Earthquake Science

Earthquake science at USU involves multiple research groups that coalesce around the mechanics and physics of earthquakes, decoding deformation throughout the earthquake cycle, and earthquake hazard forecasting. We tackle these problems by integrating:

field methods
scientific ocean drilling datasets and samples
laboratory friction and rupture experiments
natural, exhumed fault rock characterization
remote sensing and geodesy
geophysical, seismological, and geodynamic observations
fault rock geochronology and thermochronology
numerical modeling, data science/analytical, and machine learning

Our active research includes documenting and understanding how shallow fault damage develops and distributes earthquake slip, transient deformation including shallow slow slip events in subduction zones and continental fault systems, natural/human-induced multi-cycle earthquake processes, and the dynamical origins of deformation. We also integrate earthquake geology, fault friction, and thermochronometry to constrain the spectrum of fault slip behavior during the earthquake cycle, investigate the role of deeply-circulated fluids in fault zone behavior, and document how earthquakes modify fault hydrology.

Earthquake science research benefits Utah and beyond

Earthquakes are one of the most significant and least predictable natural hazards that society faces. The research conducted by the earthquake scientists at USU aims to improve our understanding of processes involved in the creation and aftermath of earthquakes. Research outputs facilitate the assessment of seismic risk along the Wasatch front and Intermountain Seismic Belt in Utah (Provo/Salt Lake City/Ogden/Brigham City/Logan), the San Andreas Fault system in California, and other seismically-active fault systems world-wide, as well as seismic/tsunami hazards at subduction zones around the world, such as the Cascadia (USA) and Hikurangi (New Zealand) margins. Our research and educational activities aim to train the next generation of scientists to tackle these societally-relevant problems.