Capturing Timescales of Rock Deformation

The Rock Deformation GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

Rock deformation in the Earth takes place over timescales of microseconds to millions of years. Such phenomena include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, glacial sliding, postseismic deformation, and steady-state tectonic creep, to name just a few. Some of these timescales (and strain rates) are well suited to laboratory experiments, but others are so short or so long as to require certain trade offs, such as utilizing higher temperatures to run shorter experiments. However, such tradeoffs then force extrapolation from laboratory conditions to natural conditions. Robust extrapolation requires understanding the kinetics of deformation at a range of times and temperatures. Geophysical or geological field observations can help elucidate these time scales, and constitutive models can help us tie such observations together with rheological behavior to make predictive assessments. At the 2024 Gordon Research Conference leading experts in experimental rock deformation, structural geology, earthquake seismology, geodesy, geodynamics, glaciology, geomorphology, and metamorphic petrology will discuss recent progress and outstanding questions across a range of timescales. The conference will draw together international experts at the forefronts of their fields, from early-career to senior investigators. In particular, the GRC foments open and wide-ranging discussion time during afternoons, evenings and meals.The Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), to be held immediately before the Conference, will allow early career researchers to network and learn new topics. The GRS will be tightly integrated into the Gordon Research Conference, ensuring the continuous flow of content and discussions.