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"My main research interest is to understand the operation of the seismic source from records obtained from the surface of the Earth. This requires a better understanding of the physics of earthquakes and the planet's internal structure as both have a significant effect on the intensity of ground motion during earthquakes, such as amplification of waves in sedimentary basins in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Bogotá, etc.
Understanding the nature of the seismic source is essential to predict the ground motion in future earthquakes. My interest is in studying the behavior of earthquakes in terms of size, answer questions like: are there significant differences between large and small earthquakes? (Which occur much more frequently).
Seismic waves, including the most destructive, travel through the planet's interior. Depending on the structure and type of rock through which they travel, they could represent a significant risk to humans. Therefore, I have an interest in using a new tool for studying the structure of the planet through the use of seismic noise. Through this noise which is mainly generated at sea by wave action, storms and tides (besides the movement of trucks, buses, industry, etc.) we study the amplification in sedimentary basins and the attenuation of the medium by which these waves travel.
I have recently begun to study an earthquake source 150 km deep near the town of Bucaramanga, Colombia. This area is known as the Bucaramanga nest and represents a natural laboratory to answer one of the questions that has puzzled geophysicists for a long time: why are there earthquakes at depths greater than 50 km deep if rocks at that temperature and pressure should be ductile.
In short, I am an observational seismologist who analyzes large volumes of seismic data collected in different parts of the world to evaluate theoretical models that help elucidate the physics of earthquakes and the movement of the earthquake because of them. I'm always looking for students interested in research, with an interest in using computational tools, data processing and with a great aptitude for interpretation of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral work. " |
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| Academic degrees: |
- Ph.D. Earth Sciences (University of California, USA, 2007)
- M.Sc. Earth Sciences (University of California, USA, 2004)
- Geologist (Universidad Nacional,Colombia, 2002)
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| Research Area: |
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| Other research interests: |
- Signal processing.
- Computational, Eng. Seismic.
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| Current research: |
- Tomography with seismic noise. Scaling of the seismic source in shallow earthquakes.
- Mechanism for intermediate depth earthquakes.
- High resolution spectral estimation.
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| Service to the Department: |
- Geosciences Program Coordinator.
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