Seminar Abstract:
More than 70% of Earth’s surface is ocean covered. In the past, this was seen as a challenge for geophysicists dependent on on-land observatories. But now, largely thanks to an enduring era of reliable low Earth orbit satellite magnetometer data, this challenge has become a boon: 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by a moving, electrically conductive fluid that creates detectable electromagnetic signals which can then be used to study the solid Earth, the oceans themselves, and natural hazards such as tsunamis.
This presentation will have two parts: Firstly, a discussion on the magnetic signals created by tsunamis and observed at ground magnetometer stations, including that of the January 15, 2022 tsunami caused by the volcanic eruption near Tonga. Secondly, an overview of Earth’s marine electromagnetic tides and how such data—from both ground-based and satellite-based sources—may be used to constrain Earth’s interior or monitor oceanic climate change.
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LASP seminars are generally held every Thursday at 4:00 PM on Zoom and in person.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Jeremy Averyt (firstname.lastname at lasp.colorado.edu) to be added to the mailing list.
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.