Nathan L Bangs

Nathan L Bangs
Research Professor, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences

Email: nathan@ig.utexas.edu
Work: +1 512 471 0424
Office: ROC 3.216
Mailcode: R2200

Dr. Bangs' is interested in structural development and tectonic processes along convergent margins. He uses advanced MCS methods to acquire 3-D images of structure and stratigraphy within subduction zones in order to examine tectonic activity and deformational styles and to study fluid migration in accretionary prisms. His expertise also includes the processing, inversion, and modeling of seismic reflection data. Recently, Bangs has studied the accretionary complexes of Barbados, Chile, and the Aleutians. He is currently the U.S. co-leader of a major U.S.-Japan project to characterize changes in the physical properties of a portion of the Nankai Trough subduction zone offshore Japan. The project aims to determine how these changes relate to earthquake activity. Three-dimensional seismic data collected during summer 1999 will be used to determine at which depths sediments have sufficient strength to store the large stress energies that could be released in tsunamagenic earthquakes.

Areas of Expertise

Structural development and tectonic processes along convergent margins; MCS methods to acquire 3-D images of structure and stratigraphy within subduction zones; processing, inversion, and modeling of seismic reflection data


Research Locations



Current Research Programs & Projects

Collaborative Research: A 3-D Seismic Investigation of the Nankai Trough Plate Boundary System in the Kumano Basin

Ultra High Resolution 3D Seismic Surveying of Active Hydrate Ridge Vents to Complement Proposed CORKing


Member, United States Science Advisory Committee, Joint Oceanographic Institutions (2001 - 2004)

Member, Science Steering and Evaluation Panel (Interior), ODP (1997 - 2000)

Member, American Geophysical Union

Member, Geological Society of America (GSA)

Postdocs

Xinming Wu, 2016 - 2019, Bureau of Economic Geology


Graduate Students

Andrew Gase , Ph.D., expected 2023 (Co-supervisor)
I use seismic and electromagnetic geophysical methods to probe the earth at lithospheric and environmental scales. My recent interests include subduction zone structure, volcanic geomorphology, and magmatic-tectonic interactions.

Sabrina A Reichert (Co-supervisor)
Marine seismic tomography of the Blake Plateau, with consideration of magnetic and bathymetric data to illuminate the tectonic and magmatic mechanisms of continental breakup, as well as seafloor spreading phenomena in the Central Atlantic Ocean.

Kelly Olsen, Ph.D., 2021 (Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences


YearSemesterCourse
2018Spring GEO 394 Rsch In Geological Sciences
2017Fall GEO 394 Rsch In Geological Sciences
2017Spring GEO 394 Rsch In Geological Sciences