Professional Information
- Title: Research Assistant Professor
- BS, University of Baghdad
- MS, University of Baghdad
- PhD, St. Louis University
Contact Information
- Office Location: ETAS 101C
- Office Phone: 569-8305
- E-Mail: mahdi@seismo.ualr.edu
Professional Information
Contact Information
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Research Assistant Professor, Graduate Institute of Technology, UALR, Little Rock, Arkansas, 2000-Present.
Visiting Assistant Professor, Earth Science Department, UALR, Little Rock, Arkansas, 2001-2002
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Earth Science Department, UALR, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1999-2000.
Staff Scientist, ENSCO, Inc. Melbourne, Florida, 1996-1998.
Research Assistant Professor, Southeast Missouri State University, 1994-1996.
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Indiana University, 1991-1994.
Research Assistant, Saint Louis University, 1989-1990.
Teaching Assistant, Saint Louis University, 1984-1988.
Research Geophysicist, Geological Survey and Mineral Investigation Co., Iraq, 1978-1982.
Teacher, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Iraq, 1977-1978.
Research Assistant, University of Baghdad, 1974-1976.
Seismology
Currently, I'm a member of a research team conducting a comprehensive geological
and geophysical investigation to identify and characterize specific features related to
historic or prehistoric earthquakes near the southern terminus of the New Madrid Seismic
Zone in eastern Arkansas. Recently conducted aerial and field surveys revealed the existence
of liquefaction and linear features as far as south of Marianna, Arkansas. The
study is divided into three parts. First, field surveys in the study
area will be conducted to locate features potentially generated by earthquakes.
Second, trench, log, sample, and document the selected features.
Third, ground penetrating radar geophysical surveys will be conducted on the trenched
features to derive, if possible, their characteristic signature. The possibility of
transferring this signature to other localities will be investigated.
Research and development in support of monitoring a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The program includes seismic signal enhancement, detection and onset time estimation, better estimate of surface wave magnitude, and characterization of seismic instrumentation.
I have worked on developing advanced methods utilizing broadband, three-component seismic arrays to better estimate surface-wave magnitude from small regional events. The ultimate objective of this work is to improve discriminant reliability of smaller events by providing stable yield estimate under low signal-to noise conditions. This is a characteristic of smaller nuclear explosions recorded at regional distances.
Studying Scattering and multi-pathing effect on surface wave propagation at regional distances in central Asia. The study uses broadband digital seismic data recorded by Kyrghyzia network operated by IRIS Joint seismic program since 1991. Single station and array processing techniques are both merged and utilized.
Studying spectral characteristics of earthquakes and explosions recorded at regional and teleseismic distances for the purpose of discriminating small earthquakes and explosions. One aspect of this analysis is studying the spectral amplitudes of array beam of both earthquake and explosion to examine the effect of different azimuths and stacking phase velocity on surface wave amplitude spectrum. This is part of a study using array processing methods to enhance signals in the 0.01 to 0.2 Hz band
Analysis of the lateral and regional variation of seismic wave velocity in the crust and upper mantle using seismic surface wave data and utilizing inversion procedure to derive velocity models and to correlate them with geological and tectonic setting of the region. This analysis has been applied to derive velocity models for Western United States, Africa, central Asia, and Lopnor, the Chinese nuclear test site.
Studying the regional and lateral variation of anelasticity to understand the evolution of the continental crust and upper mantle using seismic surface wave attenuation. This investigation includes measurement of anelastic attenuation coefficients and inversion of these measurements to derive anelastic structural model and correlate it with the tectonic and thermal history of a specific region.
Shallow Geophysics
Laboratory experiments, an outdoor test bed, and theoretical
modeling have been used
to investigate the potential of using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to detect
water leaks in the underground distribution system. Leaks not only waste
precious natural resources, but they also create substantial damage to the
transportation system within urban and suburban environments. Surface
geophysical methods are non-invasive, trenchless tools used to characterize the
physical properties of the subsurface material. This characterization is then
used to interpret the geologic and hydrogeologic conditions of the subsurface.
Many geophysical techniques have been suggested as candidates for detecting
leakage, including GPR, acoustic devices, gas sampling devices and pressure
waves detectors. GPR is a reflection technique, which uses high frequency
electromagnetic waves to acquire subsurface information. GPR responds to
changes in electrical properties, which are a function of soil and rock material
and moisture content. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to
validate the effectiveness of GPR technology in detecting water leakage in metal
and PVC pipes. Results obtained so far indicate that GPR is effective in detecting
water leaks and contaminant plumes. An outdoor test bed is currently under
construction in collaboration with Central Arkansas Water to simulate and detect
water leaks using the GPR technique. Pipes that are commonly used for water
distribution in the city of Little Rock are to be used for testing. The test
bed will be constructed using soil matrial that is representative of the region.
Advanced digital signal processing will be implemented to enhance the anomalies.
Support the Arkansas Center for Earthquake Education and Technology Transfer (ACEETT) to accomplish its public education mission by participating in the following activities: 1. provide earthquake workshops promoting seismic safety, mitigation, education and planning for professional groups. 2. Disseminate earthquake information related to seismic education and technical training needs of the state. 3. Provide an enhanced internet seismic and technical database and educational resources for students and general public. 4. Provide assistance to professional education organizations, and scientific and technical groups concerning their needs for seismic education and technology transfer.
Sallomy, J. T. and H. H. Al-Khatib (1986a). Basement tectonics in the Al-Salman
area, SW desert, Iraq, Arabian J.
Sc. Eng. 11, 77-85.
Sallomy, J. T. and H. H. Al-Khatib (1986b). Analysis of gravity and magnetic data in the
study of the structure and tectonics of the Arar area, SW desert, Iraq,Arabian
J. Sc. Eng.11, 213-224.
Al-Khatib, H.H. and B.J.Mitchell (1989). Lateral variation of anelasticity in the
upper mantle beneath the western United States from Rayleigh wave attenuation, EOS,
American Geophysical Union,70,401. (abstract).
Al-Khatib, H. H. and B. J. Mitchell (1991).
Upper mantle unelasticity and tectonic
evolution of the western United States, J. Geophys. Res. 96,1829-1846.
Mellors, R.J., H.H. Al-Khatib, H.J. Al-Shukri, G.L. Pavlis,
M.W. Hamburger, and F.L. Vernon (1992).
Preliminary Analysis of
Data from the Kirghizia Telemetered Broadband Seismic Network,EOS,
American Geophysical Union,(abstract).
Pavlis, G, H. Al-Shukri, H.H. Mahdi, D. Repin, F. Vernon
(1994). JSP arrays and networks in
Central Asia, IRIS Newsletter,9-12.
Pavlis, G.L., H.H. Mahdi, and F.L. Vernon (1994). Surface wave propagation in central Asia;
observations of scattering and multipathing with the Kerghys broadband array,
(abstract) 1994 AFOSR annual meeting.
Romer, S.A., H.H.Mahdi, H.J. Al-Shukri(1995). Preliminary
surface wave analysis of data from Kirghizia Broadband seismic network,
(abstract),1995 MAS meeting.
Mahdi,H.H.,
and G.L.Pavlis (1995). Crustal and uppermost mantle structure beneath Eastern
Tien Shan from Broadband surface wave data, (abstract),GSA 1995 meeting.
Pavlis,G.L., and H.H.Mahdi (1995). The spatial stability of
Rayleigh wave amplitudes and path dependent propagation characteristics of
central Asia, (abstract) 1995 AFOSR annual meeting.
Mahdi,H.H., and
G.L.Pavlis (1995). Spatial stability of Rayleigh wave amplitude and path
dependent stacking capabilities of the Kyrghystan Broadband Network, (abstract)
1995 AGU fall meeting.
Pavlis,G.L., H.H.Mahdi (1996). surface wave propagation in
central Asia: Observations of scattering and multipathing with the Krygyz
Broadband Array, J. Geophys.Res.,101,8437-8455.
Mahdi,H.H., and
G.L.Pavlis (1996). Lateral velocity variations in the crust and upper mantle
beneath the Tien Shan from surface wave: Implications for tectonic and dynamic
processes, (abstract) 1996 SSA annual meeting.
Al-Shukri, H.J., H.H. Mahdi, and K.D. Hutchenson (1997). Evaluation of the F-statistics Onset-time
Estimator, ENSCO Inc. Final Technical Report, ARS 97-069.
Al-Shukri, H.J., H.H. Mahdi, and K.D. Hutchenson
(1997). Signal Detection Using
Covariance Matrix of Array Data,(abstract) AGU Fall Meeting.
Mahdi,H.H., and
G.L.Pavlis (1998). Lateral velocity variations in the crust and upper mantle
beneath the Tien Shan from surface wave: Implications for tectonic and dynamic
processes. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 2693 -2703.
Mahdi, H.H., and
K.D. Hutchenson (1998). Test and Evaluation of the Long Period Surface Wave
Multi-signal Processor, ENSCO Inc. Final Technical Report, ARS-98.
Al-Shukri, HJ, Lemmer,
R., Connelly, J, Mahdi, H, and Egan, M. (2000). Paleoseismic Features in the Southern
Terminus of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, EOS, Transaction of the America
Geophysical Union, 81, No.48, PF857 (abstract).
Hanan H. Mahdi, Haydar J. Al-Shukri, Robert E. Lemmer, Jeffrey B. Connelly, and Michael
B. E. Bograd (2001).
Investigation of possible paleoliquefaction features in Mississippi, Mississippi Academy of Science Annual
Meeting.
Robert E. Lemmer, Haydar J. Al-Shukri, Jeffrey B. Connelly, and Hanan
H. Mahdi (2001). Liquefaction
and other possible seismogenic features southwest of the New Madrid seismic
zone in eastern Arkansas, Preceding of the Mississippi Academy of Science
Annual Meeting.
Al-Shukri, H.J.,
Lemmer, R.E., Mahdi, H.H., and Connelly, J.B.(2001). spatial and temporal characteristics of
paleoseismic features in the southern terminus of the new madrid seismic zone
in eastern Arkansas,(abstract), Seismological Society of
America annual meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Connelly, Jeffrey B., Hanan H. Mahdi,
Robert E. Lemmer, Marilyn Egan,
and Haydar J. Al-Shukri,(2001). paleoseismic features
in the southern part of the new madrid seismic zone, Arkansas Academy of
Science Annual Meeting.(abstract).
Sami Eyuboglu, Hanan H. Mahdi,
,
and Haydar J. Al-Shukri,(2003). Detection of Water Leaks
using Ground Penetrating Radar, the 3rd International Conference on Applied Geophysics.
(abstract).
Al-Shukri, HJ, Hanan Mahdi, Martitia P. Tuttle and (2003). Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Paleoseismic Features in the Southern Terminus of the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Eastern Arkansas, United States Geological Survey, 03HQGR0050
Al-Shukri, HJ, Hanan Mahdi, Dawood Mahmood, and Nawal Alridha (2004) Current Status and Future Planning for Earthquake Monitoring in Iraq, Gulf Seismic Forum, United Arab Emirates
Sami Eyuboglu, Hanan Mahdi, and Haydar Al-Shukri (2004). Ground Penetrating Radar: A Geophysical Tool to Search for Water on Mars, IEEE Trans Geoscience and Remote Sensing.
Al-Shukri, HJ, and Hanan Mahdi (2004). Detection of water leak using Ground Penetrating Radar, Central Arkansas Water, Little Rock, Arkansas
Sami Eyuboglu, Hanan Mahdi, and Haydar Al-Shukri (2004). Detection of Water Leak Using Ground Penetrating Radar, Geophysics.
Al-Shukri, HJ, Hanan Mahdi, and Dawood Mahmood (2005). Rebuilding Iraqi Seismic Data Center and Earthquake Network, Gulf Seismic Forum-II, Al-Ain, UAE.
Mahdi, Hanan, Martitia P. Tuttle, and Haydar Al-Shukri (2005). 3-d imaging of earthquake-induced liquefaction features with ground penetrating radar , Seismological Society of America, Eastern Section Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN.
Martitia P. Tuttle, Hanan Mahdi, and Haydar Al-Shukri (2005). Very Large Earthquakes Centered Southwest of the New Madrid Seismic Zone 5,000-7,000 Years Ago, Seismological Society of America, Eastern Section Annual Meeting.
Al-Shukri, Haydar, Sami Eyuboglu, and Hanan Mahdi (2005). Water leak detection by using ground penetrating radar, synthetic simulation and four-dimensional visualization, American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting.
Al-Shukri Haydar J., Robert E. Lemmer, Hanan H. Mahdi, and Jeffrey B. Connelly (2005). Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Paleoseismic Features in the Southern Terminus of the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Eastern Arkansas, Seismo. Research Lett.. 76, 502-511.
Mahdi, H.H.,
(2006). Spatial stability of Rayliegh wave amplitude and path dependent
stacking capabilities of the Kyrghystan Broadband Network, (a paper in
preparation).