A longstanding goal of Earth Science is to understand why some sections of faults slip in large earthquakes while other sections do not. Oceanic transform faults are ideal for studying fault slip due to their simple composition and predictable motion - yet the spectrum of behavior on these faults is poorly understood. This study will employ a range of techniques to study the Chain transform fault in the equatorial Atlantic, which is an ideal locality due to its variable seismicity and its bathymetric expression that is typical of many transform faults. This project will train early career scientists in interdisciplinary marine science through their participation in research cruises and their analyses of data and samples. A broader cross-section of students will be engaged through a multi-institution virtual course on marine geology and geophysics.
