My research interests include the analyses of seismologic, gravity and geodetic data from convergent margins with focus on the structure and tectonics of the active collision zones and the processes by which mountains are built. I also have worked on intraplate earthquakes in Australia, intracontinental earthquakes in the Tien Shan and Hindu Kush, and subduction seismicity in general.
At present we are working in a number of active orogens, principally in the southwest Pacific and in Oregon. These include some of the more complex tectonic settings on Earth and give us the opportunity to examine in action several processes that are important in the construction and evolution of mountain belts and continents. Current projects include:
Geodetic investigations of oblique plate convergence in Sumatra. We have been making geodetic observations with Scripps Inst. of Oceanography and BAKOSURTANAL using the Global Positioning System since 1989 in order to monitor crustal deformation associated with oblique subduction of the Indian Ocean plate beneath Sumatra.
Investigations of oblique plate convergence We are conducting global seismologic studies of oblique convergent margins with the aim of understanding the behavior of the Earth in such an environment. These studies are being complemented by numerical experiments using finite elements.
Seismicity of the Bali region from a local seismic network: Constraints on Bali backarc thrusting We are using the arrival time data from a network of 8 stations operated by the Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysical Agency to study the geometry of the backarc thrust north of Bali.