Department of Seismotectonics is concerned with studies of natural seismic phenomena linked to dynamic and tectonic development of structures in the earth crust, particularly in its upper part, and with studies of seismic phenomena induced by anthropogenic activities. The department develops applications for evaluations of geophysical monitoring, as well as monitoring devices and methodology for monitoring seismicity in earth crust and of its impact on stability of rock environment.
1. SEISMIC MONITORING
The Department of Seismotectonics participates in operating permanent and temporary seismic stations distributed in several countries (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Iceland, Ethiopia). Most of the stations belong to the European Plate Observing System (EPOS). The data are used for basic research and monitoring seismic activity to aid in seismic-hazard issues associated with important infrastructure.
2. SEISMIC AND VOLCANIC HAZARD
The seismic activity in the Czech Republic is moderate. However, significant seismic hazard is connected with strong earthquakes in the Eastern Alps. The department develops new methods for seismic hazard assessment of nuclear installations in the Czech Republic. Volcanic hazard is also an important research element with efforts made in developing models or scenarios of magma flow and magma behavior in low pressure conditions close to the surface and inside scoria cones.
3. SURFACE WAVES
A significant part of the research focuses on surface waves which are robust data that can be used to analyze the structure of near-surface zones not only on Earth but even on the Moon. Major efforts are directed toward inventing and validating new methodologies in both computational aspects and practical considerations related to field procedures and measurements.
4. INDUCED SEISMOLOGY
Study of microseismicity and induced seismicity includes case stories, mechanisms of microearthquakes, statistical analysis of induced seismicity and methodological aspects of the attenuation from weak events. It is critical to find differences between natural and induced seismicity and geomechanically interpret observations in order to better understand the relationship between fluid injection and reservoir response.
International Cooperation
The research line about the joint acquisition and analysis of surface waves (Holistic Analysis of Surface Waves) was/is partly accomplished in cooperation with ISPRA and, during the March 2015 - March 2016 period, in the framework of the Visiting Professor Program of the King Saud University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). The implemented methodology was considered also for the Bachelor and PhD theses of two students (one from Italy/Ghana, the other from Iran).
