Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics (IGT) PhD Projects
Testing models of mantle down-wellings: the seismic structure of the South Carpathians from local earthquake tomography
Supervisors: Prof Graham Stuart
Present models for the development of the Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian system of central Europe involve slab roll-back of subducted oceanic lithosphere and/or gravitational instability of the continental mantle, following the indentation of Europe by the Adria block. The South Carpathian mountain range is a key element in our understanding of this geodynamic system as it contains in the Vrancea region of intermediate seismicity. Is this an isolated downwelling of continental mantle or the vestige of a subducted slab? The NERC sponsored South Carpathian Project (SCP) has deployed a seismic network (~60 stations) in Romania, Serbia and Hungary (mid2009-mid2011) and aims to integrate teleseismic tomography with geodynamical modelling throughout the Pannonian-Carpathian system. The objectives of the present PhD project are to use the better resolution of local earthquake tomography to determine the 3D velocity and attenuation structure of the South Carpathian lithosphere to help test geodynamic models proposed for this area of deep seismicity. Knowledge of the 3D velocity structure will also allow the seismicity to be more accurately located; knowledge of attenuation and understood constrains earthquake hazard assessment in a region of Romania that contains the capital, Bucharest, and other major cities.
Location map with SCP seismological sensors marked by red circles; permanent sensors are blue or yellow circles and white triangles. White box is the region of study
The student will become part of an active seismology research group, have the opportunity to engage in seismological fieldwork and gain seismic data analysis skills, relevant for industry or academic careers.
References:
Dando, B., G. Stuart, G. Housman, E. Hegedus, E. Bruckl and S. Radovanovic, 2011. Teleseismic tomography of the mantle structure in the Carpathian-Pannonian region of central Europe. submitted to Geophys. J. Int. Oct 2010.
Eberhart-Phillips, D., M. Reyners, M. Chadwick and G. Stuart, 2008. Three-dimensional attenuation structure of the Hikurangi subduction zone in the central North Island, New Zealand. Geophysical Journal International, 174, 418 – 434.
Lorinczi, P; Houseman, GA 2009. Lithospheric gravitational instability beneath the Southeast Carpathians, Tectonophysics, 474(1-2), pp322-336. doi: 10.101 6/j.tecto.2008.05.024 8.
Reyners, M., D. Eberhart-Phillips, G. Stuart and Y. Nishimura. 2006 Imaging subduction from the trench to 300km depth beneath central North Island, New Zealand, with Vp and Vp/Vs Geophys. J. Int. 165, 565-583.