Professor Wen is a theoretical and observational seismologist and geodynamicist. His main research is directed toward understanding the structure, dynamics, composition and evolution of the Earth and other planets. He uses seismic waves to probe the internal structure of the Earth and its change with time, combines seismic, geodetic and mineral physics data to constrain the composition of the Earth and Martian mantle, and develops geodynamical models of how Earth's internal processes govern the Earth's continental drift, surface uplift, surface large igneous province, geochemistry, intra-plate deformation and volcanism. He also has a strong interest in the physical mechanisms of Earth's changing stress and strain, and the detection, relocation and physical mechanism of various un-conventional seismic sources including nuclear tests, induced earthquakes, hurricanes and deep earthquakes. Over the course of research, he has developed many new techniques for simulating viscous flow and seismic wave propagation, detecting/locating small and unconventional seismic sources, and classifying various types of seismic events.