Solid Earth and Planetary Sciences

Our studies are directed toward elucidating the internal structure and processes by which the Earth and other planets evolve and yield resources. We use a variety of tools for remotely sensing planetary surfaces and interiors, including satellite-borne, seafloor, and surface sensors. These tools measure wave propagation, gravity anomalies, electromagnetic anomalies, deformation, and other geophysical measurements. We typically interpret measurements through computationally-intensive numerical modeling and use the resulting models to draw inferences about geological processes. Our studies take place on many scales, from hundreds of meters in oil and gas reservoirs to thousands of kilometers in distant planets. The locales targeted by our research are similarly diverse, ranging from the southern US and northeast Caribbean to the deep interiors of Venus and Mars.