Thorsten Becker
Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences
Faculty associate, Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences
Shell Companies Foundation Distinguished Chair in Geophysics (Holder)
Mailcode: R2200
Becker's main research interests are in geodynamics and seismology, focusing on how planets' interior and surface systems have co-evolved. His team integrates field, laboratory, and numerical approaches into geodynamic and structural models, focusing on the physics of plate tectonics, from grain-scale deformation to earthquakes to plate-scale mantle flow. This work is discussed in more than 150 publications and was recognized by a Bessel Award of the Humboldt Foundation, the Evgeni Burov Medal of IUGG, the Augustus Love Medal of the European Geoscience Union, and a Fellowship of the American Geophysical Union.
Thorsten's teaching interests include Tectonic Geodynamics, Natural Hazards, Geophysics, Deep Earth Dynamics, and Numerical Modeling of Earth Systems.. He currently chairs the Standing Committee on Solid Earth Geophysics and is a member of the Board of Earth Sciences and Resources, both at the US National Academies. Other service includes a near-decade stint as Editor in Chief of Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, and current editorial work for Advances. Becker also served on the Planning Committee of the Southern California Earthquake Center and currently leads the Megathrust Modeling Framework NSF-FRES project.
Becker holds a Diplom in Physics from Frankfurt University, a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Harvard, and was the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Post-doctoral Scholar at Scripps, UC San Diego.
Areas of Expertise
mantle convection; plate tectonics; structural seismology; numerical modeling; earthquakes; fluid dynamics
August Love Medal - European Geoscience Union (2023)
Evgueni Burov Medal - International Lithosphere Program, IUGG (2021)
Member - Academia Europaea (2021)
Fellow - American Geophysical Union (2015)
Astor Visiting Fellowship - Oxford University (2014)
Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Award - Humboldt Foundation (2013)
C. F. Gauss lecturer - German Geophysical Society (2008)
Kavli fellow - National Academy of Sciences (2007)
Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Scholarship - Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego (2002)
Certificate of Excellence in Teaching - Harvard University (2001)
CAREER Award - National Science Foundation - 2007)
Member, Scientific Advisory Council, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (2023)
Member, Operational Planning Committee, Subduction Zones in Space and Time SZ4D (2022 - 2024)
Member, Visiting Committee, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo (2022)
Editor, Advances, American Geophysical Union (2020 - 2023)
Member, Steering Committee, Subduction Zones in Space and Time SZ4D (2020 - 2021)
Chair, Standing Committee on Solid Earth Geophysics, National Academy of Sciences (2019 - 2024)
Member, Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, National Academy of Sciences (2019 - 2024)
Member, Standing Committee on Solid Earth Geophysics, National Academy of Sciences (2015 - 2024)
Editor in Chief, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, American Geophysical Union (2009 - 2020)
Member, Planning Committee, Southern California Earthquake Center (2009 - 2015)
Editor in Chief, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, American Geophysical Union (2009 - 2017)
Please see http://www-udc.ig.utexas.edu/external/becker/group.html for the current group members.
Postdocs
Eivind Straume, 2021 - 2023, Jackson School of Geosciences
Silvia Brizzi, 2020 - 2022, Jackson School of Geosciences
Antoniette Grima, 2020 - 2022, Jackson School of Geosciences
Robert Porritt, 2017 - 2020, Jackson School of Geosciences
Lukas Fuchs, 2016 - 2019, Jackson School of Geosciences
Matthew Weller, 2016 - 2019, Jackson School of Geosciences
Graduate Students
Sohini Dasgupta
, Ph.D., expected 2026
(Committee Member)
I am a Ph.D. candidate focused on computational geophysics and machine learning, where I develop physics-driven carbon monitoring methods and surrogate models for carbon sequestration and storage. My interests include scientific computing, numerical algorithms, and rock physics, and I actively apply machine learning to tackle large-scale joint inversion problems. I am also keen on statistical analysis (multi-modal) for reservoir characterization,...
Edward Clennett
, Ph.D., expected 2024
(Supervisor)
I am a fifth year PhD candidate in the geodynamics and tectonics group at UT Austin. I am interested in plate tectonic reconstructions, and how we can use geodynamic and geophysical constraints to better model past plate motion and continental deformation. Plate motion and deformation are modelled through time using plate reconstructions. These are widely used across industry and academia...
Ethan M Conrad
(Supervisor)
I am a PhD candidate at the University of Texas Jackson School of Geosciences (Institute for Geophysics, UTIG & Department of Geological Sciences, DGS) advised by Profs. Claudio Faccenna (Formerly UT & Roma TRE, now GFZ Potsdam & Roma TRE), Thorsten Becker (UT - JSG: DGS & UTIG), and Daniel Stockli (UT - JSG: DGS). My research interests include structural...
Huiwen Sun
(Supervisor)
My research interests lie primarily in the field of active tectonics with a focus on megathrust earthquakes. I seek to integrate geological observations, geodetic measurements, and seismological data into numerical models to better understand the behaviors of megathrust events.
Xiang He
(Supervisor)
My interest lies in large-scale geodynamic evolution, like those processes associated with subduction, mantle convection, and intraplate deformation. The most amazing thing is that we could simulate those giant processes in our small (comparing to our planet) computers. The key is to apply physical principles in a numerical way, which is quite attractive to me.
Simone Puel, Ph.D., 2023
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Erin Heilman, Ph.D., 2023
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Wanying Wang, Ph.D., 2021
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Kunpeng Liao, M.S., 2018
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Undergraduate Students
Zel Hurewitz (physics, UT Austin)
| Year | Semester | Course | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 384D | Physics Of Earth |
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 354 | Physics Of Earth |
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 315L | Earth From Lab To Planet |
| 2022 | Spring | GEO 398L | 1-Tectonic Geodynamics |
| 2022 | Spring | GEO 350L | 1-Tectonic Geodynamics |
| 2022 | Spring | GEO 302J | Crisis Of Our Planet |
| 2021 | Spring | GEO 391 | Tectonic Geodynamics-Wb |
| 2021 | Spring | GEO 371T | Tectonic Geodynamics-Wb |
| 2021 | Spring | GEO 302J | Crisis Of Our Planet |
| 2020 | Fall | GEO 391 | Global Solid Earth Dynamics-Wb |
| 2020 | Spring | GEO 371T | Tectonic Geodynamics |
| 2020 | Spring | GEO 391 | Tectonic Geodynamics |
| 2020 | Spring | GEO 302J | Crisis Of Our Planet |
| 2019 | Fall | GEO 391 | Physics/Chem Of The Mantle |
| 2019 | Spring | GEO 371T | Tectonic Geodynamics |
| 2019 | Spring | GEO 302J | Crisis Of Our Planet |
| 2018 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2018 | Spring | GEO 302P | Sustaining A Planet |
| 2017 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2017 | Fall | GEO 391 | Geodynamics |
| 2017 | Fall | GEO 371T | Geodynamics |
| 2017 | Spring | GEO 303 | Introduction To Geology |
| 2017 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
Graduate Positions
Mantle and Fault System Dynamics Graduate Research
The UT Geodynamics Team is always looking for motivated graduate and undergraduate students.
The University of Texas at Austin hosts an exciting and diverse community of researchers at the Jackson School of Geoscience, which includes the UTIG and DGS units with which I am affiliated. At UT, we are colocated and collaborate with a number of others, including at the Texas Advanced Computing Center and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences.
We are always looking for motivated students with a keen interest and solid background in the Earth sciences, physics, engineering, or computer science. Please take a look at some of our recent publications to give you an idea of current projects, but I like to work with students who think and work independently and challenge and extend my expertise and interests.
Please consider applying for our program should you be interested in pursuing a PhD in my research group, and see the JSG pages for admission procedures. The (important) Fellowship deadline is December 1 each year. If you think this could be a match, please do reach out by email.
Undergraduate Positions
Summer intern/undergrad job Summer 2023 at TACC
The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) is seeking a summer intern to join the HighPerformance Computing group for the Summer 2023. The position is supported by the
Seismic COmputational Platform for Empowering Discovery (SCOPED) project funded by
NSF. The intern will primarily work on polishing and writing documents of the software tools
supported by SCOPED. The tools are written in Python and C++, so basic understanding of
these languages will be helpful. Additionally, experience with docker containers is preferred.
Responsibilities:
• Review and revise existing documents of software tools and containers
• Find and correct any issues in the documentation
• Improve the wording and presentation of the documents
• Work collaboratively with the development team to ensure accuracy and consistency
in the documents
Requirements:
• Must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program at UT
• Basic understanding of Python and C/C++ languages
• Familiarity with docker containers is preferred
• Exceptional precision and accuracy when reviewing and editing documents to ensure
they are error-free.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the development team
• Background in Seismology is a plus
Required Materials
• Resume
• Letter of interest
To apply, please send your resume and letter to Ian Wang (iwang@tacc.utexas.edu) via
emails before Apr 15, 2023. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage
individuals from underrepresented groups to apply
MTMOD Megathrust modeling framework
Various summer projects and undergraduate research opportunities
External Photo Galleries
UTIG Mojave Broadband Experiment 2018