Much like medical tomography relies on electromagnetic (X rays) or acoustic (echography) waves to map the interior of a patient's body, seismic tomography uses seismic waves to image the earth's interior. Today tomography is the only technique we have to effectively look into the interior of the earth, as well as other planetary bodies where seismic instruments have been deployed (the Moon, Mars).

The research group develops and applies tomography techniques at all scales, from seismic exploration to global earth structure; we look for ways to complement recordings of earthquakes or man-made explosions with data from other sources – most notably the “ambient” signal that is recorded in the absence of quakes and other disturbances; we strive to interpret tomography images in terms of the earth's structure and dynamics.

Professors coordinating and developing projects related to this research pathway: Ilaria Barone, Jacopo Boaga, Lapo Boschi, Manuele Faccenda, Piero Poli