Tom is seismologist, using earthquakes to study a number of environmental and natural hazard processes. His current research focusses on investigating glacial and volcanic processes. The aspects of Tom's research that pertain to the changing climate are using icequakes (earthquakes in ice) to study the fundamental surface hydrofracture process and basal sliding of glaciers. Both these processes provide mechanisms for large volumes of ice to move from the continents to the oceans, promoting sea level rise.