We need better models! How geomorphic expertise in environmental seismic models leverages our understanding of landscape dynamics

Throughout the last years, several physically based models have been introduced that allow to estimate the seismic signatures of environmental processes. Hence, in an inverse way, we can turn seismometers into efficient probes of earth surface dynamics that are otherwise hard to quantify, such as snow avalanches, debris flows, river sediment transport, rain intensity and large scale atmospheric pressure systems. However, most of these models lack a profound geomorphic representation or operate under very simplified assumptions. In addition, novel methods of seismic noise cross correlation are increasingly utilised to probe the water fluxes as well as geomorphically driven material property changes within the shallow to deep subsurface. These techniques also operate under sometimes very simplified representations of the Critical Zone’s architecture, water flow paths, and hydrological or geomorphic concepts.

Here, I survey geomorphic processes and landscape dynamics that are already represented by environmental seismic models and summarise, which unique insights they allow beyond what classic survey techniques can deliver. I also point out important processes that hitherto lack proper representation. I argue for an alliance across disciplines to close these gaps in knowledge, skill and application, to further boost our scientific capabilities to understand landscape reaction to ongoing change.