Lithosphere

Mobile seismological networks play a crucial role in the detailed exploration of the lithosphere, particularly in complex geological contexts such as the Massif Central, the Alps, or subduction zones. Through dense and targeted temporary deployments, these networks allow the collection of high-quality seismic data, which are essential for imaging the Earth’s structure at different scales and for understanding the initiation of large earthquakes.

These setups allow obtaining unprecedented images of the crust and upper mantle, revealing the fine geometry of key structures and improving the understanding of the effect of crustal heterogeneities on seismic wave propagation, as well as on the mechanisms of sliding and rupture along major geological features (slow earthquakes, landslides, etc.).

By combining passive, non-destructive approaches, unprecedented instrumentation density, and innovative seismic imaging and monitoring methods (AI-based methods, full waveform inversion, noise correlation, etc.), these projects demonstrate the potential of mobile seismological networks to constrain geodynamic models and to improve the understanding of deep processes shaping the Earth’s surface and geophysical natural hazards.