“Advancing Geophysics,
for a Better Future”
Geophysics enables us to image what lies beneath the Earth’s and other planets’ surface using the principles of physics. It plays a vital role in sectors such as energy and climate change.
We apply this knowledge to address some of today’s greatest challenges, advancing cleaner and more reliable energy for the benefit of humanity. The mission is to use geophysics to help create a safer, more sustainable world for generations to come.
Sustainable Future
Mapping the way to a sustainable future! Empowering sustainable solutions.
Clean Energy
The key to sustainable living! Creating energy for a sustainable future.
Climate
Sustainable solutions for a changing climate! Climate Action, Sustainable Progress.
What I do
I study the physics of seismic wave propagation by solving the elastic wave equation to understand how mechanical energy transmits through heterogeneous media. The recorded waveforms represent solutions to this equation, where wave speed, attenuation, and scattering are governed by the Earth’s elastic moduli and density structure. This physical understanding enables me to infer subsurface properties for applications in geothermal energy exploration, subsurface imaging, and the search for critical resources like lithium. I complement these physics-based approaches with deep learning methods for seismic wave picking to improve the accuracy and efficiency of data analysis. I am broadly engaged in geophysics and its role in advancing both fundamental science and practical solutions.
Seismic Absorption and Scattering
Seismic attenuation, the loss of energy as waves propagate through the Earth, occurs through three primary mechanisms. Absorption (intrinsic attenuation) dissipates energy through frictional heating and anelastic processes, quantified by the quality factor Q, and preferentially affects higher frequencies. Scattering redistributes energy due to subsurface heterogeneities, causing wavefront distortion. Geometrical spreading accounts for the decrease in wave amplitude as the wavefront expands over increasing distances.
I analyse attenuation by separating it into absorption and scattering components to image and delineate areas of elevated temperature and fluid content, features that are critical for geothermal energy systems and for detecting geothermal brines enriched with critical metals such as lithium. This type of attenuation analysis provides essential constraints for reservoir characterisation and subsurface imaging in both energy and resource exploration.
Travel-Time Tomography
Travel-time tomography leverages Fermat’s principle and the eikonal equation to solve the inverse problem for subsurface velocity structure by analysing the finite-frequency sensitivity of seismic wave arrivals. I apply this physics-based approach to reconstruct three-dimensional distributions of compressional wave velocity (Vp), shear wave velocity (Vs), and their ratio Vp/Vs, critical parameters that respond distinctly to fluid phase changes, porosity variations, and fracture networks. Elevated Vp/Vs ratios particularly serve as sensitive indicators of fluid saturation, enabling me to delineate geothermal reservoirs and mineralised zones where hydrothermal fluids alter the elastic moduli of host rocks. This methodology provides quantitative constraints on fluid distribution essential for both geothermal energy exploration and targeting critical minerals.
Works at a glance
“ Science is the key to unlocking the mysteries of our planet.”
Geophysics
“Science: our window into the incredible complexity of our planet?”
Clean Energy
“Charting the unknown through the power of inquiry”
Climate
Let’s work together
Uncovering Solutions for a Better World
The key to sustainable living
Solutions for a better future!