PhD Position (3 of 3) in Earthquake Seismology and Hydromechanics

The Institute of Geophysics at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences of ETH Zurich has three open positions for full-time (100%) PhD students in earthquake seismology. This is the advertisement for PhD #3, which focusses on the rupture dynamics of complex fault zones.

The Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies ("BedrettoLab") is a unique research facility of ETH Zurich that allows studying earthquake physics, hydromechanics and deep geothermal energy under in-situ conditions. In the context of a global flagship project in earthquake seismology - the Fault Activation and Earthquake Rupture (FEAR) project - we are working to induce and study earthquakes with magnitudes of ~1.0 on a natural Alpine fault zone. The BedrettoLab provides direct access to the target fault zone at a depth of ~1km, such that we can place monitoring equipment directly on and around the fault zone. Because of this direct access, we can potentially observe, model and understand earthquake dynamic and hydromechanic processes in exceptional detail.

The target fault zone has been extensively characterised with a wide range of geophysical and geological methods. The detailed knowledge of in-situ fault zone properties allows us to study the intricate relations between these properties and fault zone behaviour, in terms of seismicity, hydromechanics, and earthquake dynamics. In this context, we are looking for three highly motivated candidates to embark on a PhD on the inter-connected topics of i) Seismicity of a complex fault zone (PhD #1); ii) Hydromechanics of a complex fault zone (PhD #2); and iii) Rupture dynamics of a complex fault zone (PhD #3). This is the description for PhD #3. You will find an equivalent advertisement for the other two positions on the same platform.

The 3 successful PhD candidates will join the Bedretto Team, a large, international team of scientists, who together strive to advance our understanding of fault zone processes and earthquake physics. The PhD programs will focus on data from the major upcoming experiments of the FEAR project, planned between November 2024 and December 2026.

This PhD project (#3) focuses on studying dynamic rupture models on finite faults in the context of induced seismicity—seismic events primarily triggered by variations in normal stress due to changes in pore pressure. Understanding these processes is crucial for advancing earthquake physics and fault zone processes.

The fault zone targeted by the FEAR project is exceptionally well constrained through a variety of datasets, including active seismic campaigns, borehole analyses, and seismicity catalogues. Additionally, the zone is equipped with an array of seismic, strain, and pressure sensors, providing high-resolution data. Effective dynamic modeling of induced seismicity relies on understanding fault zone properties, fault geometry, and an integrated hydromechanical model.

This research addresses key questions:

• How do specific stress conditions trigger self-arresting ruptures versus runaway ruptures?
• Can dynamic models predict—and observations confirm—whether ruptures are arrested smoothly with a decelerating front or abruptly due to barriers?
• How do heterogeneities in constitutive law parameters and initial stress conditions interact with varying pore pressure profiles?
• What wavelengths of radiated seismic energy can be resolved at close distances (within meters) from the fault?
• Can we distinguish self-arresting from runaway ruptures based on observed seismic radiation?
• Which parameters, such as fault heterogeneities or surface roughness, dominate high-frequency radiation characteristics, and how effectively can dynamic models reproduce these frequencies?

The successful candidate will primarily focus on dynamic rupture simulations, incorporating complexities in fault plane geometry, dynamic parameters, pore pressure profiles, and initial stress conditions. By leveraging the exceptional datasets from the upcoming FEAR experiments, the candidate will tackle these fundamental questions while contributing to a comprehensive understanding of induced seismicity.

Collaboration will be central to the project. The candidate will work closely with PhD #1, who is reconstructing fault geometries from seismic data, and PhD #2, who is developing hydromechanical models of fault zones to provide initial conditions for dynamic simulations. Together, the research of these PhD projects has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of earthquake physics, improve seismic hazard assessment, and contribute to the safe and sustainable development of deep geothermal energy.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious young scientist with a knack for quantitative problem solving, coding, and for working with large data sets. The position requires a Masters' degree in Earth Sciences, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering or a related discipline. You should have an interest in developing outstanding data processing, analysis and modelling skills in common scientific languages such as Python or Matlab. Importantly, working in an underground laboratory means working in a team. The position requires excellent teamwork abilities and communication skills, including good spoken and written English skills. You will be expected to develop and implement an independent research agenda, to publish papers in high-level peer reviewed journals, participate in international conferences, and to perform basic teaching assistant duties.

This project is embedded in an exciting research environment, with a large, diverse and interdisciplinary research team. ETH Zurich offers one of the best earth science and geophysics programs worldwide, and has generally excellent resources in terms of mentoring and infrastructure. The city of Zurich is widely known for its high standard of living, close proximity to the Swiss Alps and central location within western Europe. The salary and general working conditions are internationally highly competitive and according to ETH standards. The working language is English. Please check out the AVETH survival guide to find more information on a doctorate at ETH Zurich.