Research Interest

My main interest is in fault and earthquake mecanics and all the various processes that are involved in the seismic cycle. This includes the evolution of fault strength over long and short timescales, the evolution of fault permeability and the effects of fluids. 

Currently, I am leading several projects that are concerned with the general question of how faults behave. These include research into the mechanisms operating during induced seismicity, the deep seismic-to-aseismic transition, laboratory earthquakes through AE sensing, effects of mineral reactions on fault strength and the long term evolution of fault strength.  

Research opportunities for BSc and Msc are plentiful and include experimental work with the unique hydrothermal rotary shear apparatus in Utrecht (which can reach 700 ºC!), microstructural work on naturally and experimentally deformed samples as well as numerical modelling work using seismic cycle simulators or the Discrete Element Method. 

Check out this Youtube clip explaining our work on the occurence of earthquakes in Groningen (NL):