2024 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Advanced Earth and Space Sciences G
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Wataru Kanda / Shohei Narita
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue / 3-4 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A421
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Inverse problems are widely applied when modeling data obtained by geophysical methods. In this class, students will learn the basic theory and technical background of how to solve inverse problems. Then, we aim to deepen our understanding of its application to earth science.
Course description and aims
[Goal] At the end of this course, students will learn about the basics of inverse problems. As an application to geophysics, the goal is to understand geophysical exploration methods for estimating the subsurface structure of the Earth and geodetic methods for measuring ground deformation.
[Theme] Students will learn about "formulation for linear problems and least squares solutions" and "methods of solving nonlinear problems" among methods for solving inverse problems. Furthermore, among the geophysical methods that apply inverse problems, students will learn about the "MT method, which is an electromagnetic exploration method'', and the "geodetic method for observing ground deformation''.
Keywords
forward problem, inverse problem, electromagnetic exploration method, electrical resistivity, geodetic method, ground deformation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course will begin on July 2 (Tue) or July 5 (Fri). Attendance is checked at every lecture. Bring a writing implement and notebook as you will be asked to solve problems during the lecture. In the latter half of the course, each student are asked to introduce an associated academic paper.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Solution of the inverse problem 1: introduction | Learn about the description of inverse theory, probability density function, and error propagation |
| Class 2 | Solution of the inverse problem 2: linear problem and the least square solution | Learn about a linear problem and the least square solution in the formulation of inverse problem |
| Class 3 | Solution of the inverse problem 3: other solutions for linear problem and non-linear problem | Learn about other solutions for a linear problem and the solution for a non-linear problem. |
| Class 4 | Geodetic methods: measurements and applications to volcanoes | Learn about the geodetic methods: how they are measured and applied to volcanoes |
| Class 5 | Exploration method for subsurface structure: magnetotelluric method and related topics | Learn about the exploration method for subsurface structure (magnetotelluric method) that uses electromagnetic induction due to natural electromagnetic field disturbunces |
| Class 6 | Presentation by students: (1) papers related to the volcano/geodegy/electromagnetic induction/inverse problem | volcano/geodegy/electromagnetic induction/inverse problem |
| Class 7 | Presentation by students: (2) papers related to the volcano/geodegy/electromagnetic induction/inverse problem | volcano/geodegy/electromagnetic induction/inverse problem |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Lecture notes are provided at the time of every class.
Reference book on inverse problem: W. Menke, "Geophysical Data Analysis: Discrete Inverse Theory, 3rd Edition"
Evaluation methods and criteria
No examination. The attendance to lectures is necessary. Students will be assessed by an evaluation of presentation and its mateial made by each student. Participation in the discussion is also considered.
Related courses
- EPS.A418 ： Advanced Earth and Space Sciences E
- EPS.A419 ： Earth and Space Sciences F
- EPS.A332 ： Volcanology
Prerequisites
None