I conduct research on global-scale and regional-scale earth structure and basin-scale hydrocarbon (oil and gas, gas hydrate) exploration using seismic imaging with both passive and active source seismic data.

    My current research mainly focuses on understanding the lithospheric structure and dynamics of the Himalayan-Tibetan Orogen and cratons using multiple geophysical methods, especially seismic imaging techniques (e.g. Surface wave tomography; Ambient noise tomography, receiver function, shear wave splitting).

    I’m also interested in subsurface gas hydrate detection using a variety of geophysical methods in northern South China Sea. For example, I characterized hydrate-related geological features with 3-D seismic data and explored how hydrate associates with seafloor gas seepage and their implications for seafloor geohazard. I have used long-offset (~10 km) basin-scale (up to ~40 km depth) reflection seismic data to understand deep crustal structure and reveal how the deep structure relates to potential petroleum system in basins. The work/study areas cover a variety of continental margins, such as Gulf of Mexico, Peru, NE Atlantic, Eastern Africa, Northeastern Canada, and North Alaska.

Seismic constraints on lithosphere structure and evolution;
Continental dynamics
Oil and gas exploration and gas hydrate detection using seismic imaging

Education
Ph.D in Geophysics, University of Houston, US, 2013

M.S. in Marine Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 2010

B.S. in Marine Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 2007

Academic Appointments and Industrial Experience
Dec 2017-present, Associate Prof., School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen Univ.

Jan 2014-Dec 2017, Sr. Geophysicist, ION Geophysical Corp, Houston, US

May-Aug 2013, Geoscientist, Fugro, Houston, US

2010-2013, Research Assistant, Dept. of Earth & Atmospheric Sci., Univ. of Houston

Graduate Student Openings
I am currently looking for potential Master students with background in Geophysics, Geology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer sciences. We also have open summer and part-time internship positions for undergrads. If you are interested, please email me (lilun6@mail.sysu.edu.cn) for more details. 

Selected Publications (*-corresponding author；#-co-first author；S-student)

• Liu, Y.#, Li, L.#*, van Wijk, J., Li, A., & Fu, Y. (2021).Surface wave tomography of the the Emeishan Large Igneous Province: Magma Storage System, Hidden Hotspot Track and its Impact on the Timing of the Capitanian Mass Extinction. Geology. (Accepted)
• Li, L.*, Zhang, X.S, Liao, J.*, Liang, Y.S, & Dong, SS. (2021). Geophysical constraints on the nature of lithosphere in central and eastern Tibetan plateau. Tectonophysics, 228722.
• Qing, J., Liao, J.*, Li, L., & Gao, R. (2021). Dynamic evolution of induced subduction through the inversion of spreading ridges. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, e2020JB020965.
• Li, L.*, Murphy, M. A., & Gao, R. (2020). Subduction of the Indian Plate and the Nature of the Crust Beneath Western Tibet: Insights from Seismic Imaging. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(8), e2020JB019684.
• Liang, Y.S, Li, L.*, Liao, J., & Gao, R. (2020). Interaction of the Indian and Asian plates under the Pamir and Hindu‐Kush regions: Insights from 3‐D shear wave velocity and anisotropic structures. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 21(8), e2020GC009041.
• Li, L.*, & Fu, Y. V. (2020). Surface‐Wave Tomography of Eastern and Central Tibet from Two‐Plane‐Wave Inversion: Rayleigh‐Wave and Love‐Wave Phase Velocity Maps. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 110(3), 1359-1371.
• Fu, Y. V., Li, L.*, & Xiao, Z. (2019). Lithospheric SH wave velocity structure beneath the northeastern Tibetan plateau from Love wave tomography. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 124(9), 9682-9693.
• Fu, Y. V.*, Gao, Y., Li, A., Li, L., & Chen, A. (2017). Lithospheric structure of the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau from Rayleigh wave tomography.  Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 122, 2.
• Fu, Y. V.*, Y. Gao, A. Li, L. Li, Y. Shi, and Y. Zhang (2016), Origin of intraplate volcanism in northeast China from Love wave constraints, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 121, 8099–8112.
• Li, L.*, A. Li, M. A. Murphy, and Y. V. Fu (2016), Radial anisotropy beneath northeast Tibet, implications for lithosphere deformation at a restraining bend in the Kunlun fault and its vicinity, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 17, 3674–3690.
• Li, L.*, Liu, H., Zhang, X., Lei, X., & Sha, Z. (2015). BSRs, estimated heat flow, hydrate-related gas volume and their implications for methane seepage and gas hydrate in the Dongsha region, northern South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 67, 785-794.
• Li, A.*, & Li, L. (2015). Love wave tomography in southern Africa from a two-plane-wave inversion method. Geophysical Journal International, 202(2), 1005-1020.
• Li, L.*, Li, A., Shen, Y., Sandvol, E. A., Shi, D., Li, H., & Li, X. (2013). Shear wave structure in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau from Rayleigh wave tomography. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 118(8), 4170-4183.
• Li, L., Lei, X.*, Zhang, X., & Sha, Z. (2013). Gas hydrate and associated free gas in the Dongsha Area of northern South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 39(1), 92-101.
• Li, L.*, Lei, X., Zhang, X., & Zhang, G. (2012). Heat flow derived from BSR and its implications for gas hydrate stability zone in Shenhu Area of northern South China Sea. Marine Geophysical Research, 33(1), 77-87.