Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes and Earth Structure (4 units ...

Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes and Earth Structure (4 units)
GSC 499 and 499L Section 01, Spring 2008 (32657 and 34873)
Lecture: Monday & Wednesday 11:00am to 11:50am &
Wednesday 3:00pm to 3:50pm
Lab: Wednesday 4:00pm to 6:50pm
Room: 4A-608
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Dr. Jascha Polet
Email: jpolet@csupomona.edu
Office: Building 8, Room 242 D
Office hours: Wed 1pm-3pm, other times by request
PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE:
This course will provide you with a basic understanding of the generation, propagation and
recording of seismic waves and of the sources that produce them. The focus of this class will
be on observational seismology and issues relevant to California tectonics and hazard.
Throughout the course a connection will be made between theories of wave propagation and
earthquake sources and observational research on earthquake rupture processes and the
structure of the Earth. In the labs actual seismic data (waveforms as well as earthquake
catalogs) will be analyzed using scientific methods. Course material will be presented through
a series of lectures, discussions of scientific papers, lab assignments and projects.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
o Required Textbook:
Shearer, P.M. (1999) Introduction to Seismology, Cambridge University Press
o Recommended textbooks for further study (but not required):
Lay, T. & T.C. Wallace (1995) Modern Global Seismology, Academic Press, San
Diego. (complete overview of global seismology, math and physics based)
Bolt, B. A. (2006) Earthquakes, Freeman and Company, New York (more descriptive
approach to earthquake seismology)
o Standard writing materials, colored pencils, ruler, calculator.
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Lab Exercises, Homework and Worksheets (40%): Lab exercises and homework
assignments will teach you how to apply the knowledge you gained in the lectures and help
you prepare for exams. Some of the class discussions and activities may involve completing
worksheets. The homework will be due before the start of class. The only opportunity to
turn in late homework will be before the start of the next class, and this work will be
penalized by 50% of the grade. Missed classroom exercises may not be made up for credit.
Exams (30%): There will be 2 exams: one during the quarter and one towards the end of
the quarter. The exams will emphasize the material presented in the lectures, paper
discussions and the lab exercises, but may include some questions taken solely from the
assigned reading. There will be both multiple choice and “essay” type questions that may
require diagrams. No make-up tests will be given under any circumstances, regardless of how
valid your excuse is unless arranged at least 3 days before the scheduled examination day.

“Earthquake of the Week” Project/Discussion of Research Publications (15%): Every
student will research an earthquake that has recently occurred somewhere on the globe.
(S)he will present a complete overview of the earthquake, its tectonic environment, its
impact on society and its scientific implications and write a one page minimum length
summary. Short research publications will be assigned for reading, with one student
responsible for presenting a short summary and leading a discussion. Short quizzes and
questions on the exams may address the main points of these papers. Part of this grade will
be based on your participation in the discussions.
Project: Report and Presentation (15%): Each student will complete a research project,
which will involve writing an individual report and an oral presentation in the classroom.
You will be assigned a topic related to seismology and the report and presentation will be
due the Lab of Week 9. Details to follow.
GRADING:
Your course grade will be based on the exams, homework, projects, presentations and
quizzes as described above. I will grade based on the scale shown below. If caught cheating,
you will receive a final course grade of “F” regardless of circumstances. This includes
plagiarizing material from other students or websites. No late material will be accepted.
WEBSITE:
Web pages for this class are available at:
http://geology.csupomona.edu/jpolet/GSC499
Username: GSC499
Password: quake
Lecture slides, lab exercises and a variety of other material will be posted here during the
course of the class. If you miss a class, make sure to check the website for lecture slides and
assigned work.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK DATES TOPIC ____ READING____
1 4/02 Introductory Remarks & Course Logistics Ch.1&2
Stress and Strain: Elasticity
Elastic Rebound Theory
2 4/07 & 4/09 Properties of Waves Ch.3&4
Body Waves: P and S
The Wave Equation
Huygen’s Principle and Snell’s Law
Early Warning
3 4/14 & 4/16 Tracing Rays through the Earth Ch.4
Travel Time Curves
Seismic Tomography
Global Body Wave Observations
4 4/21 & 4/23 Reflection and Transmission Coefficients Ch.6&7
Exploring the Shallow Earth: Refraction and
Reflection Seismology
5 4/28 Stacking Techniques in Exploration Seismology Ch.7
4/30 EXAM I
6 5/05 & 5/07 Surface Waves: Love and Rayleigh Ch.8
Free Oscillations and Normal Modes
7 5/12 & 5/14 Earthquake Seismology Ch.9&11.1
Detecting Seismic Waves: Seismometry
8 5/19 & 5/21 Earthquake Size Ch.9
Fault Plane Solutions
Seismotectonics
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
9 5/26 NO CLASS: MEMORIAL DAY
5/28 Kinematic and Dynamic Source Models Ch.9&10
Earthquake Damage and its Mitigation
Earthquake Statistics: Swarms, Foreshocks and
Aftershocks
10 6/02 Earthquake Prediction and Forecasting Ch.10
6/04 EXAM II