This special session pays tribute to the scientific legacy of our colleague César R. Ranero, whose vision and leadership fundamentally transformed our understanding of plate boundary dynamics through state-of-the-art seismic imaging and integrated geodynamic modeling.
A central theme of César’s career was obtaining the highest quality observations from unique seismic datasets to conceptually advance tectonic models. In particular, his contributions help understanding the intricate linkages between long-term tectonic deformation, earthquake generation, and fluid flow dynamics through complex multidisciplinary experiments, and the development of bleeding-edge geophysical processing and inversion methods.
Although we encouraged studies based on seismic data, this session is open to all researchers working on the characterization of active and passive margins through observational, numerical, or experimental approaches. We particularly welcome contributions covering:
- Rifted margins and continental breakup: Crustal thinning, mantle exhumation, magmatic vs. magma-poor margin architecture, and the transition to seafloor spreading.
- Subduction zone processes: Megathrust structure, faulting and hydration of the bending incoming plate, forearc architecture, fluid flow, and controls on seismogenesis.
- Methodological advances in seismic imaging: Innovative acquisition strategies, processing workflows (e.g., FWI, advanced migration), and joint inversion techniques applied to deep crustal and lithospheric studies.
By integrating seismic data with seismology, drilling data, and geodynamic modeling, this session aims to foster discussions at the frontiers of subsurface imaging and global tectonics, honoring César’s passion for data-driven, breakthrough geosciences.