Will F.J. Fortin

Active Source Seismologist

My research aim is to extract as much quantifiable information as possible from seismic data anywhere within reach of human interaction, from the ocean interior to our deepest drilling projects (and eventually beyond). 

Check out my research pages for more information.  

Natural Hazards Risk Analyses

Seabed Stability and Slope Failure

I am working with collaborators to investigate fluid overpressure off the U.S. east coast and its role in large submarine landslides. Such slides occur frequently, covering ~20% of the seafloor, and are capable of producing tsunamis along the heavily populated coast. Using advanced computational techniques like prestack waveform inversion and machine learning, we gain quantitative insight into seabed conditions and work toward a comprehensive understanding of risk associated with regional submarine landslides.

Carbon Sequestration

Investigating Basaltic Storage

By applying modern processing techniques to legacy data, I have been examining the CO2 storage potential of Mesozoic rift basins offshore the US east coast. Detailed prestack waveform inversion sheds insight into basin compositions, and thus the character of the rock infill and volumetric storage potential.

Seismic Oceanography

Ocean Mixing and Turbulence

My research goal is to explore energetics in the oceanic interior by mapping diapycnal diffusivity of meso- and sub-mesoscale ocean structures in conjunction with temperature and salinity profiles inverted from seismic data. I am particularly interested in regions with high internal wave activity, seamounts, rough bathymetry, and large eddies. Field sites include the Caribbean, South China Sea, Adriatic, and the North Pacific.

Rock Properties from Seismic

Estimating Pore Properties

Using machine learning on seismic, borehole, and empirical data I am developing and applying methods to estimate rock properties such as pore fluid pressure, porosity, and hydrate concentrations from inverted seismic data. The aim of this research is primarily to address natural hazards along continental margins.

Methane Hydrate Systems

Determining Hydrate Concentraions

Using prestack waveform inversion, my research goal is to detail the distribution of methane hydrates and free gas. Then by leveraging detailed velocity information, move toward making quantitative estimates of hydrate concentration, particularly in coarse grained sands. My study areas have been at Blake Ridge and various sites in the Gulf of Mexico.

Contact

61 Route 9W
Palisades, NY
10964
USA

+1 (845) 365 8682