Broadly defined, I am interested in using passive source seismic techniques to image the structure of the crust and upper mantle of the Earth. My research goals can be summarized by the question “How are tectonic events manifested in the character of the lithosphere?”.

I work on developing new approaches to obtain tomographic models that better image subsurface structure, primarily using receiver functions and surface wave dispersion data. I have applied these imaging techniques to a variety of locations to understand problems pertaining to:

  1. the role of fluids in subduction zone processes
  2. the character of lithospheric-scale magmatic systems
  3. the processes related to the terminal stages of subduction in the Tethyan system
  4. the longevity and relative stability of cratonic crust

I am an assistant professor in Purdue University's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences alongside fellow seismologist Xiaotao Yang. We are both looking for motivated graduate students to help us build our Computational Seismology and Tectonics group and maintain the already strong reputation for seismology at Purdue. Don’t hesitate to contact me if interested.

Featured Publications:

Delph, J.R., Thomas, A.M., Stanciu, A.C., Aslam, K., Chatterjee, A., Sassard, V., 2023, "SCENTAR: A High-Density Nodal Array to Study the Structure and Seismogenic Behavior of the Southern Cascadia Forearc" Seis. Res. Lett. Data Minehttps://doi.org/10.1785/0220220251

Delph, J.R., Thomas, A.M., Levander, A., 2021, "Subcretionary tectonics: Linking variability in the expression of subduction along the Cascadia forearc" Earth. planet. Sci. Lett.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116724

Delph, J.R., Shimizu, K., Ratschbacher B.C., 2021, "The architecture of the southern Puna magmatic system: integrating seismic and petrologic observations with geochemical modeling" J. Geophys. Res.https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB021550

Most Recent Publication:

Whitney D.L., Delph J.R., Thomson S.N., Beck S.L., Brocard G.Y., Cosca M.A., Darin M.H., Kaymakci N., Meijers M.J.M., Okay A.I., Rojay B., Teyssier C., Umhoefer P.J., 2023, “Breaking plates: Creation of the East Anatolian fault, the Anatolian plate, and a tectonic escape system” Geology, https://doi.org/10.1130/G51211.1 

Jonathan R. Delph