2011 Executive Secretary NASA LASER Panel Review
Nicholas C Schmerr
(SEISMOLOGIST)
| Email: | nicholas.c.schmerr@nasa.gov |
| Phone: | 301.614.5223 |
| Org Code: | 698 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 698 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE CO |
Research Interests
Exploring the Deep Interiors of Planets
Solar System: GeophysicsMy primary research interest is in deciphering the formation, dynamics, and evolution of planetary surfaces and interiors. This research requires knowledge across a wide variety of scientific disciplines, in particular geophysics, geodynamics, geology, geochemistry, tectonics, mineral physics, petrology, as well as astronomy and cosmochemistry. I am extremely interested in how the physical and chemical properties of rocks and minerals are related to the evolution and dynamics of planetary surfaces and interiors. I use seismology to explore the relationship between deep internal structure and surface processes and tectonics. While the majority of my work has involved seismic imaging of the Earth and Moon's mantles, I am also interested in using seismology to detect compositional and thermal anomalies within other planetary interiors as constraints on their dynamical evolution. My research interests extend to the study of seismic wave propagation in rocky and icy bodies and the use of seismic arrays for detailed structural analysis of the deep Earth.
More details are available on my personal webpage.
Positions/Employment
NASA Postdoctoral Position Fellow
Oak Ridge Associated Universities - NASA-GSFC Code 698 Greenbelt, MD 20771
September 2010 - Present
Visiting Scientist
Department of Geology - University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
July 2011 - Present
Visiting Scientist
Department of Terrestrial Magnetism - Carnegie Institution of Washington 5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW Washington, DC 20015
September 2010 - Present
Department of Terrestrial Magnetism Postdoctoral Fellow
Carnegie Institution of Washington - CIW-DTM 5241 Broad Branch Rd NW Washington, DC 20015
September 2008 - September 2010
Graduate Research Assistant
School of Earth and Space Exploration - Arizona State University Box 871404 Tempe, AZ
September 2001 - September 2008
Current Projects
Planetary Seismology and Geophysics
Imaging the depth, sharpness, and elastic properties of upper mantle discontinuities, including the 410-km, 520-km, 660-km, LAB and upper mantle interfaces.
Modeling of 3-D wave propagation in the Moon and Earth using high frequency synthetic wave propagation codes.
Combining constraints from seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and gravity to constrain the internal structure of the Moon.
Planetary seismology and promotion of future missions to deploy seismic instrumentation on bodies throughout the Solar System.
Field Work
Geophysics
Field deployments of seismometers:
• Northwestern Canada (CANOE, 2003-2005)
• Arizona (COARSE, 2005-2007)
• High Lava Plains of eastern Oregon (HLP Project, 2008-2010).
Publications
Refereed
2012. "The Pacific lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary: Seismic imaging and anisotropic constraints from SS waveforms." GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS 13 (Q0AK10): 18 [doi:10.1029/2012GC004194] [Journal Article/Letter]
2012. "Mantle dynamics beneath the Pacific Northwest and the generation of voluminous back-arc volcanism." GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS 13 (Q0AN01): 22 [doi:10.1029/2012GC004189] [Journal Article/Letter]
2012. "The Gutenberg Discontinuity: Melt at the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary." Science 335 (6075): 1480-1483 [DOI:10.1126/science.1215433] [Journal Article/Letter]
2011. "Subducted Lithosphere Beneath the Kuriles from Migration of PP Precursors." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 311 101-111 [Journal Article/Letter]
2010. "Deep mantle plumes and convective upwelling beneath the Pacific Ocean." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 394 153-151 [Journal Article/Letter]
2007. "Upper mantle discontinuity topography from thermal and chemical heterogeneity." Science 318 (5850): 623-626 [Journal Article/Letter]
2006. "Investigation of upper mantle discontinuity structure beneath the central Pacific using SS precursors." Journal of Geophysical Research [doi:10.1029/2005JB004197] [Journal Article/Letter]
2003. "Extreme Volcanism on Io: Latest Insights at the End of Galileo Era." EOS Transactions 84 318 [Journal Article/Letter]
Professional Service
Awards
2008 American Geophysical Union Outstanding Student Paper Award
2006-2007 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation Fellowship
Teaching Experience
2010 Student Advisor: Carnegie Summer Scholars Program, Carnegie Inst. of Washington
2002 Teaching Assistant: Geodynamics, Arizona State University.
2001-2002 Laboratory Instructor: Introductory Geology Laboratory, Arizona State University.
2000 Teaching Assistant: Paleontology, Beloit College.
1999 Teaching Assistant: Historical Geology, Beloit College.
1999 Teaching Assistant: Introductory Astronomy, Beloit College.
1998-2001 Tutor: Geology, Beloit College.
1998-2001 Astronomy Tour Guide: Thompson Observatory, Beloit College.
Talks, Presentations and Posters
Other
For an up to date list of my abstracts and presentations, please visit my personal webpage.
February 2012