Professor Ritzwoller is an observational seismologist. His early work was mainly in normal mode seismology
and helioseismology. More recent research has
concentrated on developing methods to focus seismic models derived from surface wave
information to tectonic
scales, particularly in the US and China. Recent emphasis has focused on developing methods for exploiting ambient
noise and earthquakes in surface wave tomography and combining this information to produce 3-D models of the crust
and uppermost mantle, with particular emphasis on anisotropy. In addition, he has developed
Bayesian Monte Carlo methods for seismic inversions and has worked on applying physical constraints from geodynamical models
and thermodynamics into seismic
inversions. Considerable emphasis
has also been placed on developing seismic methods in nuclear monitoring to improve
event locations and the ability to discriminate nuclear explosions from earthquakes.
Recent Classes:
General Physics I&II, Intermediate Mathematical Physics I&II, Earth and Planetary Physics I, History and Philosophy of Physics.
Research: