Current Courses & Course Websites

Ge 102 Introduction to Geophysics
9 units (3-0-6); second term. Prerequisites: Ma 2, Ph 2, or Ge 108, or equivalents. An introduction to the physics of the earth. The present internal structure and dynamics of the earth are considered in light of constraints from the gravitational and magnetic fields, seismology, and mineral physics. The fundamentals of wave propagation in earth materials are developed and applied to inferring earth structure. The earthquake source is described in terms of seismic and geodetic signals. The following are also considered: the contributions that heat-flow, gravity, paleomagnetic, and earthquake mechanism data have made to our understanding of plate tectonics, the driving mechanism of plate tectonics, and the energy sources of mantle convection and the geodynamo. Instructor: Simons.

Ge 111ab Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course Ge 111ab. Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course. An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar that will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The 4–5-day field component will be held in spring break, and the data analysis component is covered in Ge 111 b. May be repeated for credit with an instructor’s permission. Instructors: Clayton, Simons.

a. Applied Geophysics Seminar. 6 units (3-3-0); second term. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission.b. Applied Geophysics Field Course. 9 units (0-3-6); spring break, third term. Prerequisite: Ge 111 a.

Ge 167 Active Tectonics Geodesy
Units to be arranged. Offered by announcement only. This course introduces the use of modern geodetic observations to constrain crustal deformation models. We will cover the commonly used basic elastic and viscoelastic models and their implications. We will also cover the processing and use of GPS and InSAR observations, especially newly available data from dense GPS networks and orbiting radar satellites. For both data types, we will address sources of noise and promote “best-practices” for using these data. We will begin with the use of secular velocity fields, followed by co-seismic, and time-dependent processes. Time permitting, we will address volcano deformation, as well as seasonal loading phenomena. As part of this course, we introduce basic inverse approaches to model parameter estimation, as well as basic temporal filtering algorithms. This course is intended to provide hands on experience and will rely extensively on the use of Matlab. Tutorials on software will be provided as needed.