EESC5810 - Earthquakes: from top to bottom

Earthquakes affect the lives of billions of people on Earth but are also an important mechanism that continuously shapes the land and oceans. This course will introduce major and current research topics related to earthquakes, from the microphysics behind them to plate tectonics. This seminar class will introduce earthquakes from different perspectives spanning different scales, including rock friction, fault zone structure, human-induced earthquakes, subduction zone earthquakes, and extraterrestrial quakes. The interdisciplinary approach of this class will integrate mechanics, geochemistry, structural geology, seismology and environmental science and how they all relate to the study of earthquakes. Class assignments will include reading book sections, research and review papers, class presentations and participating in class discussions.