Geophysics, Tectonics & Structural Geology

The geophysics discipline focuses on investigating the internal structure and composition of the Earth and other planets/moons using approaches such as seismology, geodesy, gravity, magnetics, and electrical resistivity. These techniques are also employed on Earth in the exploration for natural resources, in environmental studies, and to mitigate geologic hazards.

Tectonics is a broad field that encompasses physical and chemical processes that shape our planet. This includes interactions between the Earth’s crust and the underlying mantle, subduction of oceanic crust, formation of the continents, mountain building, and basin formation.

Structural geology deals with the form, arrangement, and internal structure of rocks, particularly the description and analysis of small to moderate geologic structures, such as folds, faults, and shear zones that result from the application of deforming forces.

At UA, research in these fields has included

• field-oriented research in active tectonics along major fault zones in extensional, compressional, and strike-slip terranes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
• investigation of large-scale tectonic structures and geodynamic processes, using methods such as seismic tomography, receiver functions, and anisotropy measurements
• studying the evolution of the crust and core of terrestrial planets and moons from their magnetic fields, as observed by satellites using geophysical methods such as ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomograph
• studying the evolution of orogenic systems through field mapping, reconstruction of fold-thrust belts, and provenance studies, and exploring the links between structure, sedimentation, and erosion using thermochronology and geochronology
• applying isotope geochemistry to understand the processes and rates of processes that form the continental crust and result in mountain building in magmatic arcs above subducting oceanic crust
• conducting geophysical signal analysis by using computer-assisted pattern recognition and machine learning