Contact
Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
- ygu@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-2292
- Address
-
3-107 Centennial Ctr For Interdisciplinary SCS II
11335 Saskatchewan Drive NWEdmonton ABT6G 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 210 - Structure, Dynamics and Evolution of the Earth and Planetary Interiors
This course presents an overview of the interior structure, composition, dynamics, and evolution of the Earth, planets, and moons. Topics to be covered include: formation of the solar system; planets and exoplanets; the plate tectonics revolution; mountain building and continental dynamics; earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geo-hazards; Earth's interior structure and dynamics from seismology, gravity, and magnetism; the rotational dynamics of planetary bodies; mantle convection and dynamos. Prerequisites: Physics 20 and Mathematics 30. Note: credit will be given for only one of GEOPH 110 or GEOPH 210.
GEOPH 421 - Seismology and the Physical Structure of the Earth
Seismology and earthquakes; travel-time, amplitude, and waveform computations; body and surface waves; normal modes and free oscillations; source mechanisms; Earth's structure from inversion of teleseismic observations; seismometers; earthquake hazards and risks. Pre or corequisite: MATH 215 or 209 or 315 or 317 or MA PH 351, and any 300-level GEOPH course. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of GEOPH 421 and GEOPH 541.
GEOPH 541 - Seismology and the Physical Structure of the Earth
Seismology and earthquakes; travel-time, amplitude, and waveform computations; body and surface waves; normal modes and free oscillations; source mechanisms; Earth's structure from inversion of teleseismic observations; seismometers; earthquake hazards and risks. Prerequisites: consent of instructor. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of GEOPH 421 and GEOPH 541.