EDT

Description and Introduction

The research developed by this team of scientists is focused on a multidisciplinary characterization of the structure and dynamic processes of the Earth, from its interior to its surface. This approach is based on integration of a large range of different data sets and methodologies, including Geophysics and Geology, numerical modeling, Geodesy, and Geochronology. The research team consists of 11 staff researchers, pluss post-doctoral and pre-doctoral personnel whose expertise is spread across the various methodologies outlined above. In particular, the team strives to combine data acquisition with modeling in a way that provides an integrated approach to both basic and applied research in Earth Sciences. Major projects developed by the research team have had a considerable impact in the ever evolving field of basic Earth Science research through its numerous, high-profile scientific publications and international conference contributions. On the other hand, they also respond to the increasing demand for industrial and societal applications, involving a wide variety of activities through direct collaborative research with the industry, such as exploration for hydrocarbons, waste disposal, or geological storage of green house gas emissions (CO2). Furthermore, the team is a mayor player in pursuing large-scale initiatives and securing funding, either at a national level (Consolider Ingenio:TOPO-IBERIA), international level (both European and world-wide) (TOPOEUROPE and IGCP), as well as taking part in the effort for integrated research infrastructure for Earth Observation (EPOS) which are lacking in the European Continent.

General Objective

Understanding how the Earth's geosphere system works can be seen as the major, general objective of this research line. This objective is approached firstly, by achieving constraints on the architecture, physical properties and dynamic processes at different scales; secondly, combining experimental data from seismic exploration with the use of potential fields or surface geology methods; third, by incorporating the results into evolutionary models that describe the dynamics and physiochemical processes that may occur in the lithosphere and mantle combined with those at shallow crustal levels and those influencing the present-day landscape (these objectives form part of the Tectonophysics branch). Much of this basic research has direct relevance for industrial applications (objectives of the Applied Geology and Geophysics branch). Finally, objectives of both the basic and applied research imply and are achieved by the Development of new Geophysical Methodologies.

Keywords

Earth structure	SKS Splitting	geodynamic processes
numerical modelling	structural geology	tectonophysics
seismology	lithosphere and mantle properties	geophysical methods
monitoring instrumentation	collisional orogens	applied geology and geophysics
TOPOIBERIA	Seismic Noise	landscape evolution
shallow subsurface characterization	continental margins	tomography
seismic exploration	crust	Arc-continent collision
receiver functions	surface processes	subduction zones