A Statistical Physicist's Look at Earthquakes

The dynamics and statistics of earthquakes will be discussed from the point of view of a statistical physicist, focusing on questions, possible theoretical approaches, and analogies with other physical systems. A class of simple models with many of the ingredients necessary to describe earthquakes on a heterogeneous fault will be introduced and analyzed, obtaining a range of behavior similar to that observed in the earth. Key open issues will be emphasized and future directions for theoretical work suggested.

The P/T Colloquium is
typically held each
Thursday, 3:45–5:00 PM.
Refreshments are served
at 3:15 PM.