Rock rheology controls the deformation of rocks in consequence of forces within the Earth's interior. Rheology is the scientific study of material characteristics, particularly emphasizing the correlation between stress (force per unit area) and strain rate (rate of deformation). The advent of plate tectonics has demonstrated that understanding plate movement alone is insufficient to adequately elucidate the interplay between Earth's lithosphere and mantle convection, together with other driving factors. This is evident when examining the complex deformation patterns of plate boundary zones, which can now be precisely mapped using space geodetic techniques. The rheology of rocks is affected by several elements, including mineralogy, geofluid composition and content, mineral grain size, melt quantity, temperature, pressure, and differential stress conditions. The diversity in mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks is extensive, and our comprehension of essential elements such as regional thermal dynamics and tectonic stresses is progressively advancing. The convective pattern in the upper mantle underneath the tectonic plates is not directly associated with the plate boundaries. Alternatively, it may be detected and examined by the analysis of geophysical factors such as topography, gravity, S-wave dispersion, and heat flow, among others. The most pertinent influencing characteristics encompass drained and undrained moduli, Darcy conductivity, hydraulic diffusivity, Skempton ratio, Poisson ratios, pore compressibility, and the coefficient of effective stress. Earthquakes are now the exclusive method for directly seeing movements occurring under the Earth's surface at depths greater than a few kilometers. The relationship between the depths of these earthquakes and the velocities of subduction suggests that seismic activity is affected by several factors, including temperature.

The mapping of geofluids has facilitated the identification of regions that have undergone substantial tectonic activity. Locations with active tectonic dynamics and geofluids will persist in experiencing earthquakes until significant global geodynamic events alter the existing state of tectonic activity.

This Research Topic is the continuation of the first volume and it aims at understand the characteristics that differentiate the seismic activity of faults from the creeping movement of others. It focuses on the specifics of seismic activity, seeking contributions that utilize geophysical, geochemical, and geodetic methodologies to detail the earthquake process from nucleation to manifestation. The scope is limited to innovative investigations employing observatory networks and advanced numerical modelling that integrate multidisciplinary data.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Role of geofluids in tectonic dynamics and fault mechanics

- Numerical modelling of nucleation and seismic wave propagation

- Multidisciplinary approaches to understanding fault evolution

- Advances in identifying inter-seismic, pre-seismic, and co-post-seismic anomalies

This research may include original research, reviews, and method articles.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Faults and Earthquakes Viewed by Networks, Monitoring Systems, and Numerical Modelling Techniques - Volume II