SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and GPS (Global Positioning System) deformation data at the Earth's surface in conjunction with geophysical modelling and seismic flow monitoring provide nowadays a better understanding of earthquake generation processes therefore a step ahead in seismic hazard assessment. Forward geophysical models, at the local scale of active faults and at the regional scale of tectonic processes, can in fact be used in conjunction with geodetic data to disclose stress build up for a rigorously deterministic description of the earthquake cycle. The aim of the session is to enlighten new findings on the mechanics of the earthquake cycle from Earth’s deformation monitoring and modelling at different wavelengths and time scales. Particular emphasis is given to short-term transients, their measurements using geodetic methods, their potential explanations, and their implications for earthquake hazards. Studies reconciling disparate estimates of fault slip rates averaged over different time scales are welcome.