Long- and short-term tectonic processes shape the stress conditions under which faults operate. At the time scale of the earthquake cycle, these stresses are released by various modes of deformation ranging from steady, aseismic deformation to dynamic, seismic slip on faults. The physical processes in action at the various characteristic spatial and temporal scales motivate the integration of dynamic rupture and short term fault processes with long-term crustal deformation modeling. Reconciling observations and mechanisms will improve our understanding of the physical processes governing the seismic cycle and the construction of topography and geological  structures, the rheology of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system.

Specific questions include: How long-term crustal and lithospheric dynamics and structures affect short-term seismicity and earthquake cycle behaviour? How earthquake cycles result in the construction of topographic features? What are the relative contributions of rheology (temperature, fluids, chemistry) and geometry behaviour of seismic and aseismic slip? What are the roles of faulting and off-fault deformation in shaping the landscape and partitioning seismic and aseismic energy dissipation? These example questions are intended to stimulate a discussion about the interplay between seismicity, earthquake cycle dynamics and the geological and geodynamic evolution of deforming zones. We seek contributions from across the fields of geology, geodynamics, seismology and geodesy, encouraging both modelling and observational studies. Invited speaker: Marion Thomas, Oxford University.