVOLC #volcanichazard #volcanicrisk Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Which mechanisms drive the triggering of volcanic unrest? What role does changes in volcanic materials play? Novel ground motion measurements can help answer these questions. And so can you, in a @SPIN_itn PhD project at @dias_geophysics! Apply now: spin-itn.eu/esr41 Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
1942 Dr. Sheila Tinney of Galway Pioneering Irish mathematical physicist. Aged 23 she earned her PhD under future Nobel prize winner Max Born on "Stability in Crystals" Image credit: Tinney Family, Mathematics Ireland #Science #Ireland #Galway #History #Quantum .@DIAS_Dublin Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Our 1st speaker of the April 8th #ShakeMeetup is @seismotom! Thomas Lecocq is a #Seismologist at the Royal Observatory of Belgium who created the open source code to study the global decrease in seismic noise due to the past lockdown. ➡️ buff.ly/3vXYS4n Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
This is 1 year ago. That idea, on April Fools' Day... Less than 4 month later, the 76-author article was published online! What a year, damn 2020. The worst and the best! Science, our way! Sharing knowledge, codes, data... is THE way. I'm a f* open-scientist! Thanks to you all!❤ twitter.com/seismotom/stat… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
How is Tomorrow's Cities working to engage different stakeholders? How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted our ability to engage? And what are we learning about what works and what doesn’t? Read this blog to see our MEL team's analysis: tomorrowscities.org/stakeholder-en… 📸@SIAS_Southasia Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
M2.6 & M2.3 earthquakes occurred this morning in the Rockall Trough. Confirmed by INSN operated by @dias_geophysics @DIAS_Dublin in co-operation with @GeolSurvIE . Details tinyurl.com/3csjumm2 @k_verbruggen @GeoSurveyNI #DIASdiscovers
1933, Erwin Schrödinger Austrian-Irish physicist Éamon de Valera (himself a mathematician!) personally persuaded Schrödinger to join the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies in 1939. Image: Nobel foundation, Wikimedia Commons #physicist #Clontarf #dublinireland #DeOldify Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
1942 @DIAS_Dublin First row from left: Sheila Tinney, Pádraig de Brún, Paul Dirac, Éamon de Valera, Arthur Conway, Arthur Eddington, Erwin Schrödinger, Albert Joseph McConnell. Image: DIAS, Wikicommons #Ireland #Dublin #Science #History Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Sierra Negra—the basaltic caldera found on the Galápagos Islands—went through resurgence after eruption, a rarity for this type of volcano. Story by @Sarah_Derouin, research by @AndyFBell (@EdinburghUni & @GeosciencesEd), @volcano_dr (@PennState) et al. eos.org/articles/obser… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Time to get out your camera or phone, and look up to the heavens and see what you can capture 📸 Closing date for the @DIAS_Dublin Reach for the Stars competition is 2nd April. alicepr.com/featured/final… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
"Government approves landmark Climate Bill putting Ireland on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050." The case emissions reductions couldn't be clearer than in these visualisations. @EPAIreland @MetEireann @KOSullivanIT gov.ie/en/press-relea… youtube.com/watch?v=Rw6Bsa… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics
Did you miss the IOP Tyndall Lecture on Monday with @DIASAstronomy's @petertgallagher ? Great news it's now available on YouTube. #DIASdiscovers twitter.com/IOP_Ireland/st… Retweeted by DIAS Geophysics