My students and I study the geology of faults. Most of these are exhumed, ancient faults where the earthquake generating depths are preserved and exposed. Our research is rooted in observational field geology (and associated adventures), and we incorporate approaches from structural geology, metamorphic petrology, economic geology, geochemistry, and geophysics to study the weird and wonderful processes which generate earthquakes and create ore deposits. We also investigate geologic phenomena which share some physics with fault processes, in particular, soft sediment deformation and granular flow.

To learn more about the group, please have a look at current and recent student research, some of them have websites with some really great field photos. General information for prospective applicants is here.