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SAND - Structure and Non-Linear Dynamics of the Earth

Secretariat:

The ESP Structure and Non-Linear Dynamics of the Earth Group at ICTP is located on the first floor of the Galileo Guest House.

The postal address is:

ESP - Structure and Non-Linear Dynamics of the Earth (SAND)
ICTP
Strada Costiera 11
I-34151 Trieste (Italy)

For any further information, please contact the group's secretary:

Ms. Gabriella De Meo (EFB room 124)
Phone: (+39) 040 2240 355
Fax: (+39) 040 2240 585
E-mail: de_meo@ictp.it

Head:

The Head of the ESP-SAND GROUP is Giuliano F. Panza.

SAND Website:

Up to date information on all SAND research, job opportunities, as well as, visiting scientists, post-docs and external consultants of the Structure and Non-Linear Dynamics of the Earth Section can be obtained from http://www.ictp.trieste.it/www_users/sand.

Research activities:

The research activities are divided into two main areas:

• Non-Linear Dynamics of the Earth's Lithosphere
  (led by Prof. V.I. Keilis-Borok, International Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics, IIEPT, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation).
  These activities aim at the fundamental study of the evolution and dynamics of the Earth lithosphere and its instability based on considering the Earth lithosphere as a hierarchical non-linear complex system with special attention to earthquake prediction. Earthquakes along with other natural disasters are considered as extreme events in complex systems of a different nature. This general approach gives the possibility to search for analogues between precursors to extreme events of different types. Specific studies include: (i) numerical modelling of the lithosphere dynamics at different time scales: millions of years (solving the inverse problem of mantle convection with temperature-dependent viscosity) and hundreds of years (modelling of block-and-fault dynamics and seismicity for regional and global scales); (ii) study and prediction of extreme events in complex systems (including socio-economic ones); (iii) earthquake prediction studies: development of new algorithms for short-term earthquake prediction, launching experiments aimed at real-time intermediate-term earthquake prediction at global and regional scales, and determination of earthquake-prone areas.
• Structure of the Earth with Application to Seismic and Volcanic Risk Mitigation
  (led by Prof. G.F. Panza, Department of Geosciences, University of Trieste, UNITS, Italy).
  These activities aim at the development of theoretical grounds for seismic and volcanic risk mitigation on the basis of 3D modelling of the Earth structure and earthquake sources through the study of wave propagation in three-dimensionally heterogeneous, inelastic, and anisotropic media.
  The research activities include: (i) simulation of earthquake source radiation and tsunamis induced by inland/coastal earthquakes; (ii) studies of empirical isoseismals and parametric modelling of ground shaking for historical earthquakes, aimed at the characterization of historical seismicity; (iii) integrated neo-deterministic seismic hazard assessment, based on available space-time information on impeding earthquakes and on the deterministic modelling of ground shaking; (iv) calculation of synthetic seismograms in 3D laterally heterogeneous media with the modal summation technique and numerical modelling of surface wave focusing effects; (v) multiscale tomography and inversion of structural models for the earth interior; (vi) geophysical, petrological interpretation of the structure of the crust and upper mantle of the Western Mediterranean and related volcanism, which allows for a multiscale modelling of the dynamics behind some long-standing enigmatic earth kinematics issues and earthquake faulting behavior and constrain crustal and upper mantle viscosity profiles; (vii) global scale studies on the asymmetry of the Earth's structure and the role of Earth's rotation and tidal despinning on plate tectonics.

The current and past funding sources of the SAND Group include: ICTP, EU, NATO, UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP, INCE-CEI, ISTC, ANPA, ASI, Regione Umbria, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Civil Defence of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The SAND group organizes a number of yearly workshops (lists available on ICTP web site) and training of several visiting scientists, TRIL Fellows and Associates.

The SAND Group has signed a number of Memorandum of Agreements with Research institutions in Third World which encompasses a number of governmental bilateral agreements also through the University of Trieste.

Developed methodologies are transferred to scientists of the Third World through joint research, with special attention to training potential leaders, and combining the workshops with subsequent individual projects.