Solid Earth Dynamics
Critical to our understanding the Earth is knowledge of the physical processes that shape the Earth’s
formation, evolution, and present-day dynamics. The combination of state-of-the-art geophysical in-
strumentation and advanced computational capabilities makes it possible to observe and quantitatively
model complex geological systems in ways that were previously unimaginable. Research applications of
these geophysical methods include global tectonics, earthquake seismology, volcanology, structural ge-
ology, tectonic geomorphology, and environmental and exploration geophysics. Advances in quantitative
geochronology, thermochronology, and petrology have expanded the scope for interdisciplinary investi-
gation of deep Earth and surface processes involved in crustal deformation, sedimentary basin formation,
magmatism, landscape evolution, and natural hazard mitigation.

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