Douglas R. Schmitt, Author at Eos

Editors' Highlights

Hydraulic Fractures Are Lazy

by Douglas R. Schmitt 19 April 20248 July 2024

The layering of rock masses can help constrain and focus the growth of hydraulic fractures.

3D model of the structure of Sprouter Geyser

Editors' Highlights

Yellowstone Geyser is Diagnosed with Bubble Trap Syndrome

by Douglas R. Schmitt 24 February 202324 February 2023

Like humans who eat too many beans, Yellowstone’s Sprouter Geyser has recurrent issues with gas.

Scanning electron microscope images of an underformed and a deformed ice sample that clearly show differences in grain sizes.

Editors' Highlights

Ice on a Deadline: More Stress Makes Ice Move Faster

by Nikolai Bagdassarov and Douglas R. Schmitt 19 October 202115 October 2021

Anyone seeing photographs of glacier and ice sheets from above clearly sees that they flow; recent laboratory tests on ice further reveal the conditions that control just how fast this happens.

Figure showing the fault damage halo and linking damage zones between fault cores

Editors' Highlights

Fluctuating Fluid Flows in a Fractured Fault

by Douglas R. Schmitt 10 August 20206 October 2021

Fault damage zones can focus fluid transport near faults.

Snapshot of particle velocities observed in the direction of the fault 69.5 microseconds after nucleation

Editors' Highlights

Ultrahigh Speed Movies Catch Growing Earthquake Ruptures

by Douglas R. Schmitt 1 May 20206 October 2021

Comparing successive frames from ultrahigh speed videos of propagating fractures allowed laboratory researchers for the first time to capture the fine details of of a propagating earthquake rupture.