Recent  

Near-surface characterization is of great importance. Surface wave tomography (SWT) is a powerful tool to model the subsurface. In this work, we compare straight-ray and curved-ray SWT at near-surface scale. We apply both approaches on four datasets and compare the results in terms of the quality of the final model and the computational cost. We show that in case of high data coverage, straight-ray SWT can produce similar results as curved-ray SWT, but with less computational cost.

A structural-geochronological approach helps to unravel the Zuccale Fault architecture. By mapping its internal structure and dating some of its fault rocks we constrained a deformation history lasting 20 Myr starting c. 22 Ma ago. Such long activity is recorded by now tightly juxtaposed Brittle Structural Facies, that is, different types of fault rocks. Our results have also implications on the regional evolution of the Northern Apennines, of which the Zuccale Fault is an important structure.

In this work we analyze signals emitted from wind turbines. They induce sound as well as ground motion waves which propagate through the subsurface and are registered by sensible instruments. In our data we observe when these signals are present and how strong they are. Some signals are present in ground motion and sound data, providing the opportunity to study similarities and better characterize emissions. Furthermore, we study the amplitudes with distance to improve the prediction of signals.

The manuscript presents a new 3D shear wave velocity model of the lithosphere of northeastern Venezuela, including new Moho and Vp/Vs maps. Data were retrieved from land and broadband ocean bottom seismometers from the BOLIVAR experiment.

In this study, we use high-resolution 3D reflection seismic data from the Orange Basin (South Africa) to provide an in-depth examination of the transitional domain from a buried deep-water fold-and-thrust belt (DWFTB) system. The study has shown the difference in structural styles and effects of a Late Cretaceous transitional and compressional domain and how they have influenced mass transport systems and deposits of the Cenozoic.

We studied the mobility and sedimentary characteristic of rock avalanches influenced by initial discontinuity sets with experimental methods. In the experiments, we set different initial configurations of blocks. The results revealed that the mobility and surface structures of the mass flows differed significantly. In the mass deposits, the blocks’ orientation was affected by their initial configurations and the motion process of the mass flows.

The dissolution of rocks (subrosion) poses a severe hazard because it can cause subsidence and sinkhole formation. Based on results from our study area in Thuringia, Germany, using P- and S_H-wave reflection seismics, electrical resistivity- and electromagnetic methods and gravimetry, we develop a geophysical investigation workflow. This workflow enables to identify the initial triggers of subrosion and its control factors, such as structural constraints, fluid pathways, and mass movement.

The Earth's surface is commonly characterized by the occurrence of fractures, which can be mapped and their geometry quantified, on digital representations of the surface at different scales of observation. Here we present a series of analytical and statistical tools, which can aid the quantification of fracture spatial distribution at different scale. In doing so, we can improve our understanding of how fracture geometry and geology affect fluid flow within the fractured Earth crust.

Under tectonic forces, the upper part of the crust can break along different types of faults, depending on the orientation of the applied stresses. We show, using scaled analogue models, that the relative magnitude of compressional and extensional forces as well as the presence of inherited structures resulting from previous stages of deformation control the location and type of faults. Our results gives insights into the tectonic evolution of areas showing complex patterns of deformation.

The origin of many volcanic archipelagos on the Earth remains uncertain. By using 3D modelling of mantle flow and melting, we investigate the interaction between the convective mantle near the continental-oceanic transition and rising hot plumes. We believe that this phenomenon is the origin behind some archipelagos, in particular the Canary Islands. Analysing our results, we reconcile observations that were previously enigmatic, such as the complex patterns of volcanism in the Canaries.