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Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
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Mark Simons

John W. and Herberta M. Miles Professor of Geophysics; Director, Brinson Exploration Hub
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles, 1989; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 1997-2003; Associate Professor, 2003-2007; Professor, 2007-17; Miles Professor, 2017-; Jet Propulsion Laboratory Chief Scientist, 2017-23; Director, 2024-.
Research Summary
Observational and theoretical geodynamics, especially earthquake cycle and volcano processes, crustal deformation and mantle convection; space geodesy; inverse problems; multi-scale analysis of geophysical fields.

Research Options

Geophysics; 

Research Areas

Geodynamics; 

Profile

By combining observations sampling a range of time and length scales with geodynamic models, we aim to understand the spatial and temporal variations of deformation at the boundaries of the tectonic plates. We are interested in the relationship between processes associated with the earthquake cycle, and long-lived geologic structures. Observationally, we rely primarily on the use of satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and GPS, as well as gravity, topography, seismology, geochronology and geology. Field locations we have focused on include the central Andes, Iceland, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet and the western United States. Besides investigating models of lithospheric dynamics, we also use geodesy to detect magma migration in the subsurface and use these observations to constrain our models of the magma plumbing system in active volcanoes.

Please see Dr. Simons' research page at http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~simons/

Publications

Please see Dr. Simons' publications website at http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~simons/publications/index.html


Ge 111 ab. Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course. 6 units (3-3-0); second term. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. 9 units (0-3-6); spring break, third term. Prerequisite: Ge 111 a; , 2023-24. An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar that will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The 4-5-day field component will be held in spring break, and the data analysis component is covered in Ge 111 b. May be repeated for credit with an instructor’s permission.
Instructors: Clayton, Simons
Ge 111 ab. Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course. 6 units (3-3-0); second term. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. 9 units (0-3-6); spring break, third term. Prerequisite: Ge 111 a; , 2022-23. An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar that will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The 4-5-day field component will be held in spring break, and the data analysis component is covered in Ge 111 b. May be repeated for credit with an instructor’s permission.
Instructors: Clayton, Simons
Ge 167. Tectonic Geodesy. 9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2022-23. Prerequisites: a working knowledge of unix/linux or equivalent, linear algebra, and coursework in geophysics. An introduction to the use of modern geodetic observations (e.g., GPS and InSAR) to constrain crustal deformation models. Secular velocity fields, coseismic and time-dependent processes; volcano deformation and seasonal loading phenomena. Basic inverse approaches for parameter estimation and basic temporal filtering algorithms. Given in alternate years; offered 2022-23.
Instructor: Simons
Ge 111 ab. Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course. 6 units (3-3-0); second term. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. 9 units (0-3-6); spring break, third term. Prerequisite: Ge 111 a; , 2021-22. An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar that will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The 4-5-day field component will be held in spring break, and the data analysis component is covered in Ge 111 b. May be repeated for credit with an instructor’s permission.
Instructors: Clayton, Simons
Ge 167. Tectonic Geodesy. 9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2021-22. Prerequisites: a working knowledge of unix/linux or equivalent, linear algebra, and coursework in geophysics. An introduction to the use of modern geodetic observations (e.g., GPS and InSAR) to constrain crustal deformation models. Secular velocity fields, coseismic and time-dependent processes; volcano deformation and seasonal loading phenomena. Basic inverse approaches for parameter estimation and basic temporal filtering algorithms. Given in alternate years; offered 2021-2022.
Instructor: Simons
Ge 111 ab. Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course. 6 units (3-3-0); second, third terms, 2020-21. Prerequisites: instructor's permission. 9 units (0-3-6); spring break, third term. Prerequisite: Ge 111 a. An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar that will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The 4-5-day field component will be held in spring break, and the data analysis component is covered in Ge 111 b. May be repeated for credit with an instructor's permission.
Instructors: Clayton, Simons
Ge 167. Tectonic Geodesy. 9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2020-21. Prerequisites: a working knowledge of unix/linux or equivalent, linear algebra, and coursework in geophysics. An introduction to the use of modern geodetic observations (e.g., GPS and InSAR) to constrain crustal deformation models. Secular velocity fields, coseismic and time-dependent processes; volcano deformation and seasonal loading phenomena. Basic inverse approaches for parameter estimation and basic temporal filtering algorithms. Given in alternate years; not offered 2020-21.
Instructor: Simons