We used computer models to study how mountains formed by the collision of tectonic plates can later affect the breakup of these same plates. Our results show that in large, warm mountain belts, new faults form due to the orogen being  weak overall, while in smaller, colder belts, breakup follows old fault zones. Microcontinents that were accreted during collision can create new continental fragments during extension. These findings help explain how past geological events shape continent margins.

The Wufeng–Longmaxi (WF-LMX) Formation is the most important shale gas play in China. Here, we present a feasible approach using nanoindentation to characterize the mechanical properties of the WF-LMX Formation. Mechanical properties varied synchronously with mineral and organic content across the vertical drilling profile, reflecting changes in lithology and sedimentary facies. The effect of shale constituents on micromechanics is essentially controlled by the sedimentary environment.

The spatial correlation between the crustal magma reservoir and seismicity is crucial for investigating the dynamics of the Wudalianchi volcanic systems. A high-resolution 3-D shear-wave velocity crustal model reveals a distinct low-velocity body located at depths of ∼ 10–23 km below the Wudalianchi volcano. Together with the earthquake distribution, this provides new insights into the magmatic activity of the active Wudalianchi volcano.

Subsurface geometries of ancient faults mapped by high-resolution geophysical surveys use reflected seismic waves. Such surveys in southern Canada map faults which host significant gold or nickel deposits. Reflectors are considered to be brittle if upper-crustal, lava flows if folded or broken, and mid-crustal if mostly parallel. Steep fault zones possibly first formed in ocean settings when the lava erupted. Folding and horizontal shortening probably occurred during later mountain building.

We address the transition between the Paleozoic Variscan and Alpine Mesozoic–Cenozoic cycles using tectono-stratigraphy and thermochronology. This transition unfolds through a multi-phase rifting history. An initial rifting stage occurred in the early Permian, followed in the early–middle Permian by a phase of transcurrent tectonics. This was succeeded by a period of erosion/non-deposition in the middle Permian. Crustal stretching in the Middle Triassic marked the onset of the Alpine cycle.

We investigate women's representation in seismology to raise awareness of existing gender disparities. By analysing the authorship of peer-reviewed articles, we identify lower representation of women among single authors, high-impact authors, and highly productive authors. Seismology continues to be a male-dominated field, and trends suggest that parity is decades away. These gaps are an obstacle to women’s career advancement and, if neglected, may perpetuate the leaky-pipeline problem.

Infrequent eruptions of acidic magma are one of the most dangerous natural phenomena, but almost none of them have been witnessed by modern science. We present the first systematic characterization of seismicity recorded near an erupting acidic volcano (Cordón Caulle 2011). We define different phases of unrest and eruption, which combined with previous findings allows us to discuss the main processes associated with this type of violent eruption, with implications for their volcanic hazard.