Biography
Clara Gómez García is a PhD researcher in the iCRAG raw materials research spoke. Clara graduated with a BSc in Physics in 2012 and with a MSc in Geophysics and Meteorology in 2013 from Complutense University of Madrid. From 2014 to 2016, she worked in the frame of the Repsol CO-DOS project at Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera (ICTJA-CSIC) in Barcelona, before joining iCRAG in 2017 under the supervision of Dr Sergei Lebedev. Her research investigates seismic imaging with high-frequency waveform techniques. The objective is to develop and apply new passive-imaging methods applicable at scales from tens of meters to kilometres (deposit scale to lithospheric scale). General research interests include 4D ambient noise tomography and passive interferometric imaging.
Regions with abundant natural resources need an effective mineral-exploration tool which offers valuable information on the geological structure at depth. An established approach to produce detailed-resolution subsurface images is by generating seismic waves, however, these techniques are expensive. My research focusses on developing and applying inexpensive alternatives for imaging the subsurface, relevant to natural resource exploration (from tens of meters to kilometres deep). These methods rely on the seismic energy already available in the ground: tectonic earthquakes, quarry and mine blasts and continuous ambient noise generated by ocean waves or by human activity.
Project title: Seismic imaging with high-frequency waveform techniques
Technical description
My research investigates passive seismic imaging with high-frequency waveform techniques. The objective is to develop and apply new fine-tune passive-seismology methods applicable at scales from tens of meters to kilometres (deposit scale to lithospheric scale). There are two principal approaches: (1) resolving seismic discontinuities (reflectors) by the analysis and waveform inversion of auto-correlation functions and (2) refining seismic-velocity distributions by the cross-correlations of high-frequency waves from local seismic events. We utilize all available sources of seismic signal: discrete seismic events and continuous ambient seismic noise.
From the basic-science perspective, new information on the fine-scale crustal structure promises discoveries on the processes of formation and evolution of Ireland and surroundings. From the applied perspective, this will set the stage for reconnaissance mineral-exploration surveys using the know-how developed in this project.
Role
- Postgraduate Researcher
Institution
- DIAS
Research Area
- Supply of Raw Materials
Expertise
- Zinc-Lead Mining, Seismic Imaging, Seismology, Tomography, Waveform Inversion
