People

Current academic staff

Professor Juliet Biggs
My research focusses on using satellite data to study ground deformation and topographic changes due to volcanic, magmatic, anthropogenic and tectonic processes. I work closely with volcano observatories and space agencies to improve the availability and uptake of satellite data for volcano monitoring. I am developing machine learning approaches to manage very large datasets with applications to global volcano monitoring and detecting more localised deformation in the UK. I have worked extensively on the tectonics of the East African Rift, from the fault systems of Malawi to the magmatic systems of Ethiopia and Kenya.

Dr Jessica Irving
My research focuses on the use of seismic techniques to understand the structure and properties of the deep Earth, and the interiors of other planetary bodies in our solar system. I use both low and high frequency seismic signals to investigate long- and short-scale structures within the mantle and core, employing both traditional seismometers and ocean-roaming seismic instruments. I am also interested in how seismology can provide insights into our environment and human behaviour.

Professor Nick Teanby

My research focuses on the atmospheres and interiors of planets in our solar system, primarily using infra-red spectroscopic observations from spacecraft missions and ground-based telescopes.

Dr James Verdon
My research focusses on the phenomenon of induced seismicity - where human activities in the subsurface cause earthquakes. To study induced seismicity we deploy microseismic monitoring arrays to provide detailed observations from industrial sites, and we use statistical and numerical models to understand the fundamental geomechanical processes at play. I work on the development of observational seismological methods to improve the monitoring performance of microseismic arrays, and I work on the development of statistical models and numerical simulations of induced seismicity processes. My work has been applied to a broad range of industry types, including carbon capture and storage (CCS); geothermal energy; hydraulic fracturing (fracking); conventional oil and gas; natural gas storage; and subsurface wastewater disposal.

Dr Max Werner

My research focuses on tectonic and human-induced earthquakes, their seismic hazards and disaster resilience. I use seismology, statistics, numerical modelling and machine learning to study and forecast earthquake potential.

Dr Sam Wimpenny
My research focuses on developing new insights into the mechanical behaviour of faults and the tectonics of the lithosphere. I am particularly interested in how fault behaviour affects geological processes such as mountain building, rifting and volcanism. My specialism is in using a wide range of observational techniques from geomorphology, space-borne satellite geodesy (InSAR, GPS), seismology, potential field analysis, paleoseismic trenching and structural geology, and combining these observations with numerical modelling, to study both active and ancient fault zones

Professor James Wookey Research Group Leader

My research is in theoretical and observational seismology with an emphasis on seismic anisotropy. This property - the variation of seismic velocity with direction - can be used to infer dynamical and mineralogical properties in a variety of settings from glaciers to the Earth's mantle, and I work on problems at both ends of this scale. My recent work has emphasised linking seismic observations with predictions from experimental and computational mineral physics, especially applied to understanding large scale mantle dynamics and composition.

Current Fellows

Dr Simon Lock

My research lies at the boundary between the fields of planetary science, astrophysics, geophysics and geochemistry. I study the formation, structure and evolution of terrestrial and giant planets using a mixture of analytical calculations and numerical models. In particular, I aim to elucidate the history of Earth and how it became habitable.

Dr Sacha Lapins

My research is focused on improving our understanding of volcanic hazards and processes through the study of small volcanic earthquakes and other volcano-seismic phenomena. I combine a range of techniques from the fields of machine learning, statistics, observational seismology and signal processing to extract useful observations from large volumes of monitoring data and relate them to subsurface structures and physical processes. Key to this research is the development of generalisable deep learning strategies that can handle the wide variety of signal types (from different volcanic processes) and data characteristics (from different instrument types and settings) frequently encountered in volcano seismology.

Current postdoctoral researchers

Dr Timothy Davis

Francesco Serafina
I am a statistician interested in the application of modern Bayesian techniques to modelling natural phenomena. I did my PhD in Edinburgh working on developing models for earthquake occurrence and in developing new metrics (as well as assess the statistical properties of current ones) for validating them. I am currently Research Associate at the University of Bristol continuing and expanding my work on earthquake models. My broader research interests are spatio-temporal bayesian modelling of point process data, approximate bayesian computational methods, operational forecasting, and validation of point process forecasts.

Current postgraduate researchers

Russell Azad Khan
Project title: The statistics and physics of foreshocks and earthquake nucleation
(Supervisor: Max Werner)

Alexander Harris
Project title: Unravelling the geological controls on shallow fault mechanics
(Supervisors: Sam Wimpenny & Juliet Biggs)

Cindy Lim
Project title: Machine learning on event detection for induced seismicity
(Supervisor: Max Werner)

Simon Orrego
Project title: InSAR Observations of Shallow-crustal Earthquakes Associated with Subduction Zone
(Supervisors: Juliet Biggs & Sam Wimpenny)

Leane Peng
Project title: Applying deep-learning denoising to improve seismic event detectability in urban environments
(Supervisor: James Wookey)

Lin Way
Project title: Monitoring past and ongoing volcanic activity with high resolution satellite data
(Supervisor: Juliet Biggs & Sam Wimpenny)

Lucy Wright
Project title: Structure and Dynamics of Titan’s Atmosphere
(Supervisor: Nick Teanby)

Current honorary staff

Xi He
I am a postdoctoral seismologist originally from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. My research focuses on the seismic attenuation and its linkage to regional tectonics. During my visit to the School of Earth Sciences between May 2024 and May 2025, I will work with Dr Jessica Irving to estimate the seismic attenuation of Mars using data from the InSight mission, and trying to find out what these results can tell us about the Mars’ tectonics.

Dr Hao Zhang
I am an associate professor in Geophysics at Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences in Beijing, which is the research division affiliated to China Geological Survey. I use geophysical data including seismic and microseismic to study near surface geology associated with environmental and energy problems (e.g. near surface geology, oil and gas exploration, geothermal, geohazards, and CO2 sequestration/deep-well injection). My research interests mainly focus but not limit to Seismic Processing and Imaging, Microseismic Monitoring in EGS, Deep-well Injection, CO2 sequestration(CCUS), Artificial Intelligence assisted seismic processing and inversion, DAS Seismology.