Jeffrey Gu, PhD

Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics

Contact

Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
Email
ygu@ualberta.ca
Phone
(780) 492-2292
Address
3-107 Centennial Ctr For Interdisciplinary SCS II
11335 Saskatchewan Drive NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2H5

Overview

About

I received my PhD degree in Geophysics from Harvard University under the guidance of Professor Adam Dziewonski, whose passion and vision for seismological research are unparalleled.  I minorred in computer science during my graduate studies, but the field evolved so fast that I am way behind today's technologies, at least according to my 'ever-encouraging' graduate students.  I am currently the associate editors of Surveys in Geophysics and Journal of Seismology.


In my pastime I passionately follow the National Football League, especially Tom Brady and the big, bad New England Patriots, the reigning Superbowl Champ from 2014!






Research

My main research areas are regional seismology and tectonics, seismic sources and inversions.   My favorite depth range is the mantle transition zone where major mineralogical phase changes of olivine and garnet take place.  More recently I have been focusing on regional tectonics beneath Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.  Under the help of students and departmental technicians I was able to deploy a series of broadband seismometers in various parts of Alberta.  This array (CRANE) is now the backbone for the regional seismic monitoring, especially pertaining to induced earthquakes by wastewater or fracking injections, as well as for the investigations of crustal and mantle seismic structures.   I love computations and occasionally dabble in research pertaining to ultrasonic waves in bones.


Teaching

Love teaching in general.  Students need to keep space though since I could get quite animated in class.   Not the most organized person but do my best to make classes interesting.

Announcements

Seeking qualified graduate students who are interested in

(1) Regional crust and mantle seismic structure analysis

(2) Induced earthquakes

(3) Global seismic imaging


Due to the lack of departmental funds, interested students are strongly encouraged to apply for external scholarships such as CSC (Chinese Scholarship Council).  Scholarship recipient's chances of admission to our graduate program (which is getting harder by day) are substantially better than the rest.

Courses

GEOPH 438 - Seismic Data Processing

A variety of seismic and ground penetrating radar data sets are obtained by the student during field school; these data are corrected, enhanced, and imaged in a computer workstation laboratory, leading to a final geologic interpretation. Results obtained by the student will be presented in the format of a series of professional technical reports. Prerequisites: MATH 209, 214, or equivalent, GEOPH 326, PHYS 234 or equivalent. Pre- or corequisite: GEOPH 426 and 436 (field school).


GEOPH 538 - Seismic Data Processing

A variety of seismic and ground penetrating radar data sets are obtained during field school; these data are corrected, enhanced, and imaged in a computer workstation laboratory, leading to a final geologic interpretation. Results obtained by the student will be presented in the format of a series of professional technical reports. Note: This course cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been given for GEOPH 438.


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