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Prof. Michael Asten

Qualifications

B.Sc.(Hons) Univ. Tas., Ph.D. Macq.

Research Interests

  • Electromagnetic methods in mineral exploration, including the detection and characterisation of weakly conducting, economically important sphalerite-galena ore deposits
  • The improvement of electromagnetic sounding methods in the presence of polarisable earth (often associated with near-surface clays)
  • Use of microtremors in earthquake hazard site zonation
  • Consultant geophysicist in electrical and electromagnetic methods for airborne, ground and borehole search for base-metal mineral deposits:
    • image-processing presentations for geological mapping
    • extraction and presentation of physical parameters (eg. conductance, conductivity) from profile and areal data.
    • application of advanced numerical modelling and inversion algorithms to field data.

Contact Mike

p: +61 3 9905 1639
f: +61 3 9905 4903
e: Michael Asten

Professorial Fellow

Pat Rich

Research | Publications | Other

Recent Publications

  • Stephenson, W., Hartzell, S., Frankel, A., Asten, M., Carver, D., & Kim, W., 2009. Site characterization for urban seismic hazards in lower Manhattan, New York City, from microtremor array analysis, Geophysical Research Letters, 36, L03301, doi:10.1029/2008GL036444.
  • Asten,M.W., 2008,  Some consequences and advantages of using B-field sensors in time-domain EM measurement: Submitted to Geophysics.
  • Asten,M.W., and Duncan, A.C., 2008,  Modeling the EMI decay response of medium and large UXO with conventional and B-field sensors:  Proceedings of the 21st SAGEEP Conference, April 7-10, Philadelphia, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society.
  • Claprood, M., and Asten,M.W., 2008, Comparison of array microtremor survey methods for estimation of dispersion curves in Launceston, Australia: Proceedings of the 21st SAGEEP Conference, April 7-10, Philadelphia, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society.
  • Roberts,J., and Asten, M.W., 2008, A study of near source effects in array-based (SPAC) microtremor surveys: Geophysical Journal International, in press.
    Boore, D.M. and Asten, M.W., 2008,  A blind shear-wave slowness estimation experiment in the Santa Clara Valley, California, from a comprehensive set of invasive and non-invasive methods using active- and passive-sources: submitted to Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.
  • Asten, M.W., Duncan, A.C., and Hooper, G., 2007, EMI detection and discrimination of UXO using a “BEAMOD” array of fluxgate magnetic sensors: – SERDP Project MM1598.  Poster presentation at the SERDP-ESTCP Symposium, Washington DC, 4-6 Dec 2007.
  • Asten, M.W., and Duncan, A.C., 2007, On the Advantage of B-Field Sensor Arrays in TEM: From Minerals to UXO and Back Again: Extended Abstracts of the ASEG 19th Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Perth, November 2007.
  • Claprood, M., and Asten,M.W., 2007, Combined use of SPAC, FK and HVSR microtremor survey methods for site hazard study over the Tamar Valley, Launceston, Tasmania: Extended Abstracts of the ASEG 19th Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Perth, November 2007.
  • Claprood, M., and Asten,M.W., 2007, Use of SPAC, HVSR and strong motion analysis for site hazard study over the Tamar Valley in Launceston, Tasmania, , in McCue, K., and Lenz, S., editors, Earthquake Engineering in Australia Conference 2007, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Wollongong, 00-00.
  • Asten, M.W.,  2007, Shear velocity profiles obtained from microtremor array data with an example from direct fitting of SPAC curves:  Proceedings of the 20th SAGEEP Conference, April 1-5, Denver, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society.
  • Asten, M.W., and Duncan, A.C.,  2007, EMI detection and discrimination of UXO using an array of fluxgate magnetic sensors: Proceedings of the 20th SAGEEP Conference, April 1-5, Denver, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society.
  • Roberts,J., and Asten, M.W., 2007, Further investigation over Quaternary silts using the SPAC and Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) microtremor methods: Exploration Geophysics, 38 (3) 175-183. Available online at http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=224 .
  • Roberts,J., and Asten, M.W., 2006, Investigation of near-source in array-based (SPAC) microtremor surveys, in McCue, K., and Lenz, S., editors, Earthquake Engineering in Australia Conference 2006, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Canberra, 251-256.
  • Claprood, M., and Asten,M.W., 2006, Use of microtremors for site hazard studies in the 2D Tamar Rift Valley, Launceston, Tasmania, in McCue, K., and Lenz, S., editors, Earthquake Engineering in Australia Conference 2006, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Canberra, 169-172.
  • Asten, M.W., Duncan, A.C., and Hooper, G., 2006, EMI detection and discrimination of UXO using an array of fluxgate magnetic sensors – SERDP Project UX1445.  Poster presentation at the SERDP-ESTCP Symposium, Washington DC, 28-30 Nov 2006.
  • Asten, M.W. and Roberts, J., 2006, analysis of ESG2006 blind-trial microtremor data using the MMSPAC method: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on the Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion (ESG2006), Grenoble, France, 30 August - 1 September 2006, vol. 2, Paper Number: N01.
  • Sorensen,C, and Asten, M. (2007)  Microtremor methods applied to groundwater aquifer studies: Exploration Geophysics, 38 (2) 125-131. Available online at http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=224 .
  • Asten, M.W., 2006, Site shear velocity profile interpretation from microtremor array data by direct fitting of SPAC curves: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on the Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion (ESG2006), Grenoble, France, 30 August - 1 September 2006, vol. 1, Paper Number: 99.
  • Roberts, J., and Asten, M.W., 2006, Investigation of near source effects in array-based (SPAC) microtremor surveys: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on the Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion, Grenoble, France, 30 August - 1 September 2006, vol. 1, Paper Number: 97.
  • Asten, M.W., and Duncan, A.C., 2006, Fast approximate EM induction modeling of metallic and UXO targets using a permeable prism: Journal of Applied Geophysics (Special Issue on UXO), 61,(3-4), p.235-242.
  • Asten, M.W., 2006, On bias and noise in passive seismic data from finite circular array data processed using SPAC methods: Geophysics, 71 (6),  V153-V162.
  • Asten, M.W., and Boore, D.M., 2006, Shear-velocity profile across the Evergreen Basin using microtremor array studies: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, Seismological Society of America, San Francisco, April 2006.
  • Asten, M.W., 2006, Shear-velocity profile across the Evergreen Basin using microtremor array studies: Paper presented at the USGS 3rd Annual Workshop on Earthquake Hazards, Menlo Park, 18-19 January 2006.
  • Lam, N.T.K., Venkatesan, S, Wilson, J.L., Asten, M.W., Roberts, J., Chandler, A.M., &  Tsang, H.H.,  (2006) Generic Approach for Modelling Earthquake Hazard, Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering, 9 (1) 67-82.
  • Asten, M.W., Duncan, A.C., Siegel, R., and Hooper, G., 2005, EMI 3-component array sensors for UXO discrimination – SERDP Project UX1445.  Poster presentation at the SERDP-ESTCP Symposium, Washington DC, 29 Nov-1 Dec 2005.
  • Asten MW, Lam N.T.K., Srikanth, V., Rutter, H.  and Wilson, J.L. (2005)  The importance of shear wave velocity Information of a soil site.  Earthquake Engineering in Australia, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Albury NSW, Paper 36.
  • Tsang H.H.,  Roberts J., Asten M.W., Chandler, A.M., Lam N.T.K., and Chan, L.S.  (2005)  Modelling Shear Wave Velocity Profiles in Rock using the Microtremor Spatial Auto-Correlation Technique: the Hong Kong Case Study.  Earthquake Engineering in Australia, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Albury NSW, Paper 32.
  • Sorensen,C, and Asten, M. (2005)  Comparison of shear wave velocity profiles of Quaternary sediments in the Newcastle area estimated from SCPT, microtremor spectral ratios and array studies, and drilling.  Earthquake Engineering in Australia, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Albury NSW., Paper 9.
  • Asten , M.W., Stephenson, W.R., and Davenport, P., 2005,   Shear-wave velocity profile for Holocene sediments measured from microtremor array studies, SCPT, and seismic refraction: Journal of Engineering and Environmental Geophysics: v. 10, no 3, pages 235-242.
  • Asten, M.W., and Boore, D.M., 2005, Microtremor methods applied to hazard site zonation  in the Santa Clara Valley: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, Seismological Society of America, Lake Tahoe, April 2005.
  • Asten, M.W., 2005, Thickness  and shear-velocity mapping of Holocene-Pleistocene sediments by array studies of microtremors: Paper presented at the USGS 2nd Annual Workshop on Earthquake Hazards, Menlo Park, 17-18 January 2005.
  • Asten, M.W., 2004, Thickness  and shear-velocity mapping of Holocene-Pleistocene sediments by array studies of microtremors: USGS/NEHRP Grants Program #04HQGR0030, Annual Project Summary December 2004.    http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov/reports/annsum/vol46/nc/nc_vol46.htm.
  • Asten, M.W., Vicary, M., Rutter, H., and Cull, J.P., 2004,  An all-frequency resistivity-depth and static-correction technique for CSAMT data, with applications to mineralised targets under glacial cover (Western Tasmania) and basalt cover (Victorian goldfields): Exploration Geophysics v.36, 287-293. Available online at http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=224 .
  • Asten, M.W., 2005, An assessment of information on the shear-velocity profile at Coyote Creek, San Jose, from SPAC processing of microtremor array data, in Asten, M.W., and Boore, D.M., eds., Blind comparisons of shear-wave velocities at closely spaced sites in San Jose, California:  U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1169. [available on the World Wide Web at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1169/ ].
  • Asten, M.W., and Boore, D.M., 2005, Comparison of shear-velocity profiles of unconsolidated sediments near the Coyote borehole (CCOC) measured with fourteen invasive and non-invasive methods, in Asten, M.W., and Boore, D.M., eds., Blind comparisons of shear-wave velocities at closely spaced sites in San Jose, California:  U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1169. [available on the World Wide Web at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1169/ ].
  • Roberts, J., and Asten, M.W., 2005, Estimating the shear velocity profile of Quaternary silts using microtremor array (SPAC) measurements:  Exploration Geophysics, v.36, 34-40.  Available online at http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=224 .
  • Asten, M.W., 2004, Passive seismic methods using the microtremor wave field for engineering and earthquake site zonation: 74th Annual Meeting of the SEG, Denver, Oct 2004, Session NSG-1.
  • Srikanth Venkatesan, Lam, N., Wilson, J., and  Asten, MW, 2004, A Soil Response Spectrum Model for Melbourne.  Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Mt Gambier South Australia, Paper 12.
  • Roberts, J., Asten, MW., Hing Ho Tsang, Srikanth Venkatesan, and Lam, N., 2004, Shear Wave Velocity Profiling in Melbourne Silurian Mudstone using the SPAC Method.  Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Mt Gambier South Australia, Paper 15.
  • Lam, N., Asten, MW,  Chandler, A.,  Hing Ho Tsang, Srikanth Venkatesan,  and  Wilson, J., 2004, Seismic Attenuation Modelling for Melbourne based on the SPAC-CAM procedure.  Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Mt Gambier South Australia, Paper 16.
  • Asten, MW,  and Dhu, T., 2004,  Site response in the Botany area, Sydney, using microtremor array methods and equivalent linear site response modelling .  Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proceedings of a conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Mt Gambier South Australia, Paper 33.
  • Asten,M.W., Dhu, T., and Lam,N. (2004) .Optimised array design for microtremor array studies applied to site classification; observations, results and future use:  Paper 2903, Conference Proceedings of the 13th World Conference of Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, Aug 1-6.
  • Roberts, J., and Asten, M.W., 2004, Resolving a velocity inversion at the geotechnical scale using the microtremor (passive seismic) survey method.  Extended Abstracts of the ASEG-PESA 17th Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Aug. 2004.
  • Asten, M.W., (2004) Passive seismic methods using the microtremor wave field: Extended Abstracts of the ASEG-PESA 17th Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Aug. 2004.
  • Asten, M.W., and Vicary, M., (2004)  The role of parasections in assessment of CSAMT data: comparisons of field data and 3D EM models: Extended Abstracts of the ASEG-PESA 17th Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Aug. 2004.
  • Asten, M.W., and Vicary, M., (2004)  An  assessment of CSAMT data for location of mineralised targets under glacial cover (Western Tasmania) and basalt cover (Victorian goldfields):  Presented at the 17th  Australian Geological Convention, Geological Society of Australia, Hobar.
  • Asten, M.W., (2004), On science and pseudo-science in national parks:  EOS, in press February 2004.
  • Roberts, J., and Asten, M.W., 2004, Resolving a velocity inversion at the geotechnical scale using the microtremor (passive seismic) survey method.  Exploration Geophysics, v.35 14-18.  Available online at http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=224 .
  • Lam, N., Wilson, J., Venkatesan, S., Asten, M.W.,Roberts, J., and Chandler, A., (2004), A Generic Tool for Modelling Earthquake Hazard, ” (Topic Category : Earthquake Loading) The 18th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures & Materials, Perth, 1-3 December 2004. pp.473-478.
  • Asten, M.W., 2004, Method for site hazard zonation, Santa Clara valley:  Thickness  and shear-velocity mapping of Holocene-Pleistocene sediments by array studies of microtremors.  Presented at First Annual Northern California Earthquake Hazards Workshop, January 13-14, 2004, USGS, Menlo Park.
  • Elders, J.E., and Asten, M.W. 2004, A comparison of receiver technologies in downhole MMR surveys:   Geophysical Prospecting v.52, 1-12.
  • Asten, M.W., 2004, Comment on “Microtremor observations of deep sediment resonance in metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee” by Paul Bodin, Kevin Smith, Steve Horton and Howard Hwang. Engineering Geology, v. 72 (3/4) 343-349.
  • Purss, M.B.J..,  Cull, J.P., and Asten, M.W., 2003, Concurrent magnetic induced polarisation (MIP) and magnetometric resistivity (MMR) models for downhole MMR surveys: Journal of Applied Geophysics Vol 54/1-2 pp 1-14.
  • Asten, M.W.,  (2003) Lessons from alternative array design used for high-frequency microtremor array studies, in “Earthquake Risk Mitigation”, (Eds) J.L. Wilson, N.K. Lam, G. Gibson, B. Butler, Proceedings of a Conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Melbourne, Paper 14.
  • Asten, M.W., Dhu, T., Jones, A., and Jones, T. (2003) Comparison of shear-velocities measured from microtremor array studies and SCPT data acquired for  earthquake site hazard classification in the northern suburbs of Perth W.A., in “Earthquake Risk Mitigation”, (Eds) J.L. Wilson, N.K. Lam, G. Gibson, B. Butler, Proceedings of a Conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Soc., Melbourne, Paper 12.
  • Asten, M.W., 2003, Historical note and preface to SEG translation of “The Microseismic Method”, in H. Okada, “Microseismic Survey Method”: Society of Exploration Geophysicists of Japan.  Translated by Koya Suto, Monograph  12, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa.