Department of Applied Science

Course Syllabus

7365 Advanced Seismology

I. Instructor: Dr. Haydar Al-Shukri

II. Catalog Description:

Analysis of seismic waves in a uniform medium from a pressure pulse in a spherical cavity. Solution to Sharpe’s problem using Laplace Transform. Wave propagation from sources layered medium of different physical conditions. Numerical integration of equation of motion. Seismometry. Focal mechanism and source characteristics. Internal structure of the earth. Nuclear testing and other explosions.

III. Prerequisites: Calculus I, II, III, Differential Equation

IV. Course Objectives:

A. To give the graduate student of applied sciences the necessary background in theoretical seismology and wave propagation.

B. Solution to the wave equation to study particular problems.

C. Study different mechanisms of seismic wave attenuation and scattering

D. Learn techniques of using seismic waves to study the internal structure of the earth.

V. Expectation of Students:

A. Enrollees will participate in all class meeting and will complete assigned readings and other preparation to discussions of the subject matter.

B. Enrollees will achieve satisfactory grades on a midterm and final exams.

VI. Course Content:

A. Introduction and review

1. Fourier integral and Fourier transform

2. Application of Laplace transform

3. Matching boundary conditions to obtain solution

4. Solution in terms of infinite integral

B. Pressure pulse in a spherical cavity

1. Generalize form of solution

2. Source functions

3. Complex variable and residue theorem

4. Solution by transform methods

C. Seismometry

1. Inertial pendulum systems

2. Electromagnetic instruments

3. Force-feedback instruments

4. Seismic arrays and regional network

D. Body elastic waves

1. Compressional (P) and Shear waves (S)

2. Form of ground motion in an earthquake

E. Seismogram interpretation

1. Nomenclature

2. Travel-time curves

3. Locating earthquakes

4. Generalized inverse

F. Midterm Examination.

G. Determination of Earth structure

1. Earth structure inversions

2. Earth structure

3. Tomography and 3-D imaging

H. Seismic Sources

1. Faulting sources

2. Equivalent body forces

3. Elastostatices

4. The seismic moment tensor

5. Determination of faulting orientation

I. Earthquake kinematics and dynamics

1. The one-dimensional Haskell source

2. The source spectrum

3. Stress drop, particle velocity, and rupture velocity

4. Magnitude scales

5. Seismic energy

J. Final examination or oral presentation of term paper.

VII. Text:

Lay, T and T. Wallace (1995). Modern Global Seismology, Academic Press, 521 P.

VIII. Basis for student evaluation:

A. Midterm examination 33%

B. Class assignments 33%

C. Final examination/term paper 34%