SEISMOLOGY WITH LABORATORY
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: ANDREA CANNATAExpected Learning Outcomes
To provide knowledge and skills in the field of seismology, with particular reference to earthquake physics, seismic wave propagation, the structure of the Earth, seismic signal analysis, and methods for earthquake location and characterization. The laboratory enables students to apply this knowledge to the analysis of seismic signals and catalogues, also through computational tools and dedicated software. This knowledge is fundamental for the interpretation of geodynamic and tectonic processes, for the monitoring of active geological processes, and for the assessment of seismic hazard.
Knowledge and understanding
- theoretical foundations of earthquake physics, seismic wave propagation, and the main parameters used to describe seismic events;- knowledge of the structure of the lithosphere and of the geodynamic, tectonic and deformational processes related to earthquake generation;
- theoretical foundations of seismological methods for signal analysis, monitoring of active geological processes, and seismic hazard assessment.
Applying knowledge and understanding
- ability to analyse seismic signals through filtering, spectral analysis and time-frequency representation;- ability to recognise and interpret seismic phases, estimate earthquake parameters, and apply location methods;
- ability to analyse seismic catalogues and earthquake sequences, estimating statistical parameters and interpreting their seismological significance;
- ability to use seismological data, computational tools and dedicated software for the analysis of seismic signals and catalogues.
Making judgements
- ability to critically evaluate seismological data, models and methodologies, recognising their limitations and uncertainties and formulating independent judgements on the interpretation of seismic processes and their relevance for natural hazard assessment, developed through laboratory activities.Communication skills
- ability to describe and discuss seismic phenomena, data and analysis results using appropriate technical and scientific language, developed through laboratory activities;- ability to clearly present results derived from the processing of seismic signals and catalogues, also through graphs, maps and technical reports, developed through laboratory activities.
Learning skills
- ability to independently consult scientific literature, seismological databases and technical-scientific sources, periodically updating one’s knowledge of seismic processes and analysis and monitoring methods, developed through laboratory activities.Course Structure
The course is delivered through lectures, laboratory exercises and seminars. Lectures are aimed at providing the theoretical and methodological foundations of seismology, while laboratory exercises allow students to apply this knowledge to the analysis of seismic signals and catalogues using computational tools and dedicated software. Laboratory activities include the interpretation of seismograms, spectral and time-frequency analysis, event location, and statistical analysis of seismicity, contributing to the development of applied skills and independent judgement.
If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Review and alignment of initial knowledge: scalar product, vector product, gradient, divergence, curl, seismogram, analogue-to-digital conversion, spectral analysis, convolution, filters.
Stress and strain: stress tensor, strain tensor, elastic moduli, Lamé constants.
Elastic waves: wave equation, body waves, surface waves, Huygens’ and Fermat’s principles, Snell’s law, Zoeppritz-Knott equations, reduction of seismic amplitude during propagation, diffraction, normal modes.
Earthquake source: elastic rebound, seismic cycle, focal mechanisms, moment tensor, source spectra, stress drop.
Earthquake size: definition of magnitude, magnitude of local events, magnitude of distant events, magnitude saturation, moment magnitude, energy, intensity.
Hypocentral location: single-station location, multiple-station location, relative locations.
Instruments: selection of instruments, sites and related installation procedures.
Earthquakes and statistics: Gutenberg-Richter law, Omori law, Bath’s law.
Special types of seismicity: induced seismicity, CTBTO, planetary seismicity.
Earthquake prediction and stress transfer: earthquake cycle, precursors, static stress, dynamic stress.
Laboratory: practical exercises dedicated to the analysis of seismic signals and catalogues using computational tools and dedicated software. The activities include examples of seismic data processing, spectral and time-frequency analysis, phase recognition, event location, statistical analysis of catalogues, seismicity visualization, and interpretation of signals related to natural processes.
Textbook Information
2. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition. Cambridge.
3. Lay, T., Wallace, T.C. (1995). Modern Global Seismology. Academic Press.
4. Treatise of Geophysics, 2nd edition (2015). Elsevier.
5. Kramer, A.L. (1996). Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering. Prentice Hall College.
6. New Manual of Seismological Observatory Practice (NMSOP-2). https://bib.telegrafenberg.de/publizieren/bibliotheksverlag/nmsop
7. Havskov, J., Ottemoller, L. (2010). Routine Data Processing in Earthquake Seismology. Springer.
8. Kearey et al. (2002). An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration. Blackwell Editore.
9. Dispense.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Review and alignment of initial knowledge | Notes. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition - Appendix B1. P. Kearey et al. (2002). An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration - Capitolo 2. |
| 2 | Stress and strain: stress tensor, strain tensor, elastic modules, Lamé constants. | Notes. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition – Capitolo 2. |
| 3 | Elastic waves: wave equation, body waves, surface waves, Huygens and Fermat principles, Snell's law, Zoeppritz-Knott equations, reduction of seismic amplitude with propagation, diffraction, normal modes. | Notes. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition – Capitolo 3.1, 3.3, 8.5,8.6. Stein, S., Wysession, M. (2003). An Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure - Capitolo 2.2.2. |
| 4 | Earthquake source: elastic rebound, seismic cycle, focal mechanisms, moment tensor, source spectra, stress drop. | Notes. Stein, S., Wysession, M. (2003). An Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure - Capitoli 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition – Capitolo 9.5 |
| 5 | Earthquake size: definition of magnitude, magnitude of local events, magnitude of distant events, saturation of magnitude, moment magnitude, energy, intensity. | Notes. New Manual of Seismological Observatory Practice (NMSOP-2) – Capitolo 3.2, 12. |
| 6 | Hypocentral location: single station, multiple stations, relative locations. | Notes. Havskov, J., Ottemoller, L. (2010). Routine Data Processing in Earthquake Seismology. Capitolo 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5. |
| 7 | Instruments: frequency response, site and instrument selection and relative installation. | Notes. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition – Capitolo 11. New Manual of Seismological Observatory Practice (NMSOP-2) – Capitolo 7, 8. |
| 8 | Earthquakes and statistics: Gutenberg-Richter's law, Omori's law, Bath's law. | Notes. Stein, S., Wysession, M. (2003). An Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure - Capitoli 4.7.1, 4.7.2. |
| 9 | Particular types of seismicity: induced, CTBTO, planetary. | Notes. New Manual of Seismological Observatory Practice (NMSOP-2) – Capitolo 17. Stein, S., Wysession, M. |
| 10 | Earthquake prediction and stress transfer: earthquake cycle, precursors, static stress, dynamic stress. | Notes. Shearer, P. M. (2011). Introduction to Seismology, 2nd edition – Capitolo 10. Treatise of Geophysics, 2nd edition (2015) - “Earthquake seismology” volume - Capitoli 10,11. |
| 11 | Laboratory | nortes |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exam consists of an oral interview lasting approximately 30 minutes, aimed at assessing the student’s knowledge of the theoretical and methodological topics covered in the course and their ability to apply them to the analysis of seismic phenomena, signals and catalogues. Students may start the exam by presenting a topic of their choice.
The assessment will take into account the correctness and completeness of the answers, the ability to analyse and connect different topics, the appropriate use of technical and scientific language, and the ability to discuss and interpret data, graphs, maps and results derived from laboratory exercises.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Discuss the stress and strain tensors.
What is the elastic tensor and how many components does it have?
Discuss spectral analysis.
What is convolution and why is it the basis of filters?
What are the Zoeppritz-Knott equations?
Illustrate the mechanisms responsible for the reduction of seismic amplitude with distance from the source.
What are focal mechanisms?
How can we derive theoretical earthquake spectra?
What is stress drop?
What are the assumptions underlying magnitude scales?
Illustrate the concept of magnitude saturation.
What are the differences between absolute and relative locations?
What is the frequency response of an instrument?
Illustrate how to choose the type of seismometer to be installed and the site where it should be installed.
What is the Gutenberg-Richter law?
Illustrate the internal structure of the Earth as inferred from seismological data.
Discuss the seismic signals that can be recorded in volcanic environments.
What are the differences between static and dynamic stress transfer?
What is meant by seismic risk?
Interpret a periodogram and a spectrogram of a seismic signal, identifying the main frequency bands and discussing their significance.
Explain the Nyquist theorem and discuss, with an example, how aliasing can affect the interpretation of a seismic signal.
Starting from a seismogram, identify the P and S phases, estimate the S-P interval, and derive an estimate of the epicentral distance.
Illustrate the main steps in the analysis of a seismic catalogue using dedicated software, with reference to the estimation of the completeness magnitude, the b-value and the a-value.