Hi there! My name is Konstantinos, and I am an observational seismologist at the Australian National University. I study earthquakes and the forces that shape the Earth’s crust. My work involves:

  • Analyzing "wiggles" (seismic waves produced by earthquakes),
  • Building detailed earthquake catalogs to track seismic activity over time,
  • Using imaging techniques—like taking an X-ray of the Earth—to reveal hidden underground structures.

By combining earthquake data with insights from different scientific fields, I aim to improve our understanding of how these processes shape our planet. I’m also passionate about open-access science and collaborative projects across disciplines.

Research projects

Intermediate-depth earthquakes beneath central Himalayas.

Intermediate-Depth Earthquakes Beneath the Himalayas

We examine the intermediate-depth seismicity, taking place beneath the central part of the Himalayan orogen (Michailos et al. 2021).

  • Machine-learning based detection methods for earthquake analysis,
  • Regional seismic data from the Himalayan region,
  • Seismogenic insights from clustered events: eclogitization reactions and/or westward-propagating dextral deformation.

View scripts on GitHub

Crustal thermal structure and exhumation in the central Southern Alps

We model crustal dynamics in New Zealand's Southern Alps (Michailos et al. 2020b).

  • Integrated analysis combining seismicity and thermochronology to model crustal thermal structure,
  • Spatially variable exhumation rates (1–8 mm/yr) along the Alpine Fault, aligning with geological/geodetic studies,
  • Elevated seismicity cutoff temperatures (410–430°C) suggesting fluid pressure/strain rate effects,

View scripts on GitHub

Earthquake distribution with thermal isotherms and exhumation rates.
Focal mechanisms near the central Alpine Fault.

Microseismicity and tectonic stress near the central Alpine Fault

We compile a catalog of 7,719 earthquakes near the central Alpine Fault using data from five seismic networks and GeoNet stations (Michailos et al. 2019).

  • Shallow seismogenic cutoffs (<8 km) near Aoraki/Mount Cook,
  • A seismic gap in Whataroa potentially linked to hydrothermal activity.

Next, we analyze 845 focal mechanisms (spanning ~10 years) to determine stress near the Alpine Fault (Michailos et al. 2020a).

  • Dominant strike-slip faulting with uniform stress orientations (mean 121° ±11°),
  • Remarkably consistent stress orientations over time.

Publications

Also on Google Scholar.

Peer-reviewed publications

Non Peer-Reviewed Publications

Open Access Seismological Databases

Fieldwork

My work mainly involves staring at computer screens, but I've also been fortunate enough to do fieldwork in different parts of the world.

"Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, AU"
"Nodal deployment in Jura, CH"
"Seismic node deployment, Roccastrada, Tuscany, IT"
"Gravity data survey, Ivrea Geophysical body, Alps, IT"
"Godley Valley, Southern Alps, NZ"
"Seismometer at De la Beche, Southern Alps, NZ"
"Kea spotted at Dusky Sound, NZ"
"Digging out a seismometer in the Southern Alps, NZ"
"Sea lions on Snares Island, NZ"
"Clear skies... on the West Coast of the South Island, NZ"
"Ocean Bottom Seismometers aboard RV Tangaroa"
"Yellow-eyed penguins sighted on Snares Island, NZ"

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