This award will support Leonardo Seeber and Susan Hough from the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory (L-DGO) of Columbia University in a research collaboration with Renato Funiciello and Antonio Rovelli of the National Institute of Geophysics in Rome, Italy. The principal objective of this earthquake research collaboration is to use measurements of ambient noise to study resonant modes of sediment-filled valleys. For high-noise urban environments located on sediment-filled valleys, the ambient noise method shows promise in the economical and quick identification of predominant resonance frequencies. Awareness of and interest in resonant modes has risen dramatically partly because of recent large earthquakes. Many of these were especially devastating to people and property due to sediment resonances. This joint U.S.-Italy collaboration will provide an opportunity to combine instrumentation from the two countries as well as exchange ideas and experiences in understanding sediment amplification and its relevance to seismic hazard.
