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.
Research
Our group conducts research in several directions:
- Tectonic history of the passive continetal margins (Gulf of Mexico and the Northern Atlantic)
- Crustal structures of the Cascadia subduction zone
- Intraplate Seamounts in the central Atlantic
- Geophysical studies in Nebraska
UNL Spring Research Fair, 2019
UNL Geophysics team in June 2021
UNL Summer Research Symposium, August 2023
The students of the UNL Geophysics team present their results at professional meetings (visit Publications), and at the local venues as well. The UNL Geophysics team receives the Best Student Awards at the annual meetings of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences (NAS) every year starting 2017. View a list of past NAS meetings' talks and UNL Research Fair posters and talks.
2024 Nebraska Academy of Sciences annual meeting
| 2024 | K. Steinauer, I. Filina Using a relative gravimeter to measure seasonal fluctuations in Nebraska’s groundwater levels, Proceedings of 144th annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences One of three best student awards |
| 2024 | Z. Clowdus, I. Filina, An integrated geophysical approach to studying the crust of the Greenland-Iceland-Faroe Ridge, Proceedings of 144th annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences One of three best student awards |
| 2024 | M. Madsen, I. Filina, Two newly identified propagator wakes in the Southern Cascadia, Proceedings of 144th annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences |
| 2024 | H. Lofton, E. Stowell, Z. Clowdus, I. Filina, Mapping sedimentary thickness in the Northern Atlantic Ocean from legacy seismic reflection data. Proceedings of 144th annual meeting of Nebraska Academy of Sciences |
Near-Surface Geophysical Surveying in Nebraska
Drone-based magnetic surveying
Gravity surveying
Seismic refractions
GPR survey
Geophysics classes
Dr. Filina teaches these courses. Descriptions available in the Undergraduate Catalog.
| Course ID | Course title | Description | Semester offered |
GEOL 441/841 (former GEOL 344) | Geophysics | Geophysical techniques to study the Earth: seismology, gravity, magnetics and heat flow. | Fall 2023, Fall 2024 |
| GEOL/METR 453/853 | GIS in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences | Basic principles of ArcGIS | Fall 2023, Fall 2025 |
| GEOL 442/842 and GEOL 443/843 | Environmental Geolphysics I and II | Various geophsyical methods for environmental applications. Include data acquisition, processing and interpretation. | Spring 2025 |
| GEOL 445/845 | Advanced Geophysics | Integrative analysis of geophysical data (gravity, magnetics, seismic) with geological information (well logs, tectonic history, etc.) | Spring 2024 |
| GEOL 446/846 | 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 |
| GEOL 947 | Seminar in Geophysics | An essential seminar for students conducting research in Geophysics. | offered regularly, next one is planned for Fall 2024 |
| GEOL 498/898 | 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 |
| GEOL 498/898 | 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! |