Prof Michael Asten - Researcher Profile

Biography

Michael works in the School of Geosciences at Monash University as a Professorial Fellow

Michael’s research areas of interest are:

•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.
•Collaborative projects in place with the US Geological Survey, the Middle Eastern
•Technological University, Ankara, Turkey, and the University of Utah, for development of
 interpretation methodologies for the multiple-mode spatially-averaged coherency method in microtremor
 observations for earthquake hazard site zonation.
•Inter-relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperature change.
•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.

Qualifications

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Institution: Unknown

Year awarded: 2005

Publications

Books

Willocks, A., Haydon, S., Asten, M.W., Moore, D. (eds), 1999, Geophysical signatures of base metal deposits in Victoria, Department of Natural Resources, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Asten, M.W. (ed), 1997, Geophysics, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa.

Book Chapters

Asten, M.W., 2003, Historical Note and Foreward to the SEG translation, in The Microtremor Survey Method: Society of Exploration Geophysics Monograph No.12, eds Asten M., Fitterman D.V., Society of Exploration Geophysics, Tulsa USA, pp. 6-9.

Journal Articles

Schramm, K., Abbott, R., Asten, M., Bilek, S., Pancha, A., Patton, H., 2012, Broadband rayleigh-wave dispersion curve and shear-wave velocity structure for Yucca Flat, Nevada, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America [P], vol 102, issue 4, Seismological Society America, El Cerrito USA, pp. 1361-1372.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., Kristek, J., 2012, Combining HVSR microtremor observations with the SPAC method for site resonance study of the Tamar Valley in Launceston (Tasmania, Australia), Geophysical Journal International [P], vol 191, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken USA, pp. 765-780.

Asten, M., Duncan, A., 2012, The quantitative advantages of using B-field sensors in time-domain EM measurement for mineral exploration and unexploded ordnance search, Geophysics [P], vol 77, issue 4, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa USA, pp. 137-148.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., Kristek, J., 2011, Using the SPAC microtremor method to identify 2D effects and evaluate 1D shear-wave velocity profile in valleys, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America [P], vol 101, issue 2, Seismological Society of America, San Francisco USA, pp. 826-847.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., 2010, Statistical validity control on SPAC microtremor observations recorded with a restricted number of sensors, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America [P], vol 100, issue 2, Seismological Society of America, Cerrito USA, pp. 776-791.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., 2009, Initial results from spatially averaged coherency, frequency-wavenumber, and horizontal to vertical spectrum ratio microtremor survey methods for site hazard study at Launceston, Tasmania, Exploration Geophysics [P], vol 40, issue 1, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic, Australia, pp. 132-142.

Asten, M., 2009, On the time-domain electromagnetic response of a conductive permeable sphere, Journal of Applied Geophysics, vol 67, Elsevier BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 63-65.

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 [P], vol 36, issue 3, American Geophysical Union, Washington DC, USA, pp. 1-5.

Roberts, J.C., Asten, M., 2008, A study of near source effects in array-based (SPAC) microtremor surveys, Geophysical Journal International, vol 174, issue 1, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, pp. 159-177.

Boore, D.M., Asten, M., 2008, Comparisons of shear-wave slowness in the Santa Clara Valley, California using blind interpretations of data from invasive and noninvasive methods, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, vol 98, issue 4, Seismological Society of America, San Francisco, USA, pp. 1983-2003.

Asten, M., Duncan, A.C., 2007, Fast approximate EM induction modeling of metallic and UXO targets using a permeable prism, Journal of Applied Geophysics, vol 61, issue 3-4, Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, pp. 235-242.

Roberts, J.C., Asten, M., 2007, Further investigation over quaternary silts using the spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) and horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) microtremor methods, Exploration Geophysics, vol 38, issue 3, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia, pp. 175-183.

Sorensen, C., Asten, M., 2007, Microtremor methods applied to groundwater aquifer studies, Exploration Geophysics, vol 38, issue 2, CSIRO Publishing, Australia, pp. 125-131.

Lam, N., Venkatesan, S., Wilson, J., Asten, M., Roberts, J.C., Chandler, A., Tsang, H., 2006, Generic approach for modelling earthquake hazard, Advances in Structural Engineering, vol 9, issue 1, Multi-Science Publishing Co. Ltd, UK, pp. 67-82.

Asten, M., 2006, On bias and noise in passive seismic data from finite circular array data processed using SPAC methods, Geophysics, vol 71, issue 6, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, USA, pp. V153-V162.

Asten, M., Vicary, M., Rutter, H., Cull, J.P., 2005, 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, vol 36, issue 3, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Innaloo City WA Australia, pp. 287-293.

Asten, M., 2005, An assessment of information on the shear-velocity profile at Coyote Creek, San Jose, from SPAC processing of microtremor array data, U.S. Geological Survey; Open File Report, vol 2005-1169, U.S Dept of the Interior, Geological Survey, USA, pp. 1-11.

Asten, M., 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, U.S Geological Survey; Open File Report, vol 2005-1169, issue 1, U.S Dept of the Interior, Geological Survey, USA, pp. 1-14.

Roberts, J.C., Asten, M., 2005, Estimating the shear velocity profile of Quarternary silts using microtremor array (SPAC) measurements, Exploration Geophysics, vol 36, issue 1, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Innaloo City WA Australia, pp. 34-40.

Asten, M., Stephenson, B.R., Davenport, P., 2005, Shear-wave Velocity profile for Holocene sediments measured from Microtremor Array Studies, SCPT, and Seismic Refraction, Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, vol 10, issue 3, The Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, USA, pp. 235-242.

Elders, J., Asten, M., 2004, A comparison of receiver technologies in borehole MMR and EM surveys, Geophysical Prospecting, vol 52, issue 2, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, London UK, pp. 85-96.

Asten, M., 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, vol 72, issue 3, Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 343-349.

Roberts, J., Asten, M., 2004, Resolving a velocity inversion at the geotechnical scale using the microtremor (passive seismic) survey method, Exploration Geophysics, vol 35, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, EvertonPark Qld Australia, pp. 14-18.

Asten, M.W., 2003, Comment on "Microtremor observations of deep sediment resonance in metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee" by Paul Bodin, Kevin Smith, Steve Horton and Howard Hwang, Engineering Geology, vol 72, issue 3-4, Elsevier, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 343-349.

Purss, M., Cull, J.P., Asten, M.W., 2003, Simultaneous modelling of the phase and amplitude components of downhole magnetometric resistivity data, Journal of Applied Geophysics, vol 54, issue 1-2, Elsevier, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 1-14.

Asten, M., 2003, The Microseismic Method, Microseismic Survey Method, Society of Exploration Geophysicists of Japan.

Nabighian, M.N., Asten, M., 2002, Metalliferous mining geophysics - State of the art in the last decade of the 20th century and the beginning of the new millennium, Geophysics, vol 67, issue 3, Society of Exploration Geophysics, Tulsa USA, pp. 964-978.

Asten, M., 2001, Borehole MMR and TEM for the detection of weak conductors: in Recent Developments and future directions in geophysics, AIG Bulletin, vol 33, pp. 65-69.

Asten, M., 2001, Conductivity-depth imaging: new views under conductive regolith using TEM data: in Recent Developments and future directions in geophysics, AIG Bulletin, vol 33, pp. 63-64.

Lee, J.B., Turner, R.J., Downey, M.A., Maddever, A., Dart, D.L., Foley, C.P., Binks, R., Lewis, C., Murray, W., Panjkovic, G., Asten, M., 2001, Experience with SQUID magnetometers in airborne TEM surveying, Exploration Geophysics, vol 32, issue 1, RESolutions Resource & Energy Services, Innaloo City WA Australia, pp. 9-13.

Asten, M., 2001, Galvanic excitation of the Cadjebut Pb-Zn ore body, Exploration Geophysics, vol 32, issue 3-4, RESolutions Resource & Evergy Services, Innaloo City WA Australia, pp. 176-180.

Asten, M.W., 2000, Interpretation of thick conductive zones using time-domain EM parasections, Exploration Geophysics, vol 31/4, RESolutions Resource & Energy Services, Innaloo City WA Australia, pp. 595-602.

Foley, C.P., Leslie, K.E., Brinks, R., Lewis, C., Murray, W., Asten, M.W., 1999, Field trials using HTS squid magnetometers for Ground-Based and Airborne Geophysical Applications, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol 9/2, IEEE, Chicago USA, pp. 3786-3792.

Asten, M.W., 1999, Modeling in Mining Geophysics: When, Where, and How?, Three-Dimensional Electromagnetics, vol m oristaglio , b spies, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa USA, pp. 477-488.

Cull, L.J., Asten, M.W., Cull, J.P., 1998, Reflection models and ramp response for dowhole TEM data, Exploration Geophysics, vol 29, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysics, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 320-323.

Asten, M.W., 1997, Drillhole EM - A strictly scientific hokey-pokey, Exploration Geophysics, vol 27, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 41-49.

Asten, M.W., Bishop, J., Hatch, M., Carroll, N., Macinnes, S., 1997, Finding sphalerite at Broken Hill with DHMMR, Exploration geophysics, vol 28, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysics, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 6-10.

Conference Proceedings

Asten, M., 2012, Estimate of climate sensitivity from coral records in the vicinity of the eocene oligocene cooling, Proceedings of the 34th International Geological Congress 2012 5-10 August 2012 Brisbane, 5/8/12 - 10/8/12, Geosciences Council, Brisbane Australia, p. 1551.

Asten, M., Sisman, F.N., Askan, A., 2012, Site Characterization in Bolu and Duzce (Northwestern Turkey) Based on SPAC and HVSR Analysis of Microtremor Noise, Istanbul International Geophysical Conference and Oil & Gas Exhibition, 17th - 19th September 2012, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, USA, pp. 1-4.

Asten, M., Askan, A., Ekincioglu, E., Sisman, N., Ugurhan, B., 2010, Site characterization in northwestern Turkey based on spatial autocorrelation technique: a comparative study on site hazard estimation, SSN 2010 Annual Meeting, 21 Arpil 2010 to 23 April 2010, Seismological Society of America, San Francisco USA, p. 382.

Asten, M., Roberts, J.C., 2009, Analysis of ESG2006 blind-trial microtremor data using the MMSPAC method, ESG 2006: Third International Symposium On The Effects Of Surface Geology On Seismic Motion, 30/08/06-01/09/06, Laboratorie Central des Ponts et Chaussees, Paris, France, pp. 1-11.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., 2009, Variability of shear wave velocity structures in Launceston, Tasmania, Newcastle Earthquake 20 Years On - AEES Conference 2009, 11-13 December 2009, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Melbourne, Australia, pp. 9-16.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., 2008, Microtremor survey methods in the Tamar Valley, Launceston, Tasmania: Evidence of 2D resonance from microtremor observations, Earthquake Engineering in Australia - Confrence 2008, 21 November 2008 to 23 November 2008, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Ballarat, Australia, pp. 1-8.

Claprood, M., Asten, M., 2007, Use of SPAC, HSVR and strong ground motion analysis for site hazard study over the Tamar Valley in Launcestion, Tasmania, AEES Proceedings, 23-25 November 2007, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Wollongong, p. 16.

Roberts, J.C., Asten, M., 2006, Investigation of near source effects in array-based (SPAC) microtremor surveys, Third International Symposium on the Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion, 30/08/2006 - 01/09/2006, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Canberra ACT Australia, pp. 371-382.

Asten, M., 2006, Site shear-velocity profile interpretation from microtremor array data, by direct fitting of SPAC curves, ESG 2006: Third International Symposium On The Effects Of Surface Geology On Seismic Motion, 30/08/06 -01/09/06, Laboratorie central des ponts et chaussees, Paris, France, pp. 1-12.

Claprood, M., Asten, M.W., 2006, Use of microtremors for site hazard studies in the 2D Tamar rift valley, Launceston, Tasmania, Earthquake Engineering in Australia, 24/11/2006 - 26/11/2006, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Canberra ACT Australia, pp. 169-172.

Sorensen, C., Asten, M., Dhu, T., McPherson, A., 2005, Comparison of shear wave velocity profiles of quarternary sediments in the Newcastle area estimated from SCPT, microtremor spectral ratios and array studies and drilling, Earthquake Engineering in Australia, 25/11/2005 to 27/11/2005, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Australia, pp. 9-1-9-7.

Tsang, H., Roberts, J.C., Asten, M., Chandler, A., Lam, N., Chan, L., 2005, Modelling shear wave velocity profiles in rock using the microtremor spatial auto-correlation technique: the Hong Kong case study, Earthquake Engineering in Australia Conference 2005, 25/11/2005 to 27/11/2005, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Vic Australia, pp. 32-1-32-8.

Asten, M., Lam, N., Venkatesan, S., Rutter, H., Wilson, J., 2005, The importance of shear wave velocity information of a soil site, Earthquake Engineering in Australia, 25/11/2005 to 27/11/2005, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Australia, pp. 36-1-36-6.

Venkatesan, S., Lam, N., Wilson, J., Asten, M., 2004, A soil response spectrum model for Melbourne, Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proc. of a Conf. held by the Australian Earthquake Eng. Soc, 5 /11/ 04 to 7/11/ 04, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 12-1-12-7.

Lam, N., Asten, M., Chandler, A., Tsang, H., Venkatesan, S., Wilson, J., 2004, Seismic attenuation modelling for Melbourne based on the SPAC-CAM procedure, Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proc. of a Conf. held by the Australian Earthquake Eng. Soc, 5 /11/ 04 to 7/11/ 04, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 16-1-16-7.

Roberts, J., Asten, M., Tsang, H., Venkatesan, S., Lam, N., 2004, Shear wave velocity profiling in Melbourne silurian mudstone using the SPAC method, Australian Earthquake Engineering in the New Millennium, Proc. of a Conf. held by the Australian Earthquake Eng. Soc, 5 /11/ 04 to 7/11/ 04, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 15-1-15-6.

Asten, M., 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, Proc. of a Conf. held by the Australian Earthquake Eng. Soc, 5/11/2004 to 7/11/2004, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 33-1-33-6.

Asten, M.W., Dhu, T., Jones, A., 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., Earthquake Risk Mitigation, 27/11/03 to 28/11/03, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Vic Australia, pp. 12 -1-12-7.

Asten, M.W., 2003, Lessons from alternative array design used for highfrequency microtremor array studies, Earthquake Risk Mitigation, 27/11/03 to 28/11/03, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Vic Australia, pp. 14-1-14-7.

Asten, M., Dhu, T., 2002, Enhanced interpretation of microtremor spectral ratios using multimode Rayleigh-wave particle-motion computations, Total Risk Management in the Privatised Era, 17/10/02 to 18/10/02, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 8-0-8-6.

Asten, M., Lam, N., Gibson, G., Wilson, J., 2002, Microtremor survey design optimised for application to site amplification and resonance modelling, Total Risk Management in the Privatised Era, 17/10/2002 to 18/10/2002, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society of Victoria, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 7-0-7-6.

Asten, M., 2001, The spatial auto-correlation method for phase velocity of microseisms - another method for characterisation of sedimentary overburden, Earthquake Codes in the Real World, 21/11/2001 to 23/11/2001, Australian Earthquake Engineering Society, Canberra ACT Australia, pp. 28-0-28-5.

Asten, M.W., 1998, Normalisation of Electric Potential for a Buried Electrode, Preview, Hobart, Tasmania/8-12 November 1998, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysics, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 98-99.

Asten, M.W., 1998, On the use of conductance and differential conductivity in TEM parasections (CDI), Society of Exploration Geophysics 68th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, USA/15-19 Sept 1998, Society of Exploration Geophysics, Tulsa OK USA, p. EM 1.8.

Asten, M.W., 1997, Three-D EM modelling in mining geophysics: when, where and how do we want it?, Preview, Sydney, 23-27/2/97, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysics, Melbourne Vic Australia, p. 95.

Other

Asten, M., 2012, Cyclical patterns raise no reason for climate pessimism, The Australian, News Ltd, Melbourne Australia.

Asten, M., 2012, Science hijacked at school level, The Australian, News Ltd, Melbourne Australia.

Asten, M., 2011, Secure supplies, The Age, Fairax Ltd, Melbourne Australia.

Asten, M., 2011, Triumph of scepticism, The Australian, News Ltd, Sydney.

Asten, M., 2010, CSIRO should establish if there was medieval warming down-under, The Australian, News Ltd, Sydney Australia.

Asten, M., 2010, Michael Asten responds, Preview, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne Australia.

Asten, M., 2010, On climate change, the elephant, tusk and tail, Preview, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne Australia.

Asten, M., 2010, Political interference will cripple climate debate, The Australian, News Ltd, Sydney Australia.

Asten, M., 2010, Presidents piece, Preview, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne Australia.

Asten, M., 2009, Climate Ball Up In The Air, Newspaper article on climate change, The Australian, Melbourne, Australia.

Asten, M., 2009, Climate Claims Fail Science Test, Newspaper article on climate change, The Australian, Melbourne, Australia.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Completed Supervision

Student:

Claprood, M.

Program of Study:

Microtremor seismic methods in a 2D valley environment: the Tamar Valley, Launceston (Tasmania, Australia). (PHD) 2009.

Supervisors:

Asten, M (Main), Cull, J (Associate).

Student:

Roberts, J.

Program of Study:

Application of microtremor seismic techniques to engineering-scale studies. (PHD) 2007.

Supervisors:

Asten, M (Main), Cull, J (Associate).

Student:

Theodoridis, J.

Program of Study:

BOREHOLE ELECTROMAGNETIC PROSPECTING FOR WEAK CONDUCTORS. (PHD) 2004.

Supervisors:

Cull, J (Main), Asten, M (Associate).