Active Tectonics and Seismology

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr, 2d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Clara Brereton, Hans-Balder Havenith, Aurelia Hubert

Coordinator

Aurelia Hubert

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course is taught inEnglishand is jointly delivered byProf. Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari, Prof. Hans-Balder Havennith, and Prof. Clara Breton.

Prof. Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari's section of the course covers the different tectonic domains: Part 1: strike-slip/transform faults, Part 2: extensional tectonics/normal faults, Part 3: subduction zones, Part 4: collisions and orogenies.
Part 1:

• Anderson's model and stress regime leading to strike-slip faults.
• Types of transform faults and major global examples (San Andreas, NAF, Alpine Fault).
• Associated structures and markers (Riedel shears, basins, uplifts, geomorphic offsets).
• Segmentation and geometric complexity controlling earthquake rupture.
• Seismic cycle and investigation methods (paleoseismology, GPS, InSAR, scaling laws).

• Extensional setting: mantle dynamics, mid-ocean ridges, continental rifting.
• Role of spreading rate: fast ridges (magmatism-dominated) vs slow ridges (faulting, rugged topography).
• Normal fault geometry: horsts, grabens, half-grabens, listric faults.
• Fault growth, segmentation, and interaction; influence of magma and crustal heterogeneities.
• Seismic cycle, cumulative deformation, and geomorphic markers (fault scarps, triangular facets).
• Key case study: Afar triple junction and Red Sea-Gulf of Aden rift system; the lower Rhine graben; the Corinth Rift

• Plate convergence: formation of subduction zones (Ring of Fire, Mediterranean, etc.).
• Geometry and dynamics: slab pull, slab rollback, accretionary vs erosional margins.
• Thermal structure and metamorphism: hydration/dehydration processes controlling seismogenesis.
• Earthquake types: interplate megathrusts, intermediate and deep-focus events, role of coupling and thermal gradients.
• Hazard: giant earthquakes (Mw > 8-9), surface deformation, tsunamis.
• Tools: seismic tomography, GPS, thermal models, paleoseismology.

• Continent-continent convergence: no subduction ? collision.
•  Critical wedge theory: geometry, stability, and propagation of accretionary prisms.
• Reverse and thrust faults: flat-ramp systems, associated folds.
• Tectonic styles: thin-skinned (sedimentary cover) vs thick-skinned (basement involved).
• Mountain growth and migration: thrusting, syntectonic sedimentation, erosion.
• Key examples: Himalaya, Taiwan, Alps, Zagros, Tibet.
• Geomorphic and seismotectonic impacts: mountain building, thrust earthquakes, landslides.

• Earthquake measurements: magnitude scales, earthquake location, and earthquake effects.
• Wave propagation.
• Concepts: scale invariance, earthquakes and probability; Seismic Hazard 1: seismic zonation; Seismic Hazard 2: attenuation and mapping; Seismic Hazard 3: earthquake scenarios and microzonation.
• Fracture and fault rupture mechanics; fault mechanisms.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Learning outcomes (objectives) At the end of this course unit, students will be able to:

1. Scientific understanding

• Explain the driving forces of tectonics and the processes responsible for earthquakes in different geodynamic contexts (strike-slip, extensional, subduction, collisional).
• Identify and analyze associated tectonic structures (faults, subduction zones, orogenic systems) and assess their implications for seismic hazard.

• Conduct a research project in pairs on a topic related to fault growth and earthquakes, making use of scientific literature and critical analysis.
• Produce a structured and well-argued scientific report in English, following multiple rounds of feedback (language and organization feedback from Ms. Clara Breton, scientific feedback from Prof. Hubert-Ferrari).
• Defend their findings orally in front of an academic jury.

• Work collaboratively and develop autonomy in gathering information and producing scientific writing.
• Improve written and oral scientific communication skills in English.

• Observe and analyze tectonic structures directly in the field during a two-day excursion led by Mr. Havennith.
• Write a field report integrating geological observations within a broader tectonic framework.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

A good foundation in English

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Learning activities and teaching methods The course unit combines lectures, practical work, a research project, and field training.

1. Lectures (ex cathedra)

• Presentation of major tectonic settings (strike-slip/transform faults, rifts and normal faults, subduction zones, collisional orogens).
• Explanation of the driving forces of tectonics and the processes responsible for earthquakes.

• writing an introduction with feedback from Ms. Clara Breton (English, structure and organization),
• submission of a preliminary report with feedback from Ms. Breton,
• submission of a revised version with joint feedback from Ms. Breton and Prof. Hubert-Ferrari,
• final version accompanied by an oral defense.

• Two-day field excursion led by Mr. Havennith, focusing on the observation and analysis of active tectonic structures.
• Preparation of a field report integrating observations within a broader tectonic framework.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

• 20 hours of lectures,
• 2 sessions of 3 hours devoted to exercises, data analysis and seminars,
• 3 feedback sessions on scientific writing,
• 2 days of fieldwork including measurements,
• 1 final session for students' oral presentations of their work.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège


Further information:

PPT files and other documents on My ULiege for A. Hubert-Ferrari

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Written work / report


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Written work / report
Further information:

• 40%- Written examinations by Mr. Havennith and Prof. Hubert-Ferrari during the exam session.
• Before the session: 60%- Reports and oral presentations on the 2025 group project (pairs) about fault growth. Language skills are an important part of the evaluation.The following subtopics will be addressed by paired students:

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course is delivered entirely in English, and students are also assessed on their English writing and communication skills.

Contacts

Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari: aurelia.ferrari@uliege.be

Hans-Balder Havennith: HB.Havenith@uliege.be

Clara Breton: c.brereton@uliege.be 

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online