He is conducting research on seismic tomography and seismic wave propagation. Seismic tomography is a technique for imaging the subsurface of the Earth with seismic waves produced by earthquakes or explosions. Seismic waves travel through the Earth’s layers, and originate from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, magma movement, large landslides or large man-made explosions that give out low-frequency acoustic energy. Dr. Tape is leading research efforts in Alaska with the goal of developing a 3D model of the subsurface crust and upper mantle.