Research Programs at IGPP, San Diego

Research Programs at IGPP/SIO

IGPP is a research unit within SIO that spans a variety of different disciplines within geophysics and oceanography. Our research may be roughly divided into the following categories:

Crustal deformation and geodesy Electrical methods Geochemistry Geodynamics Geomagnetism Geomorphology Gravity Laboratories and facilities Oceanography and acoustics Remote sensing Seagoing experiments Seismology

For a general description of geophysics research at SIO and opportunities for graduate students, see a recent report.

For information about graduate studies in geoscience, see the Earth Sciences web site.

For additional information about oceanography and geoscience research at SIO, see the PORD, GRD, and MPL web sites.

Please send corrections and updates for this web site to Peter Shearer

Crustal Deformation and Geodesy

IGPP has active programs in both space and land based geodetic techniques for monitoring crustal deformation in California and around the world. These include satellite GPS measurements and SAR imaging, as well as strain meters and other instruments at Pinon Flat Observatory.

People

Duncan Agnew Greg Anderson Bruce Bills Yehuda Bock Paul deJonge Peng Fang Hadley Johnson Suzanne Lyons Bernard Minster Rosanne Nikolaidis Evelyn Price David Sandwell Glenn Sasagawa Karen Watson Simon Williams Frank Wyatt Hemming Xu Mark Zumberge

Projects

Cecil and Ida Green Pinon Flat Geophysical Observatory
Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center (SOPAC)
Synthetic Aperture Radar Research

Electrical Methods

Scripps has pioneered most aspects of marine electromagnetism and is a world leader in this field. EM research at IGPP has involved development of seafloor instrumentation, data inversion techniques, and laboratory studies of rock properties. Recent marine experiments have focused on the oceanic spreading centers where EM measurements can help constrain details of the magma chamber source.

People

Steve Constable

Projects

Research in EM Methods

Geochemistry

Yes, IGPP does geochemistry. We are currently involved in the development effort for a Geochemical Earth Reference Model (GERM).

People

Anthony Koppers Hubert Staudigel

Projects

Geochemical Earth Reference Model (GERM)

Geodynamics

Research in geodynamics and tectonophysics at IGPP includes numerical modeling of mantle flow and lithospheric deformation, analysis of shipboard gravity and bathymetry data, processing of satellite data and construction of global maps of seafloor topography, and the use of seismic data to constrain regional upper mantle structure.

People

Donna Blackman Guy Masters Jason Phipps Morgan Giovani Pari

Geomagnetism

IGPP scientists developed and pioneered the use of inverse theory for analysis of geomagnetic data. Current research includes the use of satellite, observatory and paleomagnetic data to reveal the character and evolution of Earth's geomagnetic field and the nature of the geodynamo in the core.

People

George Backus Cathy Constable David Lowe David McMillan Bob Parker

Projects

Research in Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism

Geomorphology

IGPP researchers are actively exploring the complex behavior induced by the nonlinear interactions that govern the processes acting to shape the surfaces of the Earth and other planets. We are modeling these surficial phenomena in arid, arctic and coastal environments.

People

Linden Clarke Jason Foat Mark Kessler Michele Okihiro Brad Werner

Projects

Complex Systems Laboratory

Gravity

IGPP research into absolute gravity meters has led to both land and seafloor based instruments. Analyses of satellite gravity data have led to new images of seafloor topography and constraints on the tectonics of Earth and other planets.

People

Bruce Bills Ola Eiken Bob Parker David Sandwell Glenn Sasagawa Mark Zumberge

Projects

Absolute gravity
Satellite Marine Gravity
Towed Marine Gravity

Laboratories and Facilities

Within IGPP there are several facilities organized around particular subjects.

People

Duncan Agnew Jonathan Berger Yehuda Bock Pete Davis Paul deJonge Peng Fang Hadley Johnson Michele Okihiro Frank Vernon Brad Werner Frank Wyatt

Projects

International Deployment of Accelerometers
Cecil and Ida Green Pinon Flat Geophysical Observatory
Complex Systems Laboratory
Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center (SOPAC)

Oceanography and Acoustics

IGPP conducts research in both oceanography and acoustics. These fields are combined in the ATOC experiment, which uses measured variations in oceanic sound speed to monitor long-term temperature changes.

People

Glenn Ierley Ted Johnson Bill Kuperman John Miles Carolyn Mockett Walter Munk John Orcutt Rick Salmon Peter Worcester

Projects

Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Project
Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate
Gilbraltar Acoustic Monitoring Experiment

Remote Sensing

Remote sensing techniques include GPS measurements, SAR imaging, and radar altimetry. These are using to measure crustal deformation and sea surface topography.

People

Duncan Agnew Greg Anderson Yehuda Bock Suzanne Lyons Bernard Minster Rosanne Nikolaidis Evelyn Price David Sandwell Lydie Sichoix Karen Watson Simon Williams Hemming Xu

Projects

Satellite Marine Gravity
Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center (SOPAC)
Synthetic Aperture Radar Research
Global Topography

Seagoing Experiments

As part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, IGPP is closely involved with marine geophysics and oceanography. IGPP scientists are leaders in development of sea going instruments and partipate in several cruises each year.

People

Sara Bazin Donna Blackman Steve Constable Alistair Harding Graham Kent Gabi Laske John Orcutt Jason Phipps Morgan Liliya Posiolova Jeff Ridgway David Sandwell Glenn Sasagawa Hubert Staudigel Mark Zumberge

Projects

SWELL experiment

Seismology

IGPP scientists are at the forefront of both experimental and theoretical seismology. We operate Project IDA, a global network of 33 broadband seismometers, that forms a key part of the Global Seismic Network, as well as smaller seismic arrays in California and Kyrgyzstan. Our marine seismology group conducts frequent seagoing experiments along oceanic ridges and fracture zones, and maintains an active ocean bottom seismometer program and expertise in reflection seismic processing. Building on our traditional strengths in normal mode seismology and inverse theory, IGPP seismologists have been leaders in the effort to develop three-dimensional models of the structure of Earth's mantle and core. Other research topics include applying stacking techniques to image seismic discontinuities in the upper mantle, developing new methods to improve the accuracy of earthquake locations, and experiments and research to assist in the monitoring of nuclear test ban treaties.

People

Greg Anderson Luciana Astiz Jeff Babcock Sara Bazin Jonathan Berger Pete Davis Eric Hallenborg Catherine de Groot-Hedlin Freeman Gilbert Alistair Harding Michael Hedlin Graham Kent Gabi Laske Bernard Minster Guy Masters John Orcutt Liliya Posiolova Keith Richards-Dinger Vera Schulte-Pelkum Peter Shearer Frank Vernon Linda Warren Ruedi Widmer-Schnidrig

Projects

Seismic networks and arrays

International Deployment of Accelerometers (IDA)
Seismic Arrays

Global Seismology

Reference Earth Model
Surface Waves
CRUST 5.1 model

Marine Seismology

Marine Seismology
Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Project

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