Project Details
Projekt
Integrative Multiscale Seismic Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) for the Adria Plate (IMFWI-Adria)
Applicants
Professor Dr. Wolfgang Friederich; Dr. Yajian Gao, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Andreas Rietbrock
Subject Area
Geophysics
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 560303388
The seismic and tectonic structure of the circum-Adriatic region is key to understanding both on-going and past plate interactions, as well as the associated geohazards in the Mediterranean re-gion. Despite previous studies, critical questions remain unresolved, such as the configuration of the Adriatic microplate and its interactions with neighboring plates, including the European and Ionian oceanic plates. Uncertainty persists regarding processes like slab tearing, detachment, and subduction polarity, particularly in the Dinarides-Hellenides and Alps. These knowledge gaps hinder our understanding of the geodynamic processes driving deformation in the region, as well as the accurate assessment of related tectonic hazards. This proposal addresses these challenges by developing a robust high-resolution 3D P- and S-wave velocity model of the circum-Adriatic region, focusing on the crust-mantle structure. We will employ multiscale full-waveform inversion (FWI), a method that surpasses traditional tomogra-phy by using the entire seismic waveform, achieving higher resolution from the crust to the base of the upper mantle. Regional earthquake waveforms, ambient noise, and teleseismic data will be integrated to enhance resolution at different depths. This work will also leverage recent seismic deployments, including AlpArray, AdriaArray, ANTICS, and the C2S-RLN (deployment planned in this SPP), to gather comprehensive data. By integrating these datasets into FWI, we aim to clarify complex slab dynamics and plate interactions. The high-resolution velocity model will enhance earthquake relocation and focal mechanism analysis, contributing significantly to the goals of the DEFORM program.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
