12. Observation and Analysis of Climate Processes Using Seismic Data from the Global Seismographic Network
The global seismic “noise” field contains unique and valuable information about a variety of earth processes. Despite a random appearance, the broadband seismic noise field reveals information on the earth's internal structure, human activity (“cultural” noise”), and processes related to the oceans, cryosphere, and atmosphere. Recently renewed recognition of the richness of seismic background signals and previously undetected long-period transients have resulted in novel and significant observations relevant to climate related processes. These include long term and real-time ocean wave and storm intensity “microseism” patterns, glacier retreat and ice shelf breakup in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska, interactions between storms, ocean swell, and the cryosphere, and seismicity caused by elastic rebound due to glacier retreat.
The focus of this Mendenhall research will be the critical examination of seismic signals arising from climate processes and the evaluation of possible changes through time. Working with experts in seismology, instrumentation and oceanography, the Mendenhall Fellow will focus on those aspects of the seismic “noise” wavefield most sensitive to climate related processes. We seek candidates to develop innovative techniques for investigating the source phenomenology and history of global microseisms in unprecedented detail and at new levels of spatial and temporal resolution. Research may include the unique aspects of microseisms in Arctic and Antarctic regions, and additional seismic signals related to glaciological processes and sea ice variability.
Results will be analyzed and interpreted in climatological, oceanographic, and meteorological context. Data to be analyzed will include the accruing continuous record of the Global Seismographic Network (GSN) in conjunction with earlier data stretching back to the 1960’s and before, currently being digitized using USGS resources. Other data sets of opportunity may include those of the U.S. Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) and EarthScope USArray.
Climate change is the subject of intensive worldwide multidisciplinary research. The long recording history of the GSN and related networks provides a unique window into climate studies that potentially extends back to the early 20th century. Research conducted during this postdoctoral opportunity is expected to contribute new results to ongoing projects in the USGS Program in Global Change (http://www.usgs.gov/global_change/), with the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (http://www.climatescience.gov/), and with results from studies conducted during the International Polar Year (http://www.ipy.org/)
Proposed Duty Station: Golden, CO
Areas of Ph.D.: Geophysics, seismology, physics
Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Geophysicist, Research Physicist
(This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources specialist.)
Research Advisor(s): Daniel McNamara, (303) 273-8550, mcnamara@usgs.gov; Charles Hutt, (505) 846-5649, bhutt@usgs.gov; Lind Gee, (505) 853-8887, lgee@usgs.gov; Shad O’Neel, (907) 786-7088, soneel@usgs.gov; Richard Aster (New Mexico Tech University), (575) 835-5924, aster@ees.nmt.edu; Peter Bromirski (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego), (858) 822-0552, pbromirski@ucsd.edu
Human Resources Office contact: Vanessa Chambless, (303) 236-9584, vchambless@usgs.gov
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Summary of Opportunities |