Research Field

Marine geophysics, deep sea geodynamics, ocean big data, ocean supercomputing technology, ocean artificial intelligence, tsunami mechanism, seafloor exploration

Educational Background

2012 – 2015, Tongji University, Doctor of Philosophy, Solid Earth Physics

2013 – 2015, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Visiting Student

2009 – 2012, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Master of Engineering, Geodetection and Information Technology

2005 – 2009, Tongji University, Bachelor of Science, Geophysics

Professional Experience

2024.06 – present, Southern University of Science and Technology, Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Research Professor

2024.01 - present, Southern University of Science and Technology, Advanced Institute for Ocean Research, Assistant Dean

2021.09 – 2024.06, Southern University of Science and Technology, Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Research Associate Professor

2018.12 – 2021.08, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor

2017.12 – 2018.05, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Visiting Scholar

2015.12 – 2018.12, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Assistant Professor

Honors and Awards

2024      Top 10 most-cited papers published in Terra Nova

2023      Distinguished Talent, Shenzhen Pengcheng Peacock Plan

2022      Grand Prize, Ocean Science and Technology Award (6/20), Chinese Society for Oceanography

2021      Talent Award, Nansha District of Guangzhou

2020      First Prize, CAS Key Laboratory of Marginal and Ocean Geology Excellent Poster

2018      ESI top 1% highly cited paper

2015      Excellent Doctoral Award, Tongji University

2014      Award for studying abroad, China Scholarship Council

2006      Outstanding Student Award, Tongji University

Projects

1. National Natural Science Foundation of China: Three-dimensional geodynamic simulation of mantle evolution of the South China Sea and its interaction with surrounding subduction systems, PI

2. National Natural Science Foundation of China: Mechanism for normal faulting formation and dynamic triggering of earthquakes in subducting plate: Example study of the Tonga Trench, PI

3.  Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China: Geodynamic modeling of continental rifting of the South China Sea: Effects of hydrous mantle on thinning and breakup of continental lithosphere, PI

4.  Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China: Systematic variations and geodynamic mechanisms of normal faulting in the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench, PI

Publications

 Journal papers

*corresponding author

1.  Luo Y., Lin J.*, Zhou Z.*, Zhang X., Zhang F., and Zhang J. Interactions of Kerguelen and Amsterdam-St. Paul Dual Hotspots with Southeast Indian Ridge, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2024, 648, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119088.

2. Zhang J., Zhang F.*, Lin J., Gao X., Cai C., and Zhou Z. Mantle serpentinization of subducting plate are controlled by combined effect of plate age and bending curvature, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2024, 640, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118799.

3. Lin Z., Zhou Z.*, Jin X., Long Z., Chen L., and Wang Y. Characteristics of crustal structure of the East China Sea: New insights from improved gravity inversion, in Progress in submarine geosciences in China, ed. Li J., Fang Y., Ding W., Science Press, 2024, 142-156.

4. Tian H., Zhou Z.*, Lin J., Luo Y., and Zhang F. Deep mantle evolution of the South China Sea and its interaction with surrounding subduction systems, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2024, 2895, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/2895/1/012057.

5. Guo N., Han X., Zhong S., Zhou Z., Lin J., Dai J., Wan F., and Song C.*, Proprioceptive State Estimation for Amphibious Tactile Sensing, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 2024, doi: 10.1109/TRO.2024.3463509.

6. Guo N., Han X., Zhong S., Zhou Z., Lin J., Wan F., and Song C*. Reconstructing Soft Robotic Touch via In-Finger Vision, Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2024, doi: 10.1002/aisy.202400022.

7. Zhang F., Lin J.*, Zhu R., Zhang X., Zhang J., and Zhou Z. Dual hydration of oceanic lithosphere, National Science Review, 2023, doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwad251.

8. Zhang Y., Zhang F.*, Zhang X.*, Zhang T., Lin J., Zhou Z., and Zhang J. Modification of along-ridge topography and crustal thickness by mantle plume and oceanic transform fault at ultra-slow spreading Mohns Ridge. Geophysical Research Letters, 2023, doi:10.1029/2023GL105871.

9. Chen Z., Lin J.*, Qiu Q.*, Zhou Z., and Zhang F. Tsunami potential in the Makran subduction zone: Amplification effects from earthquake rupture directivity and speed, Terra Nova, 2023, doi: 10.1111/ter.12698.

10. Guo N., Han X., Liu X., Zhong S., Zhou Z., Lin J., Dai J., Wan F.*, and Song C.* Autoencoding a soft touch to learn grasping from on-land to underwater, Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2023, doi:10.1002/aisy.202300382.

11. Li J., Chen K.*, Chai H., Lin J., Zhou Z., Zhu H., and Lyu M. Ionospheric disturbance analysis of the January 15, 2022 Tonga eruption based on GPS data. Science China Earth Sciences, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11430-022-1087-2.

12. Hu P., Yang X., Yang F., Zhang J., Zhou Z., and Dong R. Seismogenic Structure and Tectonic Mechanism of the 2021 Mw 5.0 Yancheng Earthquake in the South Yellow Sea Basin, East Asia. Seismological Research Letters, 2023, 94: 646-670.

13. Lin J., Li T., and Zhou Z., Collaborative innovation for high-quality marine development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Special Zone Practice and Theory, 2024, 73-80.

14. Wang Y., Zhou Z.*, Lin J., Zhang F., Normal fault system and dynamic characteristics of the subducting plate in the western Pacific, Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 2023, 43: 173-180.

15. Lin J., Zha C., Zhou Z., Zhang F., Zhang X., and Chen Z., Characteristics and deep genetic mechanism of Pacific volcanoes, Science and Technology Review, 2023, 41: 23-28.

16. Zhang J., Lin J., Zhang F., and Zhou Z., Lithospheric deformation in the western Pacific subduction zone, Science and Technology Review, 2023, 41: 29-34.

17. Li J., Chen K., Chai H., Lin J., Zhou Z., Zhu H., and Lyv M., Analysis of the characteristics of ionospheric disturbances at Tonga volcano on January 15, 2022 based on GPS observation data, Science China: Earth Sciences, 2023, 53, doi: 10.1360/SSTe-2022-0221.

18. Qiu Q., Zhou Z.*, Lin J., Zhang F., Chen Z., and Yang X., Great earthquake and tsunami potential in the eastern Makran subduction zone: New insights from geodetic and structural constraints. Tectonophysics, 2022, 837: 229462.

19. Zha C., Lin J.*, Zhou Z.*, Xu M., and Zhang X. Effects of hotspot-induced long-wavelength mantle melting variations on magmatic segmentation at the Reykjanes Ridge: Insights from 3D geodynamic modelling. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2022, 127: e2021JB023244.

20. Li H., Lin J.*, Zhou Z.*, Zhang F. and Guo L. Variations in magmatism and the state of tectonic compensation of the Mariana subduction system, Terra Nova, 2022, 34: 20-27.

21. Zhang F., Lin J.*, Zhou Z., Yang H. and Morgan J.P. Mechanism of progressive broad deformation from oceanic transform valley to off-transform faulting and rifting, The Innovation, 2022, 3: 100193.

22. Yang X., Qiu Q.*, Feng W., Lin J., Zhang J., Zhou Z., and Zhang F. Mechanism of the 2017 Mw 6.3 Pasni earthquake and its significance for future major earthquakes in the eastern Makran. Geophysical Journal International, 2022, 231: 1434-1445.

23. Zhang J., Zhou Z.*, Ding M., and Lin J. Three-dimensional mantle flow and temperature structure beneath the Shatsky Rise ridge-ridge-ridge triple junction, Journal of Ocean University of China, 2021, 20: 857-865.

24. Li J., Ding W.*, Lin J., Xu Y., Kong F., Li S., Huang X., and Zhou Z. Dynamic processes of the curved subduction system in southeast Asia: A review and future perspective, Earth-Science Reviews, 2021, 217:

25. Guo L., Lin J.*, Zhang F.*, and Zhou Z. Transfer of stress by the 2004 Mw9.2 Sumatra subduction quake promoted widespread seismicity and large strike-slip events in the Wharton Basin, Terra Nova, 2021, 33: 74-85.

26. Zha C., Lin J.*, Zhou Z., Zhang X., Xu M., and Zhang F. Variations in melt supply along an orthogonal supersegment of the Southwest Indian Ridge (16º-25ºE), Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2021, 40: 94-104.

27. Pan M., Yang T., Lin J., Zhang F., Zhou Z., Li H., Zhang X., Fan X., and Cheng Z., Formation mechanism of spotted volcanoes and properties of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB), Earth Science, 2021, 46: 817-825.

28. Zhang F., Lin J.*, and Zhou Z.* Flexural bending curvature and yield zone of subducting plates, International Geology Review, 2020, 62: 859-886.

29. Liu S.#, Lin J.#, Zhou Z.*, and Zhang F. Large along-axis variations in magma supply and tectonism of the Southeast Indian Ridge near the Australian-Antarctic Discordance, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2020, 39: 118-129.

30. Zhang J., Li J.*, Ruan A., Ding W., Niu X., Wang W., Tan P., Wu Z., Yu Z., Wei X., Zhao Y., and Zhou Z. Seismic structure of a postspreading seamount emplaced on the fossil spreading center in the southwest subbasin of the South China Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2020, 125, e2020JB019827.

31. Lin J., Sun Z., Li J., Zhou Z., Zhang F., and Luo Y., Origin of the South China Sea: New understanding of the interaction between lithospheric rupture and subduction zone, Science and Technology Review, 2020, 38: 35-39.

32. Lin J. *, Xu Y., Sun Z., and Zhou Z. Mantle upwelling beneath the South China Sea and links to surrounding subduction systems, National Science Review, 2019, 6: 877-881.

33. Wan K., Lin J.*, Xia S.*, Sun J., Xu M., Yang H., Zhou Z., Zeng X., Cao J., and Xu H. Deep seismic structure across the southernmost Mariana Trench: Implications for arc rifting and plate hydration, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2019, 124: 4710-4727.

34. Zhu G., Yang H.*, Lin J.*, Zhou Z., Xu M., Sun J., and Wan K. Along-strike variation in slab geometry at the southern Mariana subduction zone revealed by seismicity through ocean bottom seismic experiments, 2019, Geophysical Journal International, 218: 2122-2135.

35. Zhang F., Lin J.*, and Zhou Z. Intra-trench variations in flexural bending of the subducting Pacific plate along the Tonga-Kermadec Trench, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2019, 38: 81-90.

36. Lin J., Li J., Xu Y., Sun Z., Xia S., Huang X., Xie X., Li C., Ding W., Zhou Z., Zhang F., and Luo Y., New breakthroughs in ocean drilling and frontier research on marine geology and geophysics in the South China Sea, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2019, 41: 125-140.

37. Xu M., Di H., Zhou Z., Li H., and Lin J., Research progress and implications of hydrosphere-lithosphere interaction in subduction zones, Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 2019, 39: 58-70.

38. Zhou Z., and Lin J.* Elasto-plastic deformation and plate weakening due to normal faulting in the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench, Tectonophysics, 2018, 734-735: 59-68.

39. Zhou Z., Lin J.*, and Zhang F. Modeling of normal faulting in the subducting plates of the Tonga, Japan, Izu-Bonin, and Mariana trenches: Implications for near-trench plate weakening, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2018, 11: 53-60.

40. Zhang, F., Lin J.*, Zhou Z.*, Yang H., and Zhan W. Intra- and inter-trench variations in flexural bending of the Manila, Mariana and global trenches: Implications on plate weakening in controlling trench dynamics, Geophysical Journal International, 2018, 212: 1429-1449.

41. Lin J., Xu M., Zhou Z., Wang Y., and Li H., Ocean Drilling at the Collision Boundary of Active Subduction Zones, in Wang P. edts., Fifty Years of Ocean Drilling, Tongji University Press, 2018, 129-146.

42. Lin J., Xu M., Zhou Z., and Wang Y., Progress and Enlightenment of Ocean Drilling in Global Subduction Zones, Progress in Earth Science, 2017, 12: 1253-1266.

43. Zhou Z., Lin J.*, Behn M. D., and Olive J.-A. Mechanism for normal faulting in the subducting plate at the Mariana trench, Geophysical Research Letters, 2015, 42: 4309-4317.

44. Zhang T., Gao J., Chen M., Yang C., Shen Z., Zhou Z., Wu Z., and Sun Y. Mantle melting factors and amagmatic crustal accretion of the Gakkel Ridge, Arctic Ocean. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2015, 34: 42-48.

45. Li C.-F., Xu X., Lin J., et al. (including Zhou Z.), Ages and magnetic structures of the South China Sea constrained by deep tow magnetic surveys and IODP Expedition 349. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 2014, 15: 4958-4983.

46. Zhou Z., Gao J., Wu Z., Shen Z., Zhang T., and Sun Y., Preliminary analysis of the characteristics of the Moho surface fluctuation and crustal thinning in the East China Sea, Journal of Marine Sciences, 2013, 31: 16-25.

47. Sun Y., Gao J., Zhang T., Zhou Z., and Yang C., Characteristics of paleo-water depth evolution in the circum-Antarctic region, Polar Research, 2013, 25: 25-34.

48. Zhang T., Gao J., Li J., Wu Z., Wu Z., Zhao L., Yang C., Shen Z., and Zhou Z., Magnetic stripe re-tracking and mid-ocean ridge segmentation in the northwest sub-basin of the South China Sea, Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 2012, 55: 3163-3172.

49. Yang Y., Gao J., Yang C., Shen Z., Zhou Z., and Sun Y., Design and implementation of marine seismic data management system based on GIS, Marine Science Bulletin, 2011, 30: 414-418.

Conference papers

1. Luo Y., Lin J., Zhou Z., Zhang X., Zhang F., and Zhang J. Three-dimensional Geodynamic Modeling of Ridge-dual Hotspots Interaction in the Southeast Indian Ocean, AOGS2025, 2025.

2. Yang Y., Zhao S., Zhang S., Langmuir C., Zhou Z., Tamura Y., Ma J., Xu Y., and Zhao T. The role of slab serpentinite and lower crust in deep water cycles: Insights from B-Sr isotopes, EGU25, 5047, 2025.

3. Luo Y., Lin J., Zhou Z., Zhang X., Zhang F., and Zhang J. Ridge-dual hotspots interaction and potential hotspot-hotspot interaction in the Southeastern Indian Ocean, EGU24, 2624, 2024.

4. Zhou, Z., J. Lin, Hydrous Mantle Induces Rapid Continental-oceanic Transition of the South China Sea Rifted Margin, AOGS2023, 2023.

5. Zhao, S., Y. Yang, Z. Zhou, et al., Variable dehydration behaviors of slab serpentinite beneath the Mariana subduction zone, Goldschmidt2023, 2023.

6. Zhou, Z., J. Lin, and F. Zhang, Tonga-Kermacdec seafloor tectonics in the context of western Pacific: Plate bending and normal faulting, A Joint Seminar on 2022 Hunga Tonga Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami, online, 2022.（特邀报告）

7. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Geodynamic models reveal the effects of hydrous mantle on lithospheric thinning and breakup of the South China Sea, 6th Conference on Earth System Science (CESS), Shanghai, 2021. (Invited presentation)

8. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Mechanism for plate-edge rifting of the South China Sea continental margin: Initial hydrous mantle induces rapid continental-oceanic transition, AGU Fall Meeting, online, 2020.

9. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, 3D mantle upwelling beneath the South China Sea and Southeast Asia: Insights from geodynamic modeling, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, 2019. 

10. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Geodynamic modeling of mantle evolution of the South China Sea and surrounding subduction systems, AGU Fall Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2018.

11. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Three-dimensional mantle evolution of the South China Sea and surrounding subduction systems, 5th Conference on Earth System Science (CESS), Shanghai, 2018.

12. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Elasto-plastic deformation and plate weakening due to normal faulting in the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench, AGU Fall Meeting, New Orleans, 2017. 

13. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Geodynamics of bending-related normal faults in subducting plates, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, 2016.

14. Zhou, Z., Lin, J., Behn, M., and J.-A. Olive, Dynamics of subducting plate and mechanisms for normal faulting at the Mariana Trench, 4th CESS, Shanghai, 2016.

15. Zhou, Z., and J. Lin, Variations in normal faulting and plate deformation along the Mariana Trench, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, 2015.

16. Zhou, Z., J. Lin, and F. Zhang, Contrasts between magmatic versus amagmatic segments of ultra-slow spreading systems: Differences in underlying mantle thermal regime, partial melting, and lithospheric structure, 3rd InterRidge Theoretical Institute on Mid-Ocean Ridge Magmatism, Tectonics, and Hydrothermal Processes, Hangzhou, 2015. 

17. Zhou, Z., J. Lin, M. D. Behn, and J.-A. Olive, Mechanism for normal faulting in the subducting plate at the Mariana Trench, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, 2014.

18. Zhou, Z., Lin, J., Behn, M., and J.-A. Olive, Normal faulting of the subducting plate caused by flexural bending and gravity sliding at the Mariana Trench, 3rd CESS, Shanghai, 2014.

Academic and social participation

1. Committee, Submarine Science Branch Committee of the Chinese Society of Oceanography; Shenzhen Ocean Senior Professional Title Evaluation Committee

2. Convener, AOGS 2023; ICEEG 2024; 6th Earth System Science Conference; 7th Earth System Science Conference

3. Co-proponent, International Ocean Discovery (IODP) Proposal 997-Pre, Drilling at the southern Mariana Trench

4. Editorial Board, Earth Science and Engineering; Earth and Planetary Physics Review

5. Journal Reviewer, Nature Communications, GRL, iScience, IGR, PEPS, AOS, etc.

6. Proposal Reviewer, Research proposals to the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China; Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee

7. Invited Presentation, 6th Earth System Science Conference; Joint Seminar on 2022 Hunga Tonga Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami

8. Member, AGU, AOGS, CGU

9. Vice Principal of Science and Technology, Dapeng Overseas Chinese Middle School of Hongling Education Group