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Zhen Li

Zhen Li

  • Email: eezlih@leeds.ac.uk
  • Thesis title: Disentangling Post-Seismic Deformation Mechanisms Using Wide-Range InSAR: Insights from the 2021 Mw 7.4 Maduo Earthquake on Lithospheric Rheology
  • Supervisor: Professor Andy Hooper

Profile

I am a PhD candidate co-supervised by Peking University and the University of Leeds. My research primarily focuses on the extraction of wide-area large-scale InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) deformation and the observation and modeling of seismic cycles associated with large strike-slip earthquakes. My objective is to advance the understanding of these complex geophysical processes to improve earthquake prediction and hazard assessment.

Research interests

My research interests encompass the application of InSAR to study surface deformation with the aim of constraining the rheology of the lithosphere. Specifically, I investigate the following:

  1. Post-Seismic Deformation: Analyzing the temporal and spatial evolution of deformation following significant seismic events to understand the viscoelastic relaxation and afterslip processes in the crust and upper mantle.

  2. Lake Responses: Studying the deformation patterns around large lakes to assess the lithospheric response to hydrological loading and unloading, which provides insights into the elastic and viscoelastic properties of the lithosphere.

  3. Volcanic Activities: Monitoring deformation associated with volcanic activity to understand magmatic processes and stress changes in the crust. This research helps in predicting volcanic eruptions and assessing associated hazards.

  4. Glacier-Induced Stress Changes: Investigating the deformation induced by glacier dynamics, including ice loading and unloading, to understand the interaction between cryospheric processes and lithospheric stress fields.

Through these studies, I aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms driving surface deformation and their implications for the rheology of the lithosphere. This research contributes to the broader field of geophysics by providing critical insights into the Earth's dynamic processes.

Qualifications

  • 2016-2020: Bachelor in Geological Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China.
  • 2020-Present: PhD in Geophysics, Peking University, Beijing, China.