2023/2024

Friction and Fracture and the Onset of Geohazards

(FricFrac)

Natural Sciences
Illustration of fragmented road, by Knut Bauer.

Principal investigators

Anders Malthe-Sørenssen

Professor
University of Oslo (UiO)
Year at CAS

François Renard

Professor
University of Oslo (UiO)
Year at CAS
Research Area
Geosciences

Abstract

Slow evolution punctuated by burst like events localized onto interfaces or interface zones control the evolution of a wide variety of geological systems, such as glaciers, earthquakes, rock falls, and landslides. In Earth subsurface and cryosphere, the build-up of energy drives rocks and ice towards critical points at which a small perturbation can trigger a rapid release of energy. We propose a physics-based modelling approach to the development of a better theoretical understanding of the friction and fracture processes that control burst-like dynamics leading to these geohazards, and the construction of numerical models with potential predictive capability that utilize this advance in understanding.

Fellows

Åke Fagereng

Professor
Cardiff University
Year at CAS
Research Area
Geosciences

Olivier Gagliardini

Professor
Grenoble Alpes University
Year at CAS
Research Area
Engineering /
Geosciences

Thomas Schuler

Professor
University of Oslo (UiO)
Year at CAS

Wen-lu Zhu

Professor
University of Maryland
Year at CAS
Research Area
Geosciences

Affiliated researchers

Luiza
Angheluta-Bauer

Professor
University of Oslo (UiO)

Fabian
Barras

Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Oslo (UiO)

Jessica
McBeck

Researcher
University of Oslo (UiO)

Erina
Prastyani

Doctoral Research Fellow
University of Oslo (UiO)

News

Throughout this month, CAS has been abuzz with intellectual exchange, hosting a series of three captivating lunch seminars featuring esteemed speakers from this year's project leaders.

This year, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) has added Francois Renard to its roster of distinguished honorees. Renard, who leads the CAS project 'Friction and Fracture and the Onset of Geohazards (FricFrac)' together with Anders Malthe Sørensen, was recognized for his pivotal contributions to experimental and theoretical geophysics and geochemistry.