Eugene T. Herrin
Ph.D., Harvard
Shuler-Foscue Professor
Phone 214-768-2760
Email herrin@smu.edu
- Theoretical and Applied Seismology
- Solid Earth Properties
- Computer Analysis of Geophysical Data
Courses Taught
GEOL 5392 - Introduction to Seismology
Research Statement
Gene Herrin's primary research interests in seismology
include: (1) extension of seismological observations to high frequencies;
(2) seismic observations
in deep boreholes; (3) processing of high frequency seismic data: (4) design
of advanced seismic instruments and observatories; and (5) research in the
seismic verification of nuclear arms-control treaties.
Gene also considers theories of subatomic particles allowing for aggregates of quarks that
have masses
several orders of magnitude greater than the largest
known nucleous. These nuclearites (quark nuggets) weakly interact with
normal matter and probably collide with the Earth at galactic velocities
(100's of km). If this type of dark matter exists, then passage of a quark
nugget through the Earth should be detectivle as an earthquake with a linear
source.
Along with theoretical physicist, Vic Teplitz, and systems analyst, David Anderson, Gene has been searching the world-wide database of earthquakes looking for unassociated events, i.e., earthquakes that can't be assigned to natural and man-made causes. Thus far, after an exhaustive search of the existing databases, there are no certain examples of nuclearite collisions with Earth. Promising events triggered new analysis of seismic wave travel times through the lower mantle and the core and the role of antipodal events generating unassociated earthquakes.
Selected Publications
Herrin, E., Corry, C.E., McDowell, F.W., Phillips, K.A., 1991, Geology of the Solitario, Trans-Pecos Texas, Geological Society of America Special Paper No. 250, 122 pp.
Herrie, E.T. and Teplitz, V.L., 1996, Seismic Detection of Nuclearites, Physics Review, vol. 53, n.12