Geoinformatics and Artificial Intelligence Applications Group

Nobody knows how to predict an earthquake. The only thing that can be done is to get as much information as possible and then try to react properly in handling it.

Charles F. Richter

Welcome to GAIA. Positioned at the crossroads of artificial intelligence and geophysics, our focus is on systematically unraveling the mysteries concealed beneath the Earth’s surface. Our commitment extends beyond mere research; it is centered on the translation of the Earth’s language into insights accessible to human understanding. We dedicate ourselves to the advancement of our comprehension of geophysics through the application of cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques.

Principle Investigators

Dr. Erdem Akagündüz is an associate professor with the Graduate School of Informatics (METU) and the principal investigator of the GAIA group. His research interests cover computer vision and applied deep learning.

Dr. Salih Tileylioğlu is an assistant professor with the Department of Civil Engineering (Kadir Has Uni.) and is the affiliated principal investigator of the GAIA group. His research interests include geotechnics and earthquake engineering.

Projects

  • “Generation and Real-Time Implementation of Acceleration Response Spectrum for Early Warning and Forecasting Purposes by using Regional Geological Data and Accelerometer Records fed into Deep Generative Networks”
    TÜBİTAK ARDEB 1001 (Pr. No.124E066) June 2024 – December 2026
    Supervisor: Dr. Akagündüz, Co-Supervisor: Dr. Tileylioğlu,
    Research Students: Melek Türkmen, Baris Yilmaz,
  • “Station-based Accelerometer Record Generation and Analysis using Deep Learning”
    METU Scientific Research Project (BAP) (Pr. No. ADEP-704-11482) April 2024 – April 2025
    Supervisor: Dr. Akagündüz, Co-Supervisor: Dr. Tileylioğlu,
    Research Students: Melek Türkmen, Baris Yilmaz, Bevan D. Çılğın, Türkan İşpak
  • “Deep Learning and Machine Learning Based Dynamic Soil and Earthquake Parameter Estimation Using Strong Ground Motion Station Records”
    TÜBİTAK ARDEB 1001 Project No.121M732 October 2021 – July 2024
    Supervisor: Dr. Tileylioğlu, Co-Supervisor: Dr. Akagündüz,
    Research Students: Melek Türkmen, Baris Yilmaz, Bevan D. Çılğın, Sanem Meral, Melis Çıkış

Publications

  • (2024) Baris Yilmaz, Melek Türkmen, Sanem Meral, Erdem Akagündüz, Salih Tileylioğlu, “Deep Learning-based Average Shear Wave Velocity Prediction using Accelerometer Records” 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE2024)
  • (2022) Melis Çıkış, “Machine Learning of Accelerogram Data for Analyses, Modeling and Prediction” Master Thesis submitted to the Dept. of Electrical Eng, Çankaya University. Supervisor: Dr. Akagündüz, Co-supervisor: Dr. Tileylioğlu.
  • (2020) Melis Çıkış, Salih Tileylioğlu, Erdem Akagündüz “Representing Earthquake Accelerogram Records for CNN Utilization” 28th IEEE Signal Processing and Communications Applications (SIU) Gaziantep, Turkey, 2020, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/SIU49456.2020.9302312.
  • (2019) Lisa M. Star, Salih Tileylioglu, S., Michael J. Givens, George Mylonakis, and Jonathan P. Stewart, Evaluation of soil-structure interaction effects from system identification of structures subject to forced vibration tests. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 116, 747–760.