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651-4014-00L 3 Credits MSC D-ERDW

Seismic Waves II

Does not take place this semester. Seismic Waves II will be offered in HS 2025, then renamed and reintroduced in FS 2027 (it will not take place in 2026).
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:23

Abstract

This course provides an overview on the most widely used seismological methods to image the Earth’s interior with a focus on crustal and upper-mantle structures. Topics include controlled source methods such as refraction and wide-angle reflection, as well as passive body-wave and surface-wave based methods. The course will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each method.

Objective

Understand the strengths and weaknesses of various active and passive tomographic methods to image the structure of the Earth.

Resources

Literature

-Stein, S., Wysession, M., & Stein, S. (Ed.) (2003). Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure. Blackwell Publishing. -Lay, T. and T. C. Wallace, Modern Global Seismology, Academic Press, San Diego, 1995. A very basic seismology textbook. Chapters 2 through 4 provide a useful introduction to the contents of this course. -Menke, W., Geophysical Data Analysis: Discrete Inverse Theory, revised edition, Academic Press, San Diego, 1989. A very complete textbook on inverse theory in geophysics. -Press, W. H., S. A. Teukolsky, W. T. Vetterling and B. P. Flannery, Numerical Recipes, Cambridge University Press. The art of scientific computing. -Aki, K. and P. G. Richards, Quantitative Seismology, second edition, University Science Books, Sausalito, 2002. The most standard textbook in seismology, for grad students and advanced undergraduates. -Dahlen, F. A. and J. Tromp, Theoretical Global Seismology, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1998. A very good book, suited for advanced graduate students with a strong math background. -Kennett B.L.N., The Seismic Wavefield. Volume I: Introduction and Theoretical Development (2001). Volume II: Interpretation of Seismograms on Regional and Global Scales (2002). Cambridge University Press. -Trefethen, L. N. and D. Bau III, Numerical Linear Algebra, Soc. for Ind. and Appl. Math., Philadelphia, 1997. A textbook on the numerical solution of large linear inverse problems, designed for advanced math undergraduates.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Details on examination and grading will be announced in the first lecture of the course

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Seismic Waves II
Does not take place this semester. Will take place again in FS 27 again (new: Seismic Tomography)
No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In