This course teaches the fundamental principles to understand physical processes leading to and governing earthquake source ruptures. To obtain that understanding we cover topics ranging from friction and fault mechanics up to earthquake source descriptions. The acquired understanding will be applied to a topic of choice to practice research skills.

If you're interested in knowing more about the relationship between seismicity and plate tectonics, this is the course for you. (If you're not that interested, but your program of study requires that you complete this course, this is also the course for you.)

This course builds on Geophysik I and Geophysik II, broadening the students' education in seismology, geodynamics and geodynamo theory, by considering various specific topics of particular interest.