Structural Seismology and Tectonophysics at USC
My primary research interests as a structural seismologist are in reconstructing the evolution of the dynamic Earth through the study of earthquakes, tectonic processes, and plate motions. I have recently focused my research on the three-dimensional structural evolution of the lithosphere and mantle near plate boundaries, such as the western United States, Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Western Pacific, which are all seismically and volcanically active.
Current and recent research projects include:
Slab structure and dynamics of arcuate shaped subduction zones - NSF CAREER award
Transitions in the Banda Arc-Australia continental collision as a bridge to understanding mantle and lithospheric controls on surface tectonics - funded by NSF Tectonics/Geophysics/Global Venture Fund
Evolution the lithosphere and upper mantle in the westernmost Mediterranean through imaging portable broadband seismometers deployed in Spain and Morocco - funded as part of the NSF Continental Dynamics PICASSO project.
Mapping the Moho in Southern California using P receiver functions - funded by SCEC.
Evolution of the lithospheric and mantle structure of the Colorado Plateau and surrounding regions using USArray Transportable Array data - funded by the NSF Earthscope program.
Structural evolution of the Southeastern Caribbean mantle - funded as part of the NSF Continental Dynamics BOLIVAR project.
News:
Latest Nature Geoscience article on the southeastern Caribbean featured by USC News in August 2012
Awarded an NSF CAREER award for 2011-2015
Associate editor for special theme volume in G-Cubed on the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary
2012 G-Cubed publication on the LAB beneath the Western U.S. picked for the Editor's Highlights
2011 Nature publication and featured News and Views article on delimation beneath the Colorado Plateau
2010 GRL publication on the Canadian craton featured in as a highlight in Science Magazine
2010-2011 NSF EarthScope Seminar Series Speaker
For student and postdoc opportunities, please email me for more information.
