Course Description
In this course, we will review key concepts that relate to our understanding of earthquakes and faulting as revealed by seismology, rock mechanics and geology. Topics will encompass: > the brittle fracture of rocks including pore fluid effects and the brittle-plastic transition; > rock friction including rate and state friction laws; > the mechanics of faulting including fault growth, rheology and morphology; > the mechanics of earthquakes including earthquake phenomenology and earthquake interactions; > the seismic cycle and earthquake recurrence models; > seismotectonics; and, time permitting, earthquake prediction and hazard analysis. Particular focus will be directed toward understanding of subduction zone seismicity in the Cascadia context.
Instructors
Michael Bostock
Textbook
The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting, Christopher H. Scholz, second edition (2002)
Lecture Topics
| Week |
Topic |
| 1 |
Introduction |
| 2 |
Elasticity review |
| 3 |
Source kinematics |
| 4 |
Brittle fracture |
| 5 |
Fault friction |
| 6 |
Geology of faults |
| 7 |
Observations of earthquakes |
| 8 |
More phenomenology and response spectra |
| 9 |
The earthquake cycle |
| 10 |
Prediction (or lack thereof) |
| 11 |
Student presentations |
| 12 |
Student presentations |