Fieldwork

In the lab we are very conscious of the need to relate laboratory work with nature. To this end, we have a very active field programme that is concentrated on elucidating the internal structure of major strike-slip fault zones. For this work, we require large faults with significant displacements that have recently been exhumed from seismogenic depths, and are exposed in arid or semi-arid environments in order to preserve the fragile fault rocks. Two faults that fit this billing exceptionally well are the Atacama fault zone in northern Chile and the Carboneras fault zone in southern Spain.

Chile
Vein	Quartz growth
Valley of the moons	Working
The Team	Superbly preserved fault gouge
Looking along strike of the Caleta Collosso Fault	Oasis
Tomato pan tennis	Sample prep
Southern Spain
Cataclastic texture	Our fave beach
Superb bands of coloured fault gouge on the Carboneras Fault, looking along strike
Tight folding in schists	Fault gouge bands
Riedal shears	View of mapping area