K. Michailos, PhD

I am an observational seismologist currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. My research focuses on understanding seismotectonic processes, using high-quality earthquake catalogs, seismic imaging, and multidisciplinary approaches and datasets.

Research Interests

Microseismicity detection, location and characterization
Tectonic stress analysis
Mountain building processes
Educational seismology
Passive seismic imaging (e.g., receiver functions)

Current Project

In my present work, we use ambient noise tomography (ANT) techniques to map the subsurface structures of the Tuscan Magmatic Province in Italy. This is part of the SNSF-funded Sinergia project, entitled: MIGRATE.

Research projects

Moho depths and receiver functions

We map the depth of the Moho discontinuity beneath the European Alps using teleseismic earthquake information (receiver functions) based on the AlpArray Seismic Network and other large scale passive experiments (Michailos et al. 2023).

Codes for this project are available here.

Moho discontinuity depth map for the broader European Alpine region.

Intermediate depth earthquakes, central Himalayas.

Intermediate-depth earthquakes beneath the Himalayas

We re-asses the "unusual" intermediate depth earthquakes, taking place beneath the central part of the Himalayan orogen. Our approach involved employing deep-learning-based earthquake detection methods (Michailos et al. 2021).

Scripts for this project are available here.

Crustal thermal structure and exhumation in the central Southern Alps, New Zealand

We use seismological and geological datasets to model the thermal structure beneath the Southern Alps and estimate the rates at which the Alps are being uplifted (Michailos et al. 2020b).

Codes for this project are available here.

Earthquake hypocenter profile with temperature isotherms and exhumation rates.

Microseismicity focal mechanisms, central Alpine Fault, New Zealand.

Microseismicity and tectonic stress near the central Alpine Fault

We compile a long duration microseismicity earthquake catalog near the central section of the Alpine Fault and observe shallow seismogenic cut-off depths near Aoraki/Mount Cook (<8 km) (Michailos et al. 2019).

We determine the crustal stress regime near the central Alpine Fault using first motion polarity focal mechanisms and stress inversions. We observe remarkably consistent stress orientations in both space and time (Michailos et al. 2020a).

Publications

Also on Google Scholar.

Peer-reviewed publications

Moho depths beneath the European Alps: a homogeneously processed map and receiver functions database.
K. Michailos, G. Hetényi, M. Scarponi, J. Stipčević, I. Bianchi, L. Bonatto, W. Czuba, ...
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., 2023.
A decade of earthquake activity at Taupō Volcano, New Zealand.
F. Illsley-Kemp, P. Herath, C.J. Chamberlain, K. Michailos, and C.J.N. Wilson
Volcanica, 2022.
Heterogeneity in Microseismicity and Stress near Rupture-Limiting Section Boundaries along the Late-Interseismic Alpine Fault.
E. Warren-Smith, J. Townend, C.J. Chamberlain, C. Boulton and K. Michailos
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2022.
Spatio-temporal evolution of intermediate-depth seismicity beneath the Himalayas: implications for metamorphism and tectonics.
K. Michailos, N.S. Carpenter, and G. Hetényi
Frontiers Earth Science, 2021.
Making seismology accessible to the public in Nepal: an earthquake location tutorial for education purposes.
S. Subedi, P. Denton, K. Michailos, and G. Hetényi
Journal of Nepal Geological Society, 2021.
Crustal thermal structure and exhumation rates in the Southern Alps near the central Alpine Fault, New Zealand.
K. Michailos, R. Sutherland, J. Townend, and M.K. Savage
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2020.
Detailed spatiotemporal analysis of the tectonic stress regime along the central Alpine Fault.
K. Michailos, E. Warren-Smith, M.K. Savage, and J. Townend
Tectonophysics, 2020.
Variations in seismogenic thickness along the central Alpine Fault, New Zealand, revealed by a decade's relocated microseismicity.
K. Michailos, E.G.C. Smith, C.J. Chamberlain, M.K. Savage and J. Townend
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2019.
Implications of upper-mantle seismicity for deformation in the continental collision zone beneath the Alpine Fault.
C.M. Boese, T.A. Stern, K. Michailos, J. Townend, and C.J. Chamberlain
New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 2018.
EQcorrscan: Repeating and Near‐Repeating Earthquake Detection and Analysis in Python.
C.J. Chamberlain, C.J. Hopp, C.M. Boese, E. Warren‐Smith, D. Chambers, S.C. Chu, K. Michailos, and J. Townend
Seismological Research Letters, 2018.

Open Access Seismological Databases

Fieldwork

My work mainly involves staring at computer screens, but I've also been fortunate enough to perform fieldwork in different parts of the world. Here are a few photos from some of these fieldwork experiences.