Exploring Earth's Interior with Seismic Tomography and Weather Bombs

In summary, scientists are using seismic tomography to study the Earth's interior by using earthquakes as illuminators. However, due to earthquakes being clustered on plate boundaries, much of the interior remains in the shadows. Using a seismic array in Japan, researchers have detected seismic waves from a severe North Atlantic storm, also known as a "weather bomb." This has the potential to illuminate previously unknown areas of the Earth's interior. With 202 stations, this project is impressive and could provide valuable insights into Earth's interior. Additionally, there is an interesting connection between severe ocean storms and microseisms felt in other parts of the world, raising the question of whether these storms can trigger earthquakes and if there is a correlation.
  • #1
1oldman2
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This could open a new frontier on seismic study of the Earth's interior.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37177575

From, http://science.sciencemag.org/content/353/6302/919
Seismic tomography is like an x-ray of Earth's interior, except that it uses
earthquakes for the illumination. Earthquakes are imperfect illuminators
because they are clustered on plate boundaries, leaving much of the interior
in the shadows. Using a seismic array in Japan, Nishida and Takagi detected
seismic waves that they attribute to a severe and distant North Atlantic
storm called a "weather bomb" (see the Perspective by Gerstoft and Bromirski).
The seismic energy traveling from weather bombs through the Earth appears to be
capable of illuminating the many dark patches of Earth's interior.
 
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Two hundred stations?
 
  • #3
Bystander said:
Two hundred stations?
Yup, 202 stations, Impressive project all in all. I'm curious to see how well the researchers can fine tune the data and add to our understanding of the Earths interior.
 
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  • #4
1oldman2 said:
I'm curious to see how well the researchers can fine tune the data and add to our understanding of the Earths interior.
I'm all for adding to our understanding of Earth's interior. Oil, gas and mineral leasing has been a part of our family business for nearly a century of boom and bust. But perhaps equally interesting is the idea that severe ocean storms in one part of the world can cause microseisms to be felt in another part. My question is, could severe ocean storms trigger earthquakes, and is there any sort of statistical correlation?
 
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1. What is seismic tomography and how is it used to explore Earth's interior?

Seismic tomography is a method of imaging the interior of the Earth by using seismic waves, which are generated by earthquakes or man-made explosions. The waves travel through the Earth's layers and are recorded by seismometers. By analyzing the speed and direction of these waves, scientists can create 3D images of the Earth's interior, revealing information about its composition and structure.

2. What are weather bombs and how do they contribute to seismic tomography?

Weather bombs, also known as explosive cyclones, are intense weather systems that occur over the ocean. These storms produce powerful winds and large waves, which can generate seismic waves when they hit the ocean floor. By recording and analyzing these waves, scientists can use them as additional sources of data for seismic tomography, helping to improve the accuracy and resolution of the images.

3. What are some key discoveries that have been made using seismic tomography and weather bombs?

Seismic tomography and weather bombs have helped scientists make many important discoveries about the Earth's interior. For example, they have revealed the existence of large mantle plumes, which are columns of hot, buoyant rock that rise from deep within the Earth. They have also provided insights into the structure and dynamics of the Earth's core, including the inner and outer cores and their movements.

4. How does seismic tomography and weather bombs contribute to our understanding of plate tectonics and earthquakes?

By studying the Earth's interior using seismic tomography and weather bombs, scientists can better understand the processes that drive plate tectonics and earthquakes. For example, they can map the boundaries between tectonic plates and identify regions where earthquakes are more likely to occur. They can also study the movement of seismic waves through the Earth's layers, which can reveal information about the strength and composition of these layers.

5. What are some potential future applications of seismic tomography and weather bombs?

As technology and techniques continue to advance, seismic tomography and weather bombs hold great potential for future discoveries. They could help us better understand the formation and evolution of the Earth, including its early history and the processes that shape its surface. They could also play a role in predicting and monitoring natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, providing valuable information for disaster preparedness and risk management.

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