Mechanisms of Faulting and Earthquakes

3-0-9 units · Graduate

Explores the fundamental mechanics of faulting and earthquakes from four related perspectives: seismology, geodesy, geodynamics, and rheology. Topics to be covered include (1) the physical processes that control the rheology of faults, including friction and fracture, (2) how these rheological processes are manifest in faulting and earthquakes in the earth from a geodynamics perspective, and (3) how the mechanics of faulting and earthquakes are constrained by seismological and geodetic observations. Features both continental and oceanic examples of faulting and earthquakes. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.