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Active tectonics examines current tectonic processes happening today. Our research focuses on understanding how plate movements interact with faults, earthquakes, and other geological features along continental edges and interiors, helping us comprehend the underlying mechanisms and material behaviors involved in continental deformation.
We approach these questions by integrating multiple data sources, including space-based geodesy (InSAR and GPS), satellite imagery, seismic data, landform analysis, and on-site geological observations. Key research locations encompass northern and southern California, Tibet, Iran (such as the region affected by the 2003 Bam earthquake, shown right), and Central America.
The Active Tectonics team works in close collaboration with researchers studying fault mechanics and seismic activity. We contribute to the broader Earthquake Processes and Geophysics initiative within UC Riverside's Earth and Planetary Sciences department.