In fault gouge, fluids drive chemical healing by cementing grains, a mechanism for seismic slip in rocks frictionally expected to creep. This cohesion matters for fault stability.
seismology
Posted inFeatures
A Quiet Quantum Revolution in Earth’s Deep Interior
A subtle change in iron ions’ electronic configuration produces a measurable difference in seismic wave speeds through mantle rocks.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
A Snapshot of Continental Crust in the Making
New seismic images from the Aleutian Arc show how active volcanic arcs may build new continental crust, highlighting the complex transition at multiple stages.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Multi-Scale Fault Roughness Encapsulated in a Friction Law
A new rate- and roughness-dependent friction law incorporates multi-scale fault processes to reproduce earthquake fracture energy scaling.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Pre-Existing Structure and Stress Shape Geothermal-Induced Seismicity
At China’s first Enhanced Geothermal System site, dense seismic observations, integrated with borehole data and stress modeling, reveal weak faults and scale-dependent control of stress and structure on induced seismicity.
Posted inNews
A Swarm of Earthquakes in South Africa’s Karoo Basin Poses Questions for Oil and Gas Development
A recent study cautions that the Karoo, a potential target for shale gas exploration, might not be as seismologically calm as it appears.
Posted inNews
Scientists Find Thousands of Cubic Kilometers of Magma Hiding Beneath Tuscany
We already know what’s Under the Tuscan Sun. Now, a technique called ambient noise tomography has allowed researchers to see deep under the Tuscan crust.
Posted inNews
Eastern Africa Is Splitting Apart, but Not Where We Expected
The Turkana Rift Zone in Kenya entered a critical stage in continental breakup about 4 million years ago.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Seismic Attenuation Techniques Reveal What Lies Beneath Taiwan
A new imaging modality explores the complex subduction‐collision transition zone below southern Taiwan.