Environmental Seismology: A Geophysical Tool to Study Surface and Near-Surface Processes

Session ID#: 281684

Session Description:
Environmental seismology is rapidly advancing our understanding of dynamic surface and near-surface processes. This session highlights recent developments in using seismic tools to study mass movements (landslides, rockfalls, debris flows), hydrological activity (floods, sediment transport, groundwater), cryospheric phenomena (icequakes, calving, glacier dynamics, ice shelf rift propagation ,crevasse growth, iceberg calving), and atmospheric/oceanic interactions (microseisms, weather-induced signals). Novel techniques—such as large-N arrays, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and 4D subsurface imaging—are revolutionizing how we monitor these systems and interpret anthropogenic signals.

We welcome contributions from researchers applying seismic methods—whether theoretical, field-based, or experimental—to investigate geomorphic, hydrological, cryospheric, and volcanic processes and hazards. Scientists in seismology, near-surface geophysics, hazards, soil and rock mechanics, and related disciplines are invited to join a cross-disciplinary dialogue. This session aims to identify knowledge gaps, instrumentation challenges, and future priorities, fostering collaboration and innovation to strengthen the foundations and applications of environmental seismology in addressing today’s environmental challenges.

Co-Sponsor(s):
  • C - Cryosphere
  • EP - Earth and Planetary Surface Processes
  • H - Hydrology
  • OS - Ocean Sciences
Index Terms:

0794 Instruments and techniques [CRYOSPHERE]
1402 - Critical Zone [CRITICAL ZONE]
1895 Instruments and techniques: monitoring [HYDROLOGY]
7299 General or miscellaneous [SEISMOLOGY]
Primary Convener:  Danica L Roth, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
Conveners:  Kate Allstadt, USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center, Golden, CO, United States, Richard C Aster, Colorado State University, Geosciences Department, Fort Collins, United States and Bradley Paul Lipovsky, University of Washington, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Seattle, United States
See more of: Seismology