Bernhard Schuberth
Wissenschaftler
LMU
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Research Interests
My research employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining computational seismology, geodynamics, and mineral physics, to better understand Earth's deep interior structure and dynamics. I focus on generating dynamic models of mantle heterogeneity and analyzing their seismic signatures, recently developing a novel joint forward modeling framework for global wave propagation. This framework allows specific hypotheses on mantle dynamics to be tested directly against seismic data, complementing traditional tomographic inversions.
Research Topics
Computational Seismology and Geodynamics
In this research area, I focus on the application and development of numerical methods to simulate seismic waves and geodynamic processes. I use high-performance computers to create complex models of the Earth's interior to better understand the propagation of earthquake waves and convection currents in the Earth's mantle. One of my main focuses is on coupling seismological and geodynamic models, with the goal of obtaining a consistent picture of the Earth's structure and dynamics and closing the gap between observed seismic data and geodynamic models.
Mantle Dynamics and Seismic Structure
Here, I deal with the dynamic processes in the Earth's mantle and their representation in seismic tomography models. I investigate how mantle convection—the slow flow of rock material—influences the seismic velocity structure that we map by analyzing earthquake waves. My particular interest lies in the thermal and chemical heterogeneity in the lowermost mantle, as well as the role of mantle plumes. By comparing geodynamic simulations with seismic observations, I investigate the physical properties of the Earth'
Tomographic Filtering
Tomographic filtering is a method I use and further develop to account for the uncertainties and limited resolution of seismic tomography models. Since seismic tomography provides three-dimensional images of the Earth's interior that are always a simplified representation of reality, I develop techniques to filter geodynamic models in such a way that they become comparable to the resolution of tomographic images. This leads to a more robust comparison between models and observations and helps me to better understand and quantify the dynamic processes in the Earth's interior.