Eileen Martin
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SEG J. Clarence Karcher Award 2024
Eileen Martin has made unique, significant, and innovative contributions in the use of fiber systems for recording seismic energy across a broad range of applications. Her work on surface wave interferometry is considered pioneering and a standard reference for industrial applications. Martin is credited with being the first to use existing telecommunication infrastructure to successfully gather active, passive, and ambient noise data using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). Her Love wave interferometry results are touted as the first ever obtained from DAS data. Martin’s use of DAS for permafrost thaw monitoring with application to public safety required the development of new computational and field techniques. Her use of DAS for monitoring mine safety, glacial movement, geothermal systems, and ground stability around energy pipelines demonstrates the depth and breadth of her creative interests in understanding dynamic systems. At this early stage of her career, Martin’s published oeuvre has citation rates beyond most late-career researchers and indicative of the significance her peers place on her scientific discoveries.
Biography Citation for the J. Clarence Karcher Award
by Paul Sava
It is with great pleasure that I write this citation for Eileen Martin, who is being honored with the prestigious J. Clarence Karcher Award for her exceptional contributions to the field of exploration geophysics. Eileen epitomizes the spirit of this award, which recognizes the significant contributions of early-career geophysicists to our field. Her pioneering work in distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and her outstanding contributions to theoretical and computational geophysics have significantly advanced our understanding and application of geophysical methods, paving the way for numerous scientific breakthroughs in the future.
Eileen is at the forefront of a revolution in exploration geophysics with her groundbreaking research in DAS technology. Her pioneering work, which demonstrated the first successful DAS experiment using existing telecommunications infrastructure, has significantly impacted our field. Eileen’s highly influential article, "Seismic monitoring leveraging existing telecom infrastructure at the SDASA: Active, passive, and ambient-noise analysis," published in The Leading Edge, has sparked numerous international studies exploring the use of DAS for passive urban, earthquake, and near-surface monitoring. Additionally, her development of scalable algorithms for data compression and interferometry in large-scale seismic networks tackles the computational and storage challenges of utilizing dense arrays for near-surface monitoring.
Beyond her groundbreaking research, Eileen championed making applied geophysics more practical for research teams with limited resources. She developed innovative computational and field techniques for various critical applications, including permafrost thaw monitoring, earthquake ground motion analysis, liquefaction risk assessment, and infrastructure monitoring. Eileen’s pioneering approaches have also significantly enhanced underground mine worker safety, understanding of glacier dynamics, monitoring of enhanced geothermal systems, and earthquake hazard mapping around energy pipelines.
Eileen’s exceptional contributions extend far beyond groundbreaking research. She thrives in collaborative environments, seamlessly leading and managing large, complex projects with significant impact on fiber optic sensing. Her publications, both as a solo author and within collaborative teams, demonstrate her substantial impact on the field. Her exceptional teaching and mentorship have also shaped the future of many geophysicists. Through her guidance, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have embarked on successful careers with a strong focus on real-world societal applications.
A leading advocate for DAS technology and the open-source movement in geophysics, Eileen has empowered countless researchers through workshops and events. Her dedication extends beyond outreach, as she actively contributes to the PubDAS project and spearheads initiatives like the Distributed Acoustic Sensing Data Analysis Ecosystem (dasdae.org). These efforts showcase her unwavering vision for fostering collaboration and open access to seismic data worldwide.
Eileen is a truly deserving recipient of the J. Clarence Karcher Award for her pioneering work in developing DAS technology, her groundbreaking research, exceptional teaching, and unwavering dedication to the geophysics community. Her innovative spirit, commitment to education, and passion for advancing exploration geophysics make her an inspiration to young researchers worldwide.