Skip to content
Keyboard navigation
Home > Research > Groups > Statistical Seismology > People > Wössner, Jochen, Dr. > Seismotectonics: Fall Semester 2011
EN
People
Wössner, Jochen, Dr.
Publications
Seismotectonics: Fall Semester 2011
Teaching

Seismotectonics (651-4015-00L)

The course, taught yearly in the fall semester on graduate level, is intended to foster the students understanding of earthquakes and their relation to regional and global tectonics. For an overview of the topics, please refer to this link.

Students

Y. Wang (PhD): 

Earthquake location / Statistical fault network reconstruction

M.-A. Meier (PhD):

Influence of small events on static triggering

S. Hiemer (PhD):

Stochastic earthquake source model for PSHA

Y. Kamer (PhD):

Fault network reconstruction

Graduated Students

C. E. Bachmann (PhD): 

Thesis: New approaches towards understanding and forecasting induced seismicity

Publications

For a full list of publications click here

Seismotectonics: Fall Semester 2011

Lecturer : Dr. J. Woessner, Dr. J. Zechar

Time       : Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 / Thursdays 13.00-15.00

Location : NO E39 / NO E11

Outline

The lectures cover basic theory necessary to understand and interpret what happens during an earthquake and how earthquakes relate to larger scale deformation. A particular focus is to discuss an earthquake as a point source described with a focal mechanism and moment tensor. We then introduce the concept of finite source and its properties together with its use in calculating deformation models. In the later lectures this background will be used in a broad overview of the current understanding of seismicity in different tectonic settings. Lab excersizes will play a role for the determination of focal mechanisms and deformation modeling.

The following topics will be covered:

Introduction Definition of seismotectonics, Overview of concepts
Continuum Mechanics Short review: Tensor analysis, Strain, Stress
Source Representation Double couple representation of sources, Concept of focal mechanism and Moment tensor
Fault Mechanics and Earthqauke Deformation Concept of fractures, friction, sliding, Deformation models, Concept of Coulomb stress changes
Comparative seismotectonics Continental strike-slip faults, oceanic earthquakes, subduction zones, continental earthquakes

Requirements:

Participants should be familiar with concepts of tensor analysis as well as stress and strain relations (see Continuum mechanics classes).

Computer excersizes

We plan to introduce computer excersizes on selected topics: Determination of focal mechanisms and Deformation modelling. 

Grading

The grading in this class is based on problem sets, computer excersizes and a final exam. Passing grades on the problem sets handed out in class. 


Preliminary course plan:

Date Topics
9. November Seismotectonics - Introduction and Overview
10. November Tensors, Stress, Strain
16. November Stress, Strain, Rheology
17. November Focal Mechanisms
23. November Moment Tensors I
24. November Moment Tensors II
30. November

Moment Tensors III / 

Seismotectonics Applied
01. December

Seismotectonics of Switzerland

Focal Mechanism Exercise
7. December Earthquake source parameters, Essentials of earthquake statistics
8. December Fracture, Sliding and Friction
14. December Failure, Faulting and Coulomb Stress Change
15. December Deformation modelling - Computer excersizes
21. December Comparative Seismotectonics
22. December Comparative Seismotectonics

Exam: 26.01.2012

Lecture material:

The base reference of the lecture is the book "An introduction to seismology and earthquake structure" by Stein and Wysession (2003). A set of additional lecture notes will be distributed during class. Examples and more elaborate explanations will be covered in class, and you are responsible for taking notes on these yourself.

Handouts of slides used in lectures are available via the ILIAS system at http://ilias.let.ethz.ch/.

Books

  • S. Stein and M. Wyssession, An introduction to seismology, earthquakes and earth structure, Blackwell Publishing, Malden, USA, (2003).

  • P. Segall, Earthquake and Volcano Deformation, Princeton University Press, (2010).

  • T. Lay and T.C. Wallace, Modern Global Seismology, Academic Press, London, U.K., (1995).
  • C.H. Scholz, The mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting (2nd edition), Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, (2002).
  • D.L. Turcotte and G. Schubert, Geodynamics (2nd edition), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK (2002).
  • B.A. Bolt, Earthquakes (5th edition), W.H. Freeman and Co., New York (2003).
  • G. Ranalli, Rheology of the Earth (2nd edition), Chapman & Hall, London (1995).
  • K. Aki and P.G. Richards, Quantitative Seismology (2nd edition), University Science Books, Sausalito, California (2002).
  • D. Gubbins, Seismology and Plate Tectonics, Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, (1992).
  • A. Zang and O. Stephansson, Stress field of the Earth's crust, Springer, (2010).