David T. Sandwell

David T. Sandwell is a Professor of Geophysics at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics within Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. His research integrates satellite remote sensing, geodesy, and marine geophysics to study Earth's dynamic processes.

Research Interests: Sandwell specializes in marine gravity anomaly mapping from satellite altimetry, predicted and measured seafloor topography, synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR), thermal and mechanical structure of the oceanic lithosphere, geodynamic applications of satellite altimetry, and tectonics on Venus. His work bridges planetary science with terrestrial geophysics, focusing on crustal deformation, earthquake mechanics, and ocean basin evolution. He teaches courses including Introduction to Geodynamics, Satellite Remote Sensing, and Physics of Surfing.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward high-resolution seafloor mapping, interseismic deformation analysis, and advanced InSAR techniques for earthquake cycle studies. Key themes include satellite-derived bathymetry, fault creep monitoring along major plate boundaries like the San Andreas Fault, and tectonic applications of gravity field recovery. His research increasingly incorporates multi-satellite data fusion and computational geophysics for modeling lithospheric behavior.

Scientific Awards: While specific awards aren't detailed in the source material, Sandwell's extensive publication record (over 200 papers) and leadership in major projects like the SRTM15+ global bathymetry model reflect significant recognition in geophysics.

Advising and Grants: Sandwell has advised 17 Ph.D. students since 1988, with recent graduates (2016-2023) focusing on seafloor geodesy, InSAR applications, and lithospheric mechanics. His research is supported by NASA, NSF, and USGS grants targeting satellite geodesy, earthquake cycle modeling, and marine gravity field recovery. Current projects include meter-scale seafloor deformation monitoring and absolute phase recovery in InSAR processing.

Labs and Teams: He leads research within Scripps' Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, collaborating with the GPlates development team for 3D tectonic visualization and contributing to NASA's Earth Surface and Interior focus area. His group develops open-source radar interferometry software (GMTSAR) and maintains global gravity and bathymetry databases used worldwide.