Harm J Van Avendonk

Harm J Van Avendonk is a Research Professor at the Institute for Geophysics within the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on active-source seismic studies of tectonic processes, including rifting, subduction zone dynamics, and crustal structure. He specializes in seismic tomography, wide-angle migration, and waveform analysis to interpret seismic data.

His work has addressed continental rifting mechanisms via studies of the Gulf of Mexico and Newfoundland margins, and subduction zone processes in the Hikurangi and Nankai margins. Notable contributions include investigations into serpentinization of subducting oceanic lithosphere and the role of sediment subduction in controlling megathrust slip behavior.

• Received the Distinguished Lecture Series award from GeoPRISMS in 2011
• Supervised/co-supervised PhD and M.S. students in geophysics and tectonics
• Collaborated on interdisciplinary projects like the SHIRE experiment (Hikurangi subduction zone) and CAYMAN project (Mid-Cayman Spreading Center)

Current projects include seismic imaging of the Gulf of Mexico rifting, plate boundary dynamics in New Zealand, and geodynamic modeling of subduction initiation processes. He has taught advanced research courses (GEO 394) and contributed to institutional initiatives like code of conduct development at UTIG.