Processes that deform the solid earth including those associated with the seismic cycle, migration of magma and water in the subsurface, tides, and glacial rebound; Tectonics and the relationship between short and long time scale processes; Glaciology, particularly basal mechanics and ice rheology; Ocean world tectonics and geodynamics, particularly Enceladus; Tools and applications using space geodesy, particularly GNSS, Interferometric SAR and gravity measurements.

Goal:
To understand processes that deform the lithosphere and outer ice layers of the terrestrial planets and ocean worlds at different spatial and temporal scales.

Examples of current research:

• Large earthquakes - Understanding the relationship between different phases of the seismic cycle(pre-, co-, and post-seismic) to each other and to longer-term geologic evolution.
• Glaciology – Using satellite and airborne observations of surface movement to improve ourknowledge of what controls glacier flow in major ice cap and ice sheets systems.
• Ocean worlds – Exploring models of the present-day dynamics of Enceladus – a small icy moon ofSaturn – and the relationship between crustal tectonics, geyser activity, and flux of heat andmaterial between the core, ocean and outer ice crust.
• Improving observational tools for measuring present-day deformation of the solid surfaces of Earthand Enceladus.

Why it matters
Understanding the intrinsic mechanical nature of the Earth and other celestial bodies is fundamental toour understanding of how these bodies have evolved over time. On Earth, this can lead to improvedunderstanding of anthropogenic and natural hazards and how to mitigate their impacts. On OceanWorlds, such as Enceladus, this endeavor can lead to a better understanding of whether or not habitableconditions exist in the interior and if these conditions have been sustained for geologically relevant timescales.