Colin A. Zelt
Associate Professor

Research:

Seismology and inverse methods.

My research interests include the development and application of seismic modeling and inversion techniques in tectonic, exploration and environmental studies of the lithosphere, sedimentary basins, and shallow targets. Study areas throughout the world encompass most types of continental plate tectonic settings: shields, platforms, young orogenic belts, passive margins, active/recent extension, and convergent margins.

I develop models of the seismic properties of the Earth's subsurface in 2-D and 3-D using artificial sources, and reciever arrays that are from tens of meters to a few hundred kilometers long, both on land and at sea. In most cases this involves the interpretation of wide-angle seismic refraction/reflection data for P-wave velocity structure. I interpret these models along with existing information which may include surface geology, well data, and results from seismic reflection, earthquake, magnetotelluric, gravity, magnetic, and geothermal studies.

To suit a particular set of data or geologic target, I develop forward and inverse seismic modeling techniques. I am also involved in acquiring land and marine seismic data with colleagues at Rice and other institutions.

Selected Publications

Zelt, B. C., R. M. Ellis, C. A. Zelt, R. D. Hyndman, C. Lowe, G. D. Spence, and M. A. Fisher, "Three-dimensional crustal velocity structure beneath the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia," Geophys. J. Int., 144 (2001): 695-712.

Hojka, A. M., C. A. Zelt, and E. R. Flueh, "3-D seismic refraction tomography of ocean bottom hydrophone data recorded offshore Valparaiso, Chile," Zentralblatt fur Geologie und Palaeontologie,, Part 1 (2000): 679-693.

Zelt, C. A., A. M. Hojka, E. R. Flueh, and K. D. McIntosh, "3D simultaneous seismic refraction and reflection tomography of wide-angle data from the central Chilean margin," Geophysical Research Letters, 26 (1999): 2577-2580.

Condi, F. J., C. A. Zelt, D. S. Sawyer, and G. J. Hirasaki, "Gravity inversion for rifted margin deep structure using extension and isostatic constraints," Geophys. J. Int., 138 (1999): 435-446.

Zelt, C. A., "Modelling strategies and model assessment for wide-angle seismic traveltime data," Geophys. J. Int., 139 (1999): 183-204.

Zelt, C. A., "Lateral velocity resolution from 3-D seismic refraction data," Geophys. J. Int., 135 (1998): 1101-1112.

Bradford, J. H., D. S. Sawyer, C. A. Zelt and J. S. Oldow, "Imaging a shallow aquifer in complex, glacial sediments using seismic reflection profiling with DMO processing," Geophysics, 63 (1998): 1248-1256.

Zelt, C. A. and P. J. Barton, "3D seismic refraction tomography: A comparison of two methods applied to data from the Faeroe Basin," J. Geophys. Res., 103 (1998): 7187-7210.

Zelt, C. A. and B. C. Zelt, "Study of out-of-plane effects in the inversion of refraction/wide-angle reflection traveltimes," Tectonophysics, 286 (1998): 209-221.

Zelt, B. C., M. Talwani and C. A. Zelt, "Prestack depth migration of dense wide-angle seismic data," Tectonophysics, 286 (1998): 193-208.

Pending Publications

Morgan, J. V., G. L. Christeson, and C. A. Zelt, "Testing the resolution of a 3D velocity tomogram across the Chicxulub crater," Tectonophysics, (in press, 2001).