Seismology

The course introduces the subject by providing you with a geological understanding of seismology before moving on to the basic concepts that define earthquakes and seismic events. You’ll build on these concepts as you progress through the course, developing your comprehension of the advanced mechanisms and source analyses vital to understanding how seismologists are able to measure and observe seismic events.

Earthquakes are a global phenomenon with an extensive history of massive destruction and catastrophic damage. You’ll learn about the damaging and hazardous aspects associated with earthquakes and the work seismologists do to gain a better understanding of them, and to hopefully prevent, or at least minimise, damage from future events.

By studying this course, you will:

• Gain a geological understanding of the Earth and its oceans
• Learn about plate tectonic mechanisms and the forces responsible for seismic activity
• Be able to determine earthquake size using seismic moment and magnitude
• Explore the location and focal mechanisms that describe shear fractures
• Learn about the work of seismologists, seismic networks, and early warning systems
• Discover history’s most damaging, deadly, and expensive earthquakes

The Seismology Diploma Course is an introduction to this ever-expanding geological science. Whether you are new to the subject and would like a beginner-friendly introduction or have a fascination with earth sciences and some foundational knowledge, this course will guide you through the process of earthquake formation and the work of seismologists.