Earthquake, volcanic, and Earth surface processes
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
We study the physical processes that drive earthquakes, volcanic activity, and Earth surface hazards, and translate those insights into knowledge that supports hazard mitigation and sustainable development.
The group is based in the Mong Man Wai Building on the CUHK main campus. We are known for applying machine learning to build high-resolution earthquake catalogues; combined with advanced statistical analysis, these catalogues resolve fault-system structures and volcanic plumbing processes that conventional catalogues miss.
This organization hosts the code, workflows, and data tools behind that research.
| # | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machine learning in geophysics | Deep-learning phase pickers and classifiers that turn noisy continuous records into dense catalogues resolving fine-scale fault structure. |
| 2 | Fault response to stress changes | How small, accurately measured stress perturbations affect fault slip, and what that reveals about fault friction. |
| 3 | Dynamics of volcanic systems | Submarine and subaerial volcano seismology: microearthquakes, tremor, and seismo-acoustic signals tied to magma movement. |
| 4 | Low-frequency and long-period earthquakes | Clustering and scaling of LFEs and long-period events as indicators of slow slip, fluid migration, and magma transport at depth. |
| 5 | Earth surface processes and hazard cascades | Seismic records of landslides, dam breaches, outburst floods, and their associated earthquakes. |
Our observations come from a wide range of environments:
- Active volcano flanks and crater lakes
- Fumarole fields
- Ocean ridges and research vessels
- Ocean-bottom seismometer deployments
- Deep-submergence vehicle expeditions
- Snow-covered volcanic terrain
- Shipboard seismic monitoring campaigns
We typically welcome one to two new members each year and encourage applications from students and researchers of all backgrounds. We are always glad to hear from prospective students and postdoctoral researchers whose interests align with our work.
Reach out by email with a short statement of interest and your CV.
Yen Joe Tan, Ph.D. (陳衍佐) Associate Professor, Geophysics Laboratory Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Email: yjtan@cuhk.edu.hk
- Office: Room 309 (Lab 4), 3/F, Mong Man Wai Building, CUHK, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
