Publication of the book “Anisotropic Seismology” by Cambridge University Press
Publication date: 10/03/2026
Research
The Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) announces the publication of the book “Anisotropic Seismology,” co-authored by Jean‑Paul Montagner and David Mainprice, released in January 2026 by Cambridge University Press.
Dedicated to seismic anisotropy—a property that is ubiquitous in Earth materials at all scales—this multidisciplinary work provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge, ranging from the microscopic scale of the crystal (0.1 nanometer) to the planetary scale (1,000 kilometers).
By integrating seismology, mineral physics, geodynamics, and petrology, the authors demonstrate that a detailed understanding of anisotropy is essential for correctly interpreting the full range of seismic and geophysical data and, more broadly, for deciphering the dynamic processes of the Earth.
The result of several decades of research at the interface between disciplines, the book illustrates the leading role of IPGP researchers in advancing approaches in the Earth sciences. Through its scientific and pedagogical ambition, it serves as a key reference for master’s and doctoral students, geoscience researchers, and geophysicists involved in resource exploration.
This publication contributes to the international visibility of research carried out at IPGP and, more broadly, within Université Paris Cité, highlighting the excellence of work conducted at the intersection of observation, experimentation, and modeling.
Jean-Paul Montagner is a seismologist at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris and Emeritus Professor at the Université Paris Cité. A specialist in the internal structure and dynamics of the Earth, he has made major contributions to the development of global seismic imaging and to the understanding of anisotropy in the Earth’s mantle.
David Mainprice is a CNRS researcher in mineral physics at the University of Montpellier. His work on the elastic properties of minerals and the deformation of rocks has established key links between microscopic observations and large-scale seismic signatures.
By bringing together their complementary expertise, the authors offer an integrated and holistic approach to seismic anisotropy, from the crystal scale to the planetary scale.
