Primary Convener:
James Atterholt, United States Geological Survey

Convener:
Travis Alongi, USGS Earthquake Science Center
Yihe Huang, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Michigan
Monica Barbery, Brown University

Chair:
James Atterholt, United States Geological Survey
Travis Alongi, USGS Earthquake Science Center
Yihe Huang, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Michigan
Monica Barbery, Brown University

Fault zone structures in the upper crust are characterized by highly localized slip surfaces surrounded by intensely fractured rock. These slip surfaces are often geometrically complex and topographically rough over many orders of magnitude. The damage zone surrounding the slip surface has variability in size, shape, and fracture density that alters the permeability and rheology of the volume. Studies show that quantifiable parameters of faults and fault zones influence fundamental properties of earthquakes including the nucleation, propagation, slip distribution, strain energy budget, and ground motion. However, more work is necessary to improve our understanding of the relationship between earthquakes and the structures that host them. In this session, we welcome contributions from a variety of disciplines to better understand the manifestation and evolution of faults and fault zones in nature as well as the impact of structural variability on the behavior of earthquakes.

Index Terms
7209 Earthquake dynamics
8118 Dynamics and mechanics of faulting
8123 Dynamics: seismotectonics
8163 Rheology and friction of fault zones

Neighborhoods:
2. Earth Interior

Cross-Listed:
MR - Mineral and Rock Physics
S - Seismology