UNL Geophysics Group

 Geophysics Rocks

The Geophysics Research Group exists at the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences since August 2016. Unlike many other geophysical research programs that focus on the application or development of a single geophysical method, our group, led by Dr. Irina Filina, utilizes the integrative approach in geophysical data analysis. We are looking for the answer (i.e. the geological model of the subsurface) that fits ALL available geophysical data and remains geologically valid. The data we use include seismic (reflections, refractions, earthquakes), gravity and magnetics both from public domain sources, as well as acquired by our own instruments.

Geophysics Students

Research

Our group conducts research in several directions (more details here and here):

  • Tectonic history of the Gulf of Mexico
  • Crustal structures of the Cascadia subduction zone
  • Intraplate Seamounts in the central Atlantic

  • Tectonic evolution of the Northern Atlantic
  • Geophysical studies in Nebraska

Geophysics team spring 2019

Geophysics team

UNL Geophysics team in June 2021

The students of the UNL Geophysics team present their results at professional meetings (see here), and at the local venues as well. The students from the UNL Geophysics team receive the Best Student Awards at the annual meetings of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences every year starting 2017.

  •  2022 Nebraska Academy of Sciences annual meeting

A list of past NAS meetings' talks is here

2022

A. Fernández, I. Filina, Comparing satellite vs marine potential fields data over the Bathymetrists Seamounts, Proceedings of 142nd annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences, p. 201

Best Student Talk Award from the Nebraska Geological Society

2022 K. Guthrie, I. Filina, Finalizing new gravity base stations on the UNL City Campus, Proceedings of 142nd annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences, p. 198
2022 M. Madsen, I. Filina, Summarizing scientific drilling results over Cascadia Subduction Zone, Proceedings of 142nd annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences, p. 199
2022 A. Islam, I. Filina, Processing seismic, gravity and magnetic data over Diebold Knoll on Juna de Fuca plate, Proceedings of 142nd annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences, p. 200
2022 J. Wear, I. Filina, Analyzing crustal nature of the Voring Plateau from seismic refraction data, Proceedings of 142nd annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences, p. 203

  • UNL Spring Student Research Fairs

A list of past UNL Research Fairs' posters and talks is here

2022

A. Fernandez*, I. Filina, Satellite versus marine potential fields over Bathymetrists Seamounts, https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/respostergrad/6/

Best student poster in Physical Sciences
2022 A. Islam*, I. Filina, Processing seismic, gravity and magnetic data over Diebold knoll on the Juan de Fuca plate, https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/respostergrad/4/
2022 K. Guthrie*, I. Filina, Finalizing two new gravity base stations on UNL City Campus
2022 M. Madsen*, I. Filina, Summarizing scientific drilling results over Cascadia subduction zone
2022 J. Wear*, I. Filina, Analyzing the crustal nature of the Voring Plateau from seismic refraction data

FieldWorks 2019 and 2021

Drone 5 Drone 2 Drone 3

Walking magnetic survey

Asif 2;Asif 1

Gravity Surveying

Survey 1  Survey 4  Survey 5

Please check out our Publications, Opportunities, and Outreach

 

Geophysics classes

Dr. Filina teaches the following courses:

Course ID

Course title

Description

Semester offered

GEOL441/841

(former GEOL344)

Geophysics

Geophysical techniques to study the Earth: seismology, gravity, magnetics and heat flow.

Fall 2023

GEOL/METR/453/ 853

GIS in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Basic principles of ArcGIS

Spring 2023

GEOL442/842 and GEOL443/843

Environmental Geolphysics I and II

Various geophsyical methods for environmental applications. Include data acquisition, processing and interpretation.

Spring 2023

GEOL445/845

Advanced Geophysics

Integrative analysis of geophysical data (gravity, magnetics, seismic) with geological information (well logs, tectonic history, etc.)

Fall 2022

GEOL446/846

Exploration Geophysics

Geophysical methods used for petroleum exploration: potential fields, seismology, electrical and electromagnetic surveying.

The class will be offered if there is enough interest from students with an industry-focused career path. Please contact Dr. Filina

GEOL947

Seminar in Geophysics

An essential seminar for students conducting research in Geophysics.

offered regularly, next one is planned for Spring 2023

GEOL498/898

Field Methods in Geophysics

Collecting multiple geophysical datasets in Nebraska with instrumentation from UNL Geophysics Lab; data processing and interpretation

Was offered in Fall 2019; please let me know if you are interested in this class

GEOL498/898

Basin Analysis

Principles and application to petroleum play assessment

Will be offered if there is enough interest from students seeking a petroleum-oriented career. Please let Dr. Filina know if you want this class!