Sanne Cottaar

Research Area

My research focuses on understanding the structure, composition, and dynamics of the deep Earth, and their connections to surface processes and planetary evolution.  I take a data-driven approach, hunting for clues constraining the deep Earth in earthquake waveforms. The work is also highly multi-disciplinary, working with mineral physicists and geodynamicists to understand the implications of the observations. My research team and I have worked on all depths within the Earth, from the crust to the inner core. A particular focus has been on regions with mantle plumes, to understand their dynamics and composition.  We are also interested in resolving questions on the major boundaries within the planet, at the core-mantle boundary and in the mantle transition zone.  Recently, we have been mapping anomalous zones (ULVZs) that sit on the core-mantle boundary, and might correlate with mantle plumes. 

Do check out deepearth.esc.cam.ac.uk

Project Interests

I am happy to discuss any project directions that would align our interests. This could be primarily seismological focused; we have several untapped seismic phases and methods that could be further developed.  A project could also take a multi-disciplinary approach, involving collaboration across various fields. Do feel free to get in touch if you want to explore the deep Earth!