Rifting is the first stage of continental break-up, and its initiation and evolution is an important element of plate tectonics. Key processes of continental rifts are strain localization and the propagation, migration and linkage of normal faults. In response the landscape is actively modified, leading to new topography, flank uplift and changing river systems. The controlling parameters and spatiotemporal characteristics of both fault system growth and geomorphic processes in active continental rifts (e.g. East-African Rift, Basin and Range, Corinth Rift) are not well-constrained, but a wealth of new data, observations and models is leading to an improved understanding.

This session aims at integrating different disciplines that focus on the structural evolution and surface processes of young, active rifts, and welcomes contributions on structural geology, geomorphology, sedimentology, geophysics and numerical modeling. We ask for studies that are focused on natural examples of active rifts and that any numerical model contributions should build on and link to natural observations.