Dr. Susan Schwartz: Scientific Interests and Approaches

Dr. Schwartz's research interests include the mechanical behavior of the seismogenic zone at subduction margins, interrogation of the velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle lithosphere at or near plate boundaries, volcanic deformation and seismicity, and seismotectonics of the San Andreas fault system and Costa Rica. Much of her present research is accomplished through the design and implementation of field experiments deploying high quality, portable, seismic and geodetic instruments. Ongoing and recent field projects include: imaging the seismogenic zone with geodesy and seismology across Costa Rica and the Middle America Trench; determination of crustal structure and mantle dynamics associated with the North American/Pacific plate boundary; and investigation of volcanic processes at an active stratovolcano in Costa Rica. In addition to collecting new data in field intensive efforts, Dr. Schwartz is using regional and global seismic network data to better understand continental rifting in the Red Sea region and the spatiotemporal distribution of earthquake moment release and the factors that influence its localization.