
Dr Ake Fagereng
Lecturer
Ysgol Gwyddorau'r Ddaear a’r Amgylchedd
- fagerenga@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 0760
- 2.09, Y Prif Adeilad, Plas y Parc, Caerdydd, CF10 3AT
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Trosolwg
Interests
The broad field of structural geology as applied to understand rock deformation at all scales in multiple settings, with focus on: Earthquake Geology; Fault Rocks; Hydrothermal Vein Systems; Rheology of Polyphase Materials; Geological Controls on the Seismic Style of Active Faults; Melanges; Microstructures and Deformation Mechanisms; Subduction Zones; Oceanic Transform Faults; Continental Rifts
Detailed information of research activities, and general updates on research plans and ideas, can also be found on my external research web pages: http://akefagereng.wordpress.com
Bywgraffiad
Education
1999-01 International Baccalaureate, Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong
2002-05 University of Cape Town, BSc(Hons) with distinction
2006-09 Otago University, PhD: 'Subduction-Related Fault Processes: Ancient and Active'
Academic Career
2006-09 Teaching Assistant, Otago University
2010-14 Lecturer - Senior Lecturer, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town
2014- Honorary Research Associate, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town
2014- Lecturer, School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, UK
Affiliations
- American Geophysical Union
- Geological Society of America
- Geological Society of New Zealand
- Geological Society of Norway
- Seismological Society of America
External Activities
- Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Structural Geology (2014- )
- Corresponding Editor, Special Publications of the Geological Society of London volume 359.
- Session Convenor, AGU Fall Meeting, 2013 and 2014.
- Member of Accreditation Committee, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town (2011-2013)
- Undergraduate External Examiner (Rhodes University, South Africa, 2011-13)
- MSc Examiner (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)
Research Grants
Principal Investigator on a South African National Antarctic Programme grant (2012-2015) to study shear zones in the Maud Belt of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, and a number of University of Cape Town Carnegie Foundation Research Development Grants (2010-2014) to work on structures in the Damara Belt, Namibia. Continuing Inkaba yeAfrica funded, long-term monitoring of intraplate seismicity in the Western Cape, South Africa (2011 onwards). Co-investigator on a New Zealand Marsden grant to study controls on creeping vs. locked segments of the Hikurangi Margin (PI: Susan Ellis, GNS Science). NRF Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers has funded initial work on fault systems in the East African Rift (2014), to be continued with student support from the GW4+ Doctoral Training Programme.
Research Student Supervision
PhD
-
Valeria Bilancia (2012 - present, registered at the University of Cape
Town): Geodynamics and continental extension in the East African Rift
System - origin and evolution of the Turkana Depression
- Michael S. Hodge (2014 - ): Development, deformation style, and seismic hazard of large normal faults
MSc
-
David McGibbon (Graduated, 2014, UCT): Shear zones of the Maud Belt,
Antarctica - Kinematics and deformation mechanisms. Now at Umvoto
Africa.
- Matthew Hodge (Graduated with distinction, 2013, UCT; GSSA
award for top MSc thesis in South Africa, 2013): Neotectonics of the
Southern Cape. Now at Remote Exploration Services.
- Clayton Cross
(Graduated with distinction, 2013, UCT): Metamorphic history of the
Matchless Amphibolite, Damara Belt, Namibia (co-supervised with Johann
Diener).
- Louis Smit (passed pending corrections, UCT): Microseismic monitoring of the Ceres-Tulbagh region, Western Cape, South Africa.
-
Sukey Thomas (awaiting examination results, UCT): Melt migration as
recorded in Sverdrupfjella, Maud Belt, Antarctica (co-supervised with
Johann Diener).
- Kaylan Hamel (Part-time, in progress, UCT):
Fluid-rock interaction in the Colenso Fault Zone, Saldania Belt, South
Africa. Employed at MSA.
- Nondumiso Ntombela (Part-time, in
progress, UCT): Fault-seal analysis and hydrocarbon potential of the
West Coast basins of South Africa. Employed at PetroSA.
- Michael Hartnady (in progress, UCT): Deformation history of the Southern Marginal Zone, Damara Belt, Namibia.
-
Gregory Byrnes (in progress, UCT): Structural and metamorphic history
of Sverdrupfjella, Antarctica (co-supervised with Johann Diener).
13 BSc(Hons) students at the University of Cape Town, including two prize-winning projects: Michael Hartnady (Structural Geology of the Southern Marginal Zone in Gaub Canyon, Namibia; GSSA award for top Honours project in southern Africa, 2013), and Sean Rennie (Strain distribution in the Kuckaus Mylonite Zone, Namibia; First runner-up in the Midland Valley Structure Competition, Undergraduates, 2012).
Anrhydeddau a Dyfarniadau
- American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Research Letters, Editor's Citation for Excellence in Refereeing (2013)
- President's Award, National Research Foundation, South Africa (2013)
- Elsevier Young Scientist Award (2013)
- Claude Leon Foundation Merit Award for Young Lecturers (2012)
- University of Cape Town College of Fellows' Young Researcher Award (2012)
Ymrwymiadau siarad cyhoeddus
- Tectonic Studies Group Meeting (2014, 2015)
- Gordon Conference on Rock Deformation (2014, Keynote)
- AGU Fall Meeting (session convenor 2013, 2014; invited talks in 2010, 2011, 2013; contributed talks 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014; contributed poster 2008, 2009, 2013)
- GeoPRISMS New Zealand meeting (2013)
- Africa Array Conference (2012, 2014)
- Penrose Conference on Convergent Margins (2012, invited talk)
- IODP workshop on ocean drilling and slow slip events (2011)
- Penrose Conference on Deformation Localization (2011)
- Earthscope Institute on the spectrum of fault slip styles (2010)
- Igneous and Metamorphic Studies Group (GSSA) (2010, 2012)
- New Zealand Geosciences (session convenor 2009, speaker 2007, 2008, 2009)
- Public lectures at MTN Science Centre, Cape Town and U3A Hermanus, South Africa
- Departmental Seminars at University of Otago, University of Cape Town, University of California Santa Cruz, California Institute of Technology
- Research Group Seminars at California Institute of Technology, Bristol University and Oxford University
Cyhoeddiadau
2020
- Beall, A.et al. 2020. Influence of subduction zone dynamics on interface shear stress and potential relationship with seismogenic behavior. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, article number: e2020GC009267. (10.1029/2020GC009267)
- Wedmore, L. N.et al. 2020. Structural inheritance and border fault reactivation during active early-stage rifting along the Thyolo fault, Malawi. Journal of Structural Geology 139, article number: 104097. (10.1016/j.jsg.2020.104097)
- Leah, H.et al. 2020. Mixed brittle and viscous strain localisation in pelagic sediments seaward of the Hikurangi margin, New Zealand. Tectonics 39(8), article number: e2019TC005965. (10.1029/2019TC005965)
- Stenvall, C. A.et al. 2020. Sources and effects of fluids in continental retrograde shear zones: insights from the Kuckaus Mylonite Zone, Namibia. Geofluids 2020, article number: 3023268. (10.1155/2020/3023268)
- Stenvall, C. A.et al. 2020. Sources and effects of fluids in continental retrograde shear zones: Insights from the Kuckaus Mylonite Zone, Namibia. Geofluids 2020, article number: 3023268. (10.1155/2020/3023268)
- Tulley, C. J., Fagereng, ?. and Ujiie, K. 2020. Hydrous oceanic crust hosts megathrust creep at low shear stresses. Science Advances 6(22), article number: eaba1529. (10.1126/sciadv.aba1529)
- Prior-Jones, M.et al. 2020. An inclusive risk assessment tool for travel and fieldwork. Presented at: EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4-8 May 2020. Copernicus {GmbH}, (10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-7678)
- Fagereng, ?. and Ikari, M. J. 2020. Low‐temperature frictional characteristics of chlorite‐epidote‐amphibole assemblages: implications for strength and seismic style of retrograde fault zones. Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth 125(4), article number: e2020JB019487. (10.1029/2020JB019487)
- Barnes, P. M.et al. 2020. Slow slip source characterized by lithological and geometric heterogeneity. Science Advances 6(13), article number: eaay3314. (10.1126/sciadv.aay3314)
- Campbell, L. R.et al. 2020. Earthquake nucleation in the lower crust by local stress amplification. Nature Communications 11, article number: 1322. (10.1038/s41467-020-15150-x)
- Hodge, M.et al. 2020. Evidence from high resolution topography for multiple earthquakes on high slip-to-length fault scarps: the Bilila-Mtakataka fault, Malawi. Tectonics 39(2), article number: e2019TC005933. (10.1029/2019TC005933)
- Wedmore, L.et al. 2020. Active fault scarps in southern Malawi and their implications for the distribution of strain in incipient continental rifts. Tectonics, pp. -. (10.1029/2019TC005834)
- Fagereng, ?. and Beall, A. 2020. Is complex fault zone behaviour a reflection of rheological heterogeneity?. Philosophical Transactions A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
2019
- Beall, A., Fagereng, A. and Ellis, S. 2019. Fracture and weakening of jammed subduction shear zones, leading to the generation of slow slip events. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 20(11), pp. 4869-4884. (10.1029/2019GC008481)
- Ellis, S.et al. 2019. The contemporary force balance in a wide accretionary wedge: numerical models of the south-central Hikurangi margin of New Zealand. Geophysical Journal International 219(2), pp. 776-795. (10.1093/gji/ggz317)
- Hellebrekers, N.et al. 2019. Lower crustal earthquakes in the East African Rift System: Insights from frictional properties of rock samples from the Malawi rift. Tectonophysics 767, pp. 228167., article number: 228167. (10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228167)
- Fagereng, ?. and Biggs, J. 2019. New perspectives on 'geological strain rates' calculated from both naturally deformed and actively deforming rocks. Journal of Structural Geology 125, pp. 100-110. (10.1016/j.jsg.2018.10.004)
- Stenvall, C., Fagereng, ?. and Diener, J. 2019. Weaker than weakest: on the strength of shear zones. Geophysical Research Letters 46(13), pp. 7404-7413. (10.1029/2019GL083388)
- Fagereng, A.et al. 2019. Mixed deformation styles on a shallow subduction thrust, Hikurangi margin, New Zealand. Geology 47(9), pp. 872-876. (10.1130/G46367.1)
- Williams, J. N.et al. 2019. How do variably striking faults reactivate during rifting? insights from Southern Malawi. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 20(7), pp. 3588-3607. (10.1029/2019GC008219)
- Beall, A., Fagereng, A. and Ellis, S. 2019. Strength of strained two-phase mixtures: Application to rapid creep and stress amplification in subduction zone mélange. Geophysical Research Letters 46(1), pp. 169-178. (10.1029/2018GL081252)
- Hodge, M.et al. 2019. A semi-automated algorithm to quantify scarp morphology (SPARTA): application to normal faults in southern Malawi. Solid Earth 10(1), pp. 27-57. (10.5194/se-10-27-2019)
- Fagereng, ?. and Toy, V. G. 2019. Fluid-pressure effects on deformation: analysis of the Lusi mud volcano [Chapter 5]. In: Billi, A. and Fagereng, A. eds. Problems and Solutions in Structural Geology and Tectonics., Vol. 5. Developments in Structural Geology and Tectonics Elsevier, pp. 67-74., (10.1016/B978-0-12-814048-2.00005-3)
- Fagereng, ?. 2019. What do earthquake magnitudes mean? example of the Kaikoura, New Zealand, 2016 Event [Chapter 4]. In: Billi, A. and Fagereng, A. eds. Problems and Solutions in Structural Geology and Tectonics., Vol. 5. Developments in Structural Geology and Tectonics Elsevier, pp. 57-64., (10.1016/B978-0-12-814048-2.00004-1)
- Fagereng, A. and MacLeod, C. 2019. On seismicity and structural style of oceanic transform faults: A field geological perspective from the Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus. In: Duarte, J. S. ed. Transform Plate Boundaries and Fracture Zones. Elsevier Books, pp. 437-459., (10.1016/B978-0-12-812064-4.00018-9)
2018
- Fagereng, A.et al. 2018. Fluid-related deformation processes at the up- and downdip limits of the subduction thrust seismogenic zone: What do the rocks tell us?. In: Byrne, T. et al. eds. Geology and Tectonics of Subduction Zones: A Tribute to Gaku Kimura., Vol. 534. GSA Special Papers Geological Society of America, (10.1130/2018.2534(12))
- Ujiie, K.et al. 2018. An explanation of episodic tremor and slow slip constrained by crack-seal veins and viscous shear in subduction mélange. Geophysical Research Letters 45(11), pp. 5371-5379. (10.1029/2018GL078374)
- Hodge, M.et al. 2018. Controls on early‐rift geometry: new perspectives from the Bilila‐Mtakataka fault, Malawi. Geophysical Research Letters (10.1029/2018gl077343)
- Webber, S., Ellis, S. and Fagereng, A. 2018. "Virtual shear box" experiments of stress and slip cycling within a subduction interface mélange. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 488, pp. 27-35. (10.1016/j.epsl.2018.01.035)
- Hodge, M., Fagereng, A. and Biggs, J. 2018. The role of coseismic Coulomb stress changes in shaping the hard-link between normal fault segments. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 123(1), pp. 797-814. (10.1002/2017JB014927)
- Fagereng, A.et al. 2018. Quartz vein formation by local dehydration embrittlement along the deep, tremorgenic subduction thrust interface. Geology 46(1), pp. 67-70. (10.1130/G39649.1)
2017
- Meneghini, F., Fagereng, A. and Kisters, A. 2017. The matchless amphibolite of the Damara belt, Namibia: unique preservation of a late Neoproterozoic ophiolitic suture. Ofioliti 42(2), pp. 129-145. (10.4454/ofioliti.v42i2.488)
- Fagereng, A. and den Hartog, S. A. M. 2017. Subduction megathrust creep governed by pressure solution and frictional-viscous flow. Nature Geoscience 10(1), pp. 51-57. (10.1038/ngeo2857)
2016
- Diener, J. F. A., Fagereng, A. and Thomas, S. 2016. Mid-crustal shear zone development under retrograde conditions: pressure–temperature–fluid constraints from the Kuckaus Mylonite Zone, Namibia. Solid Earth 7(5), pp. 1331-1347. (10.5194/se-7-1331-2016)
2015
- Cross, C. B., Diener, J. F. A. and Fagereng, A. 2015. Metamorphic imprint of accretion and ridge subduction in the Pan-African Damara Belt, Namibia. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 33(6), pp. 633-648. (10.1111/jmg.12139)
- Ellis, S.et al. 2015. Fluid budgets along the northern Hikurangi subduction margin, New Zealand: the effect of a subducting seamount on fluid pressure. Geophysical Journal International 202(1), pp. 277-297. (10.1093/gji/ggv127)
- Smit, L.et al. 2015. Microseismic activity and basement controls on an active intraplate strike-slip fault, Ceres-Tulbagh, South Africa. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 105(3), pp. 1540-1547. (10.1785/0120140262)
- Senger, K.et al. 2015. Fracturing of doleritic intrusions and associated contact zones: Implications for fluid flow in volcanic basins. Journal of African Earth Sciences 102, pp. 70-85. (10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2014.10.019)
- Fagereng, A. and Byrnes, G. 2015. A range of fault slip styles on progressively misoriented planes during flexural-slip folding, Cape Fold Belt, South Africa. Journal of Structural Geology 70, pp. 156-169. (10.1016/j.jsg.2014.12.001)
2014
- Faber, C.et al. 2014. Silica gel in a fault slip surface: Field evidence for palaeo-earthquakes?. Journal of Structural Geology 69(A), pp. 108-121. (10.1016/j.jsg.2014.09.021)
- Meneghini, F.et al. 2014. Fingerprints of late Neoproterozoic ridge subduction in the Pan-African Damara belt, Namibia. Geology 42(10), pp. 903-906. (10.1130/G35932.1)
- Fagereng, A. 2014. Significant shortening by pressure solution creep in the Dwyka diamictite, Cape Fold Belt, South Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, pp. 9-18. (10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2014.04.022)
- Diener, J. F. A. and Fagereng, A. 2014. The influence of melting and melt drainage on crustal rheology during orogenesis. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 119(8), pp. 6193-6210. (10.1002/2014JB011088)
- Fagereng, ?., Hillary, G. W. B. and Diener, J. F. A. 2014. Brittle-viscous deformation, slow slip and tremor. Geophysical Research Letters 41(12), pp. 4159-4167. (10.1002/2014GL060433)
- Fagereng, A. and Harris, C. 2014. Interplay between fluid flow and fault-fracture mesh generation within underthrust sediments: Geochemical evidence from the Chrystalls Beach Complex, New Zealand. Tectonophysics 612-3, pp. 147-157. (10.1016/j.tecto.2013.12.002)
- Fagereng, A.et al. 2014. Stress, strain, and fault behavior at a thrust ramp: Insights from the Naukluft thrust, Namibia. Journal of Structural Geology 58, pp. 95-107. (10.1016/j.jsg.2013.11.002)
2013
- Rennie, S. F., Fagereng, A. and Diener, J. F. A. 2013. Strain distribution within a km-scale, mid-crustal shear zone: The Kuckaus Mylonite Zone, Namibia. Journal of Structural Geology 56, pp. 57-69. (10.1016/j.jsg.2013.09.001)
- Fagereng, A. 2013. Fault segmentation, deep rift earthquakes and crustal rheology: Insights from the 2009 Karonga sequence and seismicity in the Rukwa-Malawi rift zone. Tectonophysics 601, pp. 216-225. (10.1016/j.tecto.2013.05.012)
- Harris, C., Fourie, D. S. and Fagereng, A. 2013. Stable isotope evidence for impact-related pseudotachylite formation at Vredefort by local melting of dry rocks. South African Journal of Geology 116(1), pp. 101-118. (10.2113/gssajg.116.1.101)
- Fagereng, A. 2013. On stress and strain in a continuous-discontinuous shear zone undergoing simple shear and volume loss. Journal of Structural Geology 50, pp. 44-53. (10.1016/j.jsg.2012.02.016)
- Treasure, A. M.et al. 2013. South African research in the Southern Ocean: New opportunities but serious challenges. South African Journal of Science 109(3-4), pp. 2-5. (10.1590/sajs.2013/a009)
2012
- Wallace, L. M., Fagereng, A. and Ellis, S. 2012. Upper plate tectonic stress state may influence interseismic coupling on subduction megathrusts. Geology 40(10), pp. 895-898. (10.1130/G33373.1)
- Rowe, C. D.et al. 2012. Signature of coseismic decarbonation in dolomitic fault rocks of the Naukluft Thrust, Namibia. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 333-4, pp. 200-210. (10.1016/j.epsl.2012.04.030)
- Fagereng, A. 2012. A note on folding mechanisms in the Cape Fold Belt, South Africa. South African Journal of Geology 115(2), pp. 137-144. (10.2113/gssajg.115.2.137)
2011
- Fagereng, A. and Diener, J. F. A. 2011. San Andreas Fault tremor and retrograde metamorphism. Geophysical Research Letters 38(23), article number: L23303. (10.1029/2011GL049550)
- Fagereng, A., Remitti, F. and Sibson, R. H. 2011. Incrementally developed slickenfibers - Geological record of repeating low stress-drop seismic events?. Tectonophysics 510(3-4), pp. 381-386. (10.1016/j.tecto.2011.08.015)
- Fagereng, A. and Diener, J. F. A. 2011. Non-volcanic tremor and discontinuous slab dehydration. Geophysical Research Letters 38(15), article number: L15302. (10.1029/2011GL048214)
- Fagereng, A. 2011. Wedge geometry, mechanical strength, and interseismic coupling of the Hikurangi subduction thrust, New Zealand. Tectonophysics 507(1-4), pp. 26-30. (10.1016/j.tecto.2011.05.004)
- Fagereng, A. 2011. Frequency-size distribution of competent lenses in a block-in-matrix melange: Imposed length scales of brittle deformation?. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 116(B5) (10.1029/2010JB007775)
- Fagereng, A. 2011. Fractal vein distributions within a fault-fracture mesh in an exhumed accretionary melange, Chrystalls Beach Complex, New Zealand. Journal of Structural Geology 33(5), pp. 918-927. (10.1016/j.jsg.2011.02.009)
- Fagereng, A. 2011. Geology of the seismogenic subduction thrust interface. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 359(1), pp. 55-76. (10.1144/SP359.4)
- Fagereng, A. and Toy, V. G. 2011. Geology of the earthquake source: an introduction. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 359(1), pp. 1-16. (10.1144/SP359.1)
2010
- Fagereng, A. and Cooper, A. F. 2010. The metamorphic history of rocks buried, accreted and exhumed in an accretionary prism: an example from the Otago Schist, New Zealand. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 28(9), pp. 935-954. (10.1111/j.1525-1314.2010.00900.x)
- Fagereng, A. and Sibson, R. H. 2010. Mélange rheology and seismic style. Geology 38(8), pp. 751-754. (10.1130/G30868.1)
- Fagereng, A., Remitti, F. and Sibson, R. H. 2010. Shear veins observed within anisotropic fabric at high angles to the maximum compressive stress [Letter]. Nature Geoscience 3(7), pp. 482-485. (10.1038/NGEO898)
- Fagereng, A. and Cooper, A. F. 2010. Petrology of metabasalts from the Chrystalls Beach accretionary melange - implications for tectonic setting and terrane origin. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 53(1), pp. 57-70. (10.1080/00288301003631806)
2009
- Wallace, L. M.et al. 2009. Characterizing the seismogenic zone of a major plate boundary subduction thrust: Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 10(10) (10.1029/2009GC002610)
- Scott, J. M.et al. 2009. Polymetamorphism, zircon growth and retention of early assemblages through the dynamic evolution of a continental arc in Fiordland, New Zealand. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 27(4), pp. 281-294. (10.1111/j.1525-1314.2009.00817.x)
- Fagereng, A. and Ellis, S. 2009. On factors controlling the depth of interseismic coupling on the Hikurangi subduction interface, New Zealand. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 278(1/2), pp. 120-130. (10.1016/j.epsl.2008.11.033)
2008
- Fagereng, A.et al. 2008. Stable isotope study of the Archaean rocks of the Vredefort impact structure, central Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 155(1), pp. 63-78. (10.1007/s00410-007-0224-6)
Ake is Norwegian, but gained his BSc in Geology and Ocean & Atmosphere Science, and BSc(Hons) in Geology, from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He then undertook a PhD with Rick Sibson at the University of Otago, working on the structural geology of the Chrystalls Beach Complex, a melange shear zone in the Otago Schist, on the South Island of New Zealand. Observations in this sheared rock assemblage, compared to geophysical observations of the active Hikurangi subduction margin on the North Island, led to a number of publications on the internal structure of the subduction zone interface. In particular, Ake focussed on the effects of rock composition and geometry on the seismic behaviour (big earthquakes vs. aseismic creep) of subduction megathrusts.
After his time on New Zealand, Ake took up a lectureship in structural geology at the University of Cape Town. In this position he has, in addition to keeping up work on the seismic behaviour, slip style, and fluid pressure state of subduction interfaces, worked on strain localization in ductile shear zones (in Namibia and Antarctica), intraplate seismicity (in South Africa), the rheology of solid-melt mixtures (in Namibia and Antarctica), and the involvement of pre-existing basement structures in the evolution of the East African Rift System.
Currently, Ake's overall interest is in how the Earth deforms, be that at plate boundaries or plate interiors, and particularly where and why big earthquakes occur (or, maybe even more interesting, where they should but seem not to).
In more detail, this research now includes focus on: mixed-mode deformation, including deformation of polyphase materials and the influence of melt on deformation; the continuum of fault slip styles from aseismic creep to earthquake slip, in which the physics behind transient slow slip events is particularly intriguing; and how pre-existing structures, fabrics, and compositional variations may or may not control active deformation style.
His methodology revolves around looking at rocks that have experienced (suffered/enjoyed?) a history of deformation. By attempting to read such a history, in the field, under a microscope, and with the help of some geochemical analyses, these rocks may tell a story that can be used to understand ancient deformation, and be applied to how active faults work. Application of image analysis tools, numerical and analytical mathematical models, and modern methods of mapping at all scales are also central in this research.