Summary
Earthquakes result from the repeated buildup and release of stress along faults in the Earth’s crust. These processes are controlled by friction between rocks. The way rocks change between earthquakes governs when and how slip initiates and propagates. Water’s effect is widely recognized in fault processes. The complexity of natural fault systems makes it difficult to isolate individual factors. This project will address a central gap in earthquake science by examining how temperature, fluid chemistry, and surface roughness influences frictional strength along a common material in faults. By c
