TS – Tectonics & Structural Geology

Programme Group Chair: João Duarte

TS1 –  Deformation Mechanisms, Rheology, and Rock-Fluid Interactions

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
Fluid-rock interactions shape crustal dynamics and influence engineering processes, governing aspects such as deformation, earthquake genesis, metamorphic reactions and rheological weakening. This session seeks multifaceted contributions to broaden our comprehension of fluid-rock interactions.
Keywords: Brittle deformation, Ductile deformation, Fluid-mineral interaction, Fluid-rock interaction, Metamorphism
Co-organization suggestions:
EMRP1 | Rock and Mineral Physics
GD3 | Rheology, Rock and Mineral Physics, and Multiphase Materials in Geodynamics 
GMPV7 | Petrologic-geochemical-tectonic evolution of the lithosphere
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Session short summary:
Understanding rock deformation requires zooming into the finest details of mineral fabrics. This session welcomes studies that use analytical techniques such as Electron and X-ray microscopy performed with laboratory instruments or synchrotrons to investigate strain localization, fluid–rock/mineral interactions, and links between nano(geo)sciences to regional-scale deformation in Earth’s crust.
Keywords: Brittle deformation, Ductile deformation, Microstructure (mineral)
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Session short summary:
A comprehensive understanding of the deformation behavior of Earth’s lithosphere is challenging. In this session we aim to tackle the complex topic of lithospheric deformation by combining observations from natural rocks with those from experimental and numerical studies.
Keywords: Brittle deformation, Ductile deformation, Fluid-rock interaction, Rheology, Strain
Co-organization suggestions:
GD3 | Rheology, Rock and Mineral Physics, and Multiphase Materials in Geodynamics 
GMPV7 | Petrologic-geochemical-tectonic evolution of the lithosphere
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Session short summary:
This session explores how mechanical, compositional and hydraulic heterogeneities control deformation, fluid–rock interaction and mass transfer in the lithosphere. We welcome contributions from natural observations, experiments, geophysics and numerical modelling, spanning microstructural to plate scales.
Keywords: Brittle deformation, Ductile deformation, Fluid-rock interaction, Rheology, Strain
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Session short summary:
How do deformation and chemical reactions interact across scales, and how can these feedbacks be incorporated into models of rock rheology and geodynamics? This session addresses these fundamental questions by focusing on the chemomechanical behavior of metamorphic rocks, bridging observations at the microscopic scale with their implications for large-scale geodynamic processes.
Keywords: Experimental petrology, Metamorphism, Microstructure (mineral), Numerical modelling - thermal-hydraulic- mechanical-chemical (THMC), Rheology
Co-organization suggestions:
GD | Geodynamics
GMPV | Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology
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TS2 –  Tectonics of Plate Boundaries: From Rifting to Orogenesis

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, João Duarte, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
Rifting processes span from the inception of lithospheric extension through continental rupture and the onset of oceanic spreading. This session aims to combine new data, concepts and techniques elucidating the structure and dynamics of rifts and rifted margins, and to investigate how continental extension evolves into, or fails to evolve into, a new plate boundary and oceanic spreading system.
Keywords: Continent-ocean transition, Continental rifting (Lithospheric extension), Extensional Tectonics, Magmatic processes, Mid-ocean ridges
Co-organization suggestions:
GD | Geodynamics
GMPV | Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology
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Session short summary:
Accretionary wedges and fold-thrust belts reveal how crustal deformation interacts with surface and mantle processes across spatial and temporal scales. Crucial for understanding mountain building, earthquakes, fluid flow, and foreland basin evolution, they also offer key opportunities for geothermal energy and carbon storage. This interdisciplinary session provides a forum to discuss these topics
Keywords: Collisional orogens, Compressional Tectonics, Orogeny (Mountain building), Rheology
Co-organization suggestions:
GD2 | Plate Boundary Dynamics, Structure and Evolution Across Timescales; Conceptual and Regional Perspectives 
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Session short summary:
This session is addressed to multidisciplinary studies addressing crustal structure and mantle dynamics of the Alpine-Mediterranean region. We aim at collecting contributions where data obtained from AlpArray and AdriaArray can be complemented by geodesy, gravity, magnetotellurics, field studies, tectonic reconstructions, petrology, mineral physics, and geodynamic modelling.
Keywords: Active continental margins (Subduction margins), Mantle convection (Mantle dynamics), Mediterranean, Orogeny (Mountain building), Seismic imaging
Co-organization suggestions:
GD2 | Plate Boundary Dynamics, Structure and Evolution Across Timescales; Conceptual and Regional Perspectives 
SM6 | Seismic Imaging (from near-surface to global scale, incl. methodological developments)
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Session short summary:
This session focuses on the architecture, mechanics and evolution of low-angle normal faults and continental and oceanic extensional detachments. We welcome contributions addressing brittle-ductile strain localisation, tectonic inheritance, mantle exhumation and oceanic core complexes, fluid–rock interaction, and processes controlling detachment initiation and evolution.
Keywords: Continental rifting (Lithospheric extension), Extensional Tectonics, Fault tectonics, Fluid-rock interaction, Rock mechanics
Co-organization suggestions:
GD2 | Plate Boundary Dynamics, Structure and Evolution Across Timescales; Conceptual and Regional Perspectives 
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TS3 –  Active Tectonics, Seismicity, Kinematics, and Dynamics

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
We are interested in studies based on any geological approach and researche dealing with new and innovative methodological or multidisciplinary approaches. We look forward to a lively and cross-disciplinary programme that will bring together a broad range of expertises to discuss on the crucial contribution of Geological Sciences to the investigation of earthquakes and to seismic hazard assessment
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Earthquake sources, Neotectonics, Palaeoseismology (paleoseismology), Seismic hazard (Seismic risk)
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Session short summary:
From surface faulting to earthquake-generating structures at depth, this session connects observations and models across spatial and temporal scales. We seek studies that reveal fault geometry, kinematics and its interaction and evolution with seismicity, geophysics and geodetic data to build robust tectonic and seismotectonic models relevant to earthquake occurrence and seismic hazard.
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Brittle deformation, Crustal stress, Earthquake faulting, Earthquakes
Co-organization suggestions:
GD | Geodynamics
NH4 | Earthquake Hazards
SM | Seismology
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Session short summary:
This session aims at bringing together groups focusing on earthquakes and earthquake cycle through observations (seismology, geodesy, paleoseismology, tectonics) and modeling (numerical or analogue) to build synergies. Work about seismic hazard assessment specifically taking advantage of these combined approaches are also considered.
Keywords: Earth system modelling, Earthquake cycle, Earthquake faulting, Earthquake sources, Seismic hazard (Seismic risk)
Co-organization suggestions:
G3 | Geodynamics and Earth Fluids
GM7 | Tectonic, Volcanic, and Regional Geomorphology
SM4 | Earthquake Sources, Deformation and Faulting (incl. seismotectonics, geodynamics, earthquake source physics)
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Session short summary:
This session welcomes geological, geophysical, geodetic, and seismological studies of the Central Mediterranean. We encourage contributions on crustal and upper-most mantle structure, active faults, plate-boundary kinematics, deformation, and seismicity, with the aim of integrating observations and modelling to better constrain present-day tectonic processes and natural hazards.
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Active continental margins (Subduction margins), Marine hazards, Mediterranean, Seismic hazard (Seismic risk)
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Session short summary:
This session explores the mechanics of seismic and aseismic deformation in subduction zones, linking earthquake cycles to long-term tectonics. We welcome multidisciplinary observations and modelling of fault structure, rheology, stress interactions and fluid transport to understand slip behaviour across scales and improve seismic and tsunami hazard assessment
Keywords: Active continental margins (Subduction margins), Earthquake sources, Earthquakes, Subduction (Subduction zones)
Co-organization suggestions:
GD2 | Plate Boundary Dynamics, Structure and Evolution Across Timescales; Conceptual and Regional Perspectives 
SM4 | Earthquake Sources, Deformation and Faulting (incl. seismotectonics, geodynamics, earthquake source physics)
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Session short summary:
This session explores the spectrum of fault slip, from aseismic creep to dynamic earthquake rupture, and the processes controlling transitions between slip modes. We welcome multidisciplinary and multiscale approaches combining field observations, laboratory experiments, geophysics, geochemistry, and numerical modelling.
Keywords: Earthquake faulting, Fault tectonics, Faults and Fractures, Fluid-rock interaction, Rheology
Co-organization suggestions:
EMRP1 | Rock and Mineral Physics
GD3 | Rheology, Rock and Mineral Physics, and Multiphase Materials in Geodynamics 
SM4 | Earthquake Sources, Deformation and Faulting (incl. seismotectonics, geodynamics, earthquake source physics)
[Suggest a new title and/or description]
[Suggest a new convener]

TS4 –  Tectonics and its Interaction with Surface Processes and the Biosphere

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

TS5 –  Methodological Developments: Imaging, Dating and Analogue and Numerical Modelling

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
In this session, we discuss how models expand our knowledge of Earth’s processes. We invite all modelers, physical and numerical, to share their methodologies and results, including the limitations, successes, and difficulties encountered throughout their work. A wide scope of applications is welcomed, from tectonics to volcanology, seismology or sedimentary processes.
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Analogue modelling (Experimental modelling / Laboratory modelling), Landscape dynamics, Numerical modelling - mechanical, Rock mechanics
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TS6 –  Intraplate Tectonics and Deformation

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
This session explores intraplate deformation, vertical motion, and magmatism, and how they are shaped by plate motions, mantle dynamics, lithospheric structure, and changes in surface loading. We welcome observational and modelling studies that connect geological, geophysical, and geochemical records with plate reconstructions and regional or global geodynamic frameworks.
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Lithospheric mantle, Magmatic processes, Mantle convection (Mantle dynamics), Plate tectonic reconstructions
Co-organization suggestions:
GD1 | Earth and Planetary Dynamics, Structure, Composition and Evolution 
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Session short summary:
We welcome studies on subtle Quaternary deformation and seismic sources characterization. Study methods may be: geology, geomorphology, paleoseismology, geochronology, geophysics, observational/statistical seismology, and remote sensing/geodesy. We encourage studies on indirect evidence of seismicity, such as landsliding, liquefaction, deformed stalactites, and precariously balanced rocks.
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Quaternary
Co-organization suggestions:
GM7 | Tectonic, Volcanic, and Regional Geomorphology
SM9 | Co-organized Sessions
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TS7 –  Global and Planetary Tectonics and the Evolution of the Earth

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

TS8 –  Applications of Tectonics and Structural Geology to Energy Transition, Natural Hazards, and Societal Needs

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
This session highlights new approaches for measuring, modelling, and reducing uncertainty in subsurface geomechanical systems. Contributions may span field and laboratory observations, computational modelling, inversion, data integration, and AI-driven analysis, with applications in energy, storage, waste disposal, infrastructure, and mining.
Keywords: Crustal stress, Energy storage, Geothermal energy, Model uncertainty, Nuclear waste
Co-organization suggestions:
ERE | Energy, Resources and the Environment
GD5 | Modelling, Inversion, Data Assimilation, Multiscale and Multiphysics Methods for Geodynamics 
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TS9 –  General Topics in Tectonics and Structural Geology

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officers: Christoph von Hagke, Clare Bond, Paola Vannucchi, Maria Filomena Loreto, Anne Pluymakers, Simone Pilia

Proposals are marked in red.

Session short summary:
In this session, we solicit contributions that are of general interest to the tectonics and structural geology community, and whose content does not align with that of the other proposed sessions.
Keywords: Active Tectonics, Faults and Fractures, Plate Tectonics, Rheology, Tectonics-erosion interaction
[Suggest a new title and/or description]
[Suggest a new convener]

TS10 –  Other Co-organized Sessions and Short Courses

Sub-Programme Group Scientific Officer: João Duarte