Cherilyn Toro
Cherilyn Toro is a student at University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez currently completing her research at University of Delaware - Newark under Dr. Colton Lynner .
This project will examine the patterns of mantle wedge dynamics of the Alaska-Aleutians Subduction Zone using the shear wave splitting technique of local S seismic phases to look at the flow directions in the mantle, and with these results we can infer the flow change along the subduction zone and the variable dynamics operating within the mantle wedge. The importance of this project is related to a better understanding of the aspects of the controlling mantle wedge dynamics in this subduction zone, and a better assess to the risks associted to it.
Reflecting On The Road
July 15th, 2022
The biggest challenges I’ve faced this summer have been mostly related to being so far from home for the first time, taking care of myself on my own and establishing new routines. As a picky eater it has been very difficult for me to find stuff to eat (apart from burgers and nuggets), and as an athlete, it has been difficult to get back on track and my training routine/discipline, but I’ve managed to overcome these challenges by self motivation and pushing myself to try new things and work with what I have accessible. I definitely feel like I’ve learned more than just shear wave splitting processing and matlab, and I am more motivated to try new things once I’m back at home. However, the biggest challenge these last weeks of internship has been coping with the urge of being back home already. Since the day is so close I’ve been really anxious of packing my stuff and leaving already (I really miss my cats, and my mom's food).
Current Stage
July 15th, 2022
At this stage of the research, we already have measurements to interpret and an abstract to start writing. We could now say that one of the most crucial parts of the project has been made, and we can move on to the interpretation/writing process. In this figure you are able to see the stations that I was working with, and the measurements that I got from them (the splits, represented as lines). These lines are supposed to show the direction of split, which can be mostly east-west, but I’m still not able to explain in detail since I haven’t got into that part of interpretation yet, but I leave this here as a sneak peek (dt is delay time).
Challenges and Map
July 15th, 2022
Currently a challenge that I’m facing is still related to the total understanding or comprehension of all parts of the project, but mostly in the theory/importance of it. Since I’ve been mostly working on processing data, that information hasn’t been well discussed yet, but hopefully soon I will be able to clarify all my doubts.
Here I include a GMT map of the Alaska Aleutian Islands Subduction Zone with the stations I’ve been working with, which are less related to the volcanoes on the island, and more related to the mantle wedge dynamics of the zone. We are studying that area because we want to know the mantle wedge dynamics of the zone and relate it to the volcanism of the area and have a better view of the fault boundaries, mantle flow direction and behavior, and possible hazards.
Data and Elevator Speech
June 28th, 2022
The data I am working with was collected from stations located in the Alaska Aleutian Islands Subduction Zone. For this I was given a list with station names, networks and location in order to retrieve their data from 2005 to present. After doing the process of data retrieval I would then start to pick the splitting on each station, checking each earthquake on them and marking my picks. The data is barely raw, and by that I mean that they are earthquakes that have been already processed by seismic networks and they already have the S wave picked, so when I go to the stations I can see the predicted location of the S wave arrival and use it for reference in my picks.
In respect to the skill that I would like to develop, it would be more like getting full knowledge on the research topic, since I don’t have that many issues with communicating but in order to do well I still need to develop a better understanding on my research purpose and goals. With this further development I would be able to feel more confident when presenting and communicating my project.
The elevator speech was kind of hard to fulfill because I still haven’t developed the skill that I previously mentioned as one that I need to work a little harder to achieve and feel more confident on the project. However, I find it like a challenge that I want to conquer and it will also help me achieve the mentioned skill. And I also find it very useful, not only for AGU but for future projects or research that I might be involved in, so it is actually a very important activity to practice more frequently.
Summer Goal
June 13th, 2022
Starting this second week of internship at Delaware, things are already starting to get in place as we get more used to the programs and the project itself. During this time I’ve had the goal of dominating the programs and understanding the project as best as I can to be better prepared for the paper writing and poster creation for AGU. However, I also have the goal of finding the correct path for me in graduate school, getting to know which career I want to follow and what I want to do in seismology for the upcoming years. I want to define my next steps and have a better view of the grad school process.
