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Earthquakes
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:35
Abstract
This course teaches earthquake source theory, covering the moment-tensor representation of earthquakes treated as point-sources, the kinematic characterization of extended-fault ruptures, and the dynamics of earthquake rupture. Fault mechanics and fault-zone structure as well as implication of rupture dynamics for near-source ground-motion prediction will complement the material.
Objective
The aim of the course is to gain a thorough understanding of the physical processed (and their mathematical description) leading to and governing earthquake ruptures. Simplified earthquake-source representations will be used to motivate the study of the complexity of the dynamic rupture process, its fundamental aspects in terms of fracture mechanics and friction, and its implications for ground-motions (and hence seismic hazard) as well as the earthquake cycle.
Content
A very rough course lay out is given as follows: - body-force equivalence, equation of motions, Betti's theorem, representation theorem - earthquakes as point sources: moment-tensor derivation - implications/interpretations of moment-tensors: earthquake faulting, seismo-tectonics - earthquake scaling laws: from small to large earthquakes - earthquakes on extended faults: a re-interpretation of the representation theorem - earthquake source imaging: mapping source kinematics on complex faults - the short-comings of kinematic earthquake characterization: where is the physics? - introduction to earthquake source dynamics: faults, fractures, friction, stress, energy - earthquake dynamics: the complexity of individual earthquakes - earthquake dynamics: tying individual complex events into the earthquake cycle
Resources
Lecture Notes
Course notes will be made available on a designated course web site several days in advance of each lecture. No single script of book will be distributed or recommended as the material is compiled from several text books and the recent literature.
Literature
- Quantitative Seismology by K. Aki and P.G. Richards, University Science Books; 2nd edition (July 2002) ($ 84) THE book in theoretical seismology - Principles of Seismology by A. Udias, Cambridge University Press (January 13, 2000) ($140): easier to understand than Aki & Richards, less comprehensive - Modern Global Seismology, Volume 58, First Edition (International Geophysics) by Thorne Lay and Terry C. Wallace, Academic Press (May 1, 1995) ($85) : the standard book for most students, not entirely easy to follow - An Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes and Earth Structure by S. Stein and M. Wysession, Blackwell Science; 1st edition (September 2002) ($96), very nice and comprehensive, not very theoretical - The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting by Ch. Scholz (2002), Cambridge University Press
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Earthquakes |
|
2 h weekly |