Arushi Saxena

PhD Candidate

Center for Earthquake Research and Information, Memphis

About me

I am currently working on my PhD at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis under Dr. Eunseo Choi . My research focuses on understanding intraplate seismic zones using numerical models and seismology. I am currently working on the seismicity of the Central and Eastern US using numerical models setup using inverted parameters from geophysical observations. A brief detail of my projects is mentioned below.

Education

PhD Candidate

Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis
Integrated M.Tech in Geophysics, 2014

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Research Projects

Intraplate Seismicity: We setup numerical models of lithospheric scales based on the seismic tomography to understand the intraplate seismicity in the Central and Eastern US (CEUS), including the largest intraplate seismic zones in the US, the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). We invert for physical parameters of the Earth from the seismic tomography accounting for changes in composition and phase changes. Our results show that the upper mantle structures and heterogeneity play a crucial role in the stress concentration at their optimal fault orientation in the intrapalte seimsic zones of the CEUS.

Lithospheric Deformation: We attempt to explain the circular Pn seismic anisotropy pattern around the NMSZ using series of numerical experiments involving a sinking mafic pillow and rising asthenopheric upwelling. We compute both maximum shear strain strain and stress to best match the observed anisotropic pattern. I am also working on implementation of non local plasticity ASPECT using implicit gradient approach.

Receiver functions: We use S-wave receiver functions to find negative velocity gradient below the Mississippi Embayment. We find a consistent phase within the lithosphere at 60 to 120 km indicative of a mid-lithospheri discontinuity arising due to thermal and compositional changes below our study region.

News

Aug, 2019: Presented at the Ada Lovelace Workshop for Mantle Dynamics at Sienna, Italy pdf

Dec, 2018: Presented at the AGU fall meeting, 2018 at Washington DC

Oct, 2018: Presented my research to the visitor from the Czech Academy of Sciences at the CERI Colloquim

June, 2018: Attended the ASPECT Hackathon, 2018 at Walker Lake, California

June, 2018: Attended the XSEDE High Performance Computing workshop at Knoxville, Tennessee

April, 2018: Attended the CTSP, Coupling of Tectonic and Surface Processes, workshop at Boulder, Colorado

Dec, 2017: Presented at the AGU fall meeting, 2017 at New Orleans, Louisiana pdf

Sept, 2017: Presented my brown bag, at CERI

Aug, 2017: Passed my qualifying and comprehensive exam to be a PhD candidate at CERI