As a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, I study the mechanics and dynamics of the Earth system at a regional and global scales. My work focuses on imaging and understanding the structure and evolution of the lithosphere and underlying mantle in geophysically complex areas. By integrating mechanical, thermal, and chemical perspectives, I aim to uncover how the Earth's present structure has been shaped by past dynamic processes, contributing to solving key questions in plate tectonics and lithospheric dynamics.
I use a range of techniques to study how ground vibrations, caused by earthquakes and natural background noise, travel through the Earth. By analyzing these signals in detail, we can learn about the structure and properties of deep layers like the lithosphere and the mantle. In addition to seismic methods, I also use rock modeling to better understand the temperature and thickness of these layers. I am often involved in setting up and maintaining seismic stations in places like the UK, Ireland, the North Atlantic Ocean, Italy. I enjoy getting out into the field, handling the logistics, and working hands-on with the instruments.
Part of my work is dedicated to education and outreach. I believe it is important to share the exciting world of earthquake science with as many interested people as possible, whether they are kids, the general public, university students, or experts! I understand this can be challenging, so I have developed different ways to engage each group. Using powerful visual tools, I create multimedia content that helps explain our research in a clear and engaging way, making complex ideas easier to understand and connect with everyday life.
I was previously post-doctoral researcher at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, and got my PhD at Trinity College Dublin, with a thesis titled "Broadband Surface Wave Tomography of Ireland, Britain, and Other Regions". I got my MSc student of Exploration and Applied Geophysics at University of Pisa, graduated with a thesis on "Development of genetic algorithms in C – Applications to full waveform inversion". The BSc in Physics was carried out at the faculty of Physics at University of Pisa, where I developed a thesis in a geophysical laboratory on "Characterization of a gravimetric gradiometer, test measurements of the mechanics".
Education
PhD in Geophysics (Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2019)
MSc of Exploration and Applied Geophysics (University of Pisa, 2014)
BSc of Physics (University of Pisa, 2009)
Selected Publications
[2025, Aug] Volcanism and long-term seismicity governed by plume-induced plate thinning.
Raffaele Bonadio, Sergei Lebedev, David Chew, Yihe Xu, Javier Fullea, Thomas Meier. Nature Communications, 16, 7837. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62967-5
[2021, Apr] Optimal resolution tomography with error tracking and the structure of the crust and upper mantle beneath Ireland and Britain.
Bonadio, R., S. Lebedev, T. Meier, P. Arroucau, A.J. Schaeffer, A. Licciardi, M.R. Agius, C. Horan, L. Collins, B.M. O'Reilly, P.W. Readman, and the Ireland Array Working Group. Geophys. J. Int., ggab169, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggab169
[2018, May] Hot Upper Mantle Beneath the Tristan da Cunha Hotspot From Probabilistic Rayleigh-Wave Inversion and Petrological Modeling.
Bonadio, R., W.H. Geissler, S. Lebedev, J. Fullea, M. Ravenna, N.L. Celli, W. Jokat, M. Jegen, C. Sens-Schönfelder, and K. Baba. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 19(5), 1412-1428. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GC007347
[2025, submitted] S-wave velocity structure of Europe from joint inversion of Rayleigh wave phase and group velocities.
Chiara Civiero, Taghi Shirzard Iraj, Raffaele Bonadio, Antonio Villaseñor
[2025, accepted] SEA-SEIS ocean bottom seismometer network in the North Atlantic: Performance, data properties, biological observations and audification innovations.
Janneke De Laat, Sergei Lebedev, Raffaele Bonadio, Thomas A.J. Merry, Maria Tsekhmistrenko, David Stalling, and the SEA-SEIS Team. Annals of Geophysics
[2024, Jul] Azimuthally anisotropic Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity maps of Europe.
Chiara Civiero, Raffaele Bonadio, Antonio Villaseñor. Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230788
[2024, Apr] Toward tectonic-type and global 1D seismic models of the upper mantle constrained by broadband surface waves.
Chiara Civiero, Sergei Lebedev, Yihe Xu, Raffaele Bonadio, Francois Lavoue. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, "Modern Seismic Tomography" Special Section, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120230295
[2024, Jan] Seismic Thermography.
Sergei Lebedev, Javier Fullea, Yihe Xu, Raffaele Bonadio. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, "Modern Seismic Tomography" Special Section, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120230245
[2023, Dec] Determining Subsurface Temperature and Lithospheric Structure form Joint Geophysical-Petrological Inversion: A case study from Ireland.
Emma Chambers, Raffaele Bonadio, Javier Fullea, Sergei Lebedev, Yihe Xu, Duygu Kiyan, Christopher J. Bean, Patrick A. Meere, Ben Mather, Brian M. O'Reilly, the DIG Team. Tectonophysics 869, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2023.230094
[2023, Jul] Structure and evolution of the Australian Plate and underlying upper mantle from waveform tomography with massive datasets.
Janneke I. De Laat, Sergei Lebedev, Nicolas L. Celli, Raffaele Bonadio, Bruna Chagas de Melo, Nicholas Rawlinson. Geophys. J. Int. 234, 1, 153–189, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggad06
[2023, May] Seismicity of Ireland, and why it is so low: How the thickness of the lithosphere controls intraplate seismicity.
Sergei Lebedev, James Grannell, Pierre Arroucau, Raffaele Bonadio, Nicola Piana Agostinetti, Christopher J. Bean. Geophys. J. Int. 235, 431-447, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggad194
[2023, Feb] Crustal and uppermost mantle structure beneath Tristan da Cunha using surface wave phase velocity from horizontal-components OBS ambient seismic noise.
Zhang, H., W.H. Geissler, M.C. Schdmit-Aursch, R. Bonadio. Geophys. J. Int. 234, 1, 153–189, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggac390
[2021, Jul] Optimized workflows for high-frequency seismic interferometry using dense arrays.
Xu, Y., S. Lebedev, T. Meier, R. Bonadio, C.J. Bean. Geophys. J. Int., 227, 875-897, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggab260
[2021, Jun] Seafloor seismometers look for clues to North Atlantic volcanism.
Lebedev, S., R. Bonadio, M. Tsekhmistrenko, J.I. de Laat, C.J. Bean. EOS., https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EO159380
[2019, Nov] Broadband Surface Wave Tomography of Ireland, Britain, and Other Regions.
Bonadio, R. The Library of Trinity College Dublin. http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/90896
[2019, Oct] Evidence for high temperature in the upper mantle beneath Cape Verde archipelago from Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity measurements.
Carvalho, J., R. Bonadio, G. Silveira, S. Lebedev, J. Mata, P. Arroucau, T. Meier, and N.L. Celli. Tectonophysics, 770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228225
[2019, Oct] Education and public engagement using an active research project: lessons and recipes from the SEA-SEIS North Atlantic Expedition's programme for Irish school.
Lebedev, S., R. Bonadio, C. Gómez-García, J.I. de Laat, L. Bérdi, B. Chagas de Melo, D. Farrell, D. Stalling, C. Tirel, L. Collins, S. McCarthy, B. O'Donoghue, A. Schwenk, M. Smyth, C.J. Bean, and the SEA-SEIS Team. Geoscience Communication, 2, 143–155. https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-2-143-2019
[2016] SISMIKO: emergency network deployment and data sharing for the 2016 central Italy seismic sequence.
Moretti, M., S. Pondrelli, L. Margheriti, ... , R. Bonadio, ... INGV - Annals of Geophysics. 59, Fast Track 5. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-7212
