Research Interests

I am interested in understanding the relationship between tropical cyclones and seismology, specifically the seismic noise that is recorded by stations as these cyclones pass by. Most of the work I have done thus far has involved investigating cyclone parameters such as wind speed, pressure, track, the distance to the seismic station, and the azimuth between the station and the cyclone, seismic data recorded during the cyclone’s passing, and the analysis of this data in MATLAB. The ultimate goal is to better constrain the connection between the seismic data, the strength of the storm, and the track of the storm in order to delineate similar storm parameters for past storms events where meteorological records are incomplete but seismic records are not. By extending this relationship backward in time and applying it to cyclones with little to no records, parameters such as their track and intensity could be determined and compared to modern storms with implications of this comparison in the realm of climate change and if cyclones are getting stronger over time.

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences / Harvard University / 20 Oxford Street / Cambridge / MA 02138 / U.S.A. / Telephone: +1 617 495 2350 / Fax: +1 617 496 1907 / Email: reilly@eps.harvard.edu